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Royals Minor Leaguer Mike Moustakas Named Texas League Player Of The Year

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The Kansas City Royals farm system is considered by many to be among the top in all of MLB.

Now they can add the top player to the list -- at least in AA-NW Arkansas.

Texas League President Tom Kayser announced on Monday that 1B 3B Mike Moustakas was awarded Texas League Player Of The Year.

He was with the NW Arkansas Naturals from April 22 to July 17 before being called up to AAA-Omaha.

If you're not familiar with the Royals minor leaguer, here's a quick summary of his AA accomplishments:

He began the season sidelined with an oblique injury he suffered in Spring Training but began his season with a bang by hitting home runs in his first two at-bats. That turned out to be a foreshadowing of what was to come, as he hit 21 home runs and drove in 76 runs as the Naturals won the North Division first half crown. Before being promoted, Moustakas led the league in batting average (.347), slugging percentage (.687), and his RBI total still ranks as the fifth most in the Texas League. 

And because the Royals have so much talent in the minor leagues, it's no surprise NW Arkansas manager Brian Poldberg was honored as the league's Manager Of The Year. He deserves it considering the Naturals already have a franchise record 80 wins with eight to go.