Cincinnati Reds select Arkansas 2B Peyton Stovall in 2024 MLB Draft

The Cincinnati Reds have selected Arkansas second baseman Peyton Stovall with the No. 117 overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft. He spent three seasons with the Razorbacks.

In the 2024 campaign, Stovall made 48 appearances. He missed the beginning of the season after suffering a broken foot in a preseason scrimmage. He made the most of his time at the plate, recording a .340 batting average, nine home runs and 38 RBIs.

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In the field, Stovall notched 67 putouts with a stunning .988 fielding percentage. For his efforts, he was named an All-SEC Second Team member. The 2024 season wasn’t the first time an injury limited Stovall’s playing time.

Stovall appeared in 38 games during his sophomore season before suffering a season-ending torn labrum. Before he was injured, Stovall slashed .253/.330/.393 with five home runs and 31 runs batted in. Further, he drew 15 walks and was hit by five pitches.

Stovall’s freshman season was the only year he avoided injury. He started in all but one of his 52 appearances, notching six homers and 31 runs batted in. On defense, he committed only two errors in 441 total chances, good for a .995 fielding percentage.

Peyton Stovall played high school baseball at Haughton High School (LA), where he was the No. 47 overall prospect and No. 11 shortstop in the 2021 recruiting cycle, according to Perfect Game.

Although Stovall isn’t a prototype prospect, MLB experts believe he can find a contributing role at the next level.

“Stovall still has one of the prettier left-handed strokes around and is making more consistent hard contact to all fields than he did in his first two years with the Razorbacks,” MLB.com wrote. “He manages the strike zone well and has been more patient at the plate in 2024, doing a better job of waiting for pitches to drive. He hasn’t quite grown into the average power once projected for him and might not be more than a 15-homer threat, though his pop does play from left-center to the right-field line.

“While Stovall isn’t very physical or athletic, he’s an intelligent player who squeezes the most out of his fringy speed and arm strength. He played first base in 2022 before shifting to second base last season, and he has eased concerns about his ability to remain at the keystone this spring. He has gotten a little quicker and his defense now earns average-to-solid grades from scouts.”