2022 MLB Draft July 17-19 - An Extensive Look At Top Draft Prospects

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Over the last four and a half months I have offered an extensive look at some of the top draft prospects by posting a series of articles about each of them. In this thread I will copy and paste each post so that we can have everyone's information in one thread. For most of the prospects I will have one post about each of them. There were a couple that I had so much information about that I couldn't put it in one post, so those guys will have their information spread out over two consecutive posts. After that I may post some mock draft information. Feel free to add any information you find or any opinions as well.

 

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Extensive Look at 2022 MLB Draft Prospects

Over the course of the next few days I thought I would find several short writeups on some of the guys suspected to go early in the draft. I will go in no particular order. Today's post is about Brooks Lee the shortstop out of Cal Poly. Here is the information I found along with a link to an extended article about him from Baseball Prospectus.

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COLLEGE PLAYERS TO KNOW FOR 2022 MLB Draft - Through The Fence Baseball

Get to know the name. Much like Henry Davis did in last year’s draft, Brooks Lee is a name that keeps gaining momentum. In 2021, Lee had a .342 batting average and an incredible 1.010 OPS. His 139 total bases sits near the top of all collegiate players. Of course, there are a few prep shortstops that will contend with Lee for the number one spot, but barring any major drops in performance, Lee should be a top-five pick in July.

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2022 MLB MOCK DRAFT 3.0; Brooks Lee, Druw Jones - Through The Fence Baseball

Between Carter Young and Brooks Lee, 2022 might turn into another Mayer/Lawler debate like 2021 had. I like that Brooks Lee can hit very well from both sides of the plate and displays the same type of power each side he’s swinging. He’s got the size you like to see for a shortstop of his caliber, and he displays quick hands at the plate and in the field. On the base paths he leaves little to be desired, but the rest of the package is there.

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MLB draft prospects 2022: Ranking top 50 players in the class, with Termarr Johnson at No. 1

Expecting the switch-hitting Lee to become the most decorated big-league player in Mustangs history would be unreasonable. Ozzie Smith is a Hall of Famer, and both Mike Krukow and Mitch Haniger made All-Star Games after playing their college ball in San Luis Obispo. Forecasting Lee to dethrone John Orton (25th) as the highest selected Mustang, however, is more than fair. Scouts have the utmost confidence that he's going to hit, and possibly hit a lot thanks to his bat-to-ball skills and his track record; including his stints in the Cape Cod League and similar constructs, he's batted .357/.412/.513 in more than 400 collegiate plate appearances. (He did record more than five times as many strikeouts as walks on the Cape, though it's hard to knock his play there given he batted .405/.432/.667.) Evaluators are less harmonious about his chances of remaining at shortstop for the long haul. Lee, who plays for his father at Cal Poly, has great instincts and less-great athleticism; a move to second or third base would seem like a fine compromise between value and ability. Provided he stays healthy and reaffirms that he merits an average or better power projection this spring, he should go in the top five picks come the summer. And, perhaps, even first overall.

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An Inside Look at Potential Prospects on College Baseball Opening Day

Quite possibly the best all-around player in college baseball, Brooks Lee will certainly turn some heads. The 6’2", 205 lbs. shortstop is nothing short of magnificent. Defensively, his range can be attributed to his quick reads off the bat, and his cannon of an arm can throw out the fastest of baserunners from anywhere on the field. At the plate, Lee is a powerful switch-hitter that shortens up when he needs to and finds a way to get the bat on the ball.


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2022 MLB Mock Draft 1.0 | Just Baseball

When it comes to amateur shortstops, Brooks Lee checks all of the boxes. Widely regarded as an early-round pick out of high school, Lee has done nothing but produce at the college level. The 6-foot-2 switch-hitter possesses a smooth swing from both sides of the plate, with the ability to grow into some more power. On defense, he has the actions, athleticism, and leadership qualities to stick at shortstop long term.

After missing most of his freshman year due to hamstring surgery, Lee impressed in 2021, slashing .342/.384/.626 with 10 homers in 55 games. Last summer, splitting time with Team USA and on Cape Cod, Lee shot up draft boards industry-wide.

The San Luis Obispo native was objectively the best player on Team USA’s roster while owning a 1.099 OPS in 21 games on the Cape. Although the quality of prep bats this year is very good, Lee looks to be the best player in the class right now.

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Brooks Lee thankful to play for his dad - Baseball Prospect Journal ​

Brooks Lee has enjoyed his experience in college, especially the opportunity to play for his father. He is a top MLB draft prospect.

baseballprospectjournal.com

 

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Extensive Look at 2022 MLB Draft Prospects

Today, I continue with another group of short writeups about one of the guys suspected to go early in the draft. Today's post is about Termarr Johnson a SS/2B from Mays HS in Georgia. Here is the information I found. I included a link at the end to an extensive article about him from the website of an Atlanta television station.

MLB draft prospects 2022: Ranking top 50 players in the class, with Termarr Johnson at No. 1 ​

These are the names to know as college and high school baseball seasons get started

www.cbssports.com





Johnson is a special offensive prospect as well as the beneficiary of a hype blizzard. One veteran scout told CBS Sports that projecting Johnson's hit tool to become an 80 (that is, the highest grade and most important aspect of a player's game) was an easy decision. Other evaluators have dared to debate how Johnson stacks up to Wander Franco when he was 17 years old, and have offered Guardians third baseman José Ramírez as a best-case scenario comparison. (Best case indeed.) Some, if not all of that could prove to be overzealous by the time draft day arrives. Still, Johnson offers a lot to like, including a mature approach and a feel for the barrel that has earned him a reputation for being able to hit any pitch in any count to any field. He came into his strength late last season, and the natural loft on his swing bodes well for his future power production. The biggest downside to his game is his future defensive position, with second base serving as the safest bet. Johnson hasn't yet committed to a college; he won't need to if his desire is to begin his pro career later this year.



2022 MLB Mock Draft 1.0 | Just Baseball

The best pure hitter in the class, Termarr Johnson showcases a smooth left-handed swing with up-and-coming power. Johnson has a stocky build at 5-foot-8 194 lbs., profiling as a second baseman long term. Some evaluators label Johnson as the best pure hitter in years, with some giving his hit tool a rare 80 grade.

The Georgia product does everything at the plate well, including advanced knowledge of the strike zone. His swing is a low-effort operation, but the ball jumps off of the bat to all fields. Johnson’s defense is far from bad, and eventually landing at second or third base will be the most likely outcome.

Top Baseball Draft Prospects ​

The Official Site of Major League Baseball

www.mlb.com




Scouting grades: Hit: 70 | Power: 60 | Run: 50 | Arm: 50 | Field: 55 | Overall: 60

Though he's a high schooler who projects as a second baseman, Johnson is a potential No. 1 overall choice because he might be the best pure prep hitter in decades. He has a track record of pummeling pitchers on the showcase circuit and some evaluators give his bat top-of-the-scale 80 grades. One scout gave him a double Hall of Famer comparison by calling him a combination of Wade Boggs' plate discipline and Vladimir Guerrero Sr.'s bat-to-ball skills.

