Gavin
Cross

2022 MLB Draft: Great hitters can crush fastballs and Cross definitely fits that bill. At 6-foot-3, 210 pounds, he combines strength and athleticism with high level bat to ball skills. His plate coverage reminds of Kyle Schwarber with his bat head swallowing baseballs and then launching them into orbit. Cross also shows high level pitch ID skills and possesses the bat speed to hit any fastball. He hit eight balls this spring with greater than a 110 mph exit velocity and five greater than 111. Entering this spring season, his swing/miss was a concern for the industry (17 BB, 48 SO in 234 plate appearances for a 20.5% K rate in 2021). It started and remained low throughout the 2022 season, finishing with 41 strikeouts in 280 plate appearances (14.6% K rate). He also produced a final slash of .328/.411/.660 for a .332 ISO. Overall, it's a swing and approach that projects to hit for average and produce above average power at the Major League level. Cross will also show plus speed and run times down the line from the left side in the 4.10s. He's also an average defender in center field, but profiles best to right field with slightly better than average arm strength.

Their top prospect is two-hole hitter and center fielder Gavin Cross. Great hitters like Cross can crush fastballs and he further separates himself with his ability to wait back and demolish breaking balls. During this series, the left handed hitter crushed a left-on-left bender from Carter Lohman for a home run on Saturday, then went up top against a right-handed curveball from Carson Liggett on Sunday. Cross was at his best for game three of the series with four great at-bats, including the home run mentioned above, and even more so during a seventh inning at-bat against Louisville lefty closer Michael Prosecky who was brought in just to face Cross. Cross shortened up with one out, runner on third and stroked a low line drive single up the middle that extended the Hokie lead to 5-2. He then stole second base, but was left stranded. For the series, Cross led the Hokies with two home runs and five RBI. His top EVs included HR bolts of 107 mph (390') and 98 (350'), while his top overall EVs were 112 mph on a 370' foul ball and 111 on a line drive single to right center field. At 6-foot-3, 210 pounds, Cross combines strength and athleticism with high level bat to ball skills. His plate coverage reminds me of how Kyle Schwarber's bat head used to just swallow baseballs and then launch them into orbit. Throughout the weekend he showed high level pitch ID skills and possesses the bat speed to hit any fastball. Entering this spring season, his swing/miss was a concern for the industry (17 BB, 48 SO in 234 plate appearances for a 20.5% K rate in 2021), yet it was non-existent in this series with zero strikeouts in 13 plate appearances. It has also remained low throughout 2022 to date with 30 strikeouts in 213 plate appearances (13.7% K rate). Overall, it's a swing and approach that projects to hit for a solid average and produce better than average power at the Major League level. For me the five-tool talent is a no doubt top 10 overall pick.

The Hokie slugger lasered the first pitch he saw in the series, a 93 mph fastball from Chance Huff, over the right field wall for a home run to get things started for Va Tech on Friday. He would finish the three game set 6-for-16 with a double, triple, home run, two RBI and two walks vs one strikeout. At 6-foot-3, 210 pounds, Cross combines power, speed and fast-twitch. He's an impressive athlete with high level bat to ball skills. His plate coverage reminds me of how Kyle Schwarber's bat head used to just swallow baseballs and then launch them into orbit. A monster in the box, the lefty slugger is up there to crush the baseball by taking Man Hacks with both bat speed and bat strength. But, what was once a pull dominant swing has become one that produces hard contact to all fields from all different pitch types. Later in Friday's opener, Cross stroked a 2-1 changeup to center field for a triple. Throughout the weekend he showed high level pitch ID skills and possesses the bat speed to hit any fastball. Entering this spring season, his swing/miss was a concern for the industry (17 BB, 48 SO in 234 plate appearances for a 20.5% K rate in 2021). It was nearly non-existent in this series, as it has been throughout 2022 to date with just four strikeouts in 61 plate appearances (6.5% K rate). He can get out on the front side at times and a touch out of sync, but he is strong enough and athletic enough to adjust and still mishit balls for extra bases. Overall, it's a swing and approach that projects to hit for a solid average and produce plus power at the Major League level. With plus speed and run times down the line from the left side in the 4.10s Cross is also a solid defender in center field, but profiles best to right field with slightly better than average arm strength. For me the five-tool talent is a no doubt top 10 overall pick this July.

