Walter
Ahuna III

Ahuna transferred to Knoxville last fall following his breakout 2022 season with Kansas. Over 53 games and 236 plate appearances with the Jayhawks, the shortstop slashed a remarkable .396/.479/.634 while showcasing an ability to spray line drives from line-to-line. While he only appeared in the first game of the series (sat out games two and three of the series with muscle soreness and was withheld due to the cold and wet conditions) he made hard contact in two of his four plate appearances with a 96 mph line drive single and a 93 mph lineout. He received a steady diet of off speed pitches (eight fastballs vs 13 off speed) as the Gators pitched to his weakness. He tends to pull off the ball and there is also some length to his swing. This has made him vulnerable to the strikeout (21% at Kansas in 2022 and 31% to date this season) and gives analysts some concern as to whether or not his bat will play enough for an everyday role in the big leagues. However, there is no doubt about his defensive skills. He’s as slick as it gets at shortstop with smooth actions and ample arm strength he makes nearly all plays seem routine. Beginning the season as a near lock first-rounder, Ahuna’s inconsistencies at the plate to date (.286/.408/.560) have caused his stock to drop a bit, but he’s still a lock for the top 50 overall picks which equates to the middle of the second round.

USA CNT: Ahuna heads to Knoxville this fall as one of the newest Volunteers after entering the transfer portal following his breakout 2022 season with Kansas. Over 53 games and 236 plate appearances with the Jayhawks, the shortstop slashed a remarkable .396/.479/.634 while showcasing solid feel for the barrel and an ability to spray line drives from chalk-to-chalk. It's a high-energy profile both in the box and on the dirt, with Ahuna projecting to stick up-the-middle at the next level while showing potential to hit, as well. At present, offensively, there is a lot of action through his load and a big leg kick and stride — all of which can complicate consistent contact. When he's on his timing, however, he hits the ball hard with emerging power to boot. The jump to SEC competition day-in and day-out in 2023 should help sort his ultimate offensive ceiling, as the foundation is here for a potential two-hole stick with above-average production on the defensive side. There's further value in that even if the bat ultimately falls short of its lofty potential, the glove and feel could fit as a part-time utility option across the dirt and even in the grass. Ahuna will be one of the more interesting high profile draft talents to watch this fall and next spring, as he carries with him perhaps the broadest range of potential outcomes among the infielders on the final USA Collegiate National Team roster.

Hands stay tight with a body crunch and direct hands producing an in/out styled swing staying compact and spraying line drives; quick bat with oppo focus showed the bat to ball skills staying to the middle of the field during games along with patience to be a top of the lineup hitter (3 BB, 3 Hits). Defense was consistent moving easy and showing athleticism to stay in the middle of the field with strongly average arm strength that plays up at 2nd base. Strong runner showing quick feet and moving down the line well (4.22-4.29 H-1st). Frame still has space to add strength.