2022 MLB Mock Draft: Predicting Every 1st-Round Pick

2022 MLB Mock Draft: Predicting Every 1st-Round Pick

With the College World Series nearing the finish line, the 2022 MLB Draft is almost here.

On Sunday, July 17, the 2022 MLB Draft will begin. Unlike the NBA and NFL, these draft picks won't be making an impact in 2023 in the majors. But some of these prospects could see the field as early as 2014.

It all depends on each team's plan. Here's a mock draft for the first round of the 2022 MLB Draft.

Looking for the best sportsbook offers? Check out the free bets page

1. Orioles: Brooks Lee, SS, Cal Poly

The Orioles are actually better than over 10 teams in the MLB standings at the time of writing this. They're not far away from competing in the American League East, so it might be worth getting a college player here who can make a quick impact.

2. Diamondbacks: Druw Jones, OF, Wesleyan HS, Ga.

Jones is likely the best player in the MLB Draft, He's the son of Andruw Jones and will just take a bit longer in the minors to develop.

3. Rangers: Kevin Parada, C, Georgia Tech

The Rangers just signed a load of talent in the off-season and might not be patient enough for a high school player. Prada has a lot of potential with his bat and glove as a catcher. Anytime you can get production out of your catcher, you're going to be happy.

4. Pirates: Termarr Johnson, 2B, Mays HS, Ga.

If Lee is available, the Pirates will take Lee. Jackson Holliday could also be an interesting option here. Scouts say that Johnson has the better bat while Lee is more of a higher risk type player with a lot of reward. So I think Pirates go after Johnson here.

5. Nationals: Elijah Green, OF, IMG Academy, Fla.

If Prada is available here, the Nationals would probably take Prada over Elijah Green. But I think Green has a ton of upside. Imagine when the Nationals hold onto Soto and then Green develops to play outfield alongside Soto!

6. Marlins: Jackson Holliday, SS, Stillwater, HS, Okla.

The Marlins will get the best player on the board here and that's simply Jackson Holliday.

7. Cubs: Cam Collier, 3B, Chipola Junior College

Will the Cubs get their new Kris Bryant? Maybe or maybe not but Collier got to play in the Cape Cod League and faced some serious competition while performing at a high level there. He'll be up pretty quickly in comparison to others.

8: Twins: Gavin Cross, OF, Virginia Tech

The Twins will more than likely find a college bat between Cross, Jacob Berry, and Zach Neto. They're going to take a college bat.

9. Royals: Justin Crawford, OF, Bishop Gorman HS, Nev.

Crawford is rising in the rankings with scouts raving out his potential. A lot of teams are in on him but the Royals would get first dibs at this stage.

10. Rockies: Jacob Berry, 3B/OF, LSU

Again, the Rockies will probably take a college bat here as well. If Cross is gone, it's Berry or Neto for the Rockies.

11. Mets: Brock Porter, RHP, Orchard Lake St. Mary's HS, Mich.

Not a single pitcher has come off the board in our mock draft. The Mets get the first one after failing to sign Kumar Rocker last season. Porter was the Gatorade National Baseball Player of the Year. So that would be a nice consolation for the Mets.

12. Tigers: Zach Neto, SS, Campbell

The Tigers can choose between Neto and Jace Jung. Jung didn't impress in Big 12 Tournament play. I'd rather stick with Neto here.

13. Angels: Brandon Barriera, LHP, American Heritage HS, Fla.

The Angels went after pitching in 2021 and I don't think that stops here. They can get the second-best pitcher on the board at 13.

14. Mets: Daniel Susac, C, Arizona

I know Mets fans are going to talk about Francisco Alvarez but Daniel Susac also has a really good bat and is said to have a great arm as well. The Mets should take a shot.

15. Padres: Dylan Lesko, RHP, Buford HS, Ga.

I've seen the Padres linked to Lesko in so many places. He already had Tommy John surgery but the Padres could get an incredible right-hander arm at 15.

16. Guardians: Jace Jung, 2B, Texas Tech

Jung wasn't great in the regionals for Texas Tech, but if he falls to 16, the Guardians have to consider. There's also Cole Young, who is a high school shortstop that would be a solid fit as well. It's up to the Guardians. I think Jung can't fall deeper than 16.

17: Phillies: Justin Campbell, RHP, Oklahoma State

If the Angels don't snag Barrera, the Phillies would be on him. But with Barrera off the board, the Phillies should end up going after another pitcher like Campbell. I'd much prefer college arms over high school arms and I think you see that with all my mock picks.

18. Reds: Cole Young, SS, North Allegheny HS, Pa.

Many scouts love Young after some of his workouts. He's got a lot of potential and the Reds should be in on him.

19. Athletics: Dylan Beavers, OF, California

any scouts love Young after some of his workouts. He's got a lot of potential and the Reds should be in on him.

20. Braves: Cooper Hjerpe, LHP, Oregon State

The Braves will go after a nice college pitcher. There's no better consistent pitcher than Hjerpe.

21. Mariners: Jordan Beck, OF, Tennessee

I'm sure the Mariners will look for a college outfielder. It could be Beck, Drew Gilbert or Brock Jones here.

22. Cardinals: Connor Prielipp, LHP, Alabama

The Cardinals are getting a big value player here with Prielipp. He was a top-five pick before he got hurt. He still has a chance to improve his stock with the Combine. I think the Cardinals would be very happy with him here.

23. Blue Jays: Jett Williams, SS, Rockwell-Heath HS, Tex.

If Williams is still available for the Blue Jays, they'll have to take him. If he's not, the Blue Jays have a couple other outfield options like Jones and Gilbert.

24. Red Sox: Brock Jones, OF, Stanford

As long as Jones is still available, I like Jones to head over to Boston.

25. Yankees: Drew Gilbert, OF, Tennessee

Gilbert would be a quality fit with the Yankees if available. There's also Chase DeLauter, but I feel like he's starting to collapse in rankings.

26. White Sox: Kumar Rocker, RHP, Tri-City ValleyCats

This would be a home run for the White Sox. The Mets drafted Rocker last season but weren't happy with his physical. But to get him at the end of the first round is very good. It's worth the risk if you're Chicago.

27: Brewers: Tucker Toman, 3B, Hammond HS, S.C.

The Brewers would love to have a switch hitter in their lineup. Here's a good one to develop.

28: Astros: Sterlin Thompson, OF, Florida

The Astros love smooth left-handers. Thompson would fit in that category out of Florida.

29: Rays: Chase DeLauter, OF, James Madison University

I think the Rays take DeLauter here. He's a work in progress but if it works out, he's the exact type of player the Rays love. A guy that has power and strikes out at a high rate.

30. Giants: Jackson Ferris, LHP, IMG Academy, Fla

The Giants are going pitching with this pick. If Jackson Ferris falls this far, it's time to grab him. He's ranked as the 17th best player in the MLB Draft and is coming from IMG Academy. That would be a home run pick.

31. Rockies: Jacob Melton, OF, Oregon State 32. Reds: Robby Snelling, LHP, McQueen HS, Nev. 33. Orioles: Blade Tidwell, RHP, Tennessee 34: D-backs: Peyton Graham, SS, Oklahoma 35. Royals: Landon Sims, RHP, Mississippi State 36. Reds: Jacob Miller, RHP, Liberty Union HS, Ohio 37. Guardians: Gabriel Hughes, RHP, Gonzaga 38. Rockies: Cayden Wallace, 3B, Arkansas 39: Padres: Max Wagner, 3B, Clemson