It’s time we turn the page and flip our focus to the 2022 draft class. Over the past month, we’ve had one of our evaluators take in over 25 Cape Cod League games. Three of our evaluators were in attendance for all four days of the Perfect Game National Showcase. We’ve also got credentials at the USA Baseball College National Team contests. In total, our evaluators have taken in over 100 college baseball games over the past calendar year, developing their thoughts on the 2022 draft class, capturing footage along the way.
During this cycle, several improvements will be made to our process. We’re really looking forward to showcasing what’s to come.
This initial list will highlight the Top 100 players we believe have some of the highest upside in this class. As always, we intend on bolstering this list by 50 names every 6 weeks or so.
1. Elijah Green
Outfield, IMG Academy
One of the most exciting players in the country, Green is a do-it-all, powder-keg package of explosivity and bottled energy on the baseball diamond. Already 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, he’s a physical specimen built different than his colleagues. Simply put, there’s not much Green cannot do. At this stage, Green might be the best prep prospect the MLB Draft has seen in quite some time. Some evaluators believe he could be a plus hitter with plus-plus raw power, and he’s already tapping into that juice in-game. He’s currently at least a 70-runner with a 70-arm as well. There can be some swing and miss in his game, and that’s a huge part of prospect evaluation, so it’ll be something scouts are keeping a close eye on. There aren’t too many warts in his game. Green is a very special talent and teams will covet his services in the draft.
2. Jace Jung
Second Base, Texas Tech
Jace, the younger brother to 2018 first round pick Josh Jung, can flat out mash. A power-oriented corner infielder, Jung hit almost .500 as a senior in high school before stepping in and starting immediately for the Red Raiders. He hit 4 home runs in 16 starts for Texas Tech in 2020 and pumped out 21 more as a true sophomore in 2021. His .337 average was among the best in the Big 12. At 6-foot, 205 pounds, Jung is a thick, super strong middle infielder with serious thump at the plate. He draws a ton of walks and limits his strikeouts to healthy levels. A second baseman now, Jung could probably move to third base at the next level. He’s got an average arm and fringy lateral mobility, but he’s quick enough on his feet where scouts think he may be able to handle the hot corner. That said, we’re certainly talking about a bat-first prospect who could eventually end up a plus-plus hitter with plus juice.
3. Termarr Johnson
Second Base, Mays High School
Despite his size, Johnson has some of the best bat speed in the entire class. He has a chance to be a really special hitter when all is said and done. He's a thunderous hitter with quick, explosive actions at the plate. It's comfortably plus raw power, and he's getting into it in-game already. Johnson covers the zone extremely well and uses the whole field, displaying big opposite-field juice when he lets the ball travel. He's already a muscled up, thick middle infielder, so his ultimate home on the dirt will likely be dictated by what direction his body goes as he's works his way up the develomental ladder. Currently a shortstop, Johnson probably figures to end up at second base or third base long-term. This is an elite-level bat.
4. Carter Young
Shortstop, Vanderbilt
Bit of a do-it-all player in his prep days, Young has played catcher and middle infield over the course of his young career. Young started every game at shortstop for Vandy where he'd hit .328 in a shortened season in 2020. Young is revered for his actions on the dirt where he's comfortably an above average defender, though most believe his athleticism and twitch suggest a plus defender at the next level. The throwing arm also comfortably grades out above average, aided by his experience behind the plate as a prep. A switch-hitter, he’s beginning to tap into some power at the plate, especially from left side. Young was a little banged up toward the latter half of the 2021 season. Fully healthy again in 2022, he figures to be one of the more complete hitters in the SEC.
5. Dylan Lesko
Right-Handed Pitcher, Buford HS
Everything comes awfully easy to Lesko on the mound. He’s considered one of the more polished arms in the class featuring an easy, fluid delivery with a four-pitch mix. Lesko’s mechanics are simple and repeatable. It’s effortless velocity without the violence or headwhack that can derail a young pitcher’s career down the road. Lesko really gets into his lower half and shows exquisite efficiency down the bump. It’s a three-quarters, short-arm delivery. The heater has been up to 99, but more comfortably sits 92-95 most nights. Changeup is his best secondary, thrown with plenty of intent featuring fading action into the back foot or righties and darting away from lefties. He has a slider and a curveball, both of which flash above average but are still average offerings on most nights. He has very good command of all four pitches and is more than willing to sequence backwards.
