Teoscar Hernández’s unexpected decision to re-sign with the talent-packed Los Angeles Dodgers has left the Kansas City Royals still grappling with one of the weakest outfields in Major League Baseball. While the Royals did acquire Joey Wiemer earlier this winter, the move seems more about adding depth than bolstering the starting lineup. With limited options to improve the team’s outfield offense, general manager J.J. Picollo must focus on developing talent within the organization.
Picollo should consider advancing Gavin Cross the Royals’ first-round pick in the 2022 MLB Draft to Triple-A Omaha to start the 2025 season. While this shift won’t instantly solve the outfield’s offensive struggles, which were evident in left fielder MJ Melendez, center fielder Kyle Isbel, and right fielder Hunter Renfroe last season, moving Cross up would provide more exposure to higher-level pitching and better prepare him for a potential major league role.
Gavin Cross needs to be ready to step in when the Royals call on him. The team has already experimented with Drew Waters, who was acquired from the Atlanta Braves in 2022 and has struggled in the majors, batting just .229 in 137 games. John Rave has demonstrated some promise, with 21 homers and a .346 OBP at Omaha in 2024, but his lack of protection in the Rule 5 Draft suggests the Royals may not see him as a key part of their big league future.
Cross, selected ninth overall in the 2022 draft, has shown promise despite a rocky start. After strong showings in the Arizona Complex League and Single-A Columbia, he was promoted to High-A Quad Cities in 2023. However, illness affected his performance, resulting in a subpar .206/.300/.383 line for the season, though he did manage 12 home runs. Cross made a solid comeback in 2024, improving his on-base percentage to .342, hitting 15 homers, driving in 59 RBIs, and stealing 30 bases.
Though still developing at the plate, where he struggles with strikeouts, Cross possesses strong power potential and is solid defensively, potentially even outshining Melendez. The question is whether he’s ready for a starting role early in the 2025 season. The answer is probably no. While he’s making strides, Cross needs more time to refine his game before stepping into a regular major league spot. In the meantime, Tyler Gentry, ranked 15th among the Royals’ prospects by MLB Pipeline, may be a better option for immediate help. Gentry has hit 53 homers in the past three seasons and boasts a .378 OBP and .273 average over four years.
Nevertheless, Cross isn’t far behind. The Royals need to prioritize getting him ready, and starting him at Omaha in 2025 is the ideal way to accelerate his development.
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