Kansas City Royals: Arizona Fall League Fall-Stars Update

Tad Ratliff, Reliever

• Arizona Fall League (stats): 1.80 ERA, 0.60 WHIP, 5 Ks, 0 BBs, 0 HRs, and 3 hits allowed in 5.0 Innings (1 save and 2 holds)

Tad Ratliff, the undrafted reliever, has steadily climbed the Royals farm system as a steady late-inning reliever. Ratliff has commanded an arsenal of 92-94 mph fastballs, 82-84 mph sliders, and 82 mph change-ups to rack up 33 saves between 2018 – 2019.

Ratliff has shown excellent command of his pitches in five late inning appearances for the Surprise Saguaros. He has shown the ability and knowledge of how to pitch to his strengths and avoid his weaknesses.

Ratliff has the arsenal, command, and make-up to be a major league middle innings reliever if he continues to develop. If he continues his development and success he will be steady options out of the bullpen for the Royals in the near future.

• Daniel Tillo, Pitcher
• Travis Jones, Infielder
• Gabriel Cancel, Infielder
• Trevor Oaks, Pitcher
• Freddy Fermin, Catcher

The rest of the group of Royals players in the Arizona Fall League have struggled, but have shown some flashes of potential.

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• Daniel Tillo has been used exclusively as a reliever, where his velocity has spiked on his fastball showing 96-98 mph and 86-88 mph slider has shown good movement. His command continues to dog him and if he ever puts it all together he could be an outstanding pitching prospect for the Royals.
• Travis Jones has played multiple positions in Arizona and led the team in walks at the time of his departure from roster with 11. Jones struggle to make consistent contact leading the team in Ks with 20, which caused his average to drop to .200.
• Gabriel Cancel was just added to roster and looks to finish the schedule strong. Cancel wasn’t able to produce a hit, but did reach base via a walk in his first game in Arizona. Cancel shows good power for middle infielder and he will be used at each of the infield positions during his time in Arizona.
• Trevor Oaks hasn’t been able to limit hits in his appearances. Oaks missed out on a majority of the season recovering from injury, so just to see him pitching this season is a plus.
• Freddy Fermin has played only one game on the Salt Rivers Rafters roster and was unable to get a hit. Fermin has a chance fill out a back-up catching role if he can continue to show power and develop patience at the plate.

The future is slowly, but surely looking brighter for the Kansas City Royals.