After his fastball dipped to the high 80s at times this summer, Tate has worked at 92-97 mph in Arizona. He also has shown a sharper and harder slider, which has sat in the mid-80s. He has thrown strikes, but he has gotten knocked around because his command has been inconsistent.
Tate said his main goal in the AFL is to add innings after getting just 82 1/3 during the regular season. He doesn't blame the hamstring injury for his drop in stuff, which he said began to rebound after the Rangers traded him and right-handed pitching prospects Nick Green and Erik Swanson in July.