Scouting Report

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Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 50 | Arm: 60 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45

Wallace ranked as Arkansas' top prep position prospect in 2020, though questions about his pure hitting ability and ultimate defensive home, along with his commitment to the Razorbacks, left him undrafted. He made an immediate impact in 2021, tying the school freshman record of 14 homers held by former first-round picks Zack Cox and Heston Kjerstad. He continued to build momentum with a strong summer in the Cape Cod League and he may have played his way into the first round after leading Arkansas to the College World Series this year. 

One of the best power hitters in the 2022 college class, Wallace generates impressive exit velocities with his bat speed, strength and relatively compact right-handed stroke. Most of his present power comes to his pull side, and some scouts question his ability to handle quality stuff and pitches on the outer half. He'll need to do a better job of using the opposite field and staying back on changeups. 

Wallace has gotten stronger and improved his tools in college, going from an average to solid runner and plus to perhaps double-plus arm strength. Primarily a right fielder as a freshman, he has moved to third base in his second season and also played a lot of center field during fall practice. While he should be at least an average defender on the hot corner, some evaluators believe he'll wind up in right field as a pro. 

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Arm: 65 | Field: 55 | Overall: 45

Wallace made an immediate impact at Arkansas when he tied the school's freshman home run record (14) for his home state Razorbacks. He led Arkansas to the College World Series as a Draft-eligible sophomore, and then the Royals took him in the second round of the 2022 Draft while giving him a $1.7 million signing bonus. In his first full pro season, the 22-year-old had a strong start in High-A before a late-season bump to Double-A. His performance dipped slightly at the higher level, but he slashed .254/.331/.414 over 130 games total in 2023, with 27 doubles, seven triples, 13 homers and 84 RBIs. Wallace was dealt to the Nats in July in a deal for Hunter Harvey.

Wallace goes to the plate with a calm demeanor and simple mechanics, in addition to a compact and efficient right-handed swing. He has a true feel for the barrel and has power potential to all fields, although he struggled with breaking balls in 2023 and could have gotten pull-happy in an attempt to create more power. He projects as more of a gap-to-gap hitter than a home run hitter, but as he adds strength, he might tap into that above-average raw power.

More than anything in 2023, Wallace showed he could handle the hot corner. He’s a natural third baseman with a strong, plus arm. His throws are accurate with good carry -- even the balls he fielded close to the line made it across the diamond with plenty of zip. Wallace has solid baserunning skills to help his average speed, which will lead to more stolen bases. Wallace, who has dealt with an oblique injury and broken rib after the trade, is now in an organization with other third-base options in Brady House and Yohandy Morales, but he has the well-rounded profile to carve out his own role in DC.

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 55 | Arm: 65 | Field: 55 | Overall: 50

After going undrafted in 2020 because of his commitment, Wallace made an immediate impact at Arkansas when he tied the freshman home run record (14) held by former first-round picks Zack Cox and Heston Kjerstad. After he led Arkansas to the College World Series, the Royals made Wallace, the Draft-eligible sophomore, their second-round pick and gave him a $1.7 million bonus. He made his pro debut last summer with three games in the Arizona Complex League before moving up to Single-A Columbia. There, he slashed .293/.379/.466 with two homers.

Wallace has a compact and efficient right-handed swing with a traditional setup, and he has a true feel for the barrel. He generates impressive exit velocities and easy power with his bat speed and strength. Big and broad-shouldered, most of his power right now comes from the pull side, but he’s flashed the ability to go the other way. A point of emphasis will be his swing decisions and recognizing the pitches he can do damage with to let that power play. He has a strong arm and good instincts, impressing the Royals in the fall with his third-base defense. Wallace is about an average runner but will be able to steal bases.

Wallace played a lot of outfield in college, but the Royals see him as a third baseman for the foreseeable future. As long as he makes the proper adjustments with his approach, Wallace should move quickly through the system.

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 55 | Arm: 65 | Field: 50 | Overall: 50 

Wallace ranked as Arkansas' top prep position prospect in 2020, though questions about his pure hitting ability and ultimate defensive home, along with his commitment to the Razorbacks, left him undrafted. He made an immediate impact in 2021, tying the school freshman record of 14 homers held by former first-round picks Zack Cox and Heston Kjerstad. He continued to build momentum with a strong summer in the Cape Cod League, and he helped lead Arkansas to the College World Series this year. The Royals grabbed him in the second round and went above slot to sign him for $1.7 million.

