(610 Sports) – After selecting one of the most well-rounded players in the first round of the 2022 MLB Draft in Virginia Tech OF Gavin Cross, the Royals may have snagged the best pure power hitter in Arkansas third-baseman Cayden Wallace, as well.
The Royals used the 49th pick in round two to select the 6-foot-1, 205-pound Wallace, who ranked as the No. 31 prospect in this year's draft by MLB.com.
In Arkansas' 2022 season, Wallace hit .298 after primarily working out of the leadoff spot. The sophomore tied for the team lead in home runs with 16 and led the Razorbacks in RBIs (60), slugging percentage (.542), doubles (20) and stolen bases (12).
Wallace played right field in his freshman season with the Razorbacks before moving to third base this year. Wallace tied the program record for home runs by a freshman with 14, matching the totals of former first-rounders Zack Cox and Heston Kjerstad.
was the No. 1 player in Arkansas out of high school in the Class of 2020 and was also a pitcher in his high school days. He was not selected in the pandemic-shortened 2020 draft, most likely due to his commitment to play for the Razorbacks.
