Forrest Wall Stats & Scouting Report

AB	3
AVG	.333
OBP	.333
SLG	.333
HR	0

Full name Forrest Alexander Wall
Born 11/20/1995 in Winter Park, FL
Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 195 / Bats: L / Throws: R
School Orangewood Christian
Drafted in the CB-A round (35th overall) by the Colorado Rockies in 2014 (signed for $2,000,000).

View Draft Report

Wall is unusual as a high school second baseman who could go in the top two rounds. Since the draft moved to a single phase in 1987, the highest drafted high school second baseman was Gosuke Katoh (No. 66 overall) in 2013 and Wall could go higher. Wall has played second base because of a well below-average throwing arm following labrum surgery in November 2011. It has improved but will likely limit him to the keystone (if he remains in the dirt) if it doesn't show significant improvement. But Wall does have athletic actions and defensive aptitude with his glove. The lefthanded hitter is one of the best pure hitters in the draft class, a potential 65 on the 20-80 scouting scale. He has an all-fields approach and supreme contact ability. Wall also has above-average raw power, and his contact frequency could allow him to reach that power potential. He is a plus runner who regularly posts 70 run times to first base, and his speed could make an impact on the bases and perhaps move to center field. He has an athletic build at 6 feet, 176 pounds. Wall separated his left shoulder this season and missed a few weeks. His medicals will likely play a significant role in his draft status. He is committed to North Carolina, the school that produced Dustin Ackley, whom Wall has been compared to.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

The Rockies drafted Wall 35th overall in 2014, making him the highest drafted prep second baseman since the draft was consolidated into one phase in 1987. Wall's play at second base proved inadequate, however, and he began a transition to center field at high Class A Lancaster in 2017. The effort was cut short when he separated his left shoulder diving for a ball in May and missed the rest of the season. Wall has struggled to live up to his draft pedigree as a gifted hitter. He has a solid feel for contact but little power and does not drive the ball. He has plus speed to make it work as a singles hitter with a lot of stolen bases, although the Rockies are optimistic he can grow into extra-base power as he gets stronger. Defensively, Wall was nearly unplayable at second base and labrum surgery on his right shoulder in high school sapped his arm strength. Wall has hope to make it as a contact and speed-type, but now has major surgery on both shoulders to deal with and needs to find a defensive home. He is expected to be healthy for the start of 2018.
The 35th player taken in the 2014 draft--the highest selection of a high school second baseman since the draft moved to one phase in 1987--Wall is getting a chance to show versatility. The Rockies gave him time in center field during 2016 instructional league. Wall has become better at second, particularly in turning the double play, but concentration lapses and a lack of aggressiveness cost him on routine plays, and his 32 errors led the high Class A California League in 2016. Wall, who had surgery for a torn labrum in his right shoulder his junior year in high school, is best suited for the middle of the field due to his athletic ability, though his arm strength remains middling. Also, his offensive game would be a mismatch for a corner position. He is a contact hitter who can drive the ball from gap to gap. As he gets stronger he will hit some home runs, but his offensive game will be putting the ball in play and using plus speed. Wall signed for $2 million because of his bat, which the Rockies hope to see catch fire in 2017.
Selected 35th overall in 2014 and signed for an above-slot $2 million, Wall was the highest-drafted prep second baseman since the draft moved to a single phase in 1987. A North Carolina commit, he had a strong debut at Rookie-level Grand Junction after signing. He experienced an adjustment period at low Class A Asheville in 2015, but Wall finished the season on a high note, batting .338/.408/.504 in 133 at-bats after the all-star break. He did not play in July after injuring his left shoulder sliding back into second base, but the injury did not require surgery. His other shoulder has been of more concern. Surgery to repair a torn right labrum in 2011, in conjunction with a rushed rehab, sapped Wall of arm strength. He showed at least a fringe-average arm in 2015, which should be playable at second base but is worth watching. While Wall's defense remains a work in progress, the Rockies were pleased with his improvements, especially with turning double plays. He is a natural hitter with an advanced feel for the barrel and great bat speed. He has present gap power, particularly to his pull side, and his over-the-fence power should improve as he gains strength. He projects as a top-of-the-order hitter, with plus speed, and should be ready for high Class A Modesto in 2016.
Wall is the highest drafted high school second baseman--35th overall-- since the draft moved to a single phase in 1987. He committed to North Carolina but signed for an above-slot $2 million. He had labrum surgery on his right shoulder in November 2011 followed by a rushed rehab program that severely limited his arm strength. Wall is a pure hitter with loose hands who still finds a way to barrel up the ball because of his extraordinary handeye coordination, even when he opens his front hip prematurely and is off balance. He makes steady contact and drives the ball, especially to his pull side. His offspeed recognition is quite good for a young hitter, but he can chase fastballs up. Wall has above-average raw power that should become more a part of his game as he gains strength. Defensively, he needs work on his footwork and exchanges around second base turning double plays. His arm strength, while well below-average, improved during the 2014 season and could one day play as fringe-average as he continues in the Rockies' strength and rehab program. Wall should play at low Class A Asheville in 2015. If turning the double play proves too challenging, he could end up in center field, but he projects to be an impact bat at the top of the order.

