2017 Prospect Review: #2 Paxton Wallace
December 30, 2017
As the calendar turns to December, I want to review the top prospects from the 2017. These players have separated themselves as top prospect, with the potential at some point in their career to become professional prospects, if they are not already.
#2 Paxton Wallace 3B/RHP Greenbrier HS
Wallace came out as one of the premiere youth players to come though Arkansas, as he stepped into high school baseball in the spring of 2013. He looked ready to go with advanced arm strength and bat speed. He unfortunately suffered a tear in his elbow and had tommy john surgery.
Tommy John cost him all of his sophomore campaign and limited pitching efforts as a junior. In 2017 Wallace was back in true form, working is fastball as high as 93 mph and was a dominant bat in the middle of Greenbrier’s order as they advanced to the semi-finals of the state tournament.
Wallace evaluated by most MLB organization throughout the spring, but ultimately went undrafted, by most accounts, signability was low, and Wallace was very content to attend to attend Wichita State University as two way player for the Shockers, expect to hear Wallace’s name again when the 2021 draft is being discussed.
Scouting Report
Wallace is a 6-foot 200-pound with a large frame and a physical build. Offensively he starts from an athletic stance, he transitions with a smooth load. Once he gets loaded he attacks the baseball with fast bat speed, with a slight uphill bat path. He does a good job maintain balance through extension. Wallace has advanced bat speed and strength generating exit velocity up to 100 mph. Defensively he does a sound job at first base with some stiffness to his actions. He runs a 7.13 in the 60. He impresses on the mound showing advanced arm strength working 86-89 mph with the ability to reach up to 91 mph. He also locates a curveball thrown 76-78 mph with late action and change up thrown with fastball arm speed. He repeats his simple delivery consistently. Overall Wallace is a legitimate prospect as a position player or as a pitcher.