Hit: 55 Power: 55 Speed: 50 Fielding: 50 Arm: 55 BA Grade: 55 Risk: High
Born: February 13, 2001. B-T: L-L. HT: 6-3. WT: 210.
Drafted: Virginia Tech, 2022 (1st round).
Signed by: Tim Bittner.
TRACK RECORD: Cross broke out in his second year at Virginia Tech in 2021 to establish himself as a likely first-round pick in 2022. He was also one of the top hitters for USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team during the summer of 2021. Cross’ draft stock was boosted further in 2022 when he showed that he could handle center field. He also improved at the plate by cutting his strikeout rate from 20% in 2021 to 14% in 2022 and boosting his walk rate from 7% to 11%. Cross finished his Hokies career with a trophy case full of awards, including All-Atlantic Coast Conference first team honors in both 2021 and 2022. The Royals drafted him ninth overall in 2022 and signed him for $5,200,400. Cross began his pro career with three games in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League before reporting to Low-A Columbia, where he appeared in 26 games and posted an outstanding 1.019 OPS. He wrapped up his first season with additional playing time in instructional league.
Cross stands out for his above-average hit tool, knowledge of the strike zone and above-average power to all fields. He also has the ability to slow the game down at the plate. Cross hits with good balance and the ability to let the ball travel into the hitting zone, which allows him to consistently barrel balls and pepper line drives from gap to gap. There’s enough lift in his lefthanded swing and easy pop to put balls over the fence, too. A 25% strikeout rate in Low-A shows that there’s still work to be done with his approach, but the improvements he made in college and a willingness to learn demonstrate that he can continue to develop. An average runner, Cross reads balls well in the outfield and is athletic enough for center field, but his more likely home will be in right field, where his above-average to plus arm will be plenty for the position. Speed is not a separating tool for Cross, but he
