The 2022 MLB draft is about eight months away. But it is never too early to look at the top prospects available in the draft, especially with the conclusion of the MLB regular season today.
Below is a first-round mock draft based on the team records and current CBA rules. Remember, the New York Mets receive the 11th overall pick after failing to sign Vanderbilt right-handed pitcher Kumar Rocker with the 10th overall pick in the 2021 draft.
1. Baltimore Orioles: Brooks Lee, SS, Cal Poly
Lee is a 6-foot-2, 205-pound switch-hitting shortstop who is a well-rounded player. His best traits are on the offensive side, as he is an aggressive hitter who loves to swing at the first pitch. He has respectable power, possesses an above-average hit tool and drives the ball to all fields.
Read more about Lee and his skills here.
2. Arizona Diamondbacks: Jace Jung, 2B/3B, Texas Tech
Jung is a tremendous hitter who uses a slightly unusual setup from the left side of the plate. He hits for average and power and had a breakout 2021 campaign. Defensively, scouts are split on Jung’s future defensive position. He is a bat-first player who profiles at second or third base long-term.
3. Texas Rangers: Elijah Green, OF, IMG Academy (Fla.)
Green is an elite prep prospect who has an exciting toolset. There aren’t many holes in Green’s game. The 6-foot-3, 225-pound outfielder has elite speed and exceptional arm strength. He is a refined prep talent who might be the best draft-eligible prep player in the last five years.
4. Pittsburgh Pirates: Termarr Johnson, 2B, Mays (Ga.) HS
Johnson, a 5-foot-10, 175-pound infielder, has quick hands at the plate and consistently barrels up pitches from the left side of the plate. He profiles as a top-of-the-order hitter with an ability to hit for some power in the pro ranks. Scouts believe he has the talent to play shortstop, second base and center field at the next level.
5. Washington Nationals: Kevin Parada, C, Georgia Tech
The 6-foot, 192-pound catcher is a right-handed hitter who consistently barrels up pitches. He is a complete player who has the athleticism and above-average arm strength to stick behind the plate. He also has a solid track record against the high-end competition.
6. Miami Marlins: Dylan Lesko, RHP, Buford (Ga.) HS
Right now, Lesko is the best prep arm in the 2022 MLB draft class. He is 6-foot-3, 195 pounds who throws a mid-90s fastball from an athletic and repeatable delivery. The righty has consistently performed well on the showcase circuit and has all the tools to be a high-end starter in pro ball.
7. Chicago Cubs: Andruw Jones, OF, Wesleyan (Ga.) HS
Jones is the son of former MLB outfielder Andruw Jones. He is a quality defensive outfielder who has above-average speed and plenty of potential remaining in his game. The right-handed hitter consistently barrels up pitches and has displayed an improved power potential over the last year.
8. Minnesota Twins: Carter Young, SS, Vanderbilt
Young is an advanced defensive player with arm strength and the athleticism, footwork, and hands to make all the necessary plays. The switch hitter displayed an ability to drive the ball with power this season. But, he needs to refine his approach and plate discipline.
9. Kansas City Royals: Chase DeLauter, OF, James Madison
DeLauter, a left-handed hitter, has thrived at the plate during his college career. He is a quality hitter who hits for power. He has experience playing all three outfield positions and deserves a shot to play center field in pro ball.
10. Colorado Rockies: Jacob Berry, 3B, LSU
Berry had a tremendous freshman season at Arizona last spring. He transferred to LSU in the offseason, following coach Jay Johnson. Berry hits for average and above-average power to all parts of the field. Defensively, some scouts believe he is a better fit at first base.
11. New York Mets: Daniel Susac, C, Arizona
Susac is a well-rounded catcher who can impact the game offensively and defensively. The 6-foot-4, 205-pound catcher is athletic and has a strong arm. Offensively, Susac hit for average and power in 2021. He has solid strike zone discipline and a feel for hitting. Susac will remain behind the plate long-term.
12. Detroit Tigers: Brock Jones, OF, Stanford
Jones is an athletic outfielder who started his college career as a two-sport athlete. He is now a baseball-only athlete and has five-tool potential. Jones has an intriguing blend of power and speed.
13. New York Mets: Jayson Jones, 3B, Braswell (TX) HS
Jones is a power-hitting third baseman, as he displays a loose swing with a natural ability to square up the baseball from the right side of the plate. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound third baseman moves well defensively and has the skills and arm strength to handle third base long-term.
14. Los Angeles Angels: Brock Porter, RHP, Orchard Lake St. Marys (Mich.) HS
The 6-foot-4, 205-pound righty throws a mid-90s fastball that has touched 99 mph and features movement. His slider and curveball are quality-breaking pitches. He also shows a tremendous feel for his above-average changeup.
15. San Diego Padres: Peyton Pallette, RHP, Arkansas
Pallette is a 6-foot-1, 175-pound right-handed pitcher who has an electric arm. He uses a low-effort and repeatable delivery. His fastball sits in the mid-90s and tops out at 98 mph. Pallette’s late-breaking curveball serves as his outpitch.
16. Cleveland Indians: Cole Young, SS, North Allegheny (Pa.) HS
The 6-foot, 180-pound shortstop is a left-handed hitter with an easy swing that allows him to drive the ball to the gaps. Defensively, Young has solid footwork and athleticism to handle shortstop. He also has plenty of arm strength to make all the plays at shortstop.
