John Rave

A 35th-round pick of the Red Sox coming out of high school in 2016, Rave earned Illinois State’s center field job almost immediately upon arriving on campus and has been one of the Redbirds’ best players ever since. After an extremely impressive sophomore season in which he hit .347/.402/.571 and an equally solid summer in the Cape Cod League, where he hit .304/.392/.464, Rave has established himself as one of the better hitters in the Midwest. Scouts have seen signs of a little drafitis from Rave this year, however, as he seemed to be pressing more and gearing up for more power. His strikeout rate climbed and his slash line dipped to .304/.390/.521 as a junior. Scouts don’t love Rave’s swing and how he drops his hands. He can get a little bit out outside-in on his swing at times, but he’s been effective at the plate, leading scouts to project an average hitter with average power as he matures and gets stronger. Rave is a plus runner who has a chance to stay in center field, although his decision making on routes needs further refinement. As a lefthanded hitter with a solid track record at the plate and plus speed, Rave fits as a useful fourth- to sixth-round pick.