The Kansas City Royals honored nine individuals with minor league awards for the 2016 season, today at the club’s Spring Training complex in Surprise, Ariz.
Honorees included:
Jake Junis, recipient of the Paul Splittorff Award — recognizes the top minor league pitcher in the organization. Junis, 24, was named Northwest Arkansas (AA) Pitcher of the Year in 2016, going 9–7 for the Naturals with a 3.25 ERA, third best in the Texas League. He also earned midseason and postseason All-Star honors and pitched a spotless inning in the Texas League All-Star Game. Junis was promoted to Omaha (AAA) on Aug.