17. Philadelphia Phillies: Bryce Hubbart, LHP, FSU
The 6-foot-1, 190-pound lefty posted a 3.80 ERA last season at FSU. He was then nearly unhittable in the Cape Cod League, posting a 0.87 ERA in 31 innings. He throws a fastball, curveball and changeup, with his fastball sitting in the low-90s. Hubbart has a deceptive delivery and attacks the strike zone.
18. Cincinnati Reds: Ian (JR) Ritchie, RHP, Bainbridge Island (Wash.) HS
Richie is a 6-foot-2, 185-pound right-hander who throws a mid-90s fastball with movement from a low-effort and repeatable delivery. He has a feel for his changeup and slider and commands both pitches well. His firm slider features late-breaking action and serves as his outpitch.
19. Oakland Athletics: Cam Collier, SS
Collier was one of the top prep prospects in the 2023 class until he reclassified to the 2022 class. He is one of the youngest players in the 2022 draft at 17 years old, as he won’t turn 18 until November 2022.Collier recently left Mount Paran Christian (Ga.) High and is working towards attending a junior college this spring, he said.
Read more about Collier and his skills here.
20. Atlanta Braves: Jackson Ferris, LHP, IMG Academy (Fla.)
Ferris, 6-foot-4, 190-pound lefty, is a rising arm in the 2022 MLB draft class. His fastball sits 93-95 mph and touches 97 mph. He has a solid curveball and changeup and displays some of the best command in the prep class.
21. Seattle Mariners: Cade Doughty, 3B, LSU
Doughty is a well-rounded player who has been a reliable and consistent producer in his first two years of college baseball. He has hit for average and power at LSU. Defensively, Doughty can handle third base and second base.
22. St. Louis Cardinals: Hayden Dunhurst, C, Ole Miss
Dunhurst is an advanced defensive player, possessing elite arm strength and quality receiving skills. He has refined his offensive skills at the plate while at Ole Miss. He will remain behind the plate long-term.
23. Toronto Blue Jays: Brandon Barriera, American Heritage (Fla.) HS
Barriera, 6-foot-1, 170 pounds, throws from a three-quarters arm slot and uses a low-effort and repeatable delivery. Barriera attacks the strike zone with his low-to-mid-90s fastball, advanced changeup and solid breaking pitch.
24. Boston Red Sox: Noah Schultz, LHP, Oswego East (Ill.) HS
Schultz is a 6-foot-9, 220-pound lefty who has a deceptive delivery. He repeats his delivery well. His fastball sits in the low-90s but features plenty of life.
25. New York Yankees: Cayden Wallace, 3B/OF, Arkansas
Wallace went to Arkansas as a third baseman but moved to the outfield in his freshman season last year. He projects as a third baseman or corner outfielder in pro ball. Regardless of his defensive position, Wallace’s best traits are at the plate. He is an advanced hitter with above-average power.
26. Chicago White Sox: Andrew Dutkanych, RHP, Brebeuf Jesuit (Ind.) Prep
Dutkanych has the ideal makeup for a starting pitcher. He has good size (6-foot-3, 205 pounds), athletic delivery and a fastball that touches 95 mph.
27. Milwaukee Brewers: Landon Sims, RHP, Mississippi State
Sims was dominant out of the bullpen last year. He figures to slide into the starting rotation as a junior, potentially taking over the No. 1 spot. The 6-foot-2, 216-pound righty uses a fastball, slider combination to overpower hitters. His fastball sits in the mid-90s. He also has notable command and control of his pitches.
28. Houston Astros: Gavin Cross, OF, Virginia Tech
Cross is a bat-first player who is one of the top college hitters in the 2022 MLB draft class. He has hit for average and power in his first two college seasons. He has solid power and uses all parts of the field.
29. Tampa Bay Rays: Jacob Miller, RHP, Liberty Union (Ohio) HS
Miller is a 6-foot-2, 175-pound right-handed pitcher who throws a four-seam fastball, 12-6 curveball, slider and changeup from a low-effort, repeatable delivery and high three-quarters arm slot.
Read more about Miller and his skills here.
30. Los Angeles Dodgers: Hunter Barco, LHP, Florida
Scouts project Barco as one of the top prospects in the 2022 MLB draft class at the beginning of the 2021 season. But a mediocre season caused that perspective to change. Barco has plenty of talent and potential, but he needs to show that in the spring season. His fastball sits in the mid-90s.
31. San Francisco Giants: Jared McKenzie, OF, Baylor
McKenzie was a consistent producer for Baylor in his first two years. He showed improvement with his power and ability to use all parts of the field last year. The left-handed hitter also has displayed solid plate discipline.
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Dan Zielinski III has covered the MLB draft for seven years. He has interviewed 356 of the top draft prospects in that period, including four No. 1 overall picks. Multiple publications, including Baseball America, USA Today, MLB.com and The Arizona Republic, have quoted his work, while he has appeared on radio stations as a “MLB draft expert.” Follow him on Twitter @DanZielinski3.
No way the nats grab a catcher, We need pitching or infiield, no need to draft a guy when kiebert Ruiz is supposed to be our catcher of the future. lesko, Jones, and young would all be better picks, according to who would be there in this mock draft.
From your lips to God’s ears that the Chicago Cubs draft Andruw Jones! If he’s half the man of his father the Cubs have a HOF!
Great work,wish diamondback take the next Trout.