Scouting the 2022 Draft

 I haven't posted anything about this year's MLB draft partly due to time constraints and partly because it's so hard to project who might drafted at #30 which is where the Giants are selecting after compiling the best regular season record in MLB last year.  I have been following several draft-oriented sites and let them do the heavy lifting of initial scouting reports and rankings.  Having said that, aside from Druw Jones OF(son of Andruw) being the consensus top draft prospect and fairly stable top 10, the rest of the rankings are highly variable from site-to-site.

This draft shapes up as far stronger on the position side and one of the weakest pitching crops in years.  The usual high ceiling prep positional talent dominated the top of the rankings but this draft is incredibly deep in college hitters, particularly OF's.  College hitters tend to be selected higher than their pre-draft rankings but the Giants should have their choice of several players worthy of a late first round pick at #30 and even with their second pick at #66.  

After balancing the organization with a pitching-heavy draft last year the Giants can afford to just go with the flow and take the best players available which would seem to lean more toward college hitting.  Here some quick profiles of several college hitters with a good chance of being on the board at #30.

Peyton Graham SS, Oklahoma.  DOB:  1/26/2001.  B-R, T-R.  6'3", 185 lbs.  .335/.414/.658, 20 HR, 32 SB, 24 BB, 62 K, 260 AB.  Nice power/speed combo.  Handled SS this year but probably projects more as 3B.  Improved approach to breaking balls as season progressed.  Could go pretty high if an organization thinks he can handle SS defensively as a pro.

Dylan Beavers OF, California.  DOB:  8/11/2001.  B-L, T-R.  6'4", 206 lbs.  .291/.426/.634, 17 HR, 7 SB, 51 BB, 54 K, 213 AB.  Local kid who does not turn 21 until next month.  Has tools with speed to cover CF and arm to play RF....or he could be a tweener and not be great at either.  Long levers project for power but also contribute to holes in swing.  Most mock drafts have him going to the A's earlier in the first round.

Sterlin Thompson OF, Florida.  DOB:  6/26/2001.  B-L, T-R.  6'4", 200 lbs.  .354/.443/.563, 11 HR, 10 SB, 37 BB, 47 K, 254 AB.  Highly rated prep prospect in 2020.  Has performed well in college in the toughest conference in the country.  Currently has more gap than HR power but frame projects for more in the future.  Most scouts project him as a corner OF but the bat may play there.

Cayden Wallace 3B, Arkansas.  DOB 8/7/2001.  B-R, T-R.  6'1", 205 lbs.  .298/.387/.553, 16 HR, 12 SB, 275 AB.  Another highly rated prep prospect in 2020 who excelled in college.  Performances in summer leagues a plus.  Projects as 3B or RF in pros.

Drew Gilbert OF, Tennessee.  DOB:  9/27/2000.  B-L, T-L.  5'9", 185 lbs.  .362/.455/.673, 11 HR, 4 SB, 33 BB, 32 K, 199 AB.  Two way player whose FB hits 93 on the mound.  Shorter stature favors him as a hitter.  Can play CF.  Adequate power but size may limit him to more gap power.  High intensity performer.

Brock Jones OF, Stanford.  DOB:  3/28/2001.  B-L, T-L.  6'0", 197 lbs.  .324/.451/.664, 21 HR, 16 SB, 55 BB, 78 K, 253 AB.  Tremendous athlete who played safety on the Stanford football team his freshman year before opting to concentrate on baseball.  Has speed to play CF but arm is reported as fringy.  Near maxed out physically but good current power.

Jacob Melton OF, Oregon St.  DOB:  9/7/2000.  B-L, T-L.  6'3", 208 lbs.  .360/.424/.670, 17 HR, 21 SB, 26 BB, 51 K, 261 AB.  Excellent athlete, ideal size.  Speed to play CF and power to play in corner.  

My personal rankings in order of preference, obviously depending on if they are still on the board at #30: Graham, Melton, Gilbert.  I see the Jones boys, Brock and Spencer of Vanderbilt as possible options in Round 2 if they fall to #66.

There are quite a few pitchers, both college and prep, who underwent TJ surgery this season.  I could see FZ and staff not being afraid of the injury history and thinking they can take advantage of a buy-low opportunity.  One intriguing name that probably won't be available but at least one mock draft has going to the Giants is Kumar Rocker RHP.  The ceiling is sky-high, but comes with a frightful injury risk.  That might be a smart chance to take at #30.