6. Kevin Parada
Catcher, Georgia Tech
Parada was one of the more quietly heralded catchers in the 2020 draft class pre-draft. His bonus demands ultimately pushed him to Georgia Tech. It's legit plus raw power that he's shown he can get to in-game. He’s got extremely strong hands that help him manipulate the barrel, and punish balls deep in the zone with authority. Parada has a picturesque swing that uses all fields and doesn’t sell out for power. It’s organic strength and loft that comes naturally. Behind the plate, it’s a plus arm with better athleticism than you’ll find in most guys his size. Playing at Georgia Tech, Parada may get the opportunity to call his own games in 2022, a luxury not afforded to most college catchers these days. That advanced skillset, both mentally and physically, should help his draft stock. Parada’s profile is carried by the plus bat, but he’s an advanced defensive catcher who figures to stay behind the plate as he transitions into professional baseball. He may be the next great backstop to come out of Georgia Tech following Jason Varitek, Matt Wieters and Joey Bart.
7. Tristan Smith
Left-Handed Pitcher, Boiling Springs HS
Smith is one of the top lefties in a loaded 2022 prep class. A strong 6-foot-2, 200 pound frame, Smith fits the profile of a future power pitcher with a rather effortless, crossbody delivery with plenty of deception. Smith’s fastball has been clocked as high as 96 MPH, usually sitting in the 90-94 MPH range. It’s an explosive pitch that comes out of a tough angle with high spin rates. His primary secondary is a sweepy slider that has primarily sat in the high-70’s that he commands well. Much like the fastball, his breaking ball has huge spin rates, reaching as high as 3000 RPM. He rounds out his arsenal with a change-up in the low-80’s that he has good feel for. Smith is committed to Clemson.
8. Brooks Lee
Shortstop, Cal Poly
A name many expected to hear called in the 2019 MLB Draft, Lee decided to forego MLB to play for his dad at Cal Poly. Listed at 6-foot-2, 205 pounds, Lee is an extremely physical, barrel-chested shortstop with a significant strength throughout his frame. Big for the position, Lee carries his size extremely well on the dirt where his fluidity on the dirt and huge arm really standout on defense. He receives high marks for his instincts and leadership on the field, captaining the defense in-between plays. A switch-hitter with power from both sides of the plate, Lee showcases a big bat with a plus hit tool and thump. Extremely quick hands. It’s plus raw power that he’s getting into, spraying missiles to all fields. Scouts believe there’s significant power coming. Lee may eventually have to shift to third base, though his toolset fits the position nicely. He’s a fringy runner, but his athleticism more than makes up for any foot speed he may lack.
9. Brock Porter
Right-Handed Pitcher, Orchard Lake St. Marys
Porter is a cold-weather arm that brings plenty of heat to the table. The fastball has been clocked as high as 99 MPH, casually sitting 93-95 with plenty of riding life. All this as 17 years old. His best secondary is a changeup that's at least plus, though some evalutors already believe it projects plus-plus. He throws the cambio with serious conviction and parachute-like action in the upper-70’s; enormous separation from his heater. Metrically, it’s a strong offering showcasing optimal spin rates in the 1400 RPM range. He’s got an inconsistent, high-spin slider that can be truly wicked at its best, generally in the low-80s. He’s also got a curveball in the mid-70’s to round out a full arsenal. It’s a strong, athletic 6-foot-3 build with broad shoulders and and long levers. Three-quarters delivery with explosive arm speed. Porter continues to show improved command and control as the body matures. If Porter's command can keep up with his huge arsenal, he has a chance to headline the class. Porter’s college commitment belongs to Clemson.
10. Brock Jones
Outfield, Stanford
A two-sport stud, Jones played football at Stanford his freshman year before eventually giving it up to focus on baseball. That appears to be a good decision. An ultra-physical, muscled-up outfielder, Jones is tooled up across the board with tools in every area of the game. 2021 was Jones’ first year without football and he really excelled. The 6-foot, 205 pounder hit .311 with 18 homers and stole 14 bases along the way. His strikeout rates remained healthy and he drew a lot of walks. Jones has a sweet, compact left-handed swing coming from a wide base with an all-fields approach. He has a ton of pull-side pop and can really impact a baseball into the left-centerfield gap. He’s at least an above average runner, maybe plus. He’s a solid average defender with an average arm; a toolset probably best built for left field or centerfield with more reps and seasoning. Given the athleticism and trajectory of his game, many believe Jones’ game will continue to grow and flourish as he gets more and more comfortable committing to baseball full-time. For now, it’s above average tools across the board with the exception of the throwing arm.
11. Jayson Jones
Shortstop, Braswell HS
One of the most physical frames in the class, Jones already really destroys the baseball. On the data side of things, Jones in an absolute monster. It's among the most outlandish barrel speed-hand speed combinations we've ever seen since Diamond Kinetics and K-Vest worked their way into amateur baseball. Not only does he have the most ferocious physical traits in the box, but he outshines just about any other prep players we've seen in the last few years. This is one of the most imposing high school bats in the 2022 class. Despite his bigger size, Jones displays excellent body control and balance on the dirt with a loose, whippy arm action that projects to play on the infield long-term. Jones is particularly impressive coming in on the baseball. But the bat is seriously a thunderous bat speed and enormous strength, especially to his pull-side. Super advanced hitter. Legitimate plus-plus raw power. The bat should carry the whole profile.
