2022 MLB Mock Draft 1.0

Projecting the first round of the 2022 MLB Amateur Draft

With opening weekend of college baseball in the books, it’s time to take a first look at the upcoming MLB Draft, where Baltimore, who will be picking in the top five for the fourth consecutive year, will kick things off!

This class is headlined by three exciting prep bats, but the rest of the first round is loaded with college bats and prep arms.

Currently, there are no compensatory picks to be made after the first round, but I’ve added a pick for the Rockies, assuming Trevor Story will sign elsewhere once the lockout ends.

Round 1

1. Baltimore Orioles- Elijah Green, OF, IMG Academy (FL)

Green is arguably the most exciting player in this year’s class, with eye-popping size and athleticism. He boasts an elite power/speed combo, and his already-developed frame should allow him to focus on making more contact. Baltimore has taken the cost-saving approach the last two years, but they’d be wise to make an adjustment with this class.

2. Arizona Diamondbacks- Termarr Johnson, 2B, Mays HS (GA)

Johnson is one of the youngest draft-eligible players this year, but his polish at the plate is remarkable. He isn’t the most toolsy, but his advanced approach as a 17-year-old will make him a hot commodity leading up to the draft. The idea of Johnson and Jordan Lawlar up the middle in a few years should excite D-Backs fans.

3. Texas Rangers- Druw Jones, OF, Wesleyan HS (GA)

There’s certainly a case to be made for Jones to be the top pick. He has the loudest across-the-board tools, with an athletic, projectable frame and great range and instincts in center field— unsurprising given his bloodlines. Texas could sit back and draft whichever of the top three falls into its lap.

4. Pittsburgh Pirates- Brooks Lee, SS, Cal Poly

The Pirates once again go for the most polished college bat in Brooks Lee, who may be the best overall hitter in the class. Lee and Nick Gonzales would be a deadly middle infield combination that could be big league-ready sooner than later.

5. Washington Nationals- Dylan Lesko, RHP, Buford HS (GA)

Jackson Jobe coming off the board third overall last year may have shifted the tides back in favor of prep right-handers. Lesko has picture-perfect mechanics and an advanced feel for pitching, with his changeup headlining a strong repertoire. At this spot, Washington should have no trouble luring the athletic righty out away from his Vanderbilt commitment.

6. Miami Marlins- Jace Jung, 2B, Texas Tech

Jung looks to be an even better hitter than his brother Josh, who was taken 8th overall by the Rangers in 2019. Jace should hit for both average and power at the next level, but questionable defensive skills will likely limit him to second base.

7. Chicago Cubs- Chase DeLauter, OF, James Madison

DeLauter has a ton of helium heading into the season after a monster showing on the Cape. He has great plate discipline, massive power, a strong arm and impressive athleticism. The biggest concern here is competition. This weekend versus Florida State — during which he struggled — was likely his toughest matchup of the season.

8. Minnesota Twins- Jacob Berry, 1B/OF, LSU

It’s no secret that Minnesota covets powerful college bats, and Berry might be atop that list this year. The draft-eligible sophomore enjoyed a monster freshman campaign at Arizona before transferring, and a strong 2022 should keep him in the top 10 come draft day. Berry’s limited athleticism points to a future at first, but his bat will play regardless.

9. Kansas City Royals- Robert Moore, 2B, Arkansas

A switch hitter with great on-base skills and impressive power, Moore is also a sure-handed second baseman with elite instincts and intangibles. The Royals could use a catcher, but even with Kevin Parada and Daniel Susac on the board, the Royals go with the 20-year-old Moore, who is the son of GM Dayton Moore.

10. Colorado Rockies- Kevin Parada, C, Georgia Tech

Parada arrived at Georgia Tech with a ton of buzz, and lived up to the hype, mashing nine homers with a .929 OPS as a freshman. Now draft-eligible as a sophomore, the offensive-minded catcher should hear his name called early, even with some skepticism regarding his ability to stick behind the plate.

