http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/players/christian_colon/142648 Recent articles about Christian Colon en-us by John Viril— In 2010, the Kansas City Royals minor league system enjoyed a magical season which saw a record nine farmhands propel themselves into Baseball Prospectus’ top 100 prospects. 2013 is almost the exact opposite. This year, Kansas City’s  top prospects are typically suffering through slow starts to their season. Prospects are cratering up and down the organization: AAA—Not one player from AAA Omaha made either the Baseball America or Baseball Prospectus  top 10 list of Royals prospects. Probably the only player that might qualify as a strong prospect on the Stormchaser roster is former no. 4 overall draft pick Christian Colon, who is hitting a paltry (.234/.270/.313). This disappointing performance puts a huge crimp in Colon’s MLB hopes. He was drafted on the belief that he was a low-risk prospect highly likely to advance to the major leagues. Now, his bat looks too weak to even command a utility spot. Probably the only other AAA player with significant “upside” is the ov... Fri, 17 May 2013 19:07:29 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/royals_prospects_enduring_tough_start/13642036 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/royals_prospects_enduring_tough_start/13642036 Royals prospects enduring tough Start http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/royals_prospects_enduring_tough_start/13642036 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png KANSAS CITY, Mo. All over their lineup, the Royals have impact players and difference-makers. Alex Gordon is a Gold Glove outfielder. Billy Butler is an All-Star designated hitter. Catcher Salvador Perez and shortstop Alcides Escobar are rising stars defensively and offensively. Talented center fielder Lorenzo Cain is poised to have a breakout year. Third baseman Mike Moustakas and first baseman Eric Hosmer can deliver pop from the infielder corners. Even right fielder Jeff Francoeur, coming off a dreadful offensive season, has a big arm and is capable of a 20-homer season. But the soft spot in the lineup is easy to detect second base. And it may be awhile before that changes. As of now, the weak-hitting Chris Getz holds the position. But he is a bizarre offensive fit in a bombers league -- he hasn't homered in 918 major-league at-bats, the longest active homerless streak in the major leagues. Royals fans have been hoping for two years that prospect Johnny Giavotella could win the position. Giavo Fri, 29 Mar 2013 15:47:48 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/royals_searching_for_long_term_answer_at_2b/13267360 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/royals_searching_for_long_term_answer_at_2b/13267360 Royals' searching for long-term answer at 2B http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/royals_searching_for_long_term_answer_at_2b/13267360 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png KANSAS CITY, Mo. While it is certainly true that you can never have enough pitching, there are two other positions of need perhaps even harder to stockpile: Shortstop and catcher. "When we got here (in 2006), we didnt really have a single shortstop in the system we thought could help us at the major-league level," Royals general manager Dayton Moore said. "That became one of our top priorities. And our scouting and development people have done a great job at stocking our system with high-quality prospects." The Royals, in fact, may be the envy of most other major-league teams. They already have Alcides Escobar, one of the rising stars in the game at shortstop who is signed through 2015. And the Royals also have several other prospects in the minors, several of whom, some scouts say, could someday be as good, if not better, than Escobar. The Royals also seem eager to hoard the catching position, even though Salvador Perez, another potential rising star, is locked up with the club pote Wed, 20 Mar 2013 10:53:19 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/royals_depth_at_ss_and_catcher_runs_deep/13189399 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/royals_depth_at_ss_and_catcher_runs_deep/13189399 Royals depth at SS and catcher runs deep http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/royals_depth_at_ss_and_catcher_runs_deep/13189399 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png SPRINGDALE, AR –Although the 2012 minor league season officially ended in September, 20 current and former Northwest Arkansas Naturals continued their work on the diamond as they participated in the Puerto Rican, Venezuelan and Australian Winter Leagues. With pitchers and catchers set to report to Spring Training in less than two weeks, all of the former Naturals have completed their winter seasons. Puerto Rican League Wrap-up The Puerto Rican League welcomed five Naturals alums, but a recent Natural created the most headlines. Christian Colon was named the Puerto Rican League Rookie of the Year. The Royals first round pick (fourth overall) in 2010, Colon led the league with 13 stolen bases in 39 games for the Leones de Ponce (Ponce Lions). While at the plate, Colon batted .301 with eight doubles and 26 runs scored. In 2012, Colon played in 73 games with the Naturals, batting .289 with nine doubles and 13 stolen bases and five home runs. A Texas League Mid-Season All-Star, Colon fin... Tue, 29 Jan 2013 11:15:20 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/royals_winter_league_wrap_up/12783388 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/royals_winter_league_wrap_up/12783388 Royals Winter League Wrap Up http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/royals_winter_league_wrap_up/12783388 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The Texas League All-Star game will take place at ONEOK Field in Tulsa on June 28. Six Northwest Arkansas Naturals have bee selected to represent the team. SP Justin Marks: 3-2 in 12 starts with a 3.38 ERA, 49 Ks in 61.1 innings with 30 walks. RP Patrick Keating: 2-1 with a 3.34 ERA in 21 appearances out of the bullpen, striking out 30 and walking 15 in 29.2 innings. SS/2B Christian Colon: The Royals' 2010 1st round draft pick is .290 batting average, 5 HR, 24 RBI,11 stolen bases in 60 games. 