Royals prospect Wil Myers named Minor League Player of the Year by Baseball America

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Kansas City Royals are counting down the days to when prospect Wil Myers will start playing at Kauffman Stadium. On Tuesday, the outfielder landed a big honor.

Baseball America named Myers the publication's 2012 Minor League Player of the Year. Myers, a third round draft pick in 2009, is the third Royals prospect to win the award since its inception in 1981. Tom Gordon and Alex Gordon also collected the honor.

The 21-year-old Myers has hit a combined 37 home runs this year for Double-A Northwest Arkansas and Triple-A Omaha. His 37 homers were the second-most in minor league baseball. His 109 RBI ranked fourth overall.

Myers has been with Omaha since mid-May. The Storm Chasers start their quest to repeat as Pacific Coast League champions Wednesday night in Omaha. Myers batted .343 for Double-A NW Arkansas. He hit .304 for Omaha.

Plenty of awards have come Myers’ way this year. He was selected the “Stars of Stars” for the PCL in the Triple-A All-Star game after recording two hits, including a double, with an RBI. Last week, he made the 12-member all PCL squad. He’s one of five finalists for USA Today Minor League Player of the Year.

Myers thrilled fans on July 8 in Kansas City. He had two hits and drove in three runs for the U.S. squad at the All-Star Futures game.