With summer wood bat leagues, the summer high school showcase circuit, and fall scrimmages well under way, it’s time to reshuffle the top prospects for the 2022 class. As always, our boards are based on three pillars:
Our team’s Live Looks. We’ve got every corner of the country covered.
Trackman, Rapsodo and big data evaluation
Industry conversations
This Top 200 really reinforces a few things we’ve always believed…
This college crop of hitters is 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.
While college pitching isn’t particularly top-heavy, there looks to be some pretty good value plays in the second and third round region this year. There’s some really big fastballs available in the Top 100 or so picks.
1. 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-to-plus hitter with easy plus, potentially plus-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. DeLauter clocked a 6.4 second 60 at James Madison's pro day, so he's every bit that of a plus runner as well. James Madison hasn’t produced a first round pick since 2007. All signs point toward that changing in 2022.
2. 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 top-of-the-scale 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 as well. Jones may end up a plus-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. Some scouts have envisioned a potential shortstop here too. The entire package is incredibly advanced.
3. 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.
4. 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. 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 some swing and miss in his game, so that’ll be the one thing scouts are keeping an eye on this spring. The strikeout rate will need to come down. That said, there aren’t too many warts in his game. Green is a very special talent and teams will covet his services in the draft.
5. 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. Susac's batted-ball data surpasses that of Henry Davis from 2021. The kid can bang.
6. 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 high three-quarters delivery. The heater has been up to 99, but more comfortably sits 93-96 most nights. Changeup is his best secondary, thrown with plenty of intent featuring fading action into the back foot ofmrighties and darting away from lefties. He has a slider and a curveball, both of which flash plus with big spin rates and advanced command. He has very good command of all four pitches and is more than willing to sequence backwards. Some believe Lesko represents the best prep pitching prospect the MLB Draft has seen since Hunter Greene or MacKenzie Gore.
7. 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 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.
8. 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 above average juice.
9. 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 a 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. Scouts want to see the swing and miss tick down a few points, but it's nothing terribly alarming at this stage.
10. 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.
11. 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, 180 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. Pallette dealt with some arm troubles in 2021. It'll be important he stay healthy this spring.
12. Blade Tidwell
Right-Handed Pitcher, Tennessee
When it comes to Tidwell, the conversation starts and ends with the fastball. Tidwell has consistently been up into the upper-90s and has touched 99. If the command ticks up in 2022 and he learns to spot his fastball at the top of the zone, watch out. Tidwell has the prototype fastball shape evaluators like to see at the top of the zone, touching averaging north of 18 inches of IVB in 2021 — reportedly north of that figure during fall ball. Tidwell features a sweeping slider in the low 80s as well as a fringier mid-70s curveball that he's working to refine the consistency of. It’s a super-athletic body and a quick arm. There’s definitive starter upside here. If Tidwell throws more strikes in 2022, he could be the first college arm off the board.
13. 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.
14. Gavin Cross
Outfield, Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech isn’t the kind of school you would expect to produce a potential first round talent, but it’s hard to ignore what Gavin Cross brings to the table. He’s been a menace at the top of the Hokies lineup throughout his career, ending 2020 with a .369 batting average and following that up with another big 2021 campaign. He uses all fields at the plate with big bat speed and has shown good power to all fields as well. His exit velos are among the best in the entire country. In the field, he’s manned right field for a majority of the season for the Hokies, where he’s shown off a plus arm. He could find himself as the first Virginia Tech player drafted in the first round since Joe Saunders went 12th overall in 2002.
15. Noah Schultz
Left-Handed Pitcher, Oswego
Schultz is an ultra-projectable behemoth at 6-foot-9, 210 pounds. For a kid his size, he repeats his delivery really well and certainly has a good feel for pitching and the strike zone. There's some real funk coming from a low, short-arm vertical release, similar to Max Scherzer's release. His fastball velocity has been 89-91 MPH and has touched 94 with serious life. He has a slurvy breaking ball with massive spin rates, as well as a slider in the mid-to-high 70's and a good fading change-up in the low-80's. The breaking ball may end up a plus-plus offering, reminiscent of the ol’ Andrew Miller slider that may him so dominant throughout his career. There's a ton to dream on from this southpaw and the funk, deception and spin rates suggest a super-high ceiling.
16. Bryce Hubbart
Left-Handed Pitcher, Florida State
When it comes to Hubbart, it's all limbs. It's an extremely funky, loud 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 and his athleticism, arm speed and levers suggest those gains are coming permanently. The whole package is nasty, deceptive, wonky and effective.
17. Zach Neto
Shortstop, Campbell
Neto really exudes confidence and athleticism at the plate. He's an aggressive hitter who extends really well and has a knack for catching the ball out in front, tapping into a lot of his raw power. He's a good hitter with a track record of success at school and on the cape as well. It’s a rhythmic swing that relies on timing, though Neto has shown real feel for putting his body in a position to damage the baseball. Some of the quirks in his setup and swing have been compared to Javier Baez. Really good feel for tempo on the dirt with soft hands and body control. Arm might only be average, but Neto can make throws from any angle. Whether he ends up at second base, shortstop or anywhere else on the diamond, Neto has a pretty complete profile that will appeal to teams.
18. 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. Young fills up a scouting report and some liken his future pedigree to former VandyBoy and no. 1 overall pick Dansby Swanson. Scouts will want to see the strikeouts come way down in 2022.
19. Jackson Ferris
Left-Handed Pitcher, IMG Academy
Ferris has a long, yet relatively clean arm action and has plenty of projection on his frame to add strength and velocity. Primarily 93-95, Ferris has been up to 97 with a fastball that showcases huge riding life. His curveball has solid depth with big, tight spin in the mid-70's and there is a change-up in the low-80's that needs refinement. The fastball is the calling card here and it absolutely blows hitters away. Being a left-handed pitcher that can reach back for high-90s cheese, and given his 6-foot-5-inch frame, scouts are drooling over what the final package could look like here a few years down the road.
20. 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. 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.
21. 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.
22. Robert Moore
Second Base, Arkansas
Son of Kansas City Royals GM Dayton Moore, Robert was a highly regarded 2020 prep prospect before enrolling early at Arkansas prior to the 2020 season. A switch-hitter at the plate, Moore has a short and compact swing and has hit for average in his career at Arkansas, with a batting average hovering around .300. For a smaller player, Moore’s power has been surprising in 2021, tapping into a good bit of juice in Fayetteville. He’s got more pop from the left side of the plate, but both swing mechanics are similar. Moore oozes athleticism and has shown great range and defense at second base. Some scouts believe he has a shot at playing shortstop, but if he's forced to stick at second base he projects at least a plus defender.
23. 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.
24. 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.
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 so long as the punch outs creep back down as most expect they will. He's got a premier, projectable body that likely moves to third base full-time at the pro level, but he can handle shortstop well for the time being.