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
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 Zobac took home the Pitcher of the Year honor for the Naturals.
Gavin Cross, the Royals’ #6 prospect according to MLB.com, had a bounce-back season in 2024 while spending the entire year in Northwest Arkansas. The slugger bashed 15 home runs while stealing 30 bases, the second-most on the team and fifth-most amongst Royals minor leaguers. Cross slashed .261/.342/.428 over 101 games in NWA, driving in 59 RBI while posting a .770 OPS. Gavin was also a non-roster invitee to the Royals camp this spring.
Steven Zobac, KC’s #7 prospect, was also extended a non-roster invite this season following an impressive 2025 campaign. The righty started the year in Quad Cities, where he was one of the most dominant pitchers in the Midwest League. He moved on to NWA where Zobac made 11 appearances and 10 starts, averaging 10.6 strikeouts per nine innings and holding opponents to a .222 batting average. The 24-year-old was the recipient of the 2024 Paul Splittorff Pitcher of the Year Award and made Naturals history last season in his fourth appearance for NWA. The righty struck out 12 in Amarillo, falling one shy of the franchise record while needing just 80 pitches over 7.0 innings of work.
The Naturals will host the Frisco RoughRiders (Texas Rangers) on Tuesday, April 8th at 7:05 p.m. for Opening Night at Arvest Ballpark. The team begins the season in Tulsa against the Drillers (Los Angeles Dodgers) on Friday, April 4th.
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, group outings, promotions, 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
Naturals 16 Strikeouts Not Enough in 7-1 Loss Saturday
SPRINGDALE, AR – The Northwest Arkansas Naturals (4-4) dropped their fourth-consecutive contest against the Frisco RoughRiders (6-2) at Arvest Ballpark by a final score of 7-1 on Saturday night. The two teams will meet for tomorrow’s series finale with a 2:05 PM CT first pitch on NWA’s Family Sunday. After
Naturals Drop Second-Straight Game Against Frisco
SPRINGDALE, AR – The Northwest Arkansas Naturals (4-2) lost their second-straight against the Frisco RoughRiders (4-2), but ultimately came up short, falling by a final score of 9-4. The two teams will continue their series tomorrow night at 7:05 PM CT at Arvest Ballpark, as the Naturals host their first
Naturals Suffer First Loss in Heartbreaking Fashion
SPRINGDALE, ARKANSAS – The Northwest Arkansas Naturals (4-1) got on the board in a hurry against the Frisco RoughRiders (3-2) in game two of a six-game series between the Texas League opponents, but the RoughRiders got the last laugh with ninth-inning heroics that evened the series with a 12-9 final
Williams’ five scoreless innings and seven strikeouts help Naturals top Frisco in Home Opener
SPRINGDALE, ARKANSAS – Henry Williams struck out seven and Jac Caglianone hit his first homer at Arvest Ballpark, helping the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (4-0) secure a 7-3 win over the Frisco RoughRiders (2-2). The scoring began in the bottom of the second, when Peyton Wilson’s triple drove in Brett Squires
Naturals Sweep Drillers With 14-3 Win Sunday
TULSA, OKLAHOMA -- The Northwest Arkansas Naturals' (3-0) offense stayed hot on Sunday in the series finale against the Tulsa Drillers (0-3) at ONEOK Field in a 14-3 victory, giving NWA a series sweep. The Naturals knocked out 17 hits in the win, with everyone getting in on the action
HOMESTAND HIGHLIGHTS: April 8-13
SPRINGDALE, Ark. – Following a three-game series in Tulsa (Friday, April 4th – Sunday, April 6th), the Northwest Arkansas Naturals will return to Arvest Ballpark on Tuesday, April 8th to host the Frisco RoughRiders (Texas Rangers) in a six-game series. The opening homestand is highlighted by a Wiffle Bat and
Caglianone & Dickerson Homer in 9-5 Win Saturday
TULSA, OKLAHOMA -- Royals top prospect, Jac Caglianone, and shortstop Dustin Dickerson each homered while #3 prospect Carter Jensen, #30 prospect Spencer Nivens, and Dickerson all had two hits in the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (2-0) 9-5 win over the Tulsa Drillers (0-2) on Saturday at ONEOK Field in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Cross' four hits, Squires' big homer lift Naturals to come-from-behind win in Tulsa
TULSA, OKLAHOMA -- After trailing by nine runs entering the eighth inning, the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (1-0) mounted a massive comeback late to take down the Tulsa Drillers (0-1) on Friday evening at ONEOK Field in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The Nats put up 10 runs in the eighth inning, winning 12-11
Royals Top Prospect Jac Caglianone Powers Naturals Prospect Laden Roster
SPRINGDALE, Ark – The Kansas City Royals have announced the Northwest Arkansas Naturals’ preliminary roster for the 2025 season, and it features five of the top seven prospects in the organization according to MLB Pipeline. That list includes Jac Caglianone, the Royals top overall prospect, as well as Carter Jensen
Open Interviews at Arvest Ballpark the Week of March 31st (12-5pm) for Bat Boy, Grounds Crew, and Parking Attendant Positions
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,
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
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
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 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
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.