It would be a dream scenario for the Cincinnati Reds if this outfielder fell to No. 18 in the MLB Draft

Virginia Tech outfielder Gavin Cross.
Virginia Tech outfielder Gavin Cross. / Eakin Howard/GettyImages

Last July, the Cincinnati Reds were quite fortunate to see consensus Top 10 pick Matt McLain fall all the way down to No. 17. The Reds swooped in and snagged the UCLA product and McLain has already ascended to Double-A and may be making a push for a September call-up later this season.

Could the Reds themselves in a similar scenario this summer? It's quite possible. There are several college bats that Cincinnati surely has their eyes on. Catcher Daniel Susac of the University of Arizona and Campbell shortstop Zach Neto have been linked to the Reds in recent weeks.

CBS Sports' mock draft foresees the Reds landing Susac and also mentions prep pitcher Dylan Lesko as a possibility. Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com believes that Cincinnati will select high school shortstop Cole Young, but suggests that Neto would be a possibility as well.

Could Virginia Tech OF Gavin Cross fall to the Reds at No. 18?

Gavin Cross is one of the best college bats available in the 2022 MLB Draft, and it would be a dream scenario for the Cincinnati Reds if the Virginia Tech outfielder fell all the way to No. 18. Both Mayo and Mike Axisa of CBS Sports mocked Cross going No. 8 to the Minnesota Twins.

According to MLB Pipeline, Cross is seen as a Top 10 prospect in the upcoming draft. The 21-year-old has all the tools necessary to be a successful major league player and likely profiles as corner outfielder as he lacks the speed needed to play up the middle.

But Cross' carrying tool is his bat. R.J. Anderson of CBS Sports believes that Gavin Cross will land in the backend of the Top 10 or the early-teens. That's where most experts assumed that Matt McLain would land in the 2021 MLB Draft, and the shortstop fell all the way to No. 17.

The Cincinnati Reds should be looking for an advanced college bat. The farm system is loaded with potential power-hitters, but most of them are unproven and in the lower levels of the minors. If Cincinnati is fortunate enough to see Gavin Cross on draft day, they should quickly make the selection and begin to celebrate.

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