Johnson's hand-eye coordination and swing decisions make him an elite contact hitter from the left side of the plate. He isn't fazed by mid-90s fastballs or quality breaking balls, using his quick, compact stroke to drive the ball to all fields. Though his listed 5-foot-10 height might be a bit generous, his ability to barrel balls along with his bat speed and strength could make him a 25-30 homer threat in the big leagues.

A shortstop in high school, Johnson will change positions as a pro because his quickness and arm are more average than plus. His hands work well in the field as well as at the plate and he profiles best at second base, where he should be at least a solid defender. He has yet to commit to a college but it's likely a moot point because he'll get drafted in the first few picks.



The Top 300 Players Available in the 2022 MLB Draft — Prospects Live

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 works his way up the developmental ladder. Currently a shortstop, Johnson probably figures to end up at second base or third base long-term. This is an elite-level bat.



2022 MLB Draft: Top 30 Prospects - Baseball Prospect Journal

Johnson is one of the most talented prep hitters in recent memory. The 5-foot-10, 175-pound left-handed hitter has the best pure hitting ability in the class. He also has exceptional bat speed and uses his compact swing to drive the ball with authority. Johnson thrived against quality arms on the showcase circuit, showing plate discipline and an ability to hit quality-breaking pitches.

Defensively, Johnson plays shortstop in high school. Most scouts believe Johnson will move to second base. He currently has average athleticism and arm strength. Regardless of Johnson’s position, his hitting ability is his calling card at the pro level.



Keith Law: Druw Jones the top MLB Draft prospect; Temarr Johnson's elite hit tool

Georgia prep shortstop Termarr Johnson has earned raves for his ability to hit, with some scouts saying they think it’s a 70 hit tool, the highest they’ve seen on a high school hitter in over a decade. Johnson is just 5-foot-8 but extremely strong for his size, with elite hand speed that helps him overcome a slight hitch in the swing. He showed strong plate discipline for his age last summer and fall. He plays for Mays High School in Atlanta, and the caliber of pitching he’s faced this spring has made it harder for scouts to evaluate him — and his team has lost several games via the mercy rule, limiting his at-bats. I was fortunate to get four plate appearances from him in a 10-8 Mays victory on Monday that went the full 6 1/2 innings, and also got to see evidence of Johnson’s outstanding makeup.

The risk here is substantial: We were here not that long ago with another Georgia high school shortstop who had to move off the position, Cornelius Randolph, whose hit tool was supposed to be so good that the position question wouldn’t matter. Randolph was the No. 10 pick in 2015, taken by the Phillies, but after a strong pro debut in the Florida Complex League that summer, he never posted a full season batting average over .264 or an on-base percentage over .350, and he slugged .400 just once. I don’t think this is an ideal comparison, as Johnson has a much better swing than Randolph ever did, and Randolph was much worse defensively.

During the game, Johnson was constantly involved on the field, not just showing false hustle, but acting like an additional coach, giving tips to other hitters and offering direction even while he himself was on the bases. I’ve seen plenty of players offer the usual hackneyed phrases to encourage their teammates, but that’s not what Johnson was doing.

Top MLB prospect proudly representing southwest Atlanta ​

Mays High School senior Termarr Johnson is one of the top-ranked prospects in this year's MLB Draft and he comes from an unexpected place.

www.fox5atlanta.com

 

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Extensive Look at 2022 MLB Draft Prospects

Today, I continue with another group of short writeups about one of the guys suspected to go early in the draft. Today's post is about Druw Jones, a centerfielder from Wesleyan High School in Georgia. I will quote several shorter writeups and give a link at the conclusion to a more in-depth piece about him.

Top Baseball Draft Prospects ​

The Official Site of Major League Baseball

www.mlb.com




Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 60 | Run: 70 | Arm: 65 | Field: 70 | Overall: 60

Andruw Jones made five All-Star teams and won 10 Gold Gloves in a 17-year career in the Majors, and his son reminds scouts of his father's game. Druw is taller and leaner than his dad was as a teenager, but he has similar five-tool potential as a center fielder. He improved throughout the summer on the showcase circuit and he has impressed scouts this spring with a more selective approach and more consistent at-bats.

While Jones' right-handed swing is still somewhat of a work in progress, he understands it well, shows the ability to make adjustments and does damage against quality pitching. He already has plenty of bat speed and drives balls to the gaps, and as he fills out his 6-foot-4 frame he should develop plus power. He's a plus-plus runner when he turns on the jets and is capable of beating out ground balls to the left side.

Jones is the best defensive center fielder in the 2022 high school crop and might be the best defender in the entire Draft. His speed and instincts combine to give him tremendous range and his well-above-average arm strength stands out at a position not known for many cannons. Scouts who have seen the Vanderbilt recruit take infield say he has the tools and actions to play a fine shortstop as well.

2022 MLB Draft - Mock Draft 2.0 — Prospects Live ​

Mock Draft 2.0 is here. Who will your team select? Where wiill Termarr Johnson, Elijah Green, Druw Jones and Dylan Lesko end up? What about college stars like Brooks Lee, Kevin Parada and Jace Jung? MLB scouting personnel helped develop v 2.0. Enjoy.

www.prospectslive.com




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. Jones has substantial raw power too, comfortably plus, maybe more. At 6-foot-3, it’s a prototype frame that will undoubtedly stick in CF thanks to top-of-the-scale speed and on-field instincts. He may end up an elite defender like his dad thanks to terrific speed and a plus arm to go along with it. Some scouts have envisioned a potential shortstop here too, though most feel he’s destined for centerfield. He produces big barrel velocities with violent hands and an aggressive, whippy swing plane. He gets fantastic extension at the plate as well. The entire package is incredibly advanced. The last frontier for evaluators is seeing Jones sync up his upper and lower half with more consistency in-game, something he’s shown remarkable improvement on since last summer. He’s reasonably comfortably the best prospect in this class right now.

Top MLB Draft prospect Druw Jones is having fun despite the pressure ​

“He does all the little things right and well,” Brian Krehmeyer said. "If you're looking for quality person, he's worthy of No. 1."

theathletic.com




The top-rated prospect in this summer’s MLB Draft is no stranger to the spotlight. He is the son of a 10-time Gold Glove winner. He is a hitting prodigy of his own merit. He is an All-American and an alumnus of USA Baseball. By now, Druw Jones knows how to comport himself in the public eye.

Yet when Jones was confronted earlier this season with an overzealous student section chanting “Overrated,” the high school coach who has guided him through four varsity seasons couldn’t help being impressed by his star player’s response. It wasn’t just that Jones barreled an elevated 92 mph heater, sent the pitch in a high arc over the head of a right-hander committed to Georgia State and watched the baseball drop over the center-field fence. It was how cool Jones remained throughout the sequence.

