two round 2022 mlb mock draft

Jackson del Rosarío

The 2022 MLB Draft is in a couple days, and this year the first two rounds occur on day one, so here is all of day one’s projected picks and some insight into who the top teams are thinking and what these top players are all about.

Round One

1. Baltimore Orioles: Brooks Lee, SS - Cal Poly

Slot Value: $8,842,200

This pick is likely down to five guys, Brooks Lee, Druw Jones, Termarr Johnson, Jackson Holliday, and Elijah Green. Lee makes the most sense given the Orioles drafting strategy. He would certainly be the cheapest, but he’s still an elite prospect. My top college player in the draft is a true switch-hitting shortstop who has great plate discipline and still has good power. Lee needs to show more ability to hit LHP, but he should slot into that future elite Baltimore infield nicely.

2. Arizona Diamondbacks: Druw Jones, OF - Wesleyan HS (GA)

Slot Value: $8,185,100

If Lee goes number one, I would almost consider Druw Jones to be a lock for pick two. The only concern I have is that he prices himself out of this pick and the draft completely and heads to Vanderbilt. Considering the commitment and who his father is, he has plenty of fallback to college if he doesn’t get the price that he wants. Per Jones, he is a supreme athlete with plus-plus power and bat to ball skills that are becoming quite solid. Should stick in center and be an impact outfielder for whatever team he lands with.

3. Texas Rangers: Jackson Holliday, SS - Stillwater HS (OK)

Slot Value: $7,587,600

Holliday is the biggest risk out of the top prep bats to go to school in my opinion. The Rangers would likely have to slightly over slot here at three to afford Holliday, but I don’t doubt that they would. Holliday might have the best bat to ball skills of any prep bat with the power projection coming. He plays a solid short, but could move to third as well. Could also see someone like Parada or Elijah Green fitting nicely here.

4. Pittsburgh Pirates: Elijah Green, OF – IMG Academy (FL)

Slot Value: $7,002,100

Pirates could go a lot of directions here at four, and it’s going to decide heavily on who’s still available. The three selections before this, Parada, Termarr, or even Cam Collier could end up to Pittsburgh, but I think Elijah Green would be the right choice in this scenario. Green does most everything well and has huge potential. The worry is in the whiffs, but some people believe that can be corrected and the power and improving barrel accuracy and bat to ball will transform him into an all-star.

5. Washington Nationals: Kevin Parada, C – Georgia Tech

Slot Value: $6,494,300

I think if the draft shapes up like this, this pick is between Jacob Berry and Kevin Parada. For this mock I’ll take the “catcher” out of Georgia Tech. Parada is one of the best bats in the class having a monstrous 2022 season. He has pretty solid discipline at the plate with his good chase rate and solid contact rates. There is a decent chance he doesn’t stick behind the plate however, but could end up as a versatile bat seeing time at 1B, RF, or even 3B.

6. Miami Marlins: Termarr Johnson, 2B – Mays HS (GA)

Slot Value: $6,034,300

Marlins are a team I’m watching closely as a big under slot option here at six, but they’d be plenty happy with Termarr here. Termarr is a terrific hitter who can play a solid second base. He has elite bat speed with increasing barrel accuracy, certainly a strong 1-1 candidate at this point.

7. Chicago Cubs: Cam Collier, 3B – Chipola JC (FL)

Slot Value: $5,708,000

While Collier could certainly go earlier in the draft, the Cubs would be very happy to land the Juco product at 7. One of the youngest guys in the class at just over 17 and a half, Collier can really hit. He sprays to all fields and has big time power projection. Strong arm at third and should stick there.

8. Minnesota Twins: Zach Neto, SS – Campbell

Slot Value: $5,439,500

Here is my first big under slot selection here with Neto. Neto has great swing decisions coupled with solid power. He might move off short, but he has a plus bat that should lead him to pro success. Gavin Cross, Jacob Berry, and even Jordan Beck in play here if the draft shapes out like this.

