2022 MLB Draft Watch: The Sensational Seven and Top 100 Prospects

Nothing cures a February freeze like baseball, and tomorrow College Baseball has its Opening Day. A great filler while we wait for MLB to start their Spring Training activities. This weekend also kicks off our Sox Machine 2022 MLB Draft coverage as we’ll be tracking the top college and prep prospects keeping tabs on whose stock is rising or falling. 

The Chicago White Sox have this year’s 26th overall pick, which is the same slot when they took college reliever Zack Burdi out of Louisville in 2016. He’s no longer with the organization after appearing in just 14 games, pitching 16.1 innings with an 8.27 ERA. While you reminisce what could have been dreaming about Burdi being a lights-out closer for the White Sox, this draft slot doesn’t have the most incredible track record. Since 2000, only nine players selected 26th overall have reached the majors, and six have negative WAR value according to Baseball-Reference. 

While you think that factoid may cause pessimism, just wait. Since 1973, only ten players selected 26th overall had a career WAR above zero. The greatest of that bunch was former Detroit Tiger Alan Trammell in 1976. In that draft, the 26th pick was in the second round. Only two other players taken 26th overall joined Trammell in at least having 10+ WAR careers: Dave Henderson and the pride of Crown Point, Indiana, Dan Plesac. 

In other words, history is not on the White Sox side in finding an impact player with their pick. 

The good news is that this year’s MLB Draft class is deep on the position player front. Without a doubt, the prep position player class is one of the most impressive I’ve seen. There are at least three college catchers with first-round grades and possibly a fourth. Plus, exceptional power bats in the outfield and the middle of the diamond. 

The pitching, well, yeah. It’s a significant drop-off from last year’s class just in talent, and some of the best pitchers are already missing their seasons because of injuries. Early on, the Sox Machine Draft Reports will be more focused on the bats until other pitchers step up to garner more attention. 

Let’s start with the prospects you should know, as they all are early candidates to be the number one overall pick in this year’s draft. 

The Sensational Seven

Druw Jones, OF, Wesleyan HS (Georgia)

It’s incredible how similar Druw Jones plays the game of baseball like his father, Andruw, did. Watching the film and it’s eerie just how similar their swings are. The swing has a quiet lower half with just a step to generate an impressive amount of power. At just 18 years old, Druw Jones will get stronger. That’s a scary thought. 

Too often, we slap the five-tool label on players. However, I don’t think it’s that far of a stretch to suggest Druw Jones has all five tools with the speed and range to stick in center field just like his father. Jones could follow the footsteps of Fernando Tatis Jr. by blazing through the minor leagues and reaching the majors before age 21. He’s that good. 

Termarr Johnson, SS/2B, Mays HS (Georgia)

Perhaps the best overall hitting ability in this year’s draft class, Termarr Johnson has an impressive advanced approach at the plate. When watching film of his work in the batting cage and during the summer showcases, it’s hard to believe Johnson is just 17 years old and doesn’t turn 18 until June. A line-drive hitter who generates a lot of momentum with a high leg kick, Johnson is known for his contact skills but don’t sleep on the power. 

Defensively, Johnson lacks the range and arm to stick at shortstop. He needs more defensive development if a team wants to give him that opportunity to play shortstop at the next level. Moving over to second base shouldn’t be an issue. Johnson’s favorite player is Robinson Cano, and in a way, I like that player comp for him. Sans the PED usage, of course. 

Elijah Green, OF, IMG Academy (Florida)

I’ve been hearing about Elijah Green for a couple of years, and he has loud tools. Power is legit and has the arm strength to stick in right field. I have questions about his ability to hit for contact and pitch recognition.

Too often in showcase games, Green often gave up on hanging breaking pitches or swung wildly at them. However, Green will punish you if a pitcher gets behind in the count and has to throw a fastball. His current profile reminds me of Jorge Soler, a 40-grade contact and batter’s eye grade, but 60+ grade power. It would not surprise me if Green hit .240/.300/.550 with 40 home runs in the majors. 