One of the best power hitters in the 2022 college class, Wallace generates impressive exit velocities with his bat speed, strength and relatively compact right-handed stroke. Most of his present power comes to his pull side, and some scouts question his ability to handle quality stuff and pitches on the outer half. He'll need to do a better job of using the opposite field and staying back on changeups. 

Wallace has gotten stronger and improved his tools in college, going from an average to solid runner and plus to perhaps double-plus arm strength. Primarily a right fielder as a freshman, he has moved to third base in his second season and also played a lot of center field during fall practice. While he should be at least an average defender on the hot corner, some evaluators believe he'll wind up in right as a pro.

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Arkansas has locked down all of the top in-state talents for its 2020 recruiting class, with Wallace the headliner among the position players. As a rising junior, he produced some of the best exit velocity at the 2018 World Wood Bat Association World Championship, and he remains one of the better power hitters in his class. He wasn't at his best during a truncated senior season, though his slugging upside still could land him in the top three or four rounds.

Wallace generates pop to all fields with bat speed, strength and a relatively short right-handed swing. His power stands out more than his pure hitting ability, though he makes enough consistent contact to do damage. He runs well for his size and can flash solid speed once he's underway.

While he'll have to continue to improve his defense, Wallace should be able to stay at third base. He has reliable hands and a strong arm that has produced fastballs up to 93 mph when he has taken the mound. His footwork needs to get better but he has demonstrated the work ethic to make that happen.

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	09/25/2024	3B Cayden Wallace assigned to Salt River Rafters.
	09/03/2024	Harrisburg Senators activated 3B Cayden Wallace from the 60-day injured list.
	09/03/2024	Harrisburg Senators activated 3B Cayden Wallace from the 60-day injured list.
	08/29/2024	Harrisburg Senators sent 3B Cayden Wallace on a rehab assignment to Wilmington Blue Rocks.
	08/29/2024	Harrisburg Senators sent 3B Cayden Wallace on a rehab assignment to Wilmington Blue Rocks.
	08/07/2024	Harrisburg Senators transferred 3B Cayden Wallace from the 7-day injured list to the 60-day injured list.
	07/14/2024	Washington Nationals traded RHP Hunter Harvey to Kansas City Royals for 3B Cayden Wallace and Future Considerations.
	07/14/2024	3B Cayden Wallace roster status changed by Washington Nationals.
	07/14/2024	Harrisburg Senators placed 3B Cayden Wallace on the 7-day injured list.
	07/14/2024	3B Cayden Wallace assigned to Harrisburg Senators.
	06/27/2024	Northwest Arkansas Naturals sent 3B Cayden Wallace on a rehab assignment to ACL Royals.
	05/22/2024	Northwest Arkansas Naturals placed 3B Cayden Wallace on the 7-day injured list.
	05/22/2024	Northwest Arkansas Naturals placed 3B Cayden Wallace on the 7-day injured list.
	03/07/2024	Kansas City Royals Prospects activated 3B Cayden Wallace.
	02/24/2024	3B Cayden Wallace assigned to Kansas City Royals.
	08/08/2023	3B Cayden Wallace assigned to Northwest Arkansas Naturals from Quad Cities River Bandits.
	08/08/2023	Northwest Arkansas Naturals activated 3B Cayden Wallace.
	04/05/2023	3B Cayden Wallace assigned to Quad Cities River Bandits from Columbia Fireflies.
	03/05/2023	3B Cayden Wallace assigned to Kansas City Royals.
	03/05/2023	3B Cayden Wallace roster status changed by Kansas City Royals.
	08/10/2022	3B Cayden Wallace assigned to Columbia Fireflies from ACL Royals.
	08/05/2022	3B Cayden Wallace assigned to ACL Royals.
	07/29/2022	Kansas City Royals signed 3B Cayden Wallace.
	06/11/2022	3B Cayden Wallace assigned to College Workout.
	03/15/2022	3B Cayden Wallace and assigned to Arkansas Razorbacks.
	02/02/2021	3B Cayden Wallace assigned to Arkansas Razorbacks.
	02/02/2021	3B Cayden Wallace assigned to Arkansas Razorbacks.
	08/08/2019	3B Cayden Wallace assigned to PG West.
	07/20/2019	3B Cayden Wallace assigned to UA American.