9. Kansas City Royals: Gavin Cross, OF – Virginia Tech

Slot Value: $5,200,000

KC has a lot of guys I could see them selecting here at nine, including a plethora of college bats, but they’ll take a really good one here in Cross. He has solid plate discipline with big time power potential. Plays solid defense with a good arm in the outfield, probably a corner guy.

10. Colorado Rockies: Jacob Berry, 3B – LSU

Slot Value: $4,980,400

I feel like it would be really hard for Colorado to pass on Berry here considering he fits their mold of a first-round power bat really well. Although he is position-less at the moment, the true switch-hitting bat should carry him to a nice top 10 pay day. Brandon Barriera, Jordan Beck, and Daniel Susac in play here.

11. New York Mets: Justin Crawford, OF – Bishop Gorman HS (NV)

Slot Value: $4,778,200

This pick (and their other first round selection) are likely down to around five people. Crawford being the leading candidate for the selection at 11. The Mets would probably get a decent under slot bonus here from Crawford with all his hit tools still in a big development stage. He can flat out fly however and should provide plenty of value as an all around player.

12. Detroit Tigers: Brock Porter, RHP – Orchard Lake St. Mary’s Prep (MI)

Slot Value: $4,587,900

Although the Tigers are probably tempted to go a different route, it would just be so hard for them to pass on Porter here. He is arguably the best pitcher in the class. His fastball is elite with plus ride up to 97 with some run too. I think the change is his best offspeed, and his breakers have improved well too.

13. Los Angeles Angels: Dylan Lesko, RHP – Buford HS (GA)

Slot Value: $4,410,200

Don’t be surprised if the Angels take another pitcher after going 20/20 on them in last years draft. I feel like it would be between Lesko, Barriera, and Prielipp, but I’ll opt for the riskiest, yet high ceiling arm. Lesko is my top arm in the class, but obviously the Tommy John surgery has calmed some of that hype. He has electric stuff that, if he can remain healthy and recover well, should make him a middle-front of the line rotation arm.

14. New York Mets: Drew Gilbert, OF - Tennessee

Slot Value: $4,241,600

This is a tough one… I think if Lesko’s off the board it’s likely a college bat, but I’m not sure which one. Gilbert seems like a big money saving opportunity here and they should save over $1MM with this pick. Gilbert is a really solid college bat however and has an advanced approach with power, along with good defense and a strong arm out in center. Lots of guys in play here.

15. San Diego Padres: Daniel Susac, C - Arizona

Slot Value: $4,082,900

I think this would be a home run pick for San Diego (no bias), and a pick they are highly considering. Of course, Preller usually opts for the prep bat, and Jett Williams and Cole Young make sense here, I think they would choose the best college player on the board in Susac. They’d likely be getting their future catcher whose bat will carry him through their system.

16. Cleveland Guardians: Cooper Hjerpe, LHP – Oregon State

Slot Value: $3,935,500

At this point in the draft, every team has 10+ options for their picks, but this seems like the obvious selection for Cleveland. My top collegiate arm in the class is a unique profile and man do Cleveland love their unicorns. Hjerpe dominated the 2022 season at Oregon State and was a Golden Spikes finalist.

17. Philadelphia Phillies: Jace Jung, 2B – Texas Tech

Slot Value: $3,792,800

This would be a long fall for Jung, but its just hard to find suitors for him before this, but it would not shock me at all for him to fall this far. He’s a terrific hitter who can play solid defense at second and is a fantastic athlete. If Jung is off the board, Barriera, Schultz, Jett Williams, or even Cole Young are options.

18. Cincinnati Reds: Brandon Barriera, LHP – IMG Academy (FL)

Slot Value: $3,657,900

From this point on, I really have no idea what teams would do, it varies heavily depending on the board, so I’ll mostly just discuss the player. Barriera throws a power sinker/cutter thing that seems like with a little tweaking could be successful. The changeup is his best off speed with developing breakers.

19. Oakland Athletics: Chase DeLauter, OF – James Madison

Slot Value: $3,529,400

DeLauter has impressive power and after that FSU series at the beginning of the year just mashed at JMU. He’s a plus runner and is really rangy in the corner that could prove to be a plus defender at the next level.