12. Ian (JR) Ritchie
Right-Handed Pitcher, Bainbridge HS
In a deep prep pitching class, Ritchie stands out for a loud package of both pure stuff and control/command. The fastball sits 92-95 on most days, up to 97. He has a firm, tight slider up into the mid-80s with late two-plane break that he also commands very well. He also built a deeper, high-70s curveball into his arsenal with distinct vertical movement and significant spin rates. Jordan Lawlar called his breaking ball the best pitch he saw all summer in 2021. Ritchie also features a changeup he’s shown feel for with good arm-side fade that he deploys primarily against lefties. Finally, he's working to mix in a low-90s 2-seam fastball, deployed away from righty bats. Ritchie has an extremely quick arm with elite mechanics and lower half strength. He’s a very good bet to start long-term, and has the potential to be the best prep arm to come out of Washington since Blake Snell or Tim Lincecum.
13. Jacob Berry
Third Base, LSU
Simply put, one of the best hitters in the 2022 class. A year removed from anchoring the Arizona Wildcats lineup, Berry transferred to LSU to follow Jay Johnson. Berry was not only arguably the best freshman in college baseball in 2021, you could make the argument he was one of the best players in the country regardless of age. He's a potential plus hitter with plus power. His optimized swing is allowing the power to play immediately. He's an physical, imposing specimin with power to all fields and enough speed to be given some credit on the basepaths. He's likely a third baseman at the next level, though some believe he'll have to shift to first base. The only thing holding Berry from potentially becoming a top ten pick would be some of the swing and miss in his game.
14. Druw Jones
Outfield, Wesleyan HS
Jones has some of the most explosive athletic ability in the 2022 class and the namesake to draw in fans. The bat-to-ball skills here are impressive. Primarily an opposite field slasher to date, Jones went through a swing change recently and is now generating more power and producing more pull-side pop. He’s really engaging his lower half well and driving the ball with authority. At 6-foot-3, Jones has a prototype frame that should stick in centerfield thanks to plus-plus speed and impressive on-field instincts. He produces big barrel velocity with violent hands and an aggressive, whippy swing plane. He gets fantastic extension at the plate. Jones may end up a plus defender in centerfield with terrific speed and a plus arm to go along with it. He’s a high-level defensive prospect with a budding bat that may end up matching his elite chops in the field.
15. Brandon Barriera
Left-Handed Pitcher, American Heritage HS
Simply put, Barriera has some of the best stuff in the 2022 class, from the left side no less. It’s a stress-free operation with very little effort and seamless fluidity. Barriera has been up to 97 with significant arm speed and athleticism on the mound. He sits 92-94 in late innings. He’s got a wipeout slider that tunnels the heater well, diving on right-handed hitters and disappearing for lefty bats. He’s shown good feel for a changeup with solid separation and depth. He’s also shown a cutter to lefties. It’s a bulldog mentality, filling up the strikeout and coming right at hitters with attitude. Just 6-foot-1, 180 pounds, Barriera is still getting more and more physical as he matures into more strength.
16. Daniel Susac
Catcher, Arizona
A big, tall, switch hitting catcher, Susac immediately brings back visions of Matt Wieters at Georgia Tech. Susac has a very good arm behind the plate, and more explosiveness and lateral mobility than most catchers his size do. But this guy will make his money with the bat. A potential plus hitter with plus power, Susac projects a middle-of-the-order impact bat, a run producer and an impact player up the middle of the field.
17. Hayden Dunhurst
Catcher, Ole Miss
College catchers who can hit and throw provide enormous value in most drafts. Simply put, Hayden Dunhurst may have the best throwing arm of any draft-eligible catcher in recent memory. Throwing an 80 grade on any defensive tool can be a tough sell, but Dunhurst’s cannon hits the mark. The arm has been clocked at 90mph by area scouts on throws to second base, with pop times hovering between 1.80 and 1.85. Truly sensational. He’s an above average receiver and blocks balls in the dirt very well thanks to solid athleticism. Dunhurst’s hit tool has been better than many anticipated as he’s been a stalwart in the heart of the Ole Miss lineup, He projects at least a fringy average hitter with average power, maybe more. It’s a thick, well-proportioned physical frame that some scouts think will add impact as he continues to grow and mature and make use of his plus raw power.