6-foot-3, 210-pound long athletic frame. Cross is an impressive athlete with elite bat to ball skills. Open stance, front foot hovers on load, and lands on line. In BP Cross does not try to put on a pull side homerun show, which he easily could. He sprays it around, works on his barrel control, and adjustability within his swing. In his first at bat of the game Cross went oppo homerun out of left. He showed some patience taking a first pitch breaking ball for a strike, before turning a 0-1 fastball around and over the left field wall. The next few at bats it was weak contact, but Cross' swing and miss is essentially non-existent. In the eight at bats I have seen between the fall and spring, I am not sure I have seen him swing and miss. He can get out on the front side at times and a touch out of sync, but he is strong enough and athletic enough to adjust and still mishit balls for extra bases. Had two good run times for Cross on Sunday, a 4.10 and 4.07 on two groundballs to the left side.

Radford Fall Scrimmage: Cross is a physical athlete at 6-foot-3, 210-pounds. Cross played center field on the day and he showed the range and physical tools to be able to stay there, or move to any position in the outfield and produce. Arm strength is above average and his ground coverage is very good. Took a few solid routes on balls in the gap including one where he was positioned into the right center field gap and tracked a ball down that was a sure double deep in the left center field gap. At the plate is where Cross has made a name for himself over the past two seasons. The covid sophomore has garnered plenty of accolades the past two spring seasons and should continue to do so. At the plate it is a relaxed, open and slightly upright stance. Hands are loose and relaxed. With his combination of strength and hand speed he can get to the contact point quickly. During BP he worked mostly backside showing some carry to that part of the park, especially working against the wind that day. During the game Cross ambushed early counts, only seeing seven pitches in his four at bats on the day. In his first at bat he took a second pitch for a line drive single back through the middle. Second at bat he grounded out to second on a first pitch. Third at bat he grounded out to first base on a 1-0 pitch and in his fourth and final at bat he flew out to left field on the second pitch. He has some protection around him in Hartigan and Schobel, but if he continues to be this aggressive early in counts he will see a lot of soft stuff early, testing his patience at the plate.

At 6-foot-3, 210 pounds, Cross combines power, speed and fast-twitch. A power runner, he got down the line from the left side in 4.31 and moved above average first to third. A monster in the box, he doesn’t get cheated. He is up there to crush the baseball by taking Man Hacks with both bat speed and bat strength. It’s a pull dominant swing and it does have some plate coverage issues, especially over the bat with a good heater, but overall it’s one that should hit for average while producing plus power. Through the first 11 games of the summer schedule, Cross led the CNT in average (.455), runs batted in (14) and was tied with Berry for home runs (4). Cross is also a solid defender in center field, but profiles better to right field with plus arm strength. With five tools his lefthanded bat is his ticket to strong consideration for selection in the top half of the first round next summer.

High ceiling. Plenty of pop in the bat. In BP took balls out of the yard with ease to the pull side and CF. Can drive the ball the other way in BP but seems to have a pull approach in game. Physical build. Strong arm from the OF, best on the team. Projects to RF. Leading VT in most offensive categories. 

Max FB: 85, FB: 82-84, CB: 70-72, CH: 69-72,
6-foot-0, 175-pound, LHP was the top arm at the event, works efficiently on the mound with consistent tempo and fluidity, hands come up a little bit with a leg lift that doesn’t get too high as he creates some very slight shoulder tilt before heading to the plate, turns into a load and strides mostly in line, a shorter but loose arm action comes through a ¾ angle, finishes balanced on his front leg, could stride out further to gain separation and possible velo.  Fastball had some hard and late run when kept down in the zone, curveball showed 2/8 shape with some potential, changeup had some run but slowed the arm down a touch, throws 3 pitches for strikes as a big time 2-way prospect in the class. 

1/29/17 - Home-1^st: 4.43, Position Velocity:  OF-86, Exit Velocity: 87
6-foot-0, 175-pound, LHH hits from a balanced and even stance with some slightly higher but quiet hand positioning, uses a short and simple stride with a smooth movement back with his hands that moves them a tad lower, lower half stays wide and strong and clears his hips while giving him a solid base to operate on, swing plane is very flat through the zone, finds the barrel a lot but can allow his top hand to get a little too strong at times.  Defensively, plays very athletically with good hands and footwork in the outfield, played through the ball with confidence, a slightly shorter arm action comes through a high ¾ slot, throws were firm and accurate.  Highly regarded 2-way prospect in the 2019 class.