Written By: Patrick Joyce
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Gavin Cross OF | Virginia Tech | 21-Years-Old | Bats: L | Throws: L | 6’3″ | 215 lbs | Draft: 2022
| Hit | Power | Field | Arm | Speed | Role |
| 50 | 60 | 50 | 55 | 55 | 5 |
The Tennessee native finished high school as a Perfect Game Preseason All-American and holds the state record for most stolen bases in a single season with 41. Although, it was not until his first season as a Virginia Tech Hookie where he really began to catch the eye of baseball scouts across the country. In 2020, he concluded his freshman year with a .369 AVG in 65 at bats, but the hot bat did not stop there. He was the best hitter in Team USA’s Collegiate National Squad in the summer of 2021, the first Hookie ever to be named to the All-ACC First Team, and is in the running for the Golden Spikes Award in 2022. Thus far in 2022, with Virginia Tech eyeing their first NCAA D1 World Series Tournament since 2013, and their first championship title in school history, Gavin is doing his best to help the team accomplish this goal with a .343 AVG, 11 HR, 32 RBI, and 1.09 OPS in 175 at bats.
Hit: 50
Features an open batting stance, knees bent, with his hands loaded behind his head. There are times when Cross becomes a little aggressive in the batter’s box, pull happy, over-expands, and chases pitches outside the strike zone, especially off-speed pitches. However, when he stays patient, he gets good extension and the barrel of the bat gets to the ball quickly. He can hit the baseball with authority to all parts of the field.
Power: 60
Possesses a toe tap, leg kick, long stride, quick wrists and bat speed helps with Gavin’s timing, where he shows off good power. This is especially true when he tightens up his swing for a shorter bat path and quicker timing to the baseball allowing Gavin to launch balls over the fence, mostly to the pull side. He has the capability to hit some home runs to center and the opposite field. In addition with good speed, the rest of his power can come in the form of doubles and triples.
Glove: 50 | Arm: 55
Cross looks comfortable in center field. Shows good instincts, range, routes, and ideal speed to cover ground and get to the ball quickly. Above-average arm strength, ball leaves his glove with good carry, and ball will take off after contact with the ground. He also has experience in right field and first base, which adds to his versatility.
Speed: 55
Hustles right out of the batter’s box and around the bases. Shows solid decision-making reads to get the most out of his hustle mentality, and make opponents pay for errors or miscues on the field. While he might not be as big of a base stealer as he was back in high school, pitchers cannot take their eyes off him because he can still steal some bases.
Role: 5
There will continue to be a lot of eyes on Gavin Cross between now and July 17th, as he is expected to be selected in the top-half of the first round of this year’s draft. He would be the first player for Virginia Tech to be taken this high in the draft, since LHP: Joe Saunders was taken 12th overall in 2002. The competitive Atlantic Coast Conference has seen hitters do well in recent drafts, and while there is some swing and miss with the bat, Gavin has capability to hit in the .250 – .260 AVG range, 20-25 home runs, with some doubles and triples mixed in. Also, thanks to his solid speed, steal 15-20 stolen bases, while playing a good center field, with right field and first base as back up options, on an everyday basis.
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