2025 Fantasy Baseball: John Rave and Jac Caglianone
Six games into his AAA career, Jac Caglianone maintains a six-game hitting streak (9-for-26 with five runs, five home runs, and 10 RBI), including a home run in four consecutive starts (5 total HRs). His 15-game hitting streak has yielded a .318 batting average, accompanied by 12 runs, six home runs, 22 RBIs, and one steal, while keeping his strikeouts low (9 – 12.7%). Across 44 games between AA and AAA, Caglianone is hitting .320 with 34 runs, 14 home runs, 54 RBIs, and two stolen bases over 178 at-bats. His strikeout rate (20.3%) is slightly below the league average, complemented by a strong walk rate (9.4%). Recently, the Royals transitioned him to the outfield (10 games – three at AAA).
On Sunday, Kansas City called up veteran outfielder John Rave after a career-best AAA start (.301/46/9/25/17 over 173 at-bats). In the previous two seasons, his AAA performance was less notable (.250/127/28/98/21 over 765 at-bats). He draws walks (12.8% at AAA) but had a subpar strikeout rate (23.9%). Rave debuted in the majors on Sunday (5/26) at age 27, going 0-2 with a walk, two strikeouts, and a sacrifice.
The Royals also promoted Nick Loftin over the weekend, following a disciplined AAA season (39 walks and 22 strikeouts over 139 at-bats). He hit .295 with 27 runs, four home runs, 24 RBIs, and 12 stolen bases. In 216 major league at-bats over the past three seasons (.227/26/1/25/3), Loftin has struggled to establish himself. This season, he has played 1B (2), 2B (4), 3B (33), and OF (2).
Rave faces a brief opportunity to prove himself in the majors. The Royals look poised to call up Caglianone soon, once he gains more outfield experience. Kansas City’s roster has openings for two bats in left and right field, with additional flexibility at DH when Salvador Perez catches.