SPRINGDALE -- The 11th season of the Northwest Arkansas Naturals will have a new face in the dugout, but others could be familiar, according to J.J. Picollo, Kansas City Royals vice president and assistant general manager for player personnel.
Picollo answered questions and gave fans a small preview of the Royals' Double-A affiliate on Monday afternoon during the Naturals' annual Hot Stove luncheon at The Apollo.
At A Glance
Baseball America 2018 Royals’ Top 10 Prospects
1, Nick Pratto, First Base
2, Khalil Lee, Outfield
3, Seuly Matias, Outfield
4, Josh Staumont, Pitcher*
5, Eric Skoglund, Pitcher*
6, M.J. Melendez, Catcher
7, Nicky Lopez, Infielder*
8, Hunter Dozier, Third Base*
9, Foster Griffin, Pitcher*
10, Scott Blewett, Pitcher
- Denotes player who has played in Northwest Arkansas
Middle infielder Nicky Lopez, now rated the No. 7 prospect in the Royals' minor league system by Baseball America, turned heads in the Arizona Fall League, hitting .383 and making the All-Star team. Lopez spent the second half of last season in Northwest Arkansas, after earning a midseason promotion from Class A-advanced Wilmington.
Lopez has been invited to Major League spring training camp but could start back in Northwest Arkansas, Picollo said. He hit .259 in 59 games in Northwest Arkansas last season.
"He certainly exceeded expectations last year," Picollo said. "Just because we figured he'd be in Wilmington the whole year. But he played well enough for us to promote him. I think what he went through, that was his first full season, and he learned what he may need to do in the future to get through those rough days in July and not have it fishtail on you in August.
"Because the second he got three weeks, four weeks off he got his legs back and he goes out and has a great season in the fall league, which is very challenging."
One notable change to this year's team is manager Vance Wilson will not be in the dugout in Arvest Ballpark when the Naturals open the season in 81 days. Wilson, who lives in Springdale, was also on hand to talk about his new role as Royals bullpen coach.
Wilson, who caught in the Major Leagues for eight seasons and managed the Naturals for the last four seasons, said his role will be more of a "Jack of all trades." His top duty will be to assist Royals pitching coach Cal Eldred, but he will also have other duties. He also will help hitting coach Terry Bradshaw along with some other duties.
Picollo said it's not the ordinary bullpen coach role.
"It's a nontraditional bullpen coach role," Picollo said. "Because he's multi-talented and knows all areas of the game."
Wilson's spent lots of time already getting set for his new job.
"In the minor leagues typically when your season's opener, it's coordinators and front office are doing all the work," said Wilson, who will head for spring training Feb. 5. "This way I'm talking to the pitching coach twice a week, talking to others, reach out to this guy and front office, and watching video and looking at scouting reports.
"That's probably been the coolest part of what's happening. It's a lot more year-round baseball, which is what I like. But still you're with your family and getting to decompress a little bit."
The Royals announced Wilson's replacement last week. That will be Mike Rojas, the son of former Royals All-Star Cookie Rojas. The 55-year-old has spent 13 seasons as a minor league manager, including last season with the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens.
Sports on 01/16/2018