John Rave knocking on the door of Major League Baseball at Triple A
John Rave took his last competitive at-bat of the year on Sept. 28 in the Triple A National Championship game in Las Vegas for the Omaha Storm Chasers.
Yet Rave's season wasn't officially over until the Kansas City Royals were eliminated from the American League playoffs on Oct. 10.
"I was on the taxi squad in Arizona," said Rave, who starred at Central Catholic and Illinois State. "There was maybe 10 of us getting live at-bats, trying to stay ready and making sure the swing is ready. We would be ready to go up if needed."
The Royals didn't need an injury replacement in the outfield so Rave's eventful season ended with a .259 batting average, 21 home runs, 93 runs scored, 60 RBIs and 17 stolen bases. He was named the team's Hitter of the Year and Fan Favorite.
"I always felt like I had 20-plus home run potential," Rave said of his career-high output. "I did a lot of work in the offseason to revamp some things in my swing.
"I caught my stride early in the season and felt confident. I had the opportunity to play in Triple A a lot in '23 so I felt comfortable at that level and put together a pretty good year."
Rave and the Storm Chasers won the International League championship and advanced to the Triple A National Championship, where Omaha was defeated by Sugar Land (a Houston Astros affiliate) 13-6.
"It was a really cool experience," said Rave. "We had a really good group of guys this year. That made the season pretty enjoyable. Obviously, winning a lot of games helps that."
A fifth round draft pick of the Royals in 2019, Rave saw several of his past teammates play this season for Kansas City, which ousted Baltimore in the wild card round before being eliminated by the New York Yankees in the American League Division Series.
"It was great. I've got a lot of buddies on that team, a lot of guys I got drafted with," he said. "It was cool to see Kansas City back on the map and back playing in the playoffs."
Rave has a .253 career minor league batting average with 66 home runs and 72 stolen bases in 515 professional games and 1,900 at-bats. He has spent a season and a half at the highest rung on the minor league ladder.
The 26-year-old hopes the 2025 season features his major league debut.
"It's hard to put into words, but I definitely feel like I put myself in a good position," said Rave. "Now I'm waiting for my opportunity at the big league level to showcase what I can do.
"I had a really good year. I'm waiting to see what happens and get my shot in the big leagues eventually."
Meanwhile, before Rave returns to Arizona in January to begin preparations for next season, he has a rather significant life event first.
Rave is getting married to fiancé Amy Whiting on Nov. 16.
