Cayden Wallace, the third baseman, who recently finished his college baseball days with the Arkansas Razorbacks, is one of the more powerful hitters in this year’s draft at age 20. He also plays one of the most important and challenging positions on the diamond — third base, although a corner outfield spot could also be in his future.
With the college season finished, Wallace is, without a doubt, looking ahead to learning his new team this weekend. Wallace has been considered an MLB prospect since finishing high school, and choosing to spend two years at Arkansas may have shot him up to the first round.
Strengths
With a hit tool graded 45 and a power tool graded 55, Wallace earned attention from scouts with his bat. Wallace, no doubt, has a keen ability to drive in runs. According to The Baseball Cube, his RBI tool has a grade of 73. It could suggest that he steps to the plate when runners are in scoring position more often. Even if this is the case, it makes him an attractive prospect. His ability to drive the ball for extra bases is why he should get selected early.
Wallace’s other strength is his durability, which has a 95 grade. Being able to stay healthy is one of the main reasons a player stays on the field. His durability has a 95 rating. Add in his double-plus arm strength, and it becomes clear that Wallace does bring more to the table than just hitting.
Weaknesses
The first weakness to look at is perhaps the most glaring — Wallace’s speed. According to The Baseball Cube, his speed tool has a 3 rating. His speed, according to MLB, is 55. The true answer lies somewhere in the middle.
Wallace’s MLB scouting profile notes that he improved from an average to a good base runner. How this translates at the major league level is yet to be known. Other scouting profiles have said plenty about his bat but not much about his speed.
Another weakness is contact. The right-handed power hitter can send a baseball far when he gets a pitch in his wheelhouse. Scouts, however, question his ability to make contact on quality pitches and pitches over the outer half of the plate. It shouldn’t hurt his draft stock, seeing how other power hitters with similar contact issues had successful careers.
Finally, there’s the thing about playing third base. Wallace moved from right field to third base at the beginning of his most recent season at Arkansas. While he managed a full season at the hot corner in college, scouting reports suggest that isn’t in his future. It’s more realistic he goes to a corner outfield spot, with the right field being the probable destination.
MLB Player Comparison
While Bryant is currently the starting third baseman for the Colorado Rockies, he has been asked in the past to move to the outfield. Bryant perhaps finds himself starting at third in his current situation due to the absence of Nolan Arenado.
Wallace had similar grades to Bryant when the latter was a prospect. Like Bryant, Wallace can hit for power, although Bryant had a better contact grade as a prospect. Like Bryant, Wallace likely finds himself playing every day in the outfield. His bat and durability will keep him on the field.
Wallace is expected to go late in the first round, somewhere between picks 30 and 50.
Main Photo:
Players Mentioned:
Cayden Wallace, Kris Bryant, Nolan Arenado