20. Atlanta Braves: Connor Prielipp, LHP – Alabama

Slot Value: $3,407,400

Prielipp has raised his stock after the combine and some bullpens enough to get some top 10 talk, but I have him dropping to 20 here to Atlanta. I was never really the biggest fan of Prielipp with his poor performances against solid offenses. Obviously the 3000+ spin breaker should be a pitch that drives his success through the minors.

21. Seattle Mariners: Jett Williams, SS – Rockwall-Health HS (TX)

Slot Value: $3,291,200

Jett may not be the biggest guy, but he does a lot well. A strong hit tool with likely average power combined with solid defense that should stick at short, or at worst move to second proves to be a lot of value in the Bigs.

22. St. Louis Cardinals: Dylan Beavers, OF – California

Slot Value: $3,180,600

Beavers has a similar profile to DeLauter who was taken three picks earlier. He has almost effortless power with an odd swing. He creates barrels like its nothing and fits in a LF spot with the poor arm. Needs to cut down on the whiffs, especially on spin.

23. Toronto Blue Jays: Jordan Beck, OF – Tennessee

Slot Value: $3,075,300

Beck has huge power potential and lots of suitors before this pick. He improved across the board especially cutting down on the whiffs. A guy with a massive range of picks on where he could land in the draft.

24. Boston Red Sox: Eric Brown, SS – Coastal Carolina

Slot Value: $2,974,900

Brown is an analytic darling but lacks high suitors due to him getting a physical and can’t get less than 75% slot. Red Sox would likely under slot with Brown here saving a couple hundred thousand for that comp pick at 79 or at 99. Brown makes elite swing decisions and hits the ball extremely hard. Lacks a defensive position but could end up at first or even left.

25. New York Yankees: Sterlin Thompson, OF – Florida

Slot Value: $2,879,300

Yankees likely go college bat here, and get a nice under slot with Thompson. He’s a fantastic hitter with positional versatility that creates tremendous value. He has some suitors before this, but could even drop into the second round. Spencer Jones would be a solid option here too.

26. Chicago White Sox: Tucker Toman, 3B – Hammond HS (SC)

Slot Value: $2,788,000

Toman seems destined for a first round pick but could certainly slide to the comp or even the second. He has great bat speed with improving bat to ball. A switch hitter, but many believes he converts to a true lefty. Should end up at third with the solid arm strength but could see a move to RF too.

27. Milwaukee Brewers: Blade Tidwell, RHP – Tennessee

Slot Value: $2,700,500

I always like the Brewers taking an arm, and Tidwell is definitely worthy of this selection. He was hurt for most of 2022, but when he returned, he was probably the best starter in a loaded Tennessee rotation. He’s been up to 98 with a good shape on the fastball and solid secondaries and feel.

28. Houston Astros: Spencer Jones, OF – Vanderbilt

Slot Value: $2,620,400

The Astros are known for solid picks, and this would be a continuation of that. Jones is a supreme athlete at a huge stature. He has massive power with some whiff problems but creates lots of value elsewhere. He has a chance to even play center, but a RF/1B position seems more likely. Has suitors higher as well.

29. Tampa Bay Rays: Max Martin, SS – Moorestown HS (NJ)

Slot Value: $2,547,600

Probably prep bat here and Martin is a pretty good one. He’s a glove first shortstop with the hit tool developing really well. He sets a solid floor of value with plenty of projection left in the hit tool to be really good.

30. San Francisco Giants: Jacob Melton, OF – Oregon State

Slot Value: $2,485,500

The second Oregon State Beaver to go in the first round, Melton was the Pac-12 Player of the year with a huge season. He has easy power to all fields and a great approach at the plate. He also has 20 SB potential with good defense in center. Really solid chance to be a valuable player at the next level.