1B/DN John Whittleman: Leads Naturals with 32 RBI and leads the Texas League with 51 walks. Whittleman is batting .261 with a .431 on-base percentage and 10 HR in 61 games. CF/RF Yem Prades: The Naturals' leadoff hitter is batting .279 with 33 runs scored and 8 SB in 52 games. LF Carlo Testa: Batting .271 with a .371 OBP and 8 HR, 30 RBI in 53 games. The Texas League All-Star Game will include a home run derby this year, as well as various other skills competitions. ... Thu, 14 Jun 2012 17:49:45 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/six_players_to_represent_naturals_in_texas_league_all_star_game/11015318 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/six_players_to_represent_naturals_in_texas_league_all_star_game/11015318 Six Players to Represent Naturals in Texas League All-Star Game http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/six_players_to_represent_naturals_in_texas_league_all_star_game/11015318 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The Northwest Arkansas Naturals continued their struggle to win on Thursday night with a 3-2 loss to the Midland Rockhounds. Naturals starter Elisaul Pimentel gave a quality start allowing 3 runs, 4 hits, and fanning  6 in 6 1/3 innings of work but still received the loss.After dropping two more games to Midland on the road, the Naturals are 8-16 on the road this season and 26-26 overall. This puts them 3 games behind Tulsa for the lead in the North Division. In their last 11 games, the Naturals are 2-9.Before last night, the Naturals had scored at least 3 runs in each of their past ten games. Offensive does not seem to be the problem for the team. Christian Colon is batting .302 in his time with the Northwest Arkansas club while Nick Van Stratten has batted .350 since coming to the Naturals.If the Naturals can get their pitching together in the next few weeks, look for them to make strides towards defending their Texas League Championship. Fri, 01 Jun 2012 19:10:16 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/naturals_road_struggles_continue_in_midland/10922390 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/naturals_road_struggles_continue_in_midland/10922390 Naturals’ Road Struggles Continue in Midland http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/naturals_road_struggles_continue_in_midland/10922390 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Now, this is the Christian Colon the Royals envisioned when they drafted him with the fourth overall pick of the 2010 draft. After a slow start, Colon has heated up in the month of May and raised his average to .312 with a .370 on-base percentage for the Class AA Northwest Arkansas Naturals. Colon has three homers, 15 RBIs and eight stolen bases. That's a significant improvement from 2011 when Colon hit just .257. "I think it's just more of Christian getting comfortable in his second year in that league," Royals assistant general manager of player development J.J. Picollo said. "This is his second full season in the Texas League and just his second full season as a professional. That's when you expect to see some things click." Colon was drafted as a shortstop but he likely projects as the Royals' future second baseman, at least as long as Alcides Escobar is a Royal. Colon, though, is still playing about five games a week at shortstop and two at second base. "Shor Wed, 23 May 2012 16:06:12 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/colon_drawing_comparisons_to_jeter/10858469 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/colon_drawing_comparisons_to_jeter/10858469 Colon drawing comparisons to Jeter http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/colon_drawing_comparisons_to_jeter/10858469 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Now, this is the Christian Colon the Royals envisioned when they drafted him with the fourth overall pick of the 2010 draft. After a slow start, Colon has heated up in the month of May and raised his average to .312 with a .370 on-base percentage for the Class AA Northwest Arkansas Naturals. Colon has three homers, 15 RBIs and eight stolen bases. That's a significant improvement from 2011 when Colon hit just .257. "I think it's just more of Christian getting comfortable in his second year in that league," Royals assistant general manager of player development J.J. Picollo said. "This is his second full season in the Texas League and just his second full season as a professional. That's when you expect to see some things click." Colon was drafted as a shortstop but he likely projects as the Royals' future second baseman, at least as long as Alcides Escobar is a Royal. Colon, though, is still playing about five games a week at shortstop and two at second base. "Shor Wed, 23 May 2012 16:06:12 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/colon_drawing_comparisons_to_jeter/10858400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/colon_drawing_comparisons_to_jeter/10858400 Colon drawing comparisons to Jeter http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/colon_drawing_comparisons_to_jeter/10858400 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Garin Cecchini, 3B, Boston Red Sox Current Level: A- 2012 Top 15 Prospects Ranking: 3rd Current Value: Improving Cecchini, 21, is a left-handed-hitting third baseman who has hit very well since turning pro last year. He’s currently batting .301 with 14 steals in 16 attempts. He was a fourth round pick out of a Louisiana high school in 2010 and his power has yet to develop as expected with just one home run in 34 games. He’s showing good gap pop, though, with 13 doubles. He’s struck out a bit too much with 32 Ks and he has an OPS of just .524 against southpaw pitchers. Cecchini should spend the entire year in low-A working on the finer aspects of his game and will likely move fairly steadily through the system. If everything clicks, he could be a very successful big league player