We’re roughly three months away from the 2022 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, which means scouts are working overtime to ensure they recruit the best youngsters into their roster.
The Baltimore Orioles have the overall first pick in this draft. While it’s still too early to call, many sportsbooks have their MLB odds in favour of an outfielder as the first selection. Who will end up as the first overall pick? We’ll have to wait until July 17 to find out.
As we continue to countdown to the big day, we decided to predict who the top 8 teams in the 2022 draft order will select in the first round. Note that our list isn’t a mock draft. We’re simply selecting based on what we feel is best for these teams.
Baltimore Orioles
First round pick: Druw Jones from Wesleyan High School, Norcross, GA
We rank Druw as our top prospect for this year’s draft. He’s the son of former Atlanta Braves outfielder, Andruw Jones, and will be looking to follow in the footsteps of his father. With the skillset he possesses, he has the potential to match or even surpass his father’s achievements.
There’s no way we’re passing up such a bright young talent with so much potential if we were recruiting for the Orioles.
Arizona Diamondbacks
First round pick: Elijah Green from IMG Academy, Bradenton, FL
The D-backs will need some athleticism boost in their roster going into the new season, that’s for sure. And if we’re talking about the most athletically talented baseball player in this draft, there’s only one name that comes to mind, Elijah Green. That’s a potential franchise player staring you in the face, Arizona!
Texas Rangers
First round pick: Termarr Johnson from Mays HS, Atlanta, GA
Who’s the best high school hitter in America? Most publications rank Termarr Johnson top on the list and it’s hard to debate. This kid can swing the bat with a force that will leave your mouth wide open. Sitting at 5′ 8″, his size might pose a bit of a scare to scouts, but the raw power he exhibits is pretty much hard to sideline.
In recent years, the Rangers have shown they love themselves some bat-driven baseball players, and we believe Johnson will be a good fit for this franchise. If the Orioles and D-backs pass up on Johnson, we’re swinging with full effect.
Pittsburgh Pirates
First round pick: Brooks Lee from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA
We’re hoping none of the first three teams passes up on Termarr Johnson. Otherwise, he’d be our obvious pick for the Pirates. However, should Johnson end up as a top three pick, we’re selecting Lee. We’ll let the numbers speak for themselves: .402/.503/.693, 7 HR, 17 2B, 30 BB, 10 K
Washington Nationals
First round pick: Kevin Parada from Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
Parada will be good for the Nationals. Yes, he has a questionable defence when he plays as a catcher, but we’re starting to see improvements in this aspect of his game, and will get better with time. As the league continues to tease the arrival of Automated Ball-Strike systems (robo-umps), this flaw shouldn’t be a cause for alarm.
Oh, and don’t let that distract you from the fact that he has one of the best bats in this draft.
Miami Marlins
First round pick: Jacob Berry from Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
Miami is in dire need of an impact bat on their roster, and there are not so many hitters as good as Berry in this draft. He can hammer fastballs, is a good handler, and can be effective on both sides of the plate. However, Berry is one of the topmost college prospects and we won’t be surprised if he ends up as a top-three pick.
Chicago Cubs
First round pick: Dylan Lesko from Buford High School, Buford, GA
The Cubs need to recruit a pitcher going into next season, and there’s one fact that can’t be argued: Lesko is the top pitcher in this draft.
He could end up as a higher pick, but it’s only right he ends up playing in Chi-town.
Minnesota Twins
First round pick: Daniel Susac from the University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
If we had the opportunity to decide for Minnesota, Susac would be our sure pick. We’re talking about a solid hitter who made the Freshman All-American baseball team last year.
He has a big bag of lethal weapons. Susac can impact both sides of the ball and is also one of the top college backstops in the country.
