Four 2024 Naturals Headed to Arizona Fall League
SPRINGDALE, Ark. – Every fall Minor League Baseball’s top prospects converge on Arizona to take part in the Arizona Fall League (AFL). The 2024 Northwest Arkansas Naturals are well represented in this year’s AFL with four of the Royals’ nine participants having donned a Northwest Arkansas uniform this season. Catcher
SPRINGDALE, Ark. – Every fall Minor League Baseball’s top prospects converge on Arizona to take part in the Arizona Fall League (AFL). The 2024 Northwest Arkansas Naturals are well represented in this year’s AFL with four of the Royals’ nine participants having donned a Northwest Arkansas uniform this season. Catcher and Royals fifth-ranked prospect, Carter Jensen, is joined by Kansas City’s #26 prospect and right-handed pitcher Luinder Avila. Right-handed pitchers Brandon Johnson and Anthony Simonelli are also set to take the field for the Surprise Saguaros.
Jensen, 21, began the season with High-A Quad Cities before finishing out the final 41 games of his season in Northwest Arkansas. Carter finished the year with a .233 batting average for NWA with over half his hits going for extra bases. The catcher blasted eight home runs, seven doubles, and three triples to slug .450. He hit 18 home runs between the two levels and finished off the year with a .326 batting average and four home his home runs over 12 games in September. The Kansas City native was the Royals' third-round pick in the 2021 draft.
Avila, 23, was on the opening day roster for the Naturals in 2024 and a member of the team’s starting rotation. The Venezuelan finished the year 6-5 with a 3.81 ERA over 19 starts, punching out 82 over his 82.2 innings of work in the Texas League. The righty spent just over a month on the Injured List this season, but after returning to action owned a 2.70 ERA while striking out 11 over his 10 innings.
Johnson, 25, started his third professional season in High-A, striking out 36 over his 24.0 innings out of the bullpen for the River Bandits before earning a promotion to Northwest Arkansas on June 11. The righty continued to mow down hitters, posting 42 k’s in 31.1 innings and 27 games out of the bullpen for NWA.
Simonelli, 25, began the year with the Naturals and made a pair of trips to AAA Omaha, eventually ending the season with the Storm Chasers. The righty was electric in relief for Northwest Arkansas, going 4-2 over 33 appearances with a whopping 74 punchouts over his 57.1 innings of work. Simonelli held opposing hitters to a .173 batting average while owning a 0.99 WHIP and a 2.35 ERA, earning three saves for the season.
The four Naturals are joined by the Royals’ first-round draft pick and top prospect, first baseman Jac Caglianone, along with left-hand pitcher Chazz Martinez, right-handed pitcher Shane Panzini, first baseman Brett Squires, and KC’s #23 prospect, infielder Daniel Vázquez. All Royals prospects will play for the Surprise Saguaros with opening night scheduled for Monday, October 7.
The Naturals are the Double-A Affiliate of the Kansas City Royals and play at Arvest Ballpark in Springdale, Arkansas. For more information, including tickets, groups, stats, and more, visit NWANaturals.com, and follow us @NWANaturals (X/Instagram) and Facebook.com/Naturals.
