Infielder Aiva Arquette made a statement in the first weekend of college baseball
The college baseball season has officially begun. With the number 1 pick, Nationals fans will be looking intently at the top prospects. In my first look at the draft, I talked about the three big names, Ethan Holliday, Jace Laviolette, and Jamie Arnold. However, a new name is rising up boards and has gotten the scouts attention.
That player is Oregon State infielder Aiva Arquette. The Hawaiian was excellent in the Cape Cod League, showing off his advanced bat, as well as a surprising ability to play a quality shortstop. Listed at 6’5 220 pounds, he would be a massive shortstop, but guys like Corey Seager and Carlos Correa have been able to pull it off.
Even if he can’t play shortstop, Arquette has shown an ability to play a good second base, and his size and arm project well to third base. However, the bat is Arquette’s calling card. He is a more well rounded hitter than Laviolette or Holliday, both of whom have strikeout concerns. Arquette has above average contact abilities along with above average power. That combination along with the ability to play a solid shortstop is rare.
After starring at the University of Washington, Arquette decided to transfer to baseball power house Oregon State. That school has become a factory for top draft prospects, producing two number one overall picks in Adley Rutschman and Travis Bazzana. Arquette is looking to be that next top pick out of Corvallis.
MLB Pipeline has has him as the number 7 prospect right now, but he has a lot of helium. He was barreling up baseballs all weekend, smashing a home run and hitting a 113 MPH double. In a class where a lot of the big name hitters have flaws, Arquette’s well rounded profile stands out.
He is now in the mix with Laviolette, Holliday, and Arnold for me. My favorite prospect right now is left handed pitcher Jamie Arnold. His funky delivery and unicorn like pitch characteristics stand out to me. However, the more I see of Arquette, the more I like him.
Every year it seems like there is a guy who rises into that top tier and becomes a candidate for first overall. In 2023 that player was Paul Skenes, another transfer. Aiva Arquette seems well positioned to be that guy. It is still early, but a lot of smart people are taking notice of Arquette. Nationals fans should be keeping tabs on him as well.