With the 2021 MLB Draft in the rearview mirror, we turn the page to the 2022 MLB Draft. Off the cuff, the 2022 class looks much, much healthier in terms of college bats. It’s also loaded with high octane prep arms. As it stands today, it might be a lighter year on the college pitching side, but there’s a ton of time between now and next July for guys to really pop and take enormous leaps forward.
In this outrageous attempt at forecasting next July, several names stuck out as potential Top 12 picks. These are what we landed on in this outlandish exercise that will almost certainly be completely useless and incorrect a year from today.
1) Arizona Diamondbacks
Elijah Green, Outfielder, IMG Academy (Fl.)
One of the most exciting players in the country, Green is a do-it-all, powder-keg package of explosivity and bottled energy on the baseball diamond. Already 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, he’s a physical specimen built different than his colleagues. Simply put, there’s not much Green cannot do. At this stage, Green might be the best prep prospect the MLB Draft has seen in quite some time. Some evaluators believe he could be a plus hitter with plus-plus raw power, and he’s already tapping into that juice in-game. He’s currently a 70-runner with a 70-arm as well. There can be some swing and miss in his game, so that’ll be the one thing scouts are keeping an eye on. There aren’t too many warts in his game. Green is a very special talent and teams will covet his services in the draft.
2. Baltimore Orioles
Carter Young, SS, Vanderbilt
Bit of a do-it-all player in his prep days, Young has played catcher and middle infield over the course of his young career. The Selah, Washington product has cemented himself up the middle, starting every game at shortstop for the Commodores the past two seasons. Young is revered for his actions on the dirt where some project a plus glove with a plus arm. Young began tapping into more power in 2021, especially from the left side of the plate. Some nagging injuries slowed his offensive production toward the tail-end of his sophomore campaign, but some scouts believe this is a future top-of-the-lineup stick at the big league level with the potential for an above average hit tool and fringe-average pop. Young might follow in Dansby Swanson’s footsteps as the next great shortstop to be drafted very high out of Nashville.
3. Pittsburgh Pirates
Brooks Lee, SS, Cal Poly
A name many expected to hear called in the 2019 MLB Draft, Lee decided to forego MLB to play for his dad at Cal Poly. Listed at 6-foot-2, 205 pounds, Lee is an extremely physical, barrel-chested shortstop with a significant strength throughout his frame. Big for the position, Lee carries his size extremely well on the field where his fluidity on the dirt and huge arm really standout on defense. He receives high marks for his instincts and leadership on the field, captaining the defense in-between plays. A switch-hitter with power from both sides of the plate, Lee showcases a big bat with a plus hit tool and thump. Extremely quick hands. It’s plus raw power that he’s getting into, spraying missiles to all fields. Scouts believe there’s significant power coming. Lee may eventually have to shift to third base, though his toolset fits the position nicely. He’s a fringy runner, but his athleticism more than makes up for any foot speed he may lack.
4. Texas Rangers
Kevin Parada, C, Georgia Tech
Parada was quietly one of the more heralded catchers in the 2020 draft class pre-draft. His bonus demands ultimately pushed him to Georgia Tech. It's legit plus raw power that he's shown he can get to in-game. He’s got extremely strong hands that help him manipulate the barrel, and punish balls deep in the zone with authority. Parada has a picturesque swing that uses all fields and doesn’t sell out for power. It’s organic loft that comes easy. Behind the plate, it’s a plus arm with better athleticism than you’ll find in most guys his size. Playing at Georgia Tech, Parada may get the opportunity to call his own games in 2022, a luxury not afforded to most college catchers these days. That advanced skillset, both mentally and physically, should help his draft stock. Parada’s profile is carried by the plus bat, but he’s an advanced defensive catcher who figures to stay behind the plate as he transitions into professional baseball. He may be the next great backstop to come out of Georgia Tech following Jason Varitek, Matt Wieters and Joey Bart.
5. Kansas City Royals
Brock Porter, RHP, Orchard Lake St. Marys (Mi.)
Porter is a cold-weather arm that brings plenty of heat to the table. The fastball has been clocked as high as 99 MPH, casually sitting 93-95 with plenty of riding life. All this at 17 years old. His best secondary is a plus changeup he throws with serious conviction and parachute-like action in the upper-70’s. Metrically, it’s a strong offering showcasing optimal spin rates in the 1400 RPM range. He’s got an inconsistent slider that can be truly wicked at its best, generally in the low-80s. He’s also got a curveball in the mid-70’s to round out a full arsenal. It’s a strong, athletic 6-foot-3 build with broad shoulders and and long levers. Three-quarters delivery with explosive arm speed. Porter continues to show improved command and control as the body matures. If Porter's command can keep up with his huge arsenal, he has a chance to headline the class. Porter’s college commitment belongs to Clemson.
6. Miami Marlins
Dylan Lesko, RHP, Buford HS (Ga.)
Everything comes awfully easy to Lesko on the mound. He’s considered one of the more polished arms in the class featuring an easy, fluid delivery with a four-pitch mix. Lesko’s mechanics are simple and repeatable. It’s effortless velocity without the violence or headwhack that can derail a young pitcher’s career down the road. Lesko really gets into his lower half and shows exquisite efficiency down the bump. It’s a three-quarters, short-arm delivery. The heater has been up to 99, but more comfortably sits 92-95 most nights. Changeup is his best secondary, thrown with plenty of intent featuring fading action into the back foot or righties and darting away from lefties. He has a slider and a curveball, both of which flash above average but are still average offerings on most nights. He has very good command of all four pitches and is more than willing to sequence backwards.