Brooks Lee, SS/3B, Cal Poly

Brooks Lee could have been a first or second-round pick in 2019 but opted to play for his father at Cal Poly. The best college bat in this draft class, Lee has been on a tear the past calendar year. Co-Player of the Year in the Big West Conference last season, followed by a stellar performance with Team USA, and then destroying the Cape Cod League, hitting .405/.432/.667 with six home runs in 21 games. 

Physically, Lee looks like he’s added 15 to 20 pounds of muscle since 2019. There are questions about which position Lee will stick at between shortstop and third base. Arm strength is not an issue, but focusing on Lee’s range during this upcoming college season could determine if a team moves him to the hot corner. 

Jace Jung, 2B, Texas Tech

The 2021 Big 12 Player of the Year and NCBWA Freshman Position Player of the Year, Jace Jung of Texas Tech is a preseason favorite to win the Golden Spikes and Dick Howser awards in 2022. The younger brother of Josh Jung, who was selected eighth overall by the Texas Rangers in 2019, Jace has a good shot of being selected higher in the draft. 

Hitting .337/.462/.697 with 21 home runs last year, Jung is a power-hitting second baseman because the glove has not been good. We’ll have to see early which position Texas Tech plays Jung at, but there are some concerns he could be below average defensively. However, the bat plays, and in a day where teams are coveting hitting skills and trying to figure out the defensive position later, Jung will be an early selection. 

Jacob Berry, 3B, LSU

Last year, Jacob Berry hit .352/.439/.676 with 19 doubles, 17 home runs, and 70 RBI as a Freshman with Arizona. His coach, Jay Johnson, accepted the LSU job this season, and Berry is tagging along. Like Brooks Lee, Berry is a switch-hitter that puts up eye-opening numbers from both sides of the plate. 

In 2021, Berry was the designated hitter for Arizona while playing nine games on the field. Early reports from Baton Rouge suggest that the Tigers will have Berry start the season at third base. Not the greatest reputation defensively, Berry might be a candidate to move across the infield in his professional career and try sticking at first base. We’ll see in 2022 if Berry improves at the hot corner, and if he does, could challenge Brooks Lee and Jace Jung as the best college position player. 

Chase DeLauter, OF, James Madison

I have to admit that Chase DeLauter was not on my radar. Playing in the Colonial at James Madison doesn’t give one ample opportunity to face the type of pitching to assess how one will develop at the next level accurately. When DeLauter tied for the conference lead in home runs at the Cape, I figured this is someone to track as a possible Top 100 Draft Prospect. 

Everyone that I talk to raves about DeLauter. At 6’5” 235 lbs, DeLauter is a physical presence whose hitting skills have improved since last year. He did pitch last year with less than thrilling results, but there’s hope DeLauter’s arm strength will put him in right field professionally. 

Average Rankings Top 100 Prospect List

The methodology combines rankings from MLB.com, Baseball America, Prospects Live, Prep Baseball Report, The Athletic, and ESPN. Final ranking is the average score from all publications. 

Jimmy Osborn Good Looking Kid: Cam Collier, 3B, Chipola JC

In honor of our late friend who had an affinity for talented prep prospects and junior college standouts, there’s no doubt that Lil Jimmy would be sending me game recap emails of what Cam Collier is doing at Chipola. I miss those emails. 

Collier is the son of Lou, who was a Chicago prep baseball standout and played eight seasons in the majors. Initially set to be part of the 2023 MLB Draft class, Collier reclassified for 2022 after obtaining his GED and playing for Chipola. In his first 12 games of the season, Collier has a .324/.458/.649 slash line with four home runs. 

He’s only 17 years old. 

Currently the 24th prospect on the Average Rankings Prospect List, I wonder come June if Collier is in the Top 10. The swing is smooth with plenty of power and has yet to show any problems with pitches up in the strike zone. Defensively, Collier is playing third base, but there might be some flexibility where he could ultimately land. Any team that selects Collier will be doing so for the bat. 

There’s been a lot of discussion about aging curves in the past couple of drafts. Some teams weren’t high on White Sox first-round pick Colson Montgomery last year because he was 19 years old. I expect Collier to be high on the board for teams aiming to draft and develop teenagers. If his early performance at Chipola continues, Collier is a name you will hear more about come June.