Some of you may be wondering why I keep grinding out these draft reviews, especially the first round for all MLB teams. Two reasons: 1. I learn a lot about the players. Opening their Fangraphs page is like opening a Christmas present! 2. I have the time. So, let's break down the 2022 draft next.
1. Orioles: Jackson Holliday 2B, HS.
2024(AAA): .271/.431/.477, 10 HR, 8 SB, 21.7 BB%, 22.3 K%, 346 PA.
2024(MLB): .189/.255/.311, 5 HR, 4 SB, 7.2 BB%, 33.2 K%, 208 PA, 0.0 fWAR.
Son of Matt Holliday but we won't hold that against him. Long considered an elite prospect. Sailed through the Orioles system with incredible BB% and K/BB's although light on power. Struggled in MLB callup but he's still very young.
2. D'Backs: Druw Jones OF, HS.
2024(A): .275/.409/.405, 6 HR, 21 SB, 18.0 BB%, 28.0 K%, 471 PA.
Son of former MLB CF Andruw Jones. Like father, like son. He's an excellent defensive CF but the bat is a project.
3. Rangers: Kumar Rocker RHP, Independent Pro.
2024(ACL): 0-1, 6.43, 7 IP, 10.29 K/9, 1.29 BB/9.
2024(AA): 0-0, 0.46, 19.2 IP, 13.27 K/9, 1.37 BB/9.
2024(AAA): 0-0, 1.80, 10.0 IP, 16.20 K/9, 0.90 BB/9.
2024(MLB): 0-2, 3.86, 11.2 IP, 10.80 K/9, 4.63 BB/9.
Big bodied pitcher(Dad was a football lineman) considered an elite prospect out of HS. Chose to take scholarship to Vanderbilt. Drafted #10 overall by the Mets in 2021 but the Mets withdrew their bonus offer after reviewing his medical report. He subsequently underwent shoulder surgery. Pitched in Indy ball prior to the 2022 draft and moved up to #3 overall pick. Should be ready to move into the Rangers rotation in 2025.
4. Pirates: Termarr Johnson 2B, HS.
2024(A+): .242/.427/.414, 13 HR, 20 SB, 16.0 BB%, 21.6 K%, 487 PA.
2024(AA): .229/.316/.396, 2 HR, 2 SB, 12.3 BB%, 19.3 K%, 57 PA.
Early pro career slowed by injuries. Developing at a steady pace. Elite K/BB's carried over into the Arizona Fall League.
5. Nationals: Elijah Green OF, HS
2024(A): .208/.293/.355, 13 HR, 39 SB, 9.8 BB%, 44.0 K%, 468 PA.
Defensive CF with power and speed. Extreme contact concerns.
6. Marlins: Jacob Berry 1B, College.
2024(AA): .238/.306/.360, 9 HR, 12 SB, 7.3 BB%, 20.5 K%, 425 PA.
2024(AAA): .242/.311/.374, 2 HR, 2 SB, 9.7 BB%, 17.5 K%, 103 PA.
Not the offensive numbers you want to see from a 1B only prospect drafted out of college in his 3'rd professional season.
7. Cubs: Cade Horton RHP, College.
2024(AA): 1-0, 1.10, 16.1 IP, 9.92 K/9, 1.10 BB/9.
2024(AAA): 1-1, 7.50, 18 IP, 11.00 K/9, 5.50 BB/9.
Put up great numbers at 3 levels in 2023 but shut down in May 2024 with shoulder issues. He was apparently cleared to start a throwing program a few days ago.
8. Twins: Brooks Lee SS, College.
2024(AAA): .308/.368/.606, 8 HR, 8.8 BB%, 14.0 K%, 114 PA.
2024(MLB: .221/.265/.320, 3 HR, 3 SB, 5.9 BB%, 14.6 K%, 185 PA.
Minor league numbers look good. Probably just needs more PA's at MLB level to get over the hump.
9. Royals: Gavin Cross OF, College.
2024(AA): .261/.342/.428, 15 HR, 30 SB, 10.3 BB%, 24.1 K%, 436 PA.
Normal organizational progress with strong peripherals. Should start 2025 in AAA.
10. Rockies: Gabriel Hughes RHP, College.
Underwent Tommy John surgery in July 2023 and missed all of 2024. Should be ready to resume competition in the spring.
11. Mets: Kevin Parada C, College.
2024(AA): .214/.304/.359/.13 HR, 9.9 BB%, 33.7 K%.
K rates are way too high and reportedly not a great defensive catcher. I general catchers are the riskiest draft demographic but if you are fortunate enough get a Buster Posey the payoff is tremendous.
12. Tigers: Jace Jung 3B, College.
2024(AAA): .257/.377/.454, 14 HR, 16.1 BB%, 22.4 K%, 415 PA.
2024(MLB): .241/.362/.304, 16.0 BB%, 30.9 K%, 94 PA.
Looks like kind of a 3 true outcomes guy but maybe more successful than most?
13. Angels: Zach Neto SS, College.
2024(MLB): .249/.318/.443, 23 HR, 30 SB, 6.5 BB%, 23.3 K%, 602 PA, 3.5 fWAR.
Angels have been drafting college prospects and rushing them to the majors. Nice numbers and a solid improvement on Neto's 2023 rookie season. Unfortunately underwent shoulder surgery and will likely start 2025 late.
14. Mets: Jett Williams SS, HS.
2024(AA): .172/.287/.241, 9.9 BB%, 24.8 K%, 101 PA.
2024(AAA): .364/.533/.545, 26.7 BB%, 23.3 K%, 30 PA.