11. New York Mets- Landon Sims, RHP, Mississippi State

Peyton Pallette felt like a perfect fit for the Billy Eppler-led Mets, but Tommy John surgery will keep him out for the entire 2022 season. In a relatively down year for college arms, Sims can easily be the first one off the board if he proves he can succeed as a starter after two seasons as a dominant, multi-inning closer.

12. Detroit Tigers- Carter Young, SS, Vanderbilt

Detroit’s window is just starting to open, so it makes sense for the front office to load up on players who can arrive in the next couple of years. Young is a glove-first shortstop with surprising power, but will need to eliminate some swing-and-miss.

13. Los Angeles Angels- Daniel Susac, C, Arizona

Susac is a large, athletic backstop with raw power and a very strong arm. After targeting college arms in the first round the last two years, Los Angeles could shift focus and address its organization-wide lack of catching talent.

14. New York Mets- Brock Jones, OF, Stanford

Billy Eppler loves his young, toolsy outfielders, and since there are no prep bats worthy of this selection, the Mets pivot to Jones, whose power/patience combination will be appealing to many teams. There’s also a decent chance he can stick in center.

15. San Diego Padres- Brock Porter, RHP, St. Mary Prep (MI)

Porter jumps off the page as the second-best prep arm due to his projectable frame, athleticism, arm speed and raw stuff— including an upper-90s fastball. Some additional control and command would give Porter plenty of ace potential. He’d be a perfect fit for the Padres if he lasts this long.

16. Cleveland Guardians- Kumar Rocker, RHP, N/A

Rocker’s draft stock is, understandably, hard to pin down, but a team like Cleveland could be unafraid to pull the trigger on last year’s 10th overall pick. The former Vanderbilt ace comes with elite stuff and a proven track record, and a clean bill of health could push him back into the top 10.

17. Philadelphia Phillies- Gavin Cross, OF, Virginia Tech

There are some intriguing arms left, but the Phillies need to continue to build outfield depth. Cross has done nothing but hit since arriving in Blacksburg, and his frame and consistent hard contact suggest more to come in the way of game power. He’ll be especially appealing to any team that thinks he can handle center field.

18. Cincinnati Reds- Blake Tidwell, RHP, Tennessee

Tidwell has some of the best pure stuff in the class, generating tons of whiffs with both his fastball and slider. He will need to show he can throw more strikes if he wants to erase any reliever risk, but there’s first-round appeal either way.

19. Oakland Athletics- Cole Young, SS, North Allegheny HS (PA)

There’s a pretty big drop-off after the top three prep bats, but Young is still an exciting draft target. He doesn’t have the body or swing built for power, but he’s demonstrated a great feel for hitting and looks the part of a future shortstop. Oakland may decide to tear it down and rebuild, and would benefit from stockpiling young talent.

20. Atlanta Braves- Carson Whisenhunt, LHP, East Carolina

The best college lefty in the class, Whisenhunt has a chance to go earlier than former rotation-mate Gavin Williams (23rd overall in 2021). His repertoire is headlined by a swing-and-miss changeup, and a large frame and athletic delivery make him appealing in this range of picks. Atlanta has taken a North Carolina-based college arm in the first round each of the last two years.

21. Seattle Mariners- Zach Neto, SS, Campbell

After going prep-heavy at the top of last year’s draft, Seattle could use a couple of college bats who could climb the ladder quickly. Neto is a slick-fielding middle infielder with a solid all-around offensive profile. A move to second base is possible, but a productive 2022 at the plate should keep him in Round 1 conversations.

22. St. Louis Cardinals- Logan Tanner, C, Mississippi State

Tanner is not a typical third-best catcher in a draft class, but he may fall just a bit considering his offensive profile doesn’t quite compare to those of Parada and Susac. That said, he is probably the most well-balanced backstop in the draft, and is a natural fit as an eventual replacement for Yadier Molina.

