Rave probably doesn't help the outfield offense, but I feel like he can't hurt it and he immediately becomes the best defensive outfielder after Kyle Isbel.
The trade market can't get hot soon enough, because as excited as I am for Cags and soon as I think we will see him in KC, they need more than him to fix this offense.
The good news, as ever, is that they have a World Series quality pitching staff. They just need to get the bats to "almost competent" and they will instantly become incredibly scary.
Michael Lorenzen is the fifth or sixth best starter on the team and he'd be third on a lot of other staffs.
Bullpen games are always dangerous. Just asking too many guys to have it that night. The Royals used seven pitchers and only one of them didn't have it. But that was enough with this offense.
At the 2024 Royals Rally I sat and listened to Hunter Renfroe speak. He was an easy guy to pull for. I really wanted him to succeed. I'm disappointed his time in KC didn't go better. His time in KC has officially come to an end.
In Spring Training 2025, I thought Nick Loftin did enough to win the back up infielder job. Alas, he bats right handed and the Royals wanted a guy that could replicate the Adam Frazier role of left handed utility infielder. So Biggio was awarded the job.
When Renfroe was DFA'd and they brought up Loftin, I said to myself that I thought the Royals would also DFA Biggio (weird options rule so he can be optioned to AAA) and call up both Loftin and Rave. That would allow them to flip flop from Renfroe OF bats right and Biggio utility bats left to left handed OF Rave and right handed utility Loftin. It took a few days but that finally happened.
Rave and Loftin have been excellent at AAA and deserve their shot at playing time on the major league roster. Rave is in his age 27 season and that is a baseball position player's prime. I'm glad he is getting his shot. I hope he does what Drew Water has done and makes the most of the opportunity. We all know Jac Caglione is lurking in the wings. My guess is he gets a similar amount of time in AAA as he did in AA before being promoted to the big league club.
It's easy to sometimes forget that these ballplayers are people first. It's something that I remind myself of as I write about someone who has underachieved to the degree of someone like Renfroe. I feel like that's an area where I've grown as a writer.
It does make sense to have both Loftin and Rave getting these reps. As you say, they've earned the call. Maybe one (or both) will show some staying power.
Agree with you on Cags. Was just telling someone that I felt he'd get several weeks in Triple-A. Even if the bat is playing like we saw over the weekend in Salt Lake, he can use the time to work on the defense.
I think Mark Davis wins the crown (so to speak) for worst FA signing. His not-brother Storm would not be far behind, because in hindsight that was obviously not going to work like the Royals hoped. Guillen was bad but not even the first JG that came to mind on the topic. Looking at you, Juan Gonzalez (who probably just pulled a hammy again). Edit: misspelled Guillen. I tipe gud.
Rave probably doesn't help the outfield offense, but I feel like he can't hurt it and he immediately becomes the best defensive outfielder after Kyle Isbel.
The trade market can't get hot soon enough, because as excited as I am for Cags and soon as I think we will see him in KC, they need more than him to fix this offense.
The good news, as ever, is that they have a World Series quality pitching staff. They just need to get the bats to "almost competent" and they will instantly become incredibly scary.
I agree on your Rave assessment. Marginally improves the offense while providing some stout defense. Better but not enough.
I'm really intrigued to see what Picollo does on the trade market.
This World Series quality pitching staff has been pretty bad the last couple days. We will see
Michael Lorenzen is the fifth or sixth best starter on the team and he'd be third on a lot of other staffs.
Bullpen games are always dangerous. Just asking too many guys to have it that night. The Royals used seven pitchers and only one of them didn't have it. But that was enough with this offense.
At the 2024 Royals Rally I sat and listened to Hunter Renfroe speak. He was an easy guy to pull for. I really wanted him to succeed. I'm disappointed his time in KC didn't go better. His time in KC has officially come to an end.
In Spring Training 2025, I thought Nick Loftin did enough to win the back up infielder job. Alas, he bats right handed and the Royals wanted a guy that could replicate the Adam Frazier role of left handed utility infielder. So Biggio was awarded the job.
When Renfroe was DFA'd and they brought up Loftin, I said to myself that I thought the Royals would also DFA Biggio (weird options rule so he can be optioned to AAA) and call up both Loftin and Rave. That would allow them to flip flop from Renfroe OF bats right and Biggio utility bats left to left handed OF Rave and right handed utility Loftin. It took a few days but that finally happened.
Rave and Loftin have been excellent at AAA and deserve their shot at playing time on the major league roster. Rave is in his age 27 season and that is a baseball position player's prime. I'm glad he is getting his shot. I hope he does what Drew Water has done and makes the most of the opportunity. We all know Jac Caglione is lurking in the wings. My guess is he gets a similar amount of time in AAA as he did in AA before being promoted to the big league club.
It's easy to sometimes forget that these ballplayers are people first. It's something that I remind myself of as I write about someone who has underachieved to the degree of someone like Renfroe. I feel like that's an area where I've grown as a writer.
It does make sense to have both Loftin and Rave getting these reps. As you say, they've earned the call. Maybe one (or both) will show some staying power.
Agree with you on Cags. Was just telling someone that I felt he'd get several weeks in Triple-A. Even if the bat is playing like we saw over the weekend in Salt Lake, he can use the time to work on the defense.
I think Mark Davis wins the crown (so to speak) for worst FA signing. His not-brother Storm would not be far behind, because in hindsight that was obviously not going to work like the Royals hoped. Guillen was bad but not even the first JG that came to mind on the topic. Looking at you, Juan Gonzalez (who probably just pulled a hammy again). Edit: misspelled Guillen. I tipe gud.
Juan Gonzalez AND Benito Santiago on the same roster just about broke me.