Introducing the 2022 Draft Class By John Kocsis Jr.
It’s that time of year again in Class-A baseball. Teams go through massive face lifts and the old, familiar faces you’ve been cheering for the whole season have been pulled up to the next level as they continue their journey towards Major League Baseball. The Fireflies have already begun their annual metamorphosis, as they have welcomed five members of the 2022 draft class to South Carolina’s capital while in pursuit of their first franchise post-season
of their first franchise post-season berth. We’ll help you get to know the new recruits, first saying what the scouts said and then documenting how they’ve performed in the Carolina League so far. Gavin Cross – First Round, Virginia Tech Widely heralded as a top-10 talent in this year’s draft, Kansas City opted to draft a college position player in the first round for the first time since they picked Hunter Dozier 8th overall in the 2013 draft class. Coming out of the Tennessee high school ranks, Cross has improved his plate discipline each year since becoming a Hokie in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. Most draft reports listed Cross as a plus-power bat with above average contact ability, while stating that he’ll best fit in a corner outfield role at the next level. The outfielder has breezed through Carolina League pitching so far, earning 11 hits in his first 10 games in the neon and navy. Cross has displayed a ton of power early, mashing four homers, two doubles and a triple around three singles. The lefty has 11 strikeouts and 11 RBI, and has been able to draw five free passes, slashing .282/.378/.692 through one home and one road series in full-season baseball. In the field, Cross has made a few fantastic diving plays to take extra bases away from hitters. We haven’t seen him try to stretch out his arm yet though. Cayden Wallace – Second Round, Arkansas Wallace has been hailed as one of the top power hitters in the 2022 draft class. MLB.com suggested that he was a first-round talent, so when he fell into the Royals’ lap in the second round, it was an easy decision to pick up the third baseman. Down the stretch at Arkansas, Wallace hit six homers in his last nine games. He has a compact swing that carries quickly through the zone. Some scouts view him as a five-tool player, who runs well and has an incredible arm at third base. Like Cross, Wallace has become an every day player for the Fireflies, slotting himself in the middle of the lineup as the team has revamped their order. In nine games in Columbia, he has hit one round-tripper, but has really showcased a knack for getting on-base early in his professional career. Wallace has 10 hits in nine contests and has drawn five walks already in a Fireflies uniform. The righty is slashing .286/.390/.457 and hit a triple and a double this last week vs Kannapolis after having only one extra-base hit in his first series. He has hit well at the plate, but Wallace has also locked down the hot corner, showcasing a strong arm and the best range of a Fireflies third baseman since Jake Means
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker