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.

Kansas City Royals prospects 3B/OF Wil Myers and SP Jake Odorizzi have been promoted from Double-A Northwest Arkansas Naturals to Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers.

Wil Myers, drafted #91 overall (3rd round) in the 2009 draft, of has been absolutely on fire with the Naturals, batting .343 with 13 home runs and a 1.146 OPS. Not only is Myers hitting well, but the converted catcher to right fielder has also played center field and is now working the hot-corner.

It is obvious the Royals trust the athleticism of Myers and his ability to learn multiple positions in every attempt to expedite his promotion through the ranks.

Jake Odorizzi was acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers with Lorenzo Cain, Alcides Escobar and Jeremy Jeffress in the Zack Greinke trade of 2010. The Royals also sent Yuniesky Betancourt to the Brewers. Odorizzi is 4-2 in 7 starts with the Naturals with a 3.32 ERA and 47 strikeouts in 38 innings and a .974WHIP and 4.7 K/BB.

Once thought to be a "throw-in" piece in the Greinke deal, by many fans, Odorizzi is looking as if he may become the biggest success in the group.

How soon to the Big Show?

Wil Myers is gaining more and more versatility in the field, but where does he fit into the Royals roster in 2012? Most likely, he does not. 

CF Lorenzo Cain, is expected back from injury before the All-Star break, at very latest and Jarrod Dyson is filling in better than expected in his absence. RF Jeff Francoeur is locked up through 2013. LF Alex Gordon just signed an extension before 2012. 3B Mike Moustakas is in his first full season with the Royals. DH Billy Butler is having, arguably, the best season of his career. 

The only way I see Wil Myers making it to the Kansas City Royals in 2012 is if, and this is a VERY BIG IF, Eric Hosmer digresses even more at the plate, then is sent down to Omaha. In this scenario, I believe the Royals would ask Myers to learn 1B while in Omaha.

Most likely, Myers gets the call in mid-2013... and Frenchy is dealt.

Jake Odorizzi has a much clearer path to the MLB. Throw well, dominate, be starting for the Royals before 2012 is out. The Royals need starting pitching and Odorizzi is an elite prospect.

Do you think Myers and Odorizzi join the Royals in 2012?