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Arvest Ballpark to be 'Cashless' Beginning in 2025
SPRINGDALE, Ark. – In an effort to increase overall ballpark convenience and to further streamline and enhance fan experiences throughout the ballpark, the Northwest Arkansas Naturals announced today that Arvest Ballpark will be a cashless venue beginning in 2025. This will include transactions involving food and beverage, merchandise, parking, and
Open Interviews at Arvest Ballpark for Select Game Day Positions the Week of March 31st
SPRINGDALE, Ark. – With the start of the 2025 season quickly approaching, the Northwest Arkansas Naturals announced today that they will host ‘Open Interviews’ at Arvest Ballpark the week of March 31st between the hours of 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. Available part-time, Game Day positions include Bat Boy/Clubhouse Attendants,
Royals Name Cross, Zobac 2024 Naturals of the Year
SPRINGDALE, Ark. – The Kansas City Royals announced the 2024 Pitcher and Player of the Year for each of their minor league affiliates on Saturday during a ceremony in Surprise, Arizona at their Spring Training complex. Outfielder Gavin Cross earned the Player of the Year Award while starting pitcher Steven
New March Hours Announced for the Naturals Team Store and the Arvest Ballpark Ticket Office
SPRINGDALE, Ark. – With Opening Day approaching, the Northwest Arkansas Naturals are excited to announce new hours in March for the Naturals Team Store and the Arvest Ballpark Ticket Office. Starting on March 3rd, the Naturals Team Store and the Arvest Ballpark Box Office, both located at Arvest Ballpark, will
Promo Club Memberships on Sale for the 2025 Season
SPRINGDALE, Ark. – The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are excited to announce that Promo Club memberships are now on sale for the 2025 season. Memberships are $99 and are available to all fans. Regardless of whether you attend the games or not, Promo Club members will be guaranteed access to all
Naturals, Whataburger Team Up for Field of Dreams
SPRINGDALE, Ark. – The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are excited to team up with Whataburger once again this season for the Field of Dreams program at Arvest Ballpark. The Field of Dreams program presented by Whataburger is one of the most popular programs at Arvest Ballpark. Whether it is for a
Naturals Hosting Fan Batting Practice at Arvest Ballpark on Saturday, March 15th (1-3pm)
SPRINGDALE, Ark. – The Northwest Arkansas Naturals and Whataburger are excited to offer fans the opportunity to take Batting Practice at Arvest Ballpark on Saturday, March 15th from 1pm until 3pm. Fan Batting Practice at Arvest Ballpark is available to 60 participants and is sold on a first-come, first-serve basis.
MLB Announces Royals Spring Breakout Roster
SPRINGDALE, Ark. – Major League Baseball has announced the projected rosters for the second-annual “Spring Breakout” Prospect Games and the Kansas City roster includes 10 former Naturals. The Royals prospects will face the Arizona Diamondbacks prospects on Friday, March 14th. As part of MLB Spring Training, the “Spring Breakout” Prospect
First-Ever Arvest Ballpark Classic to feature Springdale Against Rogers Heritage on Tuesday, March 11th
SPRINGDALE, Ark. – The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are proud to announce that they will be hosting the first-ever Arvest Ballpark Classic on Tuesday, March 11th and it’ll feature a high school baseball game between the Springdale Bulldogs and the Rogers Heritage War Eagles. First pitch between the two 6A-West clubs
The Naturals and Patina Restaurant Group Hosting Second Job Fair on Wednesday, March 5th (5pm - 6:30pm)
SPRINGDALE, Ark. – The Northwest Arkansas Naturals, along with Delaware North’s Patina Restaurant Group, will be hosting another Job Fair from 5 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 5th at Arvest Ballpark. The two organizations will be looking for part-time, seasonal associates that will help provide top-notch customer service
Initial 2025 Promotional Schedule Announced
SPRINGDALE, Ark. – The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are excited to announce our initial promotions for the 2025 season that will continue the tradition of low-cost, family entertainment at Arvest Ballpark. More event and promotional announcements for the season will come in the very near future! The season will begin on
2025 Field Staff: Brooks Conrad New Naturals Manager
SPRINGDALE, Ark. – The Kansas City Royals have announced the 2025 field staffs for their minor league affiliates, naming Brooks Conrad as the new field manager of the Northwest Arkansas Naturals. Conrad, the eighth manager in Naturals history, is joined by newcomer Chris Corbett who joins the club as the
Single Game Tickets on Sale for 2025 Season
SPRINGDALE, Ark. – The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are excited to announce that single game tickets are now on sale to the general public. Individual tickets were put on sale online today – Monday, January 13th at 10 am CST – for all 69 home games scheduled at Arvest Ballpark during
The Batting Practice Experience: Rent the Batting Cages at Arvest Ballpark in January and February
Springdale, Ark. – The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are excited to announce the return of our Batting Cage Experience presented by Whataburger, which will be available to fans and local teams on select days in January and February beginning on Tuesday, January 14th. The cost is $95 for an hour rental,
Strike to Deliver Valentine's Day Gifts on February 14th
SPRINGDALE, Ark. – The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are excited to announce that Strike the Sasquatch will once again be playing cupid on February 14th as you can have the Naturals' popular mascot deliver a baseball-themed gift featuring Four Home Plate Premium Tickets to Opening Day, a Parking Pass, a Chocolate
Game Day Associate Job Fair: Thursday, February 13th at Arvest Ballpark (5:15pm-7:15pm)
SPRINGDALE, Ark. – The Northwest Arkansas Naturals, along with Delaware North’s Patina Restaurant Group, will be hosting a Game Day Associate Job Fair on Thursday, February 13th at Arvest Ballpark. The two organizations will be looking for part-time, seasonal associates for the 2025 season. Interviews will begin at 5:15 p.m.