The “Overrated” chants are new this year. They’re a product of Jones’ status as the No. 1 amateur player in this year’s draft class, a designation he was given by virtually every publication that released prospect rankings in the preseason. The mocking doesn’t seem to rattle him. It has fueled him instead.

“The pressure just doesn’t get to him,” said Brian Krehmeyer, Jones’ coach at Wesleyan School in suburban Atlanta. “And I think that’s also what’s attractive to a lot of these major-league teams. He shines the brightest in the biggest moment.”

Whether Jones goes in the first round isn’t a question. The question is how high. The Orioles have the No. 1 pick for the second time in four years, and their last 1-1 pick, Adley Rutschman, was the consensus top prospect of his class. Rutschman, however, was a polished college catcher with safe-bet tools. Jones is a high school outfielder who has showcased well on the travel circuit and demolished lesser competition every spring. But does he have a high enough floor to become the first high school player drafted in the top spot since shortstop Royce Lewis went to the Twins in 2017?

Forget the bloodlines. Jones is clearly a well-trained hitter, with a keen understanding of the strike zone and the ability to shoot balls to all fields. He produces good loft and still hasn’t filled out his 6-foot-3, 180-pound frame, a strong indication that more power is to come as he matures. He is a fast runner and a skilled defender in center field, with a cannon arm he lends to the mound as a starter.

“What’s still special is seeing him patrol the outfield,” Krehmeyer said. “When you see a ball off the bat, and it’s heading to the gap, and your first thought is, ‘Oh, gosh, that’s trouble.’ And then all of a sudden he swoops in and either catches it effortlessly, or he does have to extend himself and dive. You’re like, ‘Oh, that’s his father’s son.’”

Jones’ tools probably provide the highest upside of any high school player projected as first-rounder this year. Add back into the mix that he has learned to play the sport from a father, former Braves superstar Andruw Jones, who is still in contention to crack the Hall of Fame. It becomes even harder to deny Jones’ potential.

At this stage, scouts attending Jones’ games aren’t looking for reasons to draft him. They’re looking for reasons not to.

Not even that kind of pressure has appeared to affect Jones. He has batted nearly .600, with 43 hits, including eight home runs, in his first 24 games. He has coupled a comical .597/.685/1.028 slash line with 17 stolen bases in 18 tries. And in the midst of showing off his dynamism, he finds time to unleash his personality. He banged a double off the tall left-field wall of a rival school’s stadium earlier this week and celebrated at second base with a tribute to Drew Gilbert of the University of Tennessee’s baseball team. Never mind that Jones is committed to Vanderbilt.

“He does all the little things right and well,” Krehmeyer said. “It’s far from me to say that he’s a can’t-miss prospect. But he’s a can’t-miss kid. If you’re looking for quality person, he’s worthy of No. 1.”




2022 MLB Mock Draft 2.0

Scouting Report: The son of Andruw Jones, Druw features an exciting combination of speed, athleticism, and bat-to-ball skills. Like his father, Jones is a premium defender in the outfield, profiling as a center fielder long-term. After some swing adjustments, Jones looks to be driving the ball further than before, making him a premium talent in this draft.

Andruw Jones’ son is the consensus No. 1 player in the draft class, rising to the top as much because of the high floor he offers for a high school player as his ceiling. He’s a plus defender in center now, with similar feel for the position to his father, gliding to catch fly balls thanks to strong reads off the bat. He is a plus runner with at least 60 raw power, with strength to drive the ball out to center, but his swing can get long and he can try too hard to get to that power on pitches he should just put into play. He does have a solid feel for the strike zone for his age, however, and doesn’t expand the zone on himself when he falls behind. He has All-Star upside and it’s easy to see how he could settle in as a soft regular even if we’re all too high on the hit tool.


MLB Draft Profile: Druw Jones - Prime Time Sports Talk

 

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Extensive Look at 2022 MLB Draft Prospects

Today, I continue with another group of writeups about one of the guys suspected to go early in the draft. Today's post is about Jackson Holliday, a high school shortstop from Stillwater, Oklahoma. I will include several writeups with links to the article and then one link to a longer article about him.

https://www.mlb.com/prospects/draft/jackson-holliday-702616

Scouting grades: Hit: 60 | Power: 55 | Run: 60 | Arm: 55 | Field: 55 | Overall: 60

The son of seven-time All-Star Matt Holliday, Jackson not only has some of the best bloodlines in the high school class but also is one of its better hitters. Though he struggled at times on the showcase circuit last summer when he got too focused on homers, he finished strong and has taken his game to another level as a high school senior and should go in the first five selections. Gatorade's Oklahoma prep player of the year, he broke J.T. Realmuto's national high school record for hits in a season with 89 in 41 games while batting .685/.749/1.392.

Holliday has an advanced approach, no surprise given his roots, and a knack for putting the barrel on the ball. He usually makes consistent hard contact, though he didn't during the summer when he let his simple left-handed stroke get too long. After getting bigger and stronger, he's hitting the ball with more authority than ever this spring, and he also looks more relaxed at the plate and is letting his considerable power come naturally.

Holliday has gotten faster as he has gotten stronger, and he now flashes plus-plus run times as a senior and is a consistent plus runner. He's throwing better too, and his solid to plus arm strength and enhanced quickness give him a better opportunity to remain at shortstop. His high baseball IQ also helps his chances after many evaluators previously believed he was destined for second or third base. In the unlikely event that he makes it to college, he'll play for his uncle Josh, the head coach at Oklahoma State, where Matt is a volunteer assistant.

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Top 30 players in 2022 MLB Draft: Druw Jones, Jackson Holliday have strong bloodlines; Kumar Rocker makes list


Holliday is another top prospect with big-league bloodlines working in his favor. His father Matt made seven All-Star Games over a 15-year career, and his uncle Josh is the head coach at Oklahoma State (where he's committed to play in the unlikely event he attends college). Holliday hasn't coasted on his name or his connections; he spent the past year getting himself into better shape, and improving his offensive game. He's no longer pulling off pitches as frequently as he had in the past, and he's more open to using the whole field. His explosiveness allows him to smoke almost anything thrown over the plate, and he can run and throw well, too. There's a real chance he'll remain at shortstop, which, with his offensive upside, makes him a justifiable top-three pick.

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MLB Draft Profile: Jackson Holliday - Prime Time Sports Talk


Height: 6’1″
Weight: 180 lbs.
DOB: 12/04/2003
Bats: Left
Throws: Right

Scouting Grades

Hit: 60
Power: 55
Run: 60
Arm: 55
Field: 55

Projected to be a top 10 pick in this year’s draft, Holliday has been raking at the High School level. MLB.com has him as their fourth-ranked prospect. A left-handed hitter, the 18-year-old shortstop is still getting bigger and faster. He has the pedigree, baseball IQ, and the work ethic to make any coach happy to have him on their team.

Holliday barrels the ball consistently when he doesn’t let his swing get too long. As he gets stronger, the power will come naturally, and as long as Holliday realizes that he could get to his plus power in games. The potential top-5 pick has a smooth stroke when he is on. He loads well and his hands drive straight to the ball with some natural loft. He doesn’t have a leg kick, instead turning his front leg allowing him to close his hips before he explodes through the zone.

Defensively, Holliday is above average right now. He was named the Central Oklahoma Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year in his Junior Year. He has good footwork and makes accurate throws from anywhere. Holliday could grade 60 in both arm and fielding as he continues to grow and refine his tools at the position. He is an intelligent runner and combines that with plus wheels which will help his range and keep him at shortstop long-term.

Weaknesses

There is not much to dislike about the kid. The only knock would be that Holliday’s swing can get a little out of whack when he tries to hit home runs. He can get pull happy and speed up his bat path, leaving himself vulnerable to good off-speed stuff especially off the plate outside.

Pro Comparison: Trevor Story

While Story is struggling in his first year out of Coors Field, he has the talent to turn it around. The similarities are there as Holliday can hit for power and steal a few bags while playing a solid defensive shortstop. They will be similar in size as well once the 18-year-old fills in and adds some good muscle.

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Top 100 MLB Draft prospects: Keith Law's latest big board

I’m not sure anyone has helped himself more than Holliday has this spring, notably during his team’s spring break trip to Arizona in March, where Holliday showed incredibly well in front of a lot of decision-makers in town for spring training. He has one of the best swings in the draft, even with a slight bat wrap, with strong plate coverage and above-average power, more likely to be a high-doubles guy with 15-20 homers than a 30-homer guy even at his peak. He’s been hard to strike out as an amateur, only showing occasional weakness against fastballs up, and so far his pitch recognition has been strong for his age and experience level. He’s improved his defensive skills at shortstop, although there’s also been talk of him moving to centerfield to take advantage of his speed if he can’t stay at short, rather than moving him to second or third. It also hasn’t hurt that his father, Matt, was a longtime big-leaguer and seven-time All-Star, and that scouts have been just as impressed by Jackson’s younger brother, Ethan, who may become a top-5 pick in the 2025 draft. Jackson’s heading for the same range this year.

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2022 MLB Draft - Mock Draft 3.0 — Prospects Live

Texas was hot and heavy at Holliday’s games as his season came to an end. A lot of teams were rushing in mid-May to get final looks at Holliday but the Rangers were doubling up on the opportunities, making sure multiple eyes got looks at the talented Stillwater shortstop. Holliday possesses a rare blend of hit, power and athleticism with a sweet left-handed swing. He’s got the potential to be a future middle-of-the-order bat at a premium position. In a year where prep shortstops are a bit down, Holliday represents the same caliber player as some of the blue-chip preps seen drafted early in 2021. The Rangers have made it rather clear the four prep bats are highest on their list. That’s the direction they’ll likely go.

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Potential Orioles Draft Pick Jackson Holliday: Going No. 1 Would Be 'Very Special' - PressBox

Holliday, a 6-foot-1, 175-pound shortstop out of Stillwater High School in Oklahoma, is the son of seven-time All-Star Matt Holliday. Jackson Holliday is committed to Oklahoma State, where his uncle, Josh, is the head coach.

Holliday, Collegiate Baseball‘s National High School Player of the Year, compiled 89 hits this spring — a new national record, eclipsing the previous mark set by current Philadelphia Phillies three-time All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto in 2010.

Among his 89 base knocks, Holliday crushed 17 home runs, 29 doubles and six triples. He finished with a slash line of .685/.749/1.392. Holliday stole 30 bags and committed just three errors in 150 chances, displaying an impact everywhere on the field.

Holliday has plans to stay at shortstop for his entire career. He believes there are “no Plan B’s,” and that shortstop is “a premier position to be able to play.”

“I think I’m one of the better all-around players. I really enjoy pretty much every aspect of the game and I really enjoy competing,” Holliday said. “I feel like I’m a very good defender. I really love playing defense, and the rest of my game takes care of itself.”


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2022 High School Baseball Player Of The Year: Jackson Holliday

 

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Extensive Look at 2022 MLB Draft Prospects
Today, I continue with another group of writeups about one of the guys suspected to go early in the draft. Today's post is about Kevin Parada, a catcher from Georgia Tech.
https://www.mlb.com/prospects/draft/kevin-parada-691006
Scouting grades: Hit: 60 | Power: 60 | Run: 40 | Arm: 45 | Field: 50 | Overall: 60
One of the best high school catchers in the 2020 Draft, Parada could have gone in the second or third round if he hadn't been set on attending Georgia Tech. After a strong freshman season and summer with the U.S. collegiate national team, he's expected to be the first backstop selected in 2022. His defense drew some mixed reviews during his college debut but his bat earned praise throughout and he set a school record with 26 homers this spring.
Parada doesn't try to do too much at the plate, keeping his right-handed swing under control and lashing line drives all over the park. He has good feel for the barrel, makes repeated hard contact against all types of pitching and he's showing increased power to all fields this year. He projects as a potential .280-.300 hitter with 20-25 homers per season who could fit into the middle of a big league batting order.
Parada runs well for a catcher but isn't the most agile or physical behind the plate, and he wore down over the course of last spring and summer with Georgia Tech and Team USA. He has looked better as a sophomore and scouts credit him for working diligently on his defense. He earns average to solid grades for his receiving and needs to improve his fringy arm strength and his throwing accuracy after erasing just 12 percent of basestealers as a freshman.
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2022 MLB Draft Profile: Kevin Parada
Kevin Parada is a 6’1”, 210-pound catching prospect who plays for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Parada is the #1 catching prospect in this draft class after just two excellent seasons at Georgia Tech.
During his two years at GT, Parada has been considered one of the best catchers in college baseball. He’s not an elite defensive catcher but his offensive profile and numbers are through the roof.
n today’s game, it’s very difficult to find a major league catcher that can hit around the league average. For Parada, his offensive is his strength. During his sophomore season, Parada has put together an excellent season for the Yellow Jackets. Parada is slashing .361/.453/.709 with 87 hits, nine doubles, 26 home runs, 88 RBIs, 11 stolen bases, 30 walks, and a 1.162 OPS
Strengths

• 60-grade power
• Advanced plate approach
• Doesn’t try to do too much at the plate
• Drives the ball well to all fields
• Runs well for a catcher
• Line drive hitter
• Projects to be middle-of-the-order bat
• Great work ethic