7. Minnesota Twins
Jace Jung, 2B/3B, Texas Tech
Jace, the younger brother to 2018 first round pick Josh Jung, can flat out mash. A power-oriented corner infielder, Jung hit almost .500 as a senior in high school before stepping in and starting immediately for the Red Raiders. He hit 4 home runs in 16 starts for Texas Tech in 2020 and pumped out 21 more as a true sophomore in 2021. His .337 average was among the best in the Big 12. At 6-foot, 205 pounds, Jung is a thick, super strong middle infielder with serious thump at the plate. He draws a ton of walks and limits his strikeouts to healthy levels. A second baseman now, Jung could probably move to third base at the next level. He’s got an average arm and fringy lateral mobility, but he’s quick enough on his feet where scouts think he may be able to handle the hot corner. That said, we’re certainly talking about a bat-first prospect who could eventually end up a plus-plus hitter with plus juice.
8. Detroit Tigers
Brock Jones, OF, Stanford
A two-sport stud, Jones played football at Stanford his freshman year before eventually giving it up to focus on baseball. That appears to be a good decision. An ultra-physical, muscled-up outfielder, Jones is tooled up across the board with tools in every area of the game. 2021 was Jones’ first year without football and he really excelled. The 6-foot, 205 pounder hit .311 with 18 homers and stole 14 bases along the way. His strikeout rates remained healthy and he drew a lot of walks. Jones has a sweet, compact left-handed swing coming from a wide base with an all-fields approach. He has a ton of pull-side pop and can really impact a baseball into the left-centerfield gap. He’s at least an above average runner, maybe plus. He’s a solid average defender with an average arm; a toolset probably best built for left field or centerfield with more reps and seasoning. Given the athleticism and trajectory of his game, many believe Jones’ game will continue to grow and flourish as he gets more and more comfortable committing to baseball full-time. For now, it’s above average tools across the board with the exception of the throwing arm.
9. Colorado Rockies
Andruw (Druw) Jones Jr., OF, Wesleyan HS (Ga.)
Jones has some of the most explosive athletic ability in the 2022 class and the namesake to draw in fans. The bat-to-ball skills here are impressive. Primarily an opposite field slasher to date, Jones went through a swing change recently and is now generating more power and producing more pull-side pop. He’s really engaging his lower half well and driving the ball with authority. At 6-foot-3, Jones has a prototype frame that should stick in centerfield thanks to plus-plus speed and impressive on-field instincts. He produces big barrel velocity with violent hands and an aggressive, whippy swing plane. Jones may end up a plus defender in centerfield with terrific speed and a plus arm to go along with it. He’s a high-level defensive prospect with a budding bat that may end up matching his elite chops in the field.
10. Washington Nationals
Reggie Crawford, 1B/LHP, UConn
Crawford is a do-it-all bruiser packed with fuel on both sides of the ball. On the mound, he’s been up to 101mph with a nasty two-plane slider showcasing deep vertical break in the mid-80s. At the plate, Crawford is a middle-of-the-order slugger with the potential for plus-plus raw power and good bat-to-ball skills. Should he remain an offensive force at the next level, scouts would like to see him draw a few more walks. That said, most evaluators believe his future is on the mound. Crawford has yet to be showcased over extended innings, but in 7.0 innings in 2021, he struck out 17 batters and walked just 3. There’s sensational arm speed here coming from an athletic 6-foot-4-inch 240-pound frame. There’s some effort in the delivery, so he may have to dial it back a touch as he works into a rotation role. He’s likely to get longer outings in 2022 where he’ll look to prove he’s the most exciting two-way talent to come out of college baseball since Brendan McKay in 2018.
11. St. Louis Cardinals
Chase DeLauter, OF, James Madison
DeLauter is a physical specimen. At 6-foot-4, 230 pounds, the product of Martinsburg, West Virginia can really bang at the plate. He burst onto the scene in 2021, slashing .386/.508/.723 with 6 homers and 7 stolen bases in just 26 games. He worked 25 walks and punched out just 14 times. DeLauter has showcased his talents in the Cape Cod League as well, surging confidence in his abilities with big league scouts. Believers see an above average hitter with easy plus raw power. He has a disciplined eye at the plate that should translate to pro ball well. In the field, it’s at least a plus-plus arm in a corner with rangy speed and sound fundamentals. James Madison hasn’t produced a first round pick since 2007. That may change…
12. Chicago Cubs
Brandon Barriera, LHP, American Heritage (Fl.)
Simply put, Barriera has some of the best stuff in the 2022 class, from the left side no less. It’s a stress-free operation with very little effort and seamless fluidity. Barriera has been up to 97 with significant arm speed and athleticism on the mound. He sits 92-94 in late innings. He’s got a wipeout slider that tunnels the heater well, diving on right-handed hitters and disappearing for lefty bats. He’s shown good feel for a changeup with solid separation and depth. He’s also shown a cutter to lefties. It’s a bulldog mentality, filling up the strikeout and coming right at hitters with attitude. Just 6-foot-1, 180 pounds, Barriera is still getting more and more physical as he matures into more strength.
Others receiving votes: 3B Peyton Graham, SS Eric Brown, OF Dylan Beavers, RHP Peyton Pallette, LHP Connor Prielipp, LHP Tristan Smith, C Hayden Dunhurst, OF Jared McKenzie, OF Cayden Wallace, C Daniel Susac, 2B Termarr Johnson