There are still three months away when teams begin selecting their first-round picks in this year’s MLB Draft, but it’s a good time to readjust by conducting a Mock Draft. This exercise helps hone in on prospects that weren’t considered preseason first-round grade but have played well enough to get consideration now. Vice versa, this Mock Draft exercise will highlight which preseason Top 10 prospects are beginning to drop because they are not living up to expectations.
Here’s where we stand on the 2022 MLB Draft class with College Baseball season past the midway point and prep seasons are in full swing.
How are we feeling about this MLB Draft Class?
James Fox: Lots of exciting hitters in prep and college class. Some college pitchers have improved but the overall class has been rough.
Josh Nelson: Injuries and poor performance have significantly shifted where players are ranked. I imagine scouting departments, such as the Chicago White Sox, are having difficulty zeroing on particular players. This draft could see a preseason Top 10 draft prospect falls to the White Sox at Pick 26.
Do you think the White Sox should continue recent trends and focus on prep players early (Rounds 1 through 3)?
James Fox: They could take a college starter in the first round because there might be value on the board, but my hope is they go prep in the first two rounds.
Josh Nelson: For a team trying to win a World Series in 2022, we are learning that having the worst farm system in MLB hinders making significant improvements via trade. Teams on the rebuilding path want to go younger. The only way to get your farm system younger is to draft prep players and sign teenagers out of the international market. Of course, this year’s first-round pick is not eligible to be traded until after the season. Still, age is something to be mindful of for the White Sox as they look to restock their farm system.
Mock Draft 1.0
- Baltimore Orioles
James Fox: Druw Jones, OF, Wesleyan HS (GA) - Arizona Diamondbacks
Josh Nelson: Brooks Lee, SS, Cal Poly - Texas Rangers
James: Dylan Lesko, RHP, Buford HS (GA) - Pittsburgh Pirates
Josh: Termarr Johnson, SS, Mays HS (GA) - Washington Nationals
James: Elijah Green, OF, IMG Academy - Miami Marlins
Josh: Jacob Berry, 3B, LSU - Chicago Cubs
James: Kevin Parada, C, Georgia Tech - Minnesota Twins
Josh: Jace Jung, 2B, Texas Tech - Kansas City Royals
James: Jackson Ferris, LHP, IMG Academy - Colorado Rockies
Josh: Brandon Barriera, LHP, American Heritage Plantation HS (FL) - New York Mets
James: Jackson Holliday, SS, Stillwater HS (OK) - Detroit Tigers
Josh: Daniel Susac, C, Arizona - Los Angeles Angels
James: Hunter Barco, LHP, Florida - New York Mets
Josh: Chase DeLauter, OF, James Madison
Note: DeLauter is now out for at least three weeks due to injury. - San Diego Padres
James: Cam Collier, 3B, Chipola JC - Cleveland Guardians
Josh: Cole Young, SS, North Allegheny HS (PA) - Philadelphia Phillies
James: Noah Schultz, LHP, Oswego East HS (IL) - Cincinnati Reds
Josh: Gavin Cross, OF, Virginia Tech - Oakland Athletics
James: Justin Campbell, RHP, Oklahoma State - Atlanta Braves
Josh: Kumar Rocker, RHP, Vanderbilt - Seattle Mariners
James: Robert Moore, 2B, Arkansas - St. Louis Cardinals
Josh: Logan Tanner, C, Mississippi State - Toronto Blue Jays
James: Connor Prielipp, LHP, Alabama - Boston Red Sox
Josh: Mikey Romero, SS, Orange Lutheran HS (CA) - New York Yankees
James: Jordan Beck, OF, Tennessee - Chicago White Sox
James: Justin Crawford, OF, Bishop Gorman HS (NV)
The 6-2 175 pounder has been gaining helium as a draft prospect and maybe a difficult signing to forgo his commitment at LSU next year. The White Sox took prep bats with their first two selections in the 2021 class, and they go back to the well here in the first round. Crawford, the son of former big leaguer Carl Crawford, is 18-years-old and hits left-handed. He’s one of the best athletes in the class and regularly displays plus-plus run times. He’s always had solid bat-to-ball skills, but the power potential has shown more often this spring. Adding a premium teenage prospect that can play in center field long-term would be an excellent outcome for the White Sox with the 26th overall pick in the first round.
Josh: Gabriel Hughes, RHP, Gonzaga
After allowing just seven runs in his first five starts, Hughes appears to be slowing down as he’s allowed 12 runs in his last three outings over 19.1 innings. Even hitting a midseason bump in the road, Hughes has 74 strikeouts to just 17 walks in 50.1 innings this season. His ERA is now at 3.04, and Hughes has only allowed two home runs. I think there’s the ability to gain velocity on his fastball once he becomes a pro, and the slider is an above-average pitch. In some ways, Hughes reminds me of Michael Kopech with that combination and the need to learn a third pitch. Selecting Hughes, the White Sox will add some needed starting pitching depth to their organization. Not just to prepare for future injuries but also to protect themselves if a long-term contract cannot be agreed upon with Lucas Giolito. - Milwaukee Brewers
James: Jud Fabian, OF, Florida - Houston Astros
Josh: Brock Jones, OF, Stanford - Tampa Bay Rays
James: Carson Whisenhunt, LHP, ECU - Los Angeles Dodgers
Josh: Brock Porter, RHP, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s Prep (MI) - San Francisco Giants
James: Cade Doughty, 2B, LSU - Colorado Rockies
Josh: Blade Tidwell, RHP, Tennessee - Cincinnati Reds
James: Jordan Sprinkle, SS, UC-Santa Barbara
How far do you guys think the other’s pick would fall if not picked there?
Today, Hughes will go somewhere in the Top 35.
If Crawford doesn’t go in the Top 35, it’s because his asking signing bonus is too high and he’ll go to LSU.
Carl Crawford was an excellent player for a long time, his son will be a very good draft pick if he’s half as good. What are the junior Crawford’s flaws as a player at the moment? I’m just not certain he would fall to 26, scouts really love major league bloodlines like his for good reason.
Lack of HR power. Just like his Dad, Justin Crawford may only be a 10 to 15 HR hitter professionally.
I really think the sox need some arms in the upper levels, their SP depth is pretty weak and the big club probably moves on from Kuechel this year, and may have a hard time keeping Giolito around after 2023. 1st round if the top catchers are off the board I probably would go college starting pitcher and focus on prep hitters rounds 2 and 3. I am huge on bloodlines as well, so the crawford pick would be exciting/tempting…..just not sure it fits with where the sox are at and how the organizations depth chart looks.