Weaknesses

• Throwing strength and accuracy
• Receiving skills

Pro Comparison: Joey Bart
Projection: Early first round
Kevin Parada is expected to go early in the first round as his offensive prowess is rare for catchers in today’s game. While his defense is a work in progress, his offensive tools and production are outstanding.
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2022 MLB MOCK DRAFT 5.0; Brooks Lee, Druw Jones - Through The Fence Baseball
This year’s draft is stacked with catchers. Right now, Parada, Arizona’s Susac and Mississippi State’s Logan Tanner are the very best this class has to offer. From the get, his plus raw power stands out. His swing is pretty and should be the model for any young ball player trying to improve his hitting. Behind the plate, he calls a solid game and his mental mindset is the best we’ve seen in the past two drafts.
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Top 30 players in 2022 MLB Draft: Druw Jones, Jackson Holliday have strong bloodlines; Kumar Rocker makes list
The Yellow Jackets have produced three first-round catchers since 1993: Jason Varitek, Matt Wieters, and Joey Bart. Parada is certain to become the fourth. He's always hit despite an unusual pre-swing stance that sees him lift his front elbow to his nose and drape the bat the length of his spine, his barrel dangling down around belt-level until he begins his operation. That remained true this season, as he homered 26 times and nearly posted a 1-to-1 walk-to-strikeout ratio in 60 games. Parada's ball-tracking data, predictably, supports the notion that he could develop into a middle-of-the-order hitter with the potential for more pop than country radio. He's not as promising behind the dish, but he's improved enough there for scouts to see him as a tolerable option to begin his career. (Sidenote: expect his value to skyrocket when the automated ball-strike system is introduced to the majors.) He's likely to come off the board early, perhaps even within the top five.
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Top 100 MLB Draft prospects: Keith Law's latest big board
Parada has been one of the best hitters in college baseball this year, tying for sixth in Division 1 with 26 home runs while walking nearly as often as he struck out on the season (32:30 K:BB), and does so despite one of the more bizarre setups you’ll see in a hitter and while handling the most difficult position on the diamond. Parada sets up at the plate with the bat slung over his shoulder like a bag of golf clubs, but gets the bat to the zone on time, even against better velocity. His plate discipline and pitch recognition are both advanced for an amateur and he’s shown some ability to make adjustments in-season already. Behind the plate, he’s adequate as a receiver with fringy arm strength, good enough to stay there because he hits so well. With 20-25 homer power and a potential 60 hit tool at a position of permanent scarcity, he offers some of the best pure value in the draft class.
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Georgia Tech's Kevin Parada Wins 2022 Johnny Bench Award - Sports Illustrated Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets News, Analysis and More
There is a reason that folks around college baseball call Georgia Tech "Catcher U".
Kevin Parada was the catalyst for one of the best offenses in the country in college baseball this past season and has earned tons of recognition for it. On Tuesday night, he added to his awards with the 2022 Johnny Bench Award, which is given to the best catchers in college baseball, college softball, as well as high school baseball and softball catchers from Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and West Virginia.
This is the second time that a catcher from Georgia Tech has taken home the award. Joey Bart won the award in 2018 and Georgia Tech also had Matt Wieters in 2007 and Zane Evans in 2013 earn nominations.
Parada was not only an All-American for his fantastic 2022 season but set program records. He had 26 home runs in 2022, with 85 RBIs and 85 hits.
The 2022 MLB Draft is coming up towards the end of July and Parada is widely expected to be among the first players drafted. He had a tremendous season and one that will be hard for any catcher that is coming up next for the program to top.
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There is one more writeup below

 

[saddles]

Georgia Tech’s Kevin Parada has improved his catching defense ahead of MLB draft ​

Parada's bat is first-round caliber on its own, but now he's pairing it with improved defensive skills behind the plate.

theathletic.com



At this stage of his amateur career, the most pressing question some have had about Parada is whether he can stick long-term behind the plate. He has done a lot in the last 2 1/2 months to settle any lingering doubts, and his coaches would implore anyone looking at some raw numbers (21 percent caught-stealing rate and eight passed balls) to look deeper.

“Our pitching staff challenges him immensely because we’re not exact all the time,” head coach Danny Hall said of a Georgia Tech staff with a 6.41 ERA, .282 opponents’ batting average, 60 hit batsmen and 28 wild pitches between its members.

Parada’s defensive strides can be credited to two things — the preseason work he did to improve his arm strength and the changes he made in his catching stance leading into his sophomore season.

The latter took time to accomplish. Zeke Pinkham, a former University of Louisville catcher who started as a volunteer coach at Georgia Tech during Parada’s freshman year, had urged Parada to adopt the one-knee catching style major leaguer J.T. Realmuto re-popularized in recent years. Parada tested the stance on occasion as a freshman last season but he didn’t feel comfortable enough to take it into games.

It wasn’t until after Georgia Tech’s season was over that Parada started becoming more proficient in the knee-down stance, which he can now use as needed. He spent a significant part of his collegiate Team USA tenure refining it under the guidance of catching guru Jerry Weinstein, a special assistant in the Rockies organization who Pinkham called “a catching baseball legend.” There weren’t always clean results during the adjustment period. Parada had to work around some mistakes in games, in front of vigilant scouts who were looking for improvements in his blocking and receiving. Pinkham figures some of them jumped to conclusions on missed blocks, leading to reports that Parada may not profile as a catcher in the long term.

Pinkham struggled to reconcile those external descriptions with what he saw from Parada in-season. “It got under my skin,” he said, when he read someone’s note calling Parada an average blocker. Pinkham remembered watching Parada, an athletic defender who practices yoga to improve his flexibility behind the plate, get to balls he shouldn’t have attempted plays on in multiple situations. Against Georgia last year, Parada scooped a pitch that hit the dirt outside the right-handed batter’s box, quickly set his feet and threw to second base to start a successful rundown of a player who would have made it into scoring position if Parada hadn’t stopped the pitch from skipping toward the backstop.
Pinkham said Parada has made plays like that one this season, too.

“He does things that you just scratch your head at, like how did he do that?” Pinkham said. “In my opinion, it resorts back to his athleticism. He’s not your typical catcher.”

Blocking wasn’t a focal point for Parada and his coaches, but receiving was. Parada worked above the ball as a freshman, causing the momentum of pitches to push his glove down and sometimes out of the strike zone. Pinkham drilled the importance of working low to high with the mitt so Parada could better present low strikes to the umpire. He made enough progress that Weinstein, who was in Atlanta for the Georgia Tech-Miami series, declared, “he’s accomplished that,” when the work was brought to his attention.

