With the ninth overall selection in the 2022 MLB amateur draft, the Kansas City Royals selected outfielder Gavin Cross from Virginia Tech. The left-handed batter hit with .318/.399/.627 and socked 14 home runs with the Hokies in 2022. Baseball America ranked Cross as the 10th best player overall and Keith Law at The Athletic also ranked Cross as the 10th best player overall, while Fangraphs ranked Cross as the 15th best player overall.
Standing at 6’3” and 210 pounds, Cross is a physically imposing power hitter who played center field at Virginia Tech but will profile as a more traditional corner outfielder in professional baseball.