Draft Prospects

Wall is unusual as a high school second baseman who could go in the top two rounds. Since the draft moved to a single phase in 1987, the highest drafted high school second baseman was Gosuke Katoh (No. 66 overall) in 2013 and Wall could go higher. Wall has played second base because of a well below-average throwing arm following labrum surgery in November 2011. It has improved but will likely limit him to the keystone (if he remains in the dirt) if it doesn't show significant improvement. But Wall does have athletic actions and defensive aptitude with his glove. The lefthanded hitter is one of the best pure hitters in the draft class, a potential 65 on the 20-80 scouting scale. He has an all-fields approach and supreme contact ability. Wall also has above-average raw power, and his contact frequency could allow him to reach that power potential. He is a plus runner who regularly posts 70 run times to first base, and his speed could make an impact on the bases and perhaps move to center field. He has an athletic build at 6 feet, 176 pounds. Wall separated his left shoulder this season and missed a few weeks. His medicals will likely play a significant role in his draft status. He is committed to North Carolina, the school that produced Dustin Ackley, whom Wall has been compared to.

Minor League Top Prospects

It's rare for prep second basemen to be drafted as high as Wall (35th overall), but it's rarer still for them to have Wall's toolset. Signed away from North Carolina for an over-slot $2 million, he has a well below-average throwing arm, resulting from labrum surgery in 2011, that will probably limit him to second base long-term. Where Wall plays may not matter, because his bat projects to be a special tool. He's a pure hitter from the left side who makes good, hard contact. His strength is on pitches middle-in, leading to a pull-oriented approach that could cause some growing pains as he faces better pitching. Wall is a plus runner with basestealing ability. His instincts, actions and confident demeanor enhance the sum of the parts. "He has plate discipline, understanding what he can and cannot do right now, and he takes advantage of it," Grand Junction manager Anthony Sanders said.

Career Transactions

Baltimore Orioles sent 2B Forrest Wall outright to Norfolk Tides.
Baltimore Orioles designated 2B Forrest Wall for assignment.
2B Forrest Wall assigned to Norfolk Tides.
Norfolk Tides activated 2B Forrest Wall.
Baltimore Orioles claimed 2B Forrest Wall off waivers from Miami Marlins.
2B Forrest Wall roster status changed by Miami Marlins.
Miami Marlins designated 2B Forrest Wall for assignment.
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp activated 2B Forrest Wall.
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp activated 2B Forrest Wall.
Miami Marlins optioned 2B Forrest Wall to Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp.
Miami Marlins recalled 2B Forrest Wall from Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp.
Miami Marlins optioned 2B Forrest Wall to Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp.
Miami Marlins claimed 2B Forrest Wall off waivers from Atlanta Braves.
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp activated 2B Forrest Wall.
Atlanta Braves designated 2B Forrest Wall for assignment.
Gwinnett Stripers activated 2B Forrest Wall.
Gwinnett Stripers activated 2B Forrest Wall.
2B Forrest Wall roster status changed by Gwinnett Stripers.
Atlanta Braves optioned 2B Forrest Wall to Gwinnett Stripers.
Atlanta Braves recalled 2B Forrest Wall from Gwinnett Stripers.
Gwinnett Stripers activated 2B Forrest Wall.
Atlanta Braves optioned 2B Forrest Wall to Gwinnett Stripers.
2B Forrest Wall changed number to 37.
Atlanta Braves selected the contract of 2B Forrest Wall from Gwinnett Stripers.
Atlanta Braves selected the contract of 2B Forrest Wall from Gwinnett Stripers.
Atlanta Braves signed free agent 2B Forrest Wall to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
2B Forrest Wall roster status changed by Atlanta Braves.
2B Forrest Wall assigned to Gwinnett Stripers.