Parada’s progress since the summer shined through to Weinstein in another notable area — arm strength. The raw power at the plate that Parada boosted through his offseason training regimen, adding more than 10 pounds to his 6-foot-1 frame, also benefited his throwing. Weinstein said Parada’s usual velocity on home to second throws is around 80 mph, just a tick below the 81 mph average in the major leagues. His throws to the bases on steal attempts have distinctly more carry than last season. …

Weinstein believes Parada’s arm strength will continue to improve once he is in an environment where he can learn how to refine the nuances of his craft. Part of the reason Parada is well-positioned to make such a leap is his keen understanding of what he needs to do to prepare for the future. He showed it in the gym, where he worked to elevate his offense and avoid the exhaustion he felt after making 48 starts behind the plate last season. And he showed it when he took the initiative to better his throwing.

A few weeks before he returned to Georgia Tech for his sophomore year, Parada was introduced to well-established trainer Alan Jaeger by advisor Michael Nickeas. Jaeger, the founder of Jaeger Sports, walked Parada through his approach to injury prevention and encouraged him to start an arm care routine followed by a throwing program similar to the ones many pitchers do in the offseason. Jaeger set Parada up with J-Bands and over six weeks guided Parada through his build-up leading into the fall baseball season.

 

[saddles]

Extensive Look at 2022 MLB Draft Prospects
Today, I continue with another group of writeups about one of the guys suspected to go early in the draft. Today's post is about Elijah Green, a high school centerfielder from IMG Academy in Miami.
https://www.mlb.com/prospects/draft/elijah-green-701327
Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 60 | Run: 70 | Arm: 60 | Field: 60 | Overall: 60
Green is the son of former NFL Pro Bowl tight end Eric Green, and at 6-foot-3, 225 pounds, he looks like he could have followed in his father’s footsteps had he not desired a future on the diamond. Green really jumped on the map with a strong performance at the Area Code Underclass event back in the summer of 2020, leading some to wish he'd reclassified for the 2021 Draft, but he’s shown off his tremendous raw tools at IMG Academy this spring to put himself in position to be a very high Draft pick in 2022.
A right-handed hitter, Green is capable of doing just about everything very well. He can make very loud contact and has proven he can drive the ball to all fields and hit the ball out of the park just about anywhere with at least plus raw power, and he’s done that this spring in front of a lot of decision makers. . The one question that had arisen about his offensive upside had been about the swing-and-miss in his game. He’s struggled in the past against elevated velocity and there are some concerns about his ability to adjust to offspeed and breaking stuff, but had assuaged many of those fears with how he has swung the bat this spring.
Green is an elite-level runner who can steal bases and cover a ton of ground in the outfield, where he should be able to man center field, with a plus arm, for a very long time to come. His complete toolset doesn’t come around very often, so it’s likely someone in the top of the first round will call his name even if there are remaining questions about his hit tool.
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Top 30 players in 2022 MLB Draft: Druw Jones, Jackson Holliday have strong bloodlines; Kumar Rocker makes list
Green is a fascinating and polarizing prospect, a walking example of bimodal distribution who seems to inspire forecasts invoking only his left- and right-tail outcomes. To hear most scouts tell it, he's either going to make several All-Star Games, or he's going to wash out before becoming arbitration eligible. His boosters point to his near-elite power and speed combination, as well as his potential to play center field despite being listed at 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds. (This is where we note, to little surprise, that his father Eric played in the NFL.) Conversely, Green's critics say that his game needs a lot of refinement for him to max out his tools, and that his extreme swing-and-miss tendencies will cause him to deviate, from being a red-hot chili pepper to not, more frequently than John Frusciante. He's going to be selected early because perceived ceilings as high as his don't come around often; then again, perceived floors as low as his don't, either.
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MLB Draft Profile: Elijah Green - Prime Time Sports Talk
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 225 lbs.
DOB: 12/04/2003
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Hit: 50
Power: 60
Run: 70
Arm: 60
Field: 60
2021 Stats: 25 G, .321/.449/.666, 6 HR, 10 SB
2022 Stats: 25 G, .462/.592/.1.000, 9 HR, 15 SB
Green is a man among boys, literally. His size makes him an anomaly when playing against other teenagers. As you can see from the scouting grades and the stats he put up, the centerfielder can do it all. He will likely go in the top 5, but will he go number one overall?
Strengths
Green has a rare mix of plus power and elite speed. He hits the ball hard from line to line and has the strength to blast one out opposite field. The ball jumps off his bat and as he makes adjustments, he will not have to sell out for power. His speed not only helps him steal bases, but it also allows him to go gap to gap with ease when tracking down flyballs. Green is one of the fastest players in the draft, and that is something you can’t teach.
The 18-year-old has a strong arm, throwing in the mid-90s from the outfield. It is a weapon that is not common among centerfielders. He will certainly stick in the middle of the outfield and could take home a few Gold Gloves before he hangs them up.
Weaknesses
The only knock on Green is the swing-and-miss in his game. He has improved this spring, but as he moves up through the minors, the higher velocity and better offspeed stuff could give him trouble. He has time to make adjustments and doesn’t have to sell out for power.
Pro Comparison: Starling Marte
While Green is a bit bigger than Marte, their talents are similar. Both have great speed and play an excellent defensive centerfield as Marte has won two Gold Gloves. Green will have some work to do to hit like the Mets outfielder, but the big prepster has more pop. Marte has slashed .288/.344/.450 with 133 home runs and 304 stolen bases so far in his 11 years in the big leagues. I’m sure Green, and the team that drafts him, would take that production.
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2022 MLB Draft Top 100 prospects: Keith Law's final rankings ahead of Round 1
Green looks the part of a future star in size, frame, and especially tools, with a strong, athletic 6-3 build, explosive speed, and plus power already that projects to 70 in the future. It’s easy, easy power, with fantastic hand acceleration after a quiet start, and when he gets his arms extended the ball jumps off his bat. All his power comes on pitches on the middle or outer thirds, although he can still make contact on the inner third, just without the same sort of impact. The concern on Green has always been his tendency to swing and miss, especially on stuff in the zone; he doesn’t chase fastballs, but will miss fastball strikes, especially up, and can expand for breaking stuff down and away. He has the most pure upside of the high school position players in the class, with 30/30 potential in a true centerfielder who throws well enough to play right, with a bit more risk than some of the other hitters in the top echelon.
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2022 MLB Draft - Top 600 Prospects — Prospects Live
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 diamond. Already 6-foot-3, 225 pounds, he’s a physical specimen built differently than his peers. Simply put, there’s not much Green cannot do. 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's definitely some swing and miss in his game, so that’ll be the one thing scouts are keeping an eye on, though it has improved. He gets anxious at the plate and can get greedy early in counts when in ambush mode, susceptible to the breaking ball. There aren’t too many warts in his game. Green is a very special talent, some calling him a generational player, that teams will undoubtedly covet at the top of the draft.
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Baseball America's Carlos Collazo: Elijah Green Has 'Biggest Upside' In 2022 MLB Draft - PressBox
Baseball America draft writer Carlos Collazo says that although Atlanta-area high school outfielder Druw Jones is the best prospect in the 2022 MLB Draft class, Orlando-area high school outfielder Elijah Green has the biggest upside in the draft.
Green is from Windermere, Fla., and plays for IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. He is the son of former Ravens tight end Eric Green, who totaled 1,173 receiving yards, 114 catches and seven touchdowns in Baltimore from 1996-1998. Eric said last September that it would be “fantastic” if his son were to be drafted by the Orioles.
The 18-year-old Elijah Green has been mentioned as a top-of-the-draft candidate since last summer. The 6-foot-3, 225-pound outfielder is known for his big-time power and ability to run. He is committed to Miami.
“Just physically, Elijah Green is one of the more unique athletes that we have had come out of the draft in a very long time,” Collazo said on Glenn Clark Radio May 26. “You just don’t see baseball players that look like him, who have the sort of power that he has with the speed that he has, and he’s done a fantastic job of showing that power in games throughout the summer showcase circuit last year and this spring against good competition in Florida.
“I think if you look at just in terms of overall upside, if all of these players came out to the best of their tools, his tools are the most explosive.”
But it’s Jones, the son of longtime big leaguer Andruw Jones, who is seen as the top overall player in the class because he “possesses the best combination of future upside, tools and current skills,” according to Collazo. Listed at 6-foot-4 and 180 pounds, Druw Jones is a potential plus-plus defender in center field with the ability to hit for average and power, making him a special prospect in the class.
There’s a little more certainty in Jones’ profile than Green’s, according to Collazo.
“I think the reason you’d have a guy like Elijah below Druw on the board maybe is you have a few more questions about where he’s going to play defensively, the quality of that hit tool,” Collazo said. “How much of his offensive profile is going to come with some swing and miss? Is he just going to be a lower average guy who’s just going to succeed by getting to enough power? Maybe there’s a little bit more risk in his offensive profile, but [in terms of] the tools and the pure upside, I think it’s very easy to say Elijah has the biggest upside overall in the class.”
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Continued below

