Kansas City Royals Celebrate 2023 Minor League Standouts at Spring Training
The Kansas City Royals have announced their 2023 Organization Award winners, recognizing the outstanding achievements and contributions of players and personnel within their minor league system. The awards ceremony, held at the Royals’ Spring Training facility in Surprise, Arizona, honored individuals across various levels of the organization for their excellence during the past season.
Travis Ashby, a dedicated employee who has been with the Surprise, Arizona operations since 2007, received the Matt Minker Award for his exceptional service. In his new role as Assistant Director of Sports and Tourism, Ashby continues to be an integral part of the operations for the Royals’ spring home.
Ramón Castro, a former infielder who transitioned into coaching, was the recipient of the Dick Howser Award. As the ACL Royals Hitting Coach, Castro has contributed to the development of young hitters, guiding the team to one of the highest batting averages in the Arizona Complex League.
Pitcher Cruz Noriega was honored with the Carlos Fortuna Award for his dedication to improving his English and his demonstration of leadership qualities. Noriega’s impressive performance for High-A Quad Cities has marked him as a player to watch within the Royals organization.
At the Triple-A level, infielder Nick Loftin and pitcher Anthony Veneziano were named Omaha’s Players of the Year. Loftin showcased his offensive talents with a strong batting performance both in Omaha and during his time in the majors, while Veneziano proved his worth on the mound with a respectable ERA and a solid number of strikeouts.
Double-A accolades went to Tyler Tolbert and Chandler Champlain, representing the Northwest Arkansas Naturals. Tolbert’s exceptional speed on the bases and performance at the plate earned him the George Brett Award for the organization’s top hitter, while Champlain’s pitching prowess secured his title as Pitcher of the Year.
High-A Quad Cities recognized Cayden Wallace and Mason Barnett as their standout Player and Pitcher of the Year, respectively. Wallace’s hitting consistency and Barnett’s strikeout rate have positioned them as key players in the Royals’ farm system.
Finally, the Columbia Fireflies’ Low-A honors went to Brett Squires and Frank Mozzicato. Squires displayed a potent combination of power and on-base ability, while Mozzicato’s impressive strikeout numbers and ERA illustrated his potential as a future pitching star.
Each of these individuals exemplifies the talent and dedication present within the Kansas City Royals minor league system, and their achievements during the 2023 season set a high standard for the organization’s future prospects. As the 2024 Spring Training continues, the Royals look forward to the contributions these award winners will make to the club, both on and off the field.
