Apr 6, 20223 min read

2022 MLB Draft: The Top 40 High School Players

Though College Baseball Nation is a college outfit, we love the draft as much as anyone, which means it’s imperative that we pay close attention to the nation’s top high school prospects as the big night creeps closer. The 2022 draft class is loaded, with something for everyone. Like toolsy outfielders? Then Drew Jones and Elijah Green will certainly strike your fancy. Have a thing for the hit tool? Then look no further than Termarr Johnson, who may very well have the best prep hit tool since……Joe Mauer! Infatuated with right-handed flamethrowers? Then leave a light on for Dylan Lesko and Brock Porter. Stay up at night dreaming of projectable lefties? Then say hello to Noah Schultz and Jackson Ferris. Like we said, this year’s high school class is L-O-A-D-E-D.

Unfortunately, prep pitchers have not escaped the same injury bug that has plagued their college brethren. At press, Cole Phillips, an Arkansas commit who had shot up draft boards this spring, announced he would need Tommy John surgery.

1. Drew Jones, OF, Vanderbilt (Commitment): The son of Andruw Jones, Drew is also a center fielder who may even be more projectable than his father at a similar age. At 6-03/180, he’s taller and leaner with the foundation for a better hit tool. He’s a superb defender with plus-plus speed and a strong arm.

2. Jackson Holliday, SS, Oklahoma State: No one has more helium than this kid, who also happens to be Matt Holliday’s oldest son. Holliday’s hit tool is widely regarded as the second best in the class—behind only Termarr Johnson’s—and his burgeoning power and ability to stick at SS has scouts salivating.

3. Dylan Lesko, RHP, Vanderbilt: Lesko is the most well-rounded high school pitching prospect in years. He regularly hits the high 90’s with his fastball while featuring a full array of plus secondaries. His delivery is effortless and mechanically sound, and there even is some projection left in his 6-03/200 frame.

4. Termarr Johnson, 2B, Uncommitted: Johnson has the best hit tool in the class with some serious juice in his swing; however, his limited projectability and questions surrounding his future position could trigger a fall out of the top 5.

5. Elijah Green, OF, Miami: The son of former NFL tight end Eric Green, Elijah looks the part. He’s 6-03/230 with plus-plus speed and easily the best raw power in this class. If Green can get his well-documented swing-and-miss issues under control, he profiles as a game-changing, 5-tool force.

6. Jackson Ferris, LHP, Ole Miss: Between his still-projectable 6-05 length, fastball that has reached 97 MPH multiple times this spring, and high-spin deuce, Ferris is the ideal left-handed foil to Lesko. If there’s any part of his game that needs work, it would be his changeup that still grades out as “just” average.

7. Brock Porter, RHP, Clemson: Porter fits well into the upper tier of high school pitching prospects. His heater approaches the century mark, his changeup has strong sinking action, and both his curve and slider flash plus despite some inconsistency. Porter has also cleaned up his mechanics since his underclassman days.

8. Tristan Smith, LHP, Clemson: Strong, compact (6-02/200) lefty whose high-spin fastball and slider make him a favorite of the analytics community.

9. Brandon Barriera, LHP, Vanderbilt: Not overly physical at 6-01/180, Barriera has lightning in his left arm. His fastball resides in the 90’s while his slider and changeup also grade out as plus offerings.

10. Justin Crawford, OF, LSU: Yet another kid with impressive bloodlines—Carl is his dad—Crawford is a center fielder who can run a 6.11 60 and smack line drives from alley to alley. He’s flown up draft boards this spring as his power has begun to manifest itself.

11. Noah Schultz, LHP, Vanderbilt

12. Ian Ritchie, RHP, UCLA

13. Cole Young, SS, Duke

14. Walter Ford, RHP, Alabama

15. Gavin Turley, OF, Oregon State.

16. Mikey Romero, SS, LSU

17. Henry Bolte, OF, Texas

18. Paxton Kling, OF, LSU

19. Cameron Smith, SS, FSU

20. Brady Neal, C, LSU

21. Malcolm Moore, C, Stanford

22. Gavin Kilen, SS, Louisville