 

[saddles]

Extensive Look at 2022 MLB Draft Prospects Continued from above --Elijah Green
Scout's View: Breaking Down 2022 MLB Draft Prospect OF Elijah Green
Elijah Green is one of the most exciting athletes that scouts have seen come out of high school in many years, and he currently ranks as the No. 5 prospect on our 2022 draft board and is a consensus top-of-the-first-round talent.
Green has a unique power/speed combination with present physicality that is rare for baseball players and more commonly seen on the football field. Green is committed to Miami but is expected to be one of the first prep players taken in the draft.
Physicality: Superior athlete. Proportioned, strong, physical 6-foot-3, 225 pounds. More coming along the way. Moves extremely well. Boat load of God-given, physical ability.
Hit Tool: Plus bat speed, quickness, strength in hands will produce power numbers. Not a bat-to-ball type approach. Will make the pitcher pay for mistakes. Like any swing built for damage, strikeouts could be a concern but a chance to pay it back 10 fold in power production.
Offensive setup: Strong, wider base. Hands up, relaxed. Pre-pitch operation has its inconsistencies. Not always “on time.” Can get over anxious. Lower half timing varies: no stride, slight stride, toe tap. Doesn’t get off his backside at times. Little more consistent in hand load. Has enough bat speed to compensate for timing discrepancies right now, but as pitching advances a more consistent pre-pitch operation will be needed. However, when relaxed, on time and able to get hands through, sit back and enjoy the fireworks!
Swing Itself: Built for damage. Compact stroke with lift. Obliterates pitches he can handle out and over the plate. Does have a tendency to pull off the down-and-away breaker. Just like almost every amateur hitter, consistency in spin recognition and ability to stay on it will be a part of his education as he continues to grow and develop into a professional hitter. Plenty of tools there to expedite his growth as an offensive force as his journey proceeds.
Defense: Very good defender. Ability to stay in center field long term. Has a chance to outgrow it and move to a corner spot. Adequate, proper reads off barrel. Speed makes up for any late jump. Above-average arm, accurate.
Running: Elite 60-yard dash runner that translates well on base paths. Potential there to collect a high number of stolen bases if he chooses to do so.
Outlook: Elite talent that doesn’t come around often. Makeup and tools are there to contribute at the big league level, in a big way. Will take some time to come into his own offensively, but would be wise to bet on the athleticism, strength and overall package to assist in his development along the way.

 

[saddles]

Extensive Look at 2022 MLB Draft Prospects
This one focuses on a guy who has been moving into the conversation as of late, Cam Collier. He is a very young 3B from Chipola College.
https://www.mlb.com/prospects/draft/cam-collier-702253
Scouting grades: Hit: 60 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Arm: 60 | Field: 50 | Overall: 60
The son of former big leaguer Lou Collier, Cam began the summer as one of the more intriguing prospects for the 2023 Draft. But the Georgia high school standout decided to reclassify for the 2022 Draft, get his GED and head to Chipola Junior College for his spring season. After a summer of showing off impressive offensive skills and a strong showing at Chipola’s scout day this fall, Collier has been watched as one of the more intriguing -- and one of the youngest -- bats in this Draft class.
Most of the excitement about Collier centers around his left-handed bat. He has a loose stroke with outstanding bat speed and uncanny bat-to-ball skills. For most of the summer, he squared just about everything up, using the whole field and not being bothered by premium velocity, and he continued to show professional at-bats this spring. There’s good raw power in his swing, with more likely to come. While he’s not a burner, he’s a solid runner.
With an arm that has hit the low-90s from the mound, Collier has the chance to fit nicely at third base, where his offensive upside could fit well. If the hot corner doesn’t work, a move to an outfield corner or first base could be in his future, but it’s the Louisville recruit’s bat that will carry him and puts him in conversations about the first round.
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2022 MLB Draft - Top 600 Prospects — Prospects Live
Collier comes packed into a physical frame with big strength in his lower half and core. Collier reclassified from the 2023 class into this years class and because of it will be one of the youngest draft-eligible players in July. In fact, he'll be just 17 years old and 7 months on draft day. Collier is one of the smoothest players you'll find. At the plate, it's effortless and fluid with an all-fields approach and big pull-side power. Collier has a bat path that big league scouts drool over. He doesn't sell out for loft and instead generates his power inducing backspin on the baseball and driving through pitches in the zone. On the dirt, Collier is certainly destined for third base where his plus arm and soft hands project well for the position. Collier is a below average runner, though his money will be made with the bat and with his throwing arm.
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Top 100 prospects for the MLB Draft
Collier finished high school early to go to two-year Chipola, probably the best junior college baseball program in the country. As a 17-year-old, he hit .333/.431/.525 despite facing pitchers who were mostly two-to-four years older. He has a plus-plus arm and the athleticism to stay at third base, although ultimately it’s his feel to hit that makes him a top-five talent in this draft. Look for teams that weigh age heavily in their draft models to target him in July.
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MLB Draft Profile: Cam Collier - Prime Time Sports Talk
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 210 lbs.
DOB: 11/20/2004
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
Hit: 60
Power: 50
Run: 50
Arm: 60
Field: 50
2022 Stats: 52 G, .333/.419/.537, 8 HR, 5 SB, 35 R, 47 RBI
The son of former major league utility man Lou Collier, Cam has impressed scouts with his production at such a young age. He will still be just 17 years old when he hears his name in July. That gives him an edge over some other draft prospects as Collier is younger and has a year of college experience. Chipola has turned out a few MLB players in the past, namely Jose Bautista and Russell Martin.
Strengths
Collier’s bat is what stands out to anyone who has seen him play. He barrels the ball well, making loud contact consistently. His setup is very calm holding his bat in front of him. Collier employs a leg kick and loads up well, keeping his hands back a long time as he strides toward the pitcher. This helps the Louisville recruit to recognize pitches better as he can wait on them and explode. While his power is average right now, many believe Collier could have above-average pop with some added muscle as he gets older.
Defensively, he is a solid third baseman with a strong arm. He also threw 11.1 innings for the Chipola Indians this season and struck out 16 batters while hitting 93 on the gun. Collier’s throwing definitely fits the hot corner, and he looks comfortable there. He displays quickness and good instincts fielding his position. There is a strong possibility he stays at third, but with kids his age, Collier could be moved to first or even a corner spot in the outfield. Either way, his bat plays anywhere on the diamond.
Weaknesses
With at least average tools across the board, there isn’t much not to like about the teenager. However, while adding strength to his already solid 6-foot-2 frame may produce more home runs, Collier may be a little slower on the bases and in the field. He isn’t a burner now anyway but losing a step could make his wheels slightly below average. It may force him out of the outfield conversation and keep him at third or first.
Pro Comparison: Freddie Freeman
Although Freeman is a first baseman, there are a few similarities here, especially if we look back at the beginning of his journey to the majors. He was 17 when he played his first professional baseball for the Atlanta Braves. Collier will likely do the same this year. The former Braves’ slugger always hit but wasn’t a huge power threat earlier in his career, although he averaged a respectable 21 HRs a season in his first five years. Freeman also slashed .286/.368/.467 during that span. With Collier’s approach and quick bat, he should be able to match that production.

