I don’t need to convince you that the 2025 Kansas City Royals need more production from their outfield. That is a known fact and one of the biggest topics of conversation among Royals’ fans and media this offseason. Possibly because of the lack of free agent moves in the outfield, a few players in the Royals’ system are competing for a 4^th, and potentially 5^th, outfield roster spot. Among those competing are Dairon Blanco, Joey Wiemer, Tyler Gentry, Drew Waters, Nelson Velázquez, and John Rave.

An overlooked 2024 season

I’ve been a Rave believer since the halfway point of the 2024 season. He has been one of the most productive hitters in the Royals’ minor league system over the past few seasons, particularly in 2024. Somehow, Rave has become criminally overlooked within the Royals’ farm system. Here were some of his ranks among current Royals’ minor leaguers in 2024:

• .259 avg (9^th)
• 129 hits (1^st)
• 21 home runs (1^st)
• 32 doubles (2^nd)
• 5 triples (t-2^nd)
• .470 SLG (5^th)
• .816 OPS (6^th)
• .211 ISO (3^rd)

A model of consistency

Rave has posted about as consistent numbers as you can have during his minor league career. Here are the ranges of his batting average, OBP, SLG, and OPS over the past four full seasons:

Batting average: .252-.259

On-base percentage: .346-.353

Slugging percentage: .400-.470

On base plus slugging: .749-.816

Talk about a steady, reliable player. To have such little variation in statistics over four seasons speaks to his consistent, successful approach at the plate. After playing center field for the majority of his minor league innings, he played slightly more innings in left field last season. He has a mere 14 errors in 4,094 innings played in the outfield. That’ll play. With 2,673.1 of those innings coming in center field, he should be able to hold down left or right field with relative ease at the big-league level.

Spring training and why he should make the Opening Day roster

All the momentum he gained during the 2024 season has carried right over to spring training this year. At the plate this spring, he is 5 for 11 with 1 3B, 3 RBI, 3 BB, 3 K, and has added two stolen bases. He is making a case that he deserves a chance in Kansas City just as much as anyone. He’s outperformed all of his competition so far this spring, but not being on the 40-man roster hurts his case. There would need to be roster movement to add Rave to the 40-man roster, and then he would need to convince the team that he deserves a spot on the 26-man Opening Day roster. Here’s how his competition has fared thus far:

Dairon Blanco: not playing due to right Achilles tightness.

Joey Wiemer: 1 for 12, 5 BB, 4 K

Tyler Gentry: 3 for 8, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 SB

Drew Waters: 2 for 12, 1 2B, 3 RBI, 2 BB, 4 K, 1 SB

Nelson Velázquez: 1 for 5, 1 2B, 3 BB, 1 K

This is not an attempt to throw shots at these other players, I like what each of them has to offer. This is only an attempt to get more eyes on Rave, who I believe has done more than enough to at least be considered for an Opening Day roster spot. At the very least, I hope he gets an opportunity to showcase his talent at the big-league level at some point in 2025. For what it’s worth, I think Gentry deserves more of an opportunity as well.

It won’t be long until we find out who is on the Royals’ Opening Day roster. In a few short weeks, the season will begin, and we will see if the outfield looks much different than last season. If Rave is not on the initial roster and the outfield continues to struggle, look for him to get an opportunity sooner rather than later. He’s earned it.

_{Image credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports}