Eight Royals to compete for Surprise in the 2012 Arizona Fall League

The Arizona Fall League and the Kansas City Royals today named seven players from the Royals organization who will compete for the Surprise Saguaros in the 2012 Arizona Fall League.  An eighth player, a pitcher, will be announced at a later date.

The Royals prospects are right-handed pitcher Edwin Carl, left-handed pitchers Jon Keck and Justin Marks, infielder Alex McClure, infielder/outfielder Whit Merrifield and outfielder Brian Fletcher.  Infielder Orlando Calixte will be a member of the "taxi squad" and be eligible to play on Wednesdays and Saturdays only.  Fletcher has been designated as the Royals "priority player", assuring he will be granted maximum playing time.

2012 marks the 21st season of the Arizona Fall League, created by Major League Baseball in 1992 to serve as an off-season league for top prospects.  The season will begin on Tuesday, October 9, with the Rising Stars Game set for November 3 and the Championship Game scheduled for November 17.