Northwest Arkansas Naturals third baseman Mike Moustakas has been on fire at the plate recently. En fuego. Chargrilled. Flame-broiled, you might say.
Moustakas, thought by many to be one of the most promising prospects in the Royals farm system, was named the Texas League player of the week for the second time this season on Monday, after he hit five home runs and drove in 14 runs, while batting .500 (13-for-26) in a single week.
The 21 year old is hitting .390 on the season, with 12 homers and 41 RBI in just 31 games, and has the Naturals in first place in the Texas League North Division.
But you know how you really know Mike Moustakas has been kicking some serious Texas-League tail? He has a burger named after him.
Hugo’s owner Jason Piazza and manager Dave Allen decided came up with the Greek-themed Moustakas Burger after seeing him dominate opposing pitchers at the plate for the Northwest Arkansas Naturals.
“We have season tickets and we saw his first game playing for the Naturals. I think he hit two home runs,” Allen said. “Jason had been experimenting with a Greek burger, and after seeing Moustakas play, we found a name for it.”
The Moustakas Burger is a third pound Greek-seasond patty, topped with feta cheese, olives, tomatoes, and onions. According to Allen, it has already been a good seller.
Naturals General Manager Eric Edelstein says that the honor is well deserved.
“For a player to play as well as he has, and be able to maintain that level of play for six weeks, I don’t think I’ve seen anything like it,” Edelstein said. “That’s the kind of thing that will get a food item named after you.”
Edenstein said that Moustakas’ impressive play makes it tough to say just how long he’ll be playing for the Naturals.
“At this point, he could get called up tomorrow, or he could play all year with us. The plan was for him to spend a year with us, but if he continues to play at this pace, the Royals may be forced to give him a shot at Triple A.”
Because of that fact, Hugo’s isn’t rushing to print new menus with their new burger creation. They are currently running the Moustakas Burger as a lunch and dinner special.
“As good as he is, I’m not sure how long he’ll be around. I’m sure we’ll be seeing him in a major league uniform at some point,” Allen told us. “We’ll still run the burger as a special, though.”
Moustakas and the Naturals just left town on a six-game road trip, but Edelstein said he would make sure the future major leaguer hears about the new lunch special.
According to Edelstein, the success couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.
“With all the success he’s had in his time here, he’s gotten a lot of attention, but he’s handing it well,” Edelstein said. “He’s just a really, really good guy.”
Now he’s a really good guy with a burger named after him.
So, what’s on this burger?
From the story above: The Moustakas Burger is a third pound greek-seasond patty, topped with feta cheese, olives, tomatoes, and onions. According to Allen, it has already been a good seller.
Could you repeat that?
Easily, if I ate one. But seriously…
Hey Jason and Dave,
I guess I won’t be able to try this any time soon!
Are you guys ready to take my business again……….or are you guys still “Too Busy” to take my order??
When so many eating places are begging for customers, it must be a luxury to turn away customers with money in hand? The second time it happened, I didn’t go back!
Mullva, I like me some Hugo’s, but there’s a new sheriff in town where awesome burgers are concerned, and his name is FELTNER BROS.
Seriously. Go.
OMG! Feltner Brothers YES! That place is freaking awesome.
[...] Moustakas has been such a hit in the Texas League that he got a burger named after him. With Stanton making the jump from double at to the majors, and Moustakas hitting at a similarly [...]
[...] While I waited, I asked if they still offered the Moustakas Burger, a Greek-inspired 1/3rd pound burger with feta, olives, tomatoes and onions, named for former Arkansas Naturals third baseman Mike Moustakas. [...]