2022 MLB Draft Report: Mock Draft II

With NCAA Regionals starting this weekend and the MLB Draft Combine held in San Diego from June 14 to 20, draft activity will pick up steam rapidly. More information is being shared about team preferences in the upcoming first round, held on Sunday, July 17, in Los Angeles. Depending on which scouts you ask, they prefer that the MLB Draft was this weekend. Soon showcase events will start for the 2023 MLB Draft class, and intertwined activity due to pushing the MLB Draft to July is more of a nuisance to Front Offices. 

So where do things sit in the first round, especially the Chicago White Sox? James Fox and I share our Mock Draft II below. 

Which direction will Baltimore go with Pick #1? 

James: Baltimore is likely looking for a deal at No. 1 overall, similar to recent years. Druw Jones won't be taking that discount, and Jackson Holliday likely won't either. The Orioles have two extra picks, and they've leaned on college hitters in recent years. This pick could come down to which of Brooks Lee, Kevin Parada, and Jacob Berry takes the most significant discount and allows Mike Elias and company to land what they perceive as the biggest draft haul possible.

Josh: I agree with James that Baltimore could play the signing bonus game again. Save $1-2 million by selecting a college player first overall, and bump Pick 33 signing bonus to a level that many teams in the Top 25 can't match. That's how a team can acquire two Top 25 prospects in this class. 

If the Orioles pass on Druw Jones, they better hope their No. 1 pick doesn't make them regret that decision. 

Which prospects are catching your eye? 

Josh: Someone recently caught my attention, and a source recommended to me is prep SS/3B Tucker Toman from Hammond High out of South Carolina. Toman is a switch-hitter who looks more fluid batting left-handed with solid athleticism to be given a shot at shortstop, or he can move to third base and perhaps the outfield. He's put up impressive exit velocity numbers at showcases and is projected to be selected within the first 30 picks. 

James: One of my favorite prospects in the class is Chipola JC third baseman, Cam Collier. The 17-year-old reclassified and performed in a stellar fashion at one of the top JUCOs in the country. He's participating in the Cape Cod League next, and he should be a top 10 lock by the draft weekend. The Kumar Rocker story is fascinating. He's going to pitch for Tai-City in the independent league, and those performances could determine what type of money he gets in July. One prep guy who was very well known is outfielder Roman Anthony out of Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida. There were some hit tool questions, but he's mashed the ball this spring, and he should go in the top 50. On the college side, Clemson's third baseman Max Wagner is vying for the Tigers' all-time home run record, and he could sneak into the first round as well.

Mock Draft II Picks

White Sox Mock Pick No. 26

James: Drew Gilbert, OF, Tennessee

The White Sox are likely looking to target left-handed bats again, and Gilbert is simply the best player on their board. As a Midwest prep, the White Sox are familiar with Gilbert as he played on their Area Code Team in 2018. Gilbert has shown power with stunning exit velocity numbers and should stay in center field. He also has the quality makeup and grinder mentality that the club often seeks. 

Josh: Tucker Toman, 3B/SS, Hammond HS (SC)

I’m still siding that the White Sox farm system strategy is attempting to get younger. I agree with James that Drew Gilbert would be a good pick, but the top prep batter remaining on my board at Pick 26 is Tucker Toman. He fits with a new wave of talent building in Kannapolis with last year’s first-rounder, Colson Montgomery.