Wallace On Move In Royals Trade With Nationals
We would learn on Saturday night that the Kansas City Royals were moving a top prospect. That prospect, Cayden Wallace, the number two prospect in the organization was the main piece of the All-Star Break move. The Royals would also send the 39th pick of the 2024 first-year MLB Draft to the Washington Nationals for right-handed pitcher Hunter Harvey. As well as Wallace, the Royals would make room on the 40-man roster by pitcher as Nick Anderson was designated for assignment.
We will look at some highlights Wallace would have in his time in the Royals minor league system, what intangibles he brings to the Nationals, who Hunter Harvey is, and what he brings to the Royals.
Wallace Is A ‘Natural’
When fans of the Arkansas Razorbacks think of Cayden Wallace they think about a winner. We recently spoke with Royals scout, Cody Clark, who was part of the Wallace scouting in college. He would have this to say about what he saw in the third baseman while in Fayetteville when discussing the Northwest Arkansas Naturals on a recent episode of the ‘Sports Buffet’ podcast. The former 2nd-round draft pick in 2022, who has been on the 7-day IL since May 22nd, had just returned to the Naturals roster from his stint with the ACL Royals while rehabbing a hamstring injury.
“I remember, you know, scouting him at Arkansas, and I was not the area guy at the time. It was just, you know, they were in the territory, and I remember seeing him play. It just seemed to always have good at-bats and always kind of get a hit when they needed one, and he kind of carried that offense there when he was there, that last year he was there, and, you know, He’s just always kind of just – he’s built for it.”
Clark would also elude to Wallace and how his game fits the MLB by stating “ He’s built for the game. He’s built for the long haul. He’s built to get those big hits. And being under pressure, that just doesn’t bother him. It doesn’t.” Clark would also speak on the high regard for Wallace within the organization at the time of the interview.
Wallace, the 22-year-old, who spent the majority of his time with the Naturals at the Double-A level, would validate this with his performance just miles from his college campus while playing at Arvest Ballpark. In 2023, Wallace led Royals Minor Leaguers with 47 extra-base hits and ranked second with 84 RBI. He also ranked among Kansas City Minor Leaguers in triples (2nd, 7), runs scored (2nd, 75), hits (3rd, 128), doubles (3rd, 27), total bases (3rd, 208) slugging percentage (7th, .414) and OPS (9th, .745).
What Does Wallace Bring To The Nationals?
With the trade, many fans of the National may not be familiar with their newest member. With this, we wanted to deep dive into some numbers and intangibles on Wallace. As Clark stated above, Wallace has some “IT” factors to his young game.
Stability At Third
Wallace brings stability at the third base position for the Nationals. While we assume that Wallace will start with the Doube-A affiliate, Harrisburg Senators, the club has the “hot corner” taken care of. With Wallace comes an arm that has both velocity and accuracy on throws to any point on the infield. While with the Naturals, Wallace has wowed the crowds with his reaction on balls hit, agility to get to the ball, can make the acrobatic, yet accurate, throw look effortless{yet through conversations Wallace will tell you it is not} along with a smile the makes the plate.
Relentless Worker
When you hear these quotes from scouts and see the stats validate them it shows the talent in Wallace. While this is a natural talent many hours of work help keep these skills sharpened. This season, we have watched many batting practices and Wallace is without fail working with coaches one-on-one and under no circumstances will turn down additional reps. With this, there are also many times where Wallace is off to the side with his teammates working on even more skills with, at times exaggerated movements to build the muscle memory fresh and powerful.
Ultimate Teammate
Wallace has the intangibles we have discussed in detail yet more importantly, he is a leader and great mentor in the locker room and dugout. When watching Wallace he is always assisting his teammates with gloves, hats, extra words of encouragement, and always with a smile. No matter what happens to Wallace in the game he is eager to make sure his team comes first. This is an expertise that no coach in America can instill into a player. This is what sets Wallace apart from others. This is what the Royals saw in the former Razorback and now the Nationals and their fans get to witness.
With this move, the Royals have added a much-needed piece of the roster. The Royals are in desperate need. Harvey brings immediate ‘relief’ for the bullpen as we are at the MLB All-Star Break. Harvey, the 29-year-old, brings experience to the staff and a pedigree of success.
Who Is Hunter Harvey?
Harvey was originally drafted 22nd overall, by the Baltimore Orioles, in the 2013 First-Year Player Draft. In addition, Harvey was taken out of high school as he played for Bandy High School, in Catawba, North Carolina.
We mentioned Harvey had a pedigree of winning to mention his father. Brian Harvey, his father, was also an MLB player as he played for the Angels and Marlins as a relief pitcher. Harvey would be selected in 1991, with the Angels, and Marlins, in 1993 as he was a two-time All-Star. The elder Harvey would record 177 saves in his time at the major league level.
On May 7, 2023, in Arizona, Hunter Harvey would record his first save of his career. With this, the Harveys would become the ninth father-son duo to each record 1 save at the MLB level.
How Does Harvey Help?
Harvey has been to the rodeo before as he has spent six seasons at the major league level. In addition to this, Harvey brings a wealth of success and experience as in 2023 he ranked among National League relievers as he was tied for 4th in strikeout-to-walk ratio, with 5.15, and 5th WHIP, with 0.94. This, along with a 2.82 E.R.A, which tied the Cardinals JoJO Romero for the league lead, and the 94.1% stranded runner rate after inheriting 17 runners and allowing just 1 to score. With his 10 saves and 19 holds Harvey would become one of four MLB relievers to reach these marks.
These are just numbers from last season as Harvey has appeared in 43 games thus far in 2024. In these games, he has a 4.20 E.R.A. as he has allowed 21 earned runs in 45 innings pitched. Harvey also has 50 strikeouts, with a 26.3% strikeout rate and 10 in K’s in 9 innings, and allowed just 12 walks this season. Coming into the break Harvey had a 6.3% walk rate with 2.4 walks per 9 innings.
Harvey brings experience and can be inserted directly into the lineup for production. His 164 appearances with 185 strikeouts while holding opponents to a .225/.282/.370, 139/19, and .652 OPS tell us the previous statement is validated.
In closing, while the Royals did unload a top prospect along with a top-50 draft pick they filled a roster need. In baseball, this is why every move of the chess pieces of the roster is made. To not only look to the future, as Harvey is 29 but to continue to compete for another World Series Championship in 2024.
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