Guardians draft pick compared to future Hall of Famer

The Cleveland Guardians had five picks within the first three rounds of last night’s MLB Draft. One player in particular is drawing special comparisons.

With the No. 66 pick in the draft, the Guardians took Aaron Walton, an outfielder from the University of Arizona. Walton has the potential to be a great defender with a solid hit ability as well.

But one college scout compared Walton to a future Hall of Famer and one of the best hitters in the MLB over the past 10-15 years. MLB scout David Seifer said that Walton reminds him of Los Angeles Angels superstar Mike Trout.

"The guy I would probably pick in the second [round] who hasn't received as much attention as he deserves is Aaron Walton from Arizona," Seifert said. "I just think about the world of this guy. He has tools. He's a Mike Trout looking dude that plays center field like Trout. He can throw, he can run, he's got power. He takes bat to ball. I mean, I don't know what else we're looking for."

Walton finished his 2025 season at Arizona with a slash line of .320/.437/.589, with an OPS of 1.026. Those numbers include 22 doubles and 14 home runs.

Does this mean that Walton is going to be as good as or better than Mike Trout? Likely not. It is important to remember to not overreact when someone gives a scouting report that Seifert did on Walton.

However, it does mean that Walton has the same tools that Trout does. And if he is able to maximize those tools, Walton could turn into a great player and a diamond in the rough that Cleveland found.