Even while injured, Wallace gives Nats more options at third base

PROSPECT REVIEW: CAYDEN WALLACE

Age on opening day 2025: 22

How acquired: Traded with Competitive Balance A pick (Caleb Lomavita) from Royals for Hunter Harvey in July 2024; originally drafted in second round by Royals in 2022 from Arkansas

Ranking: No. 11 per MLB Pipeline, No. 10 per Baseball America

MLB ETA: 2025
* Projected by MLB Pipeline

Signing bonus: $1.7 million

2024 levels: Rookie-level Arizona Complex League (Royals), High-A Wilmington, Double-A Northwest Arkansas (Royals) and Double-A Harrisburg

2024 stats: 56 G, 219 PA, 195 AB, 28 R, 50 H, 10 2B, 0 3B, 3 HR, 23 RBIs, 4 SB, 4 CS, 16 BB, 39 SO, .256 AVG, .329 OBP, .354 SLG, .683 OPS

Quotable: “He's great defensively at third. I think that's going to kind of be the spot to send him there next year starting. And it's an impact bat right away. Doesn't chase a lot, works the count. There's power in there, too. So we're excited about him.” – Eddie Longosz on Cayden Wallace

2024 analysis: Although the Competitive Balance A pick (which would become Cal catcher Caleb Lomavita) ended up being the real takeaway from the Nationals’ deal with the Royals for Hunter Harvey on July 14, Wallace was the real-time return who immediately entered Washington’s system with a strong track record.

While playing for his home state Razorbacks, he tied the school’s freshman home run record of 14 in his first season and led them to the College World Series as a draft-eligible sophomore in his second.

Wallace reached Double-A by the end of his first full professional season and was quickly projected as the Royals’ first baseman of the future to team up with Bobby Witt Jr. on the left side of the infield.

But when the Royals started making a surprise run at the postseason, they called the Nats for bullpen help. The Nats had an enticing trade chip in Harvey and needed more depth at third base as they look to find their first long-term solution at the hot corner since Anthony Rendon.

Wallace entered the Nats system already banged up with an oblique injury and then suffered through a broken rib after the trade, limiting him to just 15 games on Washington’s farm. After four rehab games with Wilmington, he collected eight hits and three RBIs in 11 games with Harrisburg. He got all of his defensive work at third at both stops and posted a perfect fielding percentage over his 13 games there.

The Nats sent Wallace to the Arizona Fall League, but injuries appeared to limit him again as he only played in three games. He collected three hits, one double, one RBI and two walks.

2025 outlook: Unfortunately because of injuries, we didn’t get to see Wallace’s full potential once he entered the Nats system. But scouts still remain high on his abilities, especially in the field.

Wallace has everyday third baseman potential. With a plus arm (rated 65 by MLB Pipeline), he makes strong, accurate throws across the diamond. He doesn’t have plus speed, but his glovework and natural instincts allow him to have good range at the hot corner.

At the plate, he has a calm demeanor to go along with his simple, compact swing. He hasn’t been a heavy home run hitter in his short time in the minors, so he projects more as a gap-to-gap batter. But as he gets stronger, the power potential could increase.

As a natural third baseman, Wallace joins Brady House and Yohandy Morales in the battle for that spot on the Nats’ major league roster. Of course, the Nats could address that position of need in free agency or a trade this offseason, but many within the organization believe at least one of those three could handle it in the near future.

Wallace should enter 2025 healthy and ready to compete at third starting at Double-A Harrisburg. Injuries also limited Harvey’s time with the Royals to just six appearances and a 6.35 ERA over the last 2 ½ months of the season. So adding Wallace and Lomavita to the farm already seems like a win for the Nats.