Stephen Crockett Named 2024 Head Groundskeeper of the Year in Texas League
SPRINGDALE, Ark. – The Northwest Arkansas Naturals, in conjunction with Minor League Baseball and the Texas League, are excited to announce that Stephen Crockett has been honored with the Texas League’s Head Groundskeeper of the Year Award for the 2024 season. “We are incredibly proud to congratulate Stephen Crockett on
2024 Naturals: Year for the Record Books
SPRINGDALE, Ark. – The 2024 Northwest Arkansas Naturals season came to a close on September 15, the 16th season and 17th year of baseball in Springdale, Arkansas. The summer was filled with excitement, prospects, a playoff chase, numerous big league call-ups, a bounty of prospects, and fun-filled nights at Arvest
Home Game Times Announced for 2025 Season
SPRINGDALE, Ark – The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are excited to announce start times for all home games at Arvest Ballpark during the 2025 season beginning with Opening Night, which will start at 7:05 p.m. as the Naturals host Frisco (Double-A Texas Rangers) on Tuesday, April 8th, 2025. A printable PDF
Naturals in the Community: 2024 Season
SPRINGDALE, Ark – The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are proud to continue to have a positive impact on Northwest Arkansas as over one million dollars has been raised by participating groups in the past decade through the team’s fundraising and community partners program. During the 2024 season alone, the Naturals partnered
Season Tickets, Mini Packs, Flex Packs, and Family Packs Available for 2025 Season
SPRINGDALE, Ark – The Naturals are excited to announce that Season Tickets, Mini Packs, Flex Packs, and Family Packs are now available to the public for the 2025 season of Naturals baseball. Fans can now renew their current ticket pack or become a ticket holder prior to the start of
2025 Regular Season Home Schedule Announced
SPRINGDALE, Ark – Major League Baseball today announced the Northwest Arkansas Naturals 2025 regular season home schedule. All game times will be announced at a later date. Opening Day is scheduled for Tuesday, April 8th at Arvest Ballpark against the Frisco RoughRiders (Texas Rangers). For the first time since the
Three Naturals Recognized by Royals for 2024 Season
SPRINGDALE, Ark. – The Kansas City Royals honored their 2024 Minor League Organizational Award winners Friday night at Kauffman Stadium, with three of the six winners donning Naturals uniforms in 2024. RHP Steven Zobac (Paul Splittorff Pitcher of the Year), Javier Vaz (Mike Sweeney Community Impact Award), and UTL Tyler
Naturals Hold Off Travs Charge in 7-6 Win Friday
SPRINGDALE, ARKANSAS -- Josh Lester's three-run homer in the first got the Naturals off on the right foot Friday night, and despite a late charge by the Arkansas Travelers (42-25, 78-57) the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (31-35, 66-69) held on for a 7-6 win at Arvest Ballpark. The Naturals and Travelers