 

[saddles]

A breakdown of who the "experts" have us taking with the third overall pick in 17 days.

Elijah Green -- Keith Law, Mike Axisa from CBS Sports, Baseball America, Through the Fence Baseball, Perfect Game -- (4)

Jackson Holliday -- Jim Callis of MLB.com, Baseball Prospect Journal -- (2)

Kevin Parada -- Joel Reuter of the Bleacher Report, Kiley McDaniel of ESPN, Jason Radowitz of OddsChecker -- (3)

Termarr Johnson -- Prospects Live, Ryan Miller of Just Baseball -- (2)

 

[saddles]

2022 MLB Draft - Top 600 Prospects — Prospects Live

This Top 500 really reinforces a few things we’ve always believed: Druw Jones is a cut above the rest. College hitters are good. Really good. And deep. The high school pitching in this class has the potential to be one of the stronger groups in recent memory. Termarr Johnson, Druw Jones, Jackson Hol

www.prospectslive.com

 

[saddles]

When is the MLB Draft in 2022?​

• Dates: Sunday, July 17 - Tuesday, July 19
• Day 1 start time: 7 p.m. ET
• Days 2 & 3 start times: 2 p.m. ET

Watching the draft this year is very straightforward: Day 1 will be on ESPN and MLB Network, whereas Days 2 & 3 will be on MLB.com. Cord-cutters can also use ESPN+ or any cable alternative, such as fuboTV, to catch the first round.

What time does the MLB Draft start?​

The 2022 MLB Draft will begin at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday, July 17.

MLB has a significantly longer draft than any of the other major four North American sports, lasting 20 rounds plus compensatory picks.

Day	Start time (ET)
Sunday, July 17	7 p.m. ET
Monday, July 18	2 p.m. ET
Tuesday, July 19	2 p.m. ET

MORE: Who is Jurrangelo Cjinte? Meet the 19-year old MLB hopeful who throws 90 mph with both hands

MLB Draft TV schedule​

ESPN and MLB Network will broadcast the first day of the draft before coverage moves solely to MLB.com for the second and third days.

Day	TV Channels
Day 1	ESPN | MLB Network
Day 2	MLB.com
Day 3	MLB.com

How to live stream the MLB Draft​

• Live stream: Watch ESPN (U.S.), fuboTV (Day 1) | MLB.com (Days 2 & 3)

The first day of the 2022 MLB Draft can be streamed through the Watch ESPN app via a cable subscription. Cord-cutters will be able to stream the event through most streaming services, including ESPN+ and fuboTV.

 

[saddles]

A breakdown of who the "experts" have us taking with the third overall pick in 17 days.

Elijah Green -- Keith Law, Mike Axisa from CBS Sports, Baseball America, Through the Fence Baseball, Perfect Game -- (4)

Jackson Holliday -- Jim Callis of MLB.com, Baseball Prospect Journal -- (2)

Kevin Parada -- Joel Reuter of the Bleacher Report, Kiley McDaniel of ESPN, Jason Radowitz of OddsChecker -- (3)

Termarr Johnson -- Prospects Live, Ryan Miller of Just Baseball -- (2)

The latest since this was originally posted.

Keith Law -- Elijah Green
Baseball America -- Elijah Green

Mike Axisa CBS Sports -- Jackson Holliday
Through The Fence Baseball -- Jackson Holliday
Perfect Game -- Jackson Holliday

Jim Callis MLB.com -- Brooks Lee

Baseball Prospect Journal -- Cam Collier

Joel Reuter Bleacher Report -- Kevin Parada
Kiley McDaniel ESPN -- Kevin Parada
Jason Radowitz -- Odds Checker -- Kevin Parada
Jonathan Mayo MLB.com -- Kevin Parada

Prospects Live -- Termarr Johnson
Ryan Miller -- Termarr Johnson

 

[Kelleyman]

Over the last four and a half months I have offered an extensive look at some of the top draft prospects by posting a series of articles about each of them. In this thread I will copy and paste each post so that we can have everyone's information in one thread. For most of the prospects I will have one post about each of them. There were a couple that I had so much information about that I couldn't put it in one post, so those guys will have their information spread out over two consecutive posts. After that I may post some mock draft information. Feel free to add any information you find or any opinions as well.

Thanks for all your extensive research

 

[Kelleyman]

Might have to look at some video if I have time on some of these guys

 

[Kelleyman]

Comes back to bite

 

[Kelleyman]

Comes back to bite

Inside the park

 

[Kelleyman]

I was alway told you back your guys up on balls like this but maybe he was positioned wrong

 

[saddles]

Thanks for all your extensive research

Your welcome. I have enjoyed doing it.