TUCSON, Ariz. – Following his roaring 2021 calendar year on the diamond, Virginia Tech third-year outfielder Gavin Cross has been named to the 2022 Collegiate Baseball Preseason All-American Second Team, as announced by the outlet on Tuesday.
Cross garnered the highest praise among ACC outfielders, sharing in the league's class of eight Preseason All-Americans at all positions – five of whom placed onto the First and Second Teams. The Hokies' six-foot-three lefty bat was also one of eight NCAA Division I outfielders who placed onto the Second Team or higher.
After becoming Tech's first Freshman All-American in eight years following the shortened 2020 season, Cross chalked a .345 batting average, slugged .621 and recorded a .415 on-base percentage during his first full collegiate campaign in 2021. From late March to mid-April, he sported a 15-game hitting streak over 12 ACC contests that was highlighted by his 4-for-6 cycle at East Tennessee State.
By season's end, Cross had paced Tech's offense in runs (48), hits (70), doubles (13), triples (five), home runs (11) and stolen bases (nine). A qualifying rookie per his COVID-19 bonus year, he became the Hokies' first-ever freshman All-ACC First Team honoree in tandem with him receiving ACC All-Freshman Team consideration.
Beginning summer baseball in the Cape Cod Baseball League – the country's premier amateur collegiate circuit – Cross transitioned in July to USA Baseball's Stars and Stripes series, where he shined inside the national showcase. Against college baseball's elite, he led the Team USA tour in batting average (.455), home runs (four), RBIs (13) and slugging percentage (.879).
Cross is widely regarded as a top collegiate prospect for the 2022 MLB Draft. On collegiate player draft boards, he is ranked No. 3 by Perfect Game, No. 5 by D1Baseball, No. 10 by MLB Pipeline and No. 14 by Baseball America.