Missed most of 2024 with a wrist injury but finished strong at AAA in a small sample.
15. Padres: Dylan Lesko RHP, HS.
2024(A+, 2 Teams): 2-12, 6.96, 84 IP, 10.71 K/9, 7.46 BB/9.
Consensus #1 HS pitcher in the draft but Senior HS season ended early by TJ surgery. Pro career delayed until 2023. Severe command/control issues. Traded from Padres to Rays with 2 other prospects at 2024 trade deadline for Jason Adams RHP.
16. Guardians: Chase DeLauter OF, College.
2024(AA): .252/.328/.441, 5 HR, 10.9 BB%, 14.8 K%, 128 PA.
2024(AAA): .304/.407/.739, 2 HR, 14.8 BB%, 7.4 K%, 27 PA.
2024(AFL): .340/.475/.511, 12 BB, 6 K's, 59 PA.
17. Phillies: Justin Crawford OF, HS.
2024(A+): .301/.349/.438, 6 HR, 27 SB, 6.6 BB%, 20.2 K%, 317 PA.
2024(AA): .333/.380/.455, 3 HR, 15 SB, 6.1 BB%, 16.1 K%, 180 PA.
Classic contact/speed CF prospect. Power starting to develop as his body matures.
18. Reds: Cam Collier 3B, JC.
2024(A+): .248/.355/.443, 20 HR, 13.0 BB%, 25.0 K%, 507 PA.
Classic 3-true outcomes corner IF. K% rising with each advancing level something to watch going forward.
19. A's: Daniel Susac C, College.
2024(AA): .257/.300/.434, 12 HR, 7 SB, 4.3 BB%, 25.9 K%, 370 PA.
Walk rates this low rarely play at higher levels.
20. Braves: Owen Murphy RHP, HS.
2024(A+): 4-2, 1.54, 41 IP, 13.17 K/9, 2.63 BB/9.
2024 season ended early for TJ surgery.
21. Mariners: Cole Young SS, HS.
2024(AA): .271/.369/.390, 9 HR, 23 SB, 12.1 BB%, 15.8 K%, 552 PA.
Fangraphs calls him a "OBP prodigy." May move to 2B in the majors.
22. Cardinals: Cooper Hjerpe LHP, College.
2024(A+): 0-3, 3.35, 37.2 IP, 13.38 K/9, 4.78 BB/9.
2024(AA): 2-1, 3.07, 12.27 K/9, 4.91 BB/9.
Great numbers but has pitched sparingly over two seasons due to recurrent elbow injuries. Had surgery to remove loose bodies in 2023 and was shut down after 7/2/2024 with an elbow injury.
23. Blue Jays: Brandon Barriera LHP, HS.
Shut down after one appearance in 2024 at A level and undewent "hybrid surgery" on his elbow.
24. Red Sox: Mikey Romero SS, HS.
2024(A+): .271/.319/.498, 10 HR, 5.8 BB%, 21.0 K%, 276 PA.
2024(AA): .243/.257/.543, 6 HR, 2.7 BB%, 33.8 K%, 74 PA.
Impressive power for a young SS prospect but watch the ratios.
25. Yankees: Spencer Jones OF, College.
2024(AA): .259/.336/.452, 17 HR, 25 SB, 9.9 BB%, 36.8 K%, 544 PA.
Looks like the Yankees may have found late first round value again. Former 2-way player who now projects as a CF. 6' 6" height may cause issues with strike zone control but Yanks have experience developing tall hitter, don't they?
26. White Sox: Noah Schultz LHP, HS.
2024(A+): 0-1, 3.95, 27.1 IP, 13.83 K/9, 2.30 BB/9.
2024(AA): 0-3, 1.48, 61 IP, 10.77, 2.51 BB/9.
May project as a reliever due to reliance on dominant slider.
27. Brewers: Eric Brown SS, College.
2024(AA): .185/.270/.262, 4 HR, 20 SB, 9.3 BB%, 18.8 K%, 441 PA.
Terrible performance for a college draftee in 3'rd pro season. Solid ratios and a BABIP of .221 may offer hope of a positive regression.
28. Astros: Drew Gilbert OF, College.
2024(Mets): .215/.313/.393, 10 HR, 3 SB, 10.1 BB%, 20.6 K%, 247 PA.
Traded to the Mets 8/1/2023 for Justin Verlander. Disappointing numbers at AAA after a strong AA campaign in 2023.
29. Rays: Xavier Isaac 1B, HS.
2024(A+): .287/.381/.535, 15 HR, 14 HR, 12.3 BB%, 30.1 K%, 302 PA.
2024(AA): .211/.346/.349, 3 HR, SB, 15.8 BB%, 40.6 K%, 133 PA.
Extreme 3-true outcomes guy as you might expect from the Rays organization.
30. Giants: Reggie Crawford LHP/1B, College.
2024(AA): 1-1, 4.66, 9.2 IP, 17.69 K/9, 4.66 BB/9.
2024(AAA): 0-0, 1.04, 8.2 IP, 11.42 K/9, 7.27 BB/9.
Drafted as a 2-way player out of college after he underwent TJ surgery. Abandoned hitting for for 2024 and Giants tried to fast track him as a reliever. Unfortunately he underwent reconstructive shoulder surgery in September and will probably miss most or all of 2025.
Summary:
This is a late-maturing draft due to strong HS presence so way too early to judge. The injury news on Reggie Crawford does not bode well for his future but the Giants swung for the fences on a high-risk/high-ceiling guy which is a reasonable approach at the end of the first round.
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