18. Bryce Hubbart
Left-Handed Pitcher, Florida State
When it comes to Hubbart, it's all limbs. It's an extremely funky, unique delivery that he repeats well and creates a ton of deception. To his credit, Hubbart fills up the zone despite the unique operation. Primarily a 3-pitch guy (FB, CB, CH), Hubbart has begun to work in a slurvy slider with plenty of sweep and a touch more velocity than his deeper curveball. The fastball is generally 89-92, though he's been up to 96. His athleticism, arm speed and levers suggest those gains are coming permanently. The whole package is nasty, deceptive, wonky and effective. He’s one of the more complete pitchers in the ACC and one of the more impressive pitchers in the entire country.
19. Jared McKenzie
Outfield, Baylor
All McKenzie has done since arriving to Baylor is hit, hit and hit some more. The power really came on strong in 2021 as well. McKenzie doesn't draw a ton of walks, but he simply never strikes out either. He's got average speed and projects best into a corner. Some evaluators believe he may have the best pure hit tool in the class. Should McKenzie hope to continue climbing up boards, the power will need to continue to present itself in 2022. His performances in the Cape Cod League with a wood bat in 2021 have certainly continued to help his draft stock.
20. Peyton Pallette
Right-Handed Pitcher, Arkansas
Pallette is one of the most electrifying arms in 2022, a college class that appears to lack the depth of recent classes. He’s got a wiry, yet athletic frame at 6-foot-1, 175 pounds, featuring an extremely quick right arm. The fastball has been as hot as 97 MPH in 2021, mostly sitting 92-95 MPH, holding velocity deep into starts. His curveball is a complete buzzsaw with sweep and good vertical tilt. It sits around 80 MPH and has some of the highest spin rates you will quite literally ever see. In 2021 against South Carolina, he broke one off at 3,530 RPM. Elite, elite zip. He flashes a change-up in the high-80’s, but it’s sparsely utilized and still a point of development. Command comes and goes, but he’s got big arm talent and is getting better as time goes on.
21. Cayden Wallace
Outfield, Arkansas
Another big-time 2020 prep prospect, Wallace elected to forego pro ball and head to Fayetteville. Wallace has plus raw power and an above average arm that will shifted from third base to the outfield in college. A lineup anchor for the Razorbacks, Wallace is at least an average hitter, likely a tick better with middle-of-the-lineup thump. He's an average runner who figures to fit into a corner role where his arm will play nicely.
22. Cole Young
Shortstop, North Allegheny HS
One of the top middle infielders in the 2022 class. Pretty complete profile. Strong defensively up the middle with good footwork and an accurate arm with the innate feel for timing. Tends to peppers ball into gaps both pull-side and opposite field, but Young has a well-leveraged body with big exit velos. He can ambush fastballs and lift when he wants. Very polished profile that projects to stick at shortstop and hit for average and some pop.
23. Chase DeLauter
Outfield, James Madison
DeLauter is a physical specimen. At 6-foot-4, 230 pounds, the product of Martinsburg, West Virginia can really bang at the plate. He burst onto the scene in 2021, slashing .386/.508/.723 with 6 homers and 7 stolen bases in just 26 games. He worked 25 walks and punched out just 14 times. DeLauter has showcased his talents in the Cape Cod League as well, surging confidence in his abilities with big league scouts. Believers see an above average hitter with easy plus raw power. He has a disciplined eye at the plate that should translate to pro ball well. In the field, it’s at least a plus-plus arm in a corner with rangy speed and sound fundamentals. It’s definitely worth giving this kid a shot in centerfield. James Madison hasn’t produced a first round pick since 2007. That may change…
24. Landon Sims
Right-Handed Pitcher, Mississippi State
There may not be another arm in the 2022 class built more equipped for the modern meta than Landon Sims. It’s a truly explosive arm with mammoth data. The fastball has been clocked as high as 97 with exceptional ride. Couple this with Sims natural feel for command the ball to the top of the zone and you’ve got a pretty loud heater. He supplements the big fastball with a firm two-plane breaking ball he commands glove-side with consistency. It’s easy to project more in the tank with Sims thanks to his athleticism and light innings to this point. He was nimble enough to handle the infield in high school. Sims will need to prove he can handle more innings and extended outings in 2022, but it’s a high ceiling with an extremely high-leverage floor.
25. Peyton Graham
Third Base, Oklahoma
Incredibly impressive freshman campaign hitting .368 and punishing the baseball. Played an exceptional third base in the abbreviated season. Graham was slowed a bit in 2021 by strikeouts, but the power took a step forward and he took his walks. It's a mature approach that suggests a fairly complete hitter moving forward. He's got a premier, projectable body that might move him to third base at the pro level, but he handles shortstop well for the time being.