23. Toronto Blue Jays- Jordan Beck, OF, Tennessee

Toronto hasn’t taken an outfielder in the first round since 2012, and its farm system is lacking at that position as a result. Beck offers a powerful right-handed bat and a strong arm that will play well in right field at the next level. There are swing-and-miss and wood bat concerns, but some team will fall in love with his power potential.

24. Boston Red Sox- Brandon Barriera, LHP, American Heritage HS (FL)

Despite being undersized, Barriera has one of the more exciting profiles in the prep class. He’s uber-athletic with dominant stuff, a lightning quick arm and impressive control and command. He pitches with a ton of emotion, and could immediately slide in as Boston’s top pitching prospect.

25. New York Yankees- Jackson Ferris, LHP, IMG Academy (FL)

A lefty with a funky, cross-fire delivery, whip-like arm action and a projectable body, Ferris should draw interest from every team outside the top 10. His control and command need work, but there’s a ton to like. Even if he drops this far, the Yankees should have no issue signing him away from Ole Miss.

26. Chicago White Sox- Noah Schultz, LHP, Oswego East HS (IL)

The 6-foot-9 Schultz attacks hitters with good extension and from a low three-quarters arm slot, making it difficult for anyone to pick up the pitch. He only throws in the low 90s right now, but there is enough to work with to warrant a first-round selection. The White Sox haven’t taken a prep arm in the first round since 2004, but they did draft one in the second round in both 2019 and 2020.

27. Milwaukee Brewers- Cade Doughty, 3B, LSU

Doughty may get overshadowed this season by some of his more exciting teammates, but he is a proven producer with five average-or-better tools and some defensive versatility. Milwaukee favored college bats in last year’s draft, and that trend could continue.

28. Houston Astros- Hunter Barco, LHP, Florida

Barco is a big lefty with solid stuff and good deception. His ceiling isn’t as high as that of some of the other arms in this class, but improved control and command could bump him up into the mid-first round. Houston hasn’t had a first-round pick since 2019, and could stand to bolster its pitching depth.

29. Tampa Bay Rays- Tristan Smith, LHP, Boiling Springs HS (SC)

Smith has impressive raw stuff — particularly a sharp, swing-and-miss breaking ball — but he comes with some control issues and is on the older side for a high schooler. Still, the upside is there, and Tampa is never afraid to take a chance on upside arms.

30. Los Angeles Dodgers- Peyton Graham, 3B, Oklahoma

Graham is an athletic infielder with a a ton of raw power and a projectable frame. He’s produced throughout his career at Oklahoma, and could continue to climb draft boards with a strong junior campaign. A team that thinks he could handle shortstop might even be inclined to grab him in the top 20.

31. San Francisco Giants- Jud Fabian, OF, Florida

Fabian returned to Gainesville after declining to sign with the Red Sox last season, and has a lot to prove in 2022. He’s an athletic center fielder with big power and good speed, but will need to significantly improve his whiff rate in order to be a first rounder.

Compensatory Round

32. Colorado Rockies- Connor Prielipp, LHP, Alabama

Colorado has its choice of two talented college arms who are recovering from Tommy John surgery. Prielipp, whose electric stuff yielded 47 strikeouts in 28 innings over the last two seasons, is the pick here over Peyton Pallette. Prielipp obviously comes without a long track record, but his upside is undeniable.

Players to Monitor

Mikey Romero, SS, Orange Lutheran HS (CA)

Dylan Beavers, OF, California

Cayden Wallace, 3B, Arkansas

Andrew Dutkanych, RHP, Brebeuf Jesuit Prep (IN)

JR Ritchie, RHP, Bainbridge HS (WA)

Romero could catapult into the Cole Young range if he adds more strength and power, while, at the college level, Beavers and Wallace can each jump into first-round contention by displaying greater contact skills.

Both Dutkanych and Ritchie are first-round talents, but may be difficult to sign away from Vanderbilt and UCLA, respectively— especially since they’ll both be draft-eligible again in two years.