2022 MLB Draft Grades: Grading Every First Round Pick

2022 MLB Draft Grades: Grading Every First Round Pick

It's always hard to evaluate the MLB Draft. People joke all the time that draft picks get compared to the all-time greats and never even make it out of the minor leagues.

It's a hard task grading each draft pick, but we're going to try anyway.

We graded the entire first round of the MLB Draft. Let me know if you agree or disagree!

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Round 1

1. Orioles: Jackson Holliday, SS, Stillwater, HS, Okla. (A)

Most MLB analysts have acknowledged that this year's MLB Draft was one of the deepest drafts in recent memory. The Orioles had their choice of maybe five "could've been" first-overall picks. They went with Matt Holliday's son. That's a very solid pick!

2. Diamondbacks: Dru Jones, CF, Wesleyan HS, GA (A)

Arizona knew they would be getting either Jones or Holliday. They were going to get a top player regardless and got ultimately the most skilled player in the MLB Draft.

3. Rangers: Kumar Rocker, RHP, No School (B-)

The Rangers get to pair Rocker with Jack Leiter again. That's a cool story, but Rocker wasn't signed by the Mets last year due to a poor physical. The Rangers surprised folks and took Rocker with the third overall pick and while Rocker could be a legitimate star, I'm still going to be a bit concerned knowing his physical was so bad last season.

4. Pirates: Termarr Johnson, 2B, Mays HS, Ga. (A-)

5. Nationals: Elijah Green, OF, IMG Academy HS, Fla. (B)

6. Marlins: Jacob Berry, RF, LSU (B-)

7. Cubs: Cade Horton, RHP, Oklahoma (C)

Horton was wicked in the College World Series but he threw just 50 regular-season innings for Oklahoma. He might end up in the bullpen for most of his career. So he'll get a C.

8: Twins: Brooks Lee, SS, Cal Poly (A)

In my first mock draft, I had Brooks Lee going first overall. He could ultimately be the most complete player in the draft and with him being a college athlete, we'll see him sooner rather than later. This was a great pickup for the Twins.

9. Royals: Gavin Cross, OF, Virginia Tech (B+)

10. Rockies: Gabriel Hughes, RHP, Gonzaga (B-)

There's no doubt Hughes has great stuff, but he's a walk machine right now. The Rockies will need to clean that up before he can pitch in the majors.

11. Mets: Kevin Parada, C, Georgia Tech (A)

It's very rare to find as good of a power hitter as Parada at the catcher position.

12. Tigers: Jace Jung, 2B, Texas Tech (B+)

13. Angels: Zach Neto, SS, Campbell (A-)

14. Mets: Jett Williams, SS, Rockwell-Heath HS, Tex. (B+)

15. Padres: Dylan Lesko, RHP, Buford HS, Ga. (B)

16. Guardians: Chase DeLauter, OF, James Madison University (B+)

He slid down the draft boards from the start of the season. But the Guardians got a ton of value with this selection, knowing where his ceiling is. Click here to claim our best BetMGM Promo Code for all the MLB action or check out the offers below for a selection of the best offers available on site!

17: Phillies: Justin Crawford, OF, Bishop Gorman HS, Nev. (B+)

18. Reds: Cam Collier, 3B, Chipola Junior College (B)

19. Athletics: Daniel Susac, C, Arizona (B-)

20. Braves: Owen Murphy, RHP, Riverside-Brookfield, IL (A)

The Braves are going to allow Owen Murphy to pitch and hit. It probably won't work out but I like that the Braves are evolving.

21. Mariners: Cole Young, SS, North Allegheny HS, Pa. (B+)

22. Cardinals: Cooper Hjerpe, LHP, Oregon State (B)

23. Blue Jays: Brandon Barriera, LHP, American Heritage HS, Fla. (A-)

Barriera was the first pitcher off my board and was drafted at 23 by the Blue Jays. I dig that.

24. Red Sox: Mikey Romero, SS, Orange Lutheran, CA (B)

25. Yankees: Spencer Jones, OF, Vanderbilt (B-)

26. White Sox: Noah Schultz, LHP, Oswego East, IL (C)

27: Brewers: Eric Brown, SS, Coastal Carolina (B-)

28: Astros: Drew Gilbert, OF, Tennessee (B-)

29: Rays:  Xavier Isaac, 1B, East Forsyth HS (C-)

30. Giants: Reggie Crawford, LHP, Connecticut (B-)

31. Rockies: Sterlin Thompson, OF, Fla. (C)

32. Reds: Sal Stewart, 3B, Westminster Christian, FL (C+)

33. Orioles: Dylan Beavers, OF, California (B+)

34: D-backs:  Landon Sims, RHP, Mississippi State (B+)

35. Braves: J.R. Ritchie, RHP, Bainbridge, WA (B)

36. Pirates: Thomas Harrington, RHP, Campbell (B)

37. Guardians: Justin Campbell, RHP, Oklahoma State (A-)

38. Rockies: Jordan Beck, OF, Tennessee (A-)

39: Padres: Robby Snelling, LHP, McQueen HS, Nev. (B+)