- Full name Mike Natale
- Born
- Profile Throws: R
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The cousin of former big league pitcher Greg Harris, Natale spent two years at Santa Ana (Calif.) JC before winning the NAIA World Series with Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) in 2000. While the Royals admit they didn't have huge expectations for him when they drafted him in the 22nd round that June, he has been an extremely pleasant surprise. They knew he had a good splitter. Natale's fastball has sat at 90 mph, which is enough velocity because it sinks and he can spot it where he wants. After he excelled as a reliever in his first taste of pro ball, Kansas City shifted him to the rotation in high Class A last year to see if his stuff would hold up. It did, as his changeup proved to be an effective third pitch. Natale will try to keep beating the odds this year in Double-A.