Yordano Ventura, Lane Adams chosen top Royals minor-leaguers

Pitcher Yordano Ventura and outfielder Lane Adams were chosen as the Royals’ minor-league players of the year for 2013, the club announced on Monday.

Ventura spent most of the season between Class AA Northwest Arkansas and Class AAA Omaha and combined to record 155 strikeouts in 134 2/3 innings.

He made his major-league debut on Sept. 17 and made three starts with the Royals, going 0-1 with a 3.52 ERA.

In his first game, Ventura unleashed a fastball clocked at 102.8 mph, the fastest recorded by a major-league player in 2013.

Ventura, 22, expected to compete for a spot in the starting rotation this season, went 8-6 with a 3.14 ERA in 26 minor-league appearances, including 25 starts.

Adams, 24, played a three levels in 2013, moving from Class A Wilmington to Northwest Arkansas to Omaha, during the Storm Chasers’ playoff run.

Adams, who previously had been picked as Wilmington’s player of the year, hit .276 in 87 games for the Blue Rocks. In August, he tied a Northwest Arkansas record by hitting three home runs in a game.

The awards are named for former Royals greats: Pitcher Paul Splittorff and third baseman George Brett. Both winners will be recognized during spring training.

This story was originally published January 27, 2014 at 2:39 PM with the headline "Yordano Ventura, Lane Adams chosen top Royals minor-leaguers."