Kansas City Royals: Team has 6 players represented in Arizona Fall League

The Kansas City Royals will be well represented in the Arizona Fall League as they will have 6 members from various affiliates.

The Arizona Fall League (AFL) is such a great concept in that it allows the opportunity for Kansas City Royals’ prospects to keep working on elements of their game even after their affiliates’ seasons are over. The thing that I enjoy most about baseball is that there really never is a true offseason for a baseball fan.

Sure, the Major League Baseball season concludes at the end of the World Series, but there’s the Arizona Fall League, winter ball, and then Major League Baseball kicks it back into high gear with the winter meetings in San Diego that rolls right back into Spring Training. Rinse and repeat.

Most know that the Kansas City Royals best prospects are in the lower levels, so it’s really no surprise that they have six players that will be participating in it. The great part is that teammates play on the team but several MLB teams will makeup one AFL roster. The Royals squad is assigned to the Surprise Saguaros, which also consists of members from the Pirates, Cardinals, Rangers, and Blue Jays.

Let’s take a look at the six prospects the Royals will be sending to Surprise, Arizona. I’ve also included an area that each player needs to focus on during their time in the AFL.

The Royals will have three pitchers in the AFL

Daniel Lynch, LHP

Lynch was a first-round pick in the 2018 draft out of Virginia. He spent this season split between High-A Wilmington, the Arizona rookie league, the Burlington rookie league, and back to High-A. With Wilmington, Lynch made 14 starts, throwing 72.1 innings with 71 strikeouts to just 22 walks all to the tune of a 3.36 ERA.

What he needs to work on:

It’s difficult to do in the AFL, as players are used in shorter segments, but Lynch needs to limit the amount of contact as he allowed opponents to bat 0.258 off him at High-A.

Daniel Tillo, LHP

The 6’5″ southpaw was a third round pick in the 2017 draft out of Iowa Western Community College. Tillo started the 2019 season with High-A Wilmington, making 20 starts with a 3.77 ERA. He was promoted to Double-A NW Arkansas at the beginning of August  and has been really good there as well. He’s made 3 starts (7 appearances) and allowed just one home run in 21.2 innings.

What he needs to work on:

Command was an issue for Tillo at the High-A level as he struck out 64 but also walked 43 batters. Look for him to cut down on the free passes.

Tad Ratliff, RHP

Ratliff was a non-drafted free agent signing in 2017. I’d say he’s made the most of his opportunity with the team has he was excellent for High-A Wilmington this season, serving as the team’s closer. He made 40 appearances in 2019 and converted 23/28 saves. Ratliff tosses 101.2 innings in those appearances, which is amazing in itself and struck out 115 batters while walking just 19.

What he needs to work on:

Ratliff looked like he started to wear down in his final 10 starts, as he allowed 9 earned runs in 13.1 innings. Look for him to limit the damage in the AFL.