Compensation Picks

31. Colorado Rockies: Dalton Rushing, C – Louisville

Slot Value: $2,429,300

32. Cincinnati Reds: Kumar Rocker, RHP – Tri-City (Indy)

Slot Value: $2,371,800

Competitive Balance Round A

33. Baltimore Orioles: Noah Schultz, LHP – Oswego East HS (IL)

Slot Value: $2,313,900

34. Arizona Diamondbacks: Jacob Miller, RHP – Liberty Union HS (OH)

Slot Value: $2,257,100

35. Atlanta Braves: Peyton Graham, SS – Oklahoma

Slot Value: $2,202,100

36. Pittsburgh Pirates: Cade Horton, RHP – Oklahoma

Slot Value: $2,149,200

37. Cleveland Guardians: Cole Young, SS – North Allegheny HS (PA)

Slot Value: $2,100,700

38. Colorado Rockies: Brock Jones, OF – Stanford

Slot Value: $2,051,300

39. San Diego Padres: Walter Ford, RHP – Pace HS (AL)

Slot Value: $2,003,500

Round 2

40. Los Angeles Dodgers: Owen Murphy, RHP – Riverside-Brooksfield HS (Il)

41. Boston Red Sox: Tyler Locklear, 1B – VCU

42. Baltimore Orioles: Gavin Turley, OF – Hamilton HS (AZ)

43. Arizona Diamondbacks: Jake Bennett, LHP – Oklahoma

44. Pittsburgh Pirates: Gabriel Hughes, RHP – Gonzaga

45. Washington Nationals: Jackson Ferris, LHP – IMG Academy (FL)

46. Miami Marlins: Carson Palmquist, LHP – Miami

47. Chicago Cubs: Henry Bolte, OF – Palo Alto HS (CA)

48. Minnesota Twins: Cole Phillips, RHP – Boerne HS (TX)

49. Kansas City Royals: Justin Campbell, RHP – Oklahoma State

50. Colorado Rockies: Parker Messick, LHP – Florida State

51. Detroit Tigers: Jud Fabian, OF – Florida

52. New York Mets: Ivan Melendez, 1B – Texas

53. San Diego Padres: Roman Anthony, OF – Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS (FL)

54. Cleveland Guardians: Adam Mazur, RHP – Iowa

55. Cincinnati Reds: Max Wagner, 3B – Clemson

56. Oakland Athletics: Drew Thorpe, RHP – Cal Poly

57. Atlanta Braves: Tanner Schobel, SS – Virginia Tech

58. Seattle Mariners: Brandon Sproat, RHP – Florida

59. St. Louis Cardinals: Cayden Wallace, 3B – Arkansas

60. Toronto Blue Jays: Landon Sims, RHP – Mississippi State

61. New York Yankees: Colby Thomas, OF – Mercer

62. Chicago White Sox: Logan Tanner, C – Mississippi State

63. Milwaukee Brewers: Cade Hunter, C – Virginia Tech

64. Houston Astros: Korbyn Dickerson, OF – Trinity HS (KY)

65. Tampa Bay Rays: Tristan Smith, LHP – Boiling Springs HS (SC)

66. San Francisco Giants: Cade Doughty, 3B – LSU

Competitive Balance Round B

67. Baltimore Orioles: Jayson Jones, SS – Braswell HS (TX)

68. Minnesota Twins: Mikey Romero, SS – Orange Lutheran HS (CA)

69. Oakland Athletics: Robert Moore, 2B – Arkansas

70. Tampa Bay Rays: Tommy Specht, OF – Wahlert HS (IA)

71. Tampa Bay Rays: Josh Kasevich, SS – Oregon

72. Milwaukee Brewers: Caden Dana, RHP – Don Bosco Prep HS (NJ)

73. Cincinnati Reds: Brady Neal, C – IMG Academy (FL)

74. Seattle Mariners: Nicholas Morabito, SS – Gonzaga Academy HS (DC)

Compensation Picks

75. New York Mets: Chris Stanfield, OF – Lawton Chiles HS (FL)

76. Atlanta Braves: Clark Elliott, OF – Michigan

77. Toronto Blue Jays: Dom Keegan, C – Vanderbilt

78. Toronto Blue Jays: Ryan Clifford, OF – Pro5 Academy (VA)

79. Boston Red Sox: Reggie Crawford, LHP/DH – UConn

80. Houston Astros: Noah Dean, LHP – Old Dominion