NW Arkansas posted a preliminary roster at the end of March (so it could change before Opening Day). The Naturals roster is once again packed with prospects. There are 17 returning players from the 2010 Texas League championship team. The team opens the season at home against the San Antonio Missions, the Double-A affiliate of the SD Padres (and they should face top prospect pitcher Casey Kelly).

Prized lefties John Lamb and Chris Dwyer figure to anchor the starting rotation. Joining them in the rotation will be Edgar Osuna, Will Smith, and Heath Rollins.

Patrick Keating is expected to have the closer’s role for the second straight season. Rounding out the rest of the Naturals bullpen include right-handers Eduardo Paulino, Mario Santiago, Blake Johnson, Eric Basurto, and Harold Mozingo, along with left-handers Brandon Sisk and Buddy Baumann.

The bulk of the catching duties will go to Salvador Perez with Ryan Eigisti and Ben Theriot splitting the backup duties.

The Royals first round draft pick in 2010 out of Cal State Fullerton, shortstop Christian Colon, will begin his first full professional season with the Naturals. Jamie Romak figures to get the bulk of the playing time at first base with Kurt Mertins and Mario Lisson splitting time at third base. Second baseman Jeff Bianchi returns after missing all of 2010 due to injury. Anthony Seratelli will show off his versatility all over the infield.

Wil Myers will begin his first season in the outfield and the speedy Derrick Robinson is expected to leadoff and play center field. Tim Smith and Nick Van Stratten fill out the rest of the outfielders.

The Royals had a larger crowd for Saturday’s game than Friday night’s game and with a bus load of fans driving in from Omaha, I was expecting a sizeable crowd for the Future’s Game. Instead it seemed that most in attendance for the big league game left, though the minor league players loved the fan support (it probably was still more than they will get playing in their minor league parks). The players were actually surprised at how many people stuck around. From what I have heard, the players had a “fantastic time” (quoted from Johnny Giavotella).

To get some pitchers’ work, they decided to play 12 innings, instead of the customary nine. The Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers won 4-1 in nine innings (or 4-2 overall) over the Double-A NW Arkansas Naturals.

Mike Montgomery via John Sleezer of the Kansas City Star

Mike Montgomery, the prized lefty starter expected to reach the majors this season, pitched four hitless innings for Omaha. He struck out four and walked one. Danny Duffy, another prized left-hander, followed Montgomery and struck out five through three innings. He did give up the Naturals first hit and an unearned run.

The Naturals collected just three hits over the nine innings, while Omaha had six, two by outfielder Gregor Blanco. Blanco hit an inside-the-park homerun while David Lough hit a homerun out of the park. Eric Homser, the Royals top prospect, didn’t hit a homerun, but did play great defense at first base for Omaha. Giavotella, Omaha’s second baseman, went 1-for-3 with a double.

John Lamb started for the Naturals and allowed three hits and one run. Chris Dwyer pitched four innings of relief while allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits, though he walked three. Both Lamb and Dwyer are also left-handed starters.

Fans chanted “Moooooose” when third base prospect Mike Moustakas came to bat (he singled in his first at-bat for Omaha) and he and the other minor leaguers loved the fans enthusiasm. They all mentioned how knowledgeable the Royals fans were and that the fans knew who each of the players were.

John Lamb cannot understand why he hasn’t heard chants of “Baaaaa” when he’s on the mound. So help him out Naturals fans!

John Lamb via John Sleezer of the Kansas City Star

Royals fans in attendance for Saturday’s Royals-Angels game at Kauffman Stadium are in for a treat. Following the MLB game, the Future’s Game will begin. The Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers will face the Double-A Northwest Arkansas Naturals. Because the minor league season begins exactly five days after the Future’s Game, the Opening Day starters for both teams are expected to pitch (along with possibly the Game 2 starters).

Chris Dwyer with Wilmington

What does that mean Royals fans? You will get to watch Mike Montgomery and Danny Duffy pitch for Omaha at the big league stadium against Chris Dwyer and John Lamb of NW Arkansas. All four are prized left-handers and all rank in Baseball America’s top 10 organizational prospects. All four are expected to reach the majors in the next two seasons.

Omaha’s corner infield positions will be manned by Mike Moustakas (3B) and top prospect Eric Hosmer (1B). For NW Arkansas, the reigning Texas League champions, look for another prospect-laden team. 2010 first round draft pick (and number 4 overall) Christian Colon is expected to be the everyday shortstop. Wil Myers, who was both a catcher and DH last season, has made the transition to the outfield. Up-and-coming catcher Salvador Perez will once again handle the top prospect rotation.

Eight of Baseball America’s top 10 prospects for the Royals should play for either Omaha or NW Arkansas in the Future’s Game (excluding Aaron Crow, who could pitch for the Royals in the big league game, and 2010 draft pick Brett Eibner). All eight of the top prospects are expected to help the Royals succeed in the next two seasons. The Royals also have six players named in the top 50 prospects for the 2011 minor league season that was unveiled on MLB Network in the offseason (Moustakas, Hosmer, Montgomery, Myers, Lamb, and Jake Odorizzi).

Enjoy the glimpse of the future on Saturday Royals fans. The future is hopefully not that far off (and I’m totally jealous that I won’t be in attendance).

The Royals will also be holding  a special prospect jersey auction for charity.

Check out http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/kc/community/jersey_auction.jsp for more details on what players’ jerseys are available.