The Northwest Arkansas Naturals have seen virtually all recent Royals stars in their dress rehearsal before they began their Major League careers. The Royals have typically used AA as their last big stop to face other top prospects, figuring AAA is more for veteran players. Some weaker draft classes has thinned out the talent at the top of the Royals minor league system, however, and the Naturals were left with few high upside prospects this season. They still managed to finish at .500 this year, going exactly 35-35 in both the first and second half of the season.
Best player: Jecksson Flores joined Clint Robinson as the only Naturals hitters to ever win a Texas League batting title.