Real Baseball Intelligence

School: Arizona State

Class: Junior

Height: 6′1″

Weight: 245 lbs.

Bats: Left

Throws: Right

Pos: 1b

Hometown: Sonoma, CA

High School: Justin-Siena HS

Previously Drafted: 42nd round, 2005 (Toronto Blue Jays)

Honors:

• 2007 Pac-10 Player of the Year
• 2007 Pac-10 Triple Crown Winner
• 2007 Baseball America, NCBWA, Rivals.com & Collegiate Baseball First-team All American
• 2007 NCBWA District IX Player of the Year

Strengths:
Wallace might be the most decorated college player in this year’s draft class. He was a tough out in 2007, reaching base in nearly half of his plate appearances and working counts. He is a plus hitter who sprays line drives gap-to-gap and has excellent bat control. Wallace is a solid defender at first base who isn’t athletic enough to move to the outfield.

Weaknesses:
Some scouts feel that Wallace’s power won’t translate well to wood. Playing with wood bats for Team USA in the summer of 2007, Wallace showed average power in batting practice but below-average power in games. He’s a below average runner and doesn’t have a professional body.

The Future:
Late first round/supplemental round.