but patience is definitely required. Garin’s younger brother Gavin is set to become a first round draft pick during the 2012 amateur draft on June 4. Christian Colon, SS, Kansas City Royals Current Level: AA... Thu, 17 May 2012 13:00:23 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/fangraphs_prospect_stock_watch_051712/10814039 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/fangraphs_prospect_stock_watch_051712/10814039 FanGraphs Prospect Stock Watch – 05/17/12 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/fangraphs_prospect_stock_watch_051712/10814039 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png  The Northwest Arkansas Naturals sit at 20-17 after a 6-2 home stand. The Kansas City Royals Double-A Texas League affiliate currently sits second, four games behind the Tulsa Drillers (Colorado Rockies) in the North division.Leading the Naturals, right fielder Wil Myers has been red-hot, hitting two home runs on Monday, giving him 13 on the season, to go along with 30 RBIs in 34 games. In the last 10 games, Myers is hitting .361 with six home runs and 13 RBIs. To boot, Myers is learning how to play 3rd base... He was drafted as a catcher.As well, 2010's #4 overall draft pick, Chrisian Colon, has been a beneficiary of Myers's hot streak. Batting in front of Myers, Colon has hit .419 in the last 10 games.Entering 2012, Wil Myers was ranked as Baseball America's #3 prospect in the Royals organization and rated as the organization's "Best Hitter for Average" and "Best Strike Zone Discipline".Christian Colon was expected to be on the fast-track to the... Tue, 15 May 2012 18:10:17 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/wil_myers_christian_colon_on_fire_for_naturals/10799552 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/wil_myers_christian_colon_on_fire_for_naturals/10799552 Wil Myers, Christian Colon on Fire for Naturals http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/wil_myers_christian_colon_on_fire_for_naturals/10799552 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png This guest post stems from a conversation that began on Twitter when @CrownCrazed asked the question "Why is everyone so upset Johnny Giavotella will not be the every day starter?  I am upset Christian Colon is not yet in the majors. He was supposed to be on the fast track"Here is the Twitter conversation that preceded this email from Matt, which we have transformed into a guest post. Thanks, Matt.- Travis PflanzThe Twitter Conversation@grumpyoldmatt's Thoughts on Royals Potential TransactionsWith guys going to the DL and an overworked bullpen, managing the 25-man roster has become quite the juggling act.  If you're not a very good juggler, like me, your method of juggling becomes that of simply throwing the balls as high as you can to buy yourself some time while you try to figure out how the heck you're going to keep juggling.That works for a few tosses, but it's not sustainable.  At some point, everything comes crashing back down.  Right now, I see Dayto... Thu, 10 May 2012 17:00:22 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/multi_team_trade_looming_for_kansas_city_royals/10764740 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/multi_team_trade_looming_for_kansas_city_royals/10764740 Multi-team trade looming for Kansas City Royals? http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/multi_team_trade_looming_for_kansas_city_royals/10764740 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The Royals will be well-represented in the Arizona Fall League's sixth annual Rising Stars Game on Saturday night at Surprise, Ariz. Pitchers Nate Adcock and Jeremy Jeffress, infielder Christian Colon and outfielder Wil Myers have been selected from the Surprise Saguaros. Tue, 01 Nov 2011 22:00:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/four_royals_selected_as_afl_39s_rising_stars/7810942 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/four_royals_selected_as_afl_39s_rising_stars/7810942 Four Royals selected as AFL's Rising Stars http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/four_royals_selected_as_afl_39s_rising_stars/7810942 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Before all the Bubba Starling hoopla overtook Kansas City fans this summer, another Royals first-round pick was projected to make a significant impact with the big-league club. And much more quickly than Starling likely will. Christian Colon, the Royals' top pick in 2010, continues to make steady improvement, at least enough to envision him as the final piece to the Royals' infield of the future. Colon, 22, was drafted out of Cal State Fullerton as a shortstop. But the Royals, more than pleased with the development of Alcides Escobar at that position, see Colon as a likely second baseman, even though they haven't mentioned any of this to him. "Honestly, they haven't said anything to me like that," Colon said in a phone interview. "I've played shortstop most of my life, and I've been playing it in college and the pros. "I played shortstop last year at high A (Wilmington) and this year at Double-A (Northwest Arkansas). "I only got a couple of starts at s Mon, 31 Oct 2011 16:12:35 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/colon_aiming_to_join_buddies_with_royals/7777951 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/colon_aiming_to_join_buddies_with_royals/7777951 Colon aiming to join buddies with Royals http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/colon_aiming_to_join_buddies_with_royals/7777951 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Kansas City Royals prospect Christian Colon joins FOX Sports/Scout.com Field Reporter to talk about the Arizona Fall League, what he's working on in the off-season, and more. Fri, 28 Oct 2011 02:50:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/scouttv_christian_colon/7703128 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/scouttv_christian_colon/7703128 ScoutTV: Christian Colon http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/scouttv_christian_colon/7703128 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png