St. Joseph Post
The Kansas City Royals selected Gavin Cross, an outfielder from Virginia Tech, with the ninth overall pick in the 2022 First-Year Player Draft Sunday.
Cross hit .328 with 17 home runs and 50 RBI in 57 games in his junior season as Virginia Tech. He recorded 39 extra-base hits for a .660 slugging percentage. In three years at Virginia Tech, Cross slashed .340/.412/.609 with 28 home runs and 28 stolen bases in 124 games.
With the 49th overall pick in the second round, the Royals selected third baseman Cayden Wallace from the University of Arkansas. He was a starter for an Arkansas team that reached the College World Series semifinals this year.
He hit .298 with 16 home runs and 60 RBIs this season and led the team in runs (62), doubles (20), RBIs, stolen bases (12) and slugging percentage (.553) and tied for the team high in home runs.
The Draft resumes Monday, starting at 1:00 p.m. CT with rounds 3-10 on MLB.com.