Rave on!
John Rave’s two home runs weren’t the result of taking it easy over the break, writes Anne Rogers.
It wasn’t the only thing that was different about Rave on Friday. He spent the All-Star break across the state in Clearwater, Fla., driving into Tampa for three of the four days to hit at the recently opened Driveline facility. Rave has spent the last two offseasons working with Driveline in Arizona, and he met up with two of the coaches in Tampa over the break: Travis Fitta, who runs the new facility, and Elijah Boyer.
“We wanted a little bit of beach for relaxing, but also, I need to get some things right,” Rave said.
David Lesky has second half questions the Royals must answer.
But as of right now, I don’t see any real sell-off happening outside of Seth Lugo, and even he isn’t a guarantee. Part of that is because there isn’t a lot to move. Maybe a reliever goes. That I could see. But the core of this team, as of this moment, is sort of in place for 2026 to win. I don’t think they’d trade any of that core right now without having their doors blown off on an offer. Maybe I’m wrong and everyone I’ve talked to is either providing a smokescreen or is wrong too, but that’s just how I see it playing out.
That, of course, could change.
Carlos Collazo at Baseball America recaps the Royals’ 2025 draft class. [$]
The Royals were linked to lots of athletes in the lead up to the draft, and they didn’t disappoint on draft day. OF Sean Gamble is a toolsy righthanded hitter with power and speed, and SS Josh Hammond would be a top 100 prospect in the class as both a hitter and a pitcher. Now, the pitching side should be more of a fallback option, because he impressed with the bat this spring, has great power and a cannon that should serve him nicely on the left side of the infield. In the third round, the Royals got another two-way player in RHP Michael Lombardi, who has played all over the field with Tulane but has more upside on the bump.
ESPN writers have a roundtable on the trade deadline, and Jesse Rogers reports on the Royals.
Scouts are keeping a close eye on the Twins because Minnesota could have pitching to move in the coming weeks. The same can’t be said of the Royals, who keep telling folks they aren’t breaking up their team despite a middling record. AL Central teams are in a different position than they were a year ago when the division was up for grabs. Detroit will likely be the only team in the division to add anything of significance.
Bradford Doolittle writes about the Royals in the team-by-team capsules on ESPN previewing the second half.
Everything teeters on the trade deadline. Can the Royals add at least one, and preferably two, impact bats, and do so without undermining the team defense that remains the club’s backbone? It’s a really tall order and the Royals don’t have the kind of minor league depth or payroll flexibility to fill it. It’s also not clear if this year’s team is worthy of that kind of aggression in the first place. Coming out of the break, the Royals have to go on a tear, or they’ll be looking ahead to 2026 and beyond.
Sofia Schwarzwalder at the Star has a fun fact about each Royals draft pick.
Pete Grathoff notes the Royals favorable strength of schedule in the second half.
The Diamondbacks add former Royals pitcher Trevor Richards.
The Mets designate Richard Lovelady for assignment.
Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz has his administrative leave extended to August 31 amid a gambling investigation.
Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte takes a leave of absence to deal with a home burglary.
The Braves send reliever Jose Ruiz to the Rangers for pitcher Dane Dunning.
How Pete Crow-Armstrong became an MVP candidate.
A look at the best player each team has drafted in club history that did not sign.
The Red Sox gave Nathan Eovaldi his All-Star bonus even though he didn’t make the All-Star team.
Boston manager Alex Cora was at that Coldplay concert that has now gone viral.
Former Mizzou pitcher Kyle Gibson retires after 13 years in the big leagues.
Mike Trout is closing in on career milestones of 400 home runs and 1,000 RBI.
Former Little League star Mo’ne Davis will try out for a new women’s pro baseball league.
NFLPA leader Lloyd Howell Jr. resigns amidst allegations of financial impropriety and improper personal conduct.
Texas is the preseason pick to win the SEC in football.
A Polish programmer defeats AI in the coding championship.
Scientists reveal dogs’ favorite types of TV.
Inside CBS’s decision to cancel The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
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