MLB Mock Draft Top Five Picks
With the MLB season in full swing and the MLB Draft fast approaching there are many mock drafts out there. The number one pick is still up for grabs and teams like the Orioles and Diamondbacks are the frontrunners.
In this article, we will look at the top five projected picks of the 2022 MLB Draft and the odds of the pick.
1. Baltimore Orioles: OF, Druw Jones, Wesleyan School (GA)
The Orioles are currently at the bottom of a very competitive AL East. Many are saying that Druw Jones is the best player in the 2022 Draft. Jones is the son of former Braves Outfielder Andruw Jones and has shown that he has talent even at a small Wesleyan school.
In March of 2022 a video surfaced of Jones obliterating a fast ball out of the park as the crowd chanted “overrated”. Jones had an eye popping 32 stolen bases in 2022 and 39 RBI’s. Needless to say if Jones is not the first pick in the draft he will be in the top five.
2. Arizona Diamondbacks: SS, Jackson Holliday, Stillwater HS (OK)
While the Diamondbacks are not at the bottom of their division, they are still miles away from competing in their division. Jackson is the son of former Rockies Outfielder Matt Holliday who played from 2004-2018.
At Stillwater High School Jackson broke the high school record for hits in a season at 89, the record was previously held by JT Realmuto. This alone made him skyrocket up draft boards across the MLB.
3. Texas Rangers: C, Kevin Parada, Georgia Tech
The Rangers signed a lot of free agents during the off-season and may be ready to compete next season. This most likely means that they are not willing to wait for a High School player to develop and they want results now.
Kevin Parada can get the Rangers those results. In 2021 Parada was a Freshman All American, First team all ACC and an all southeast region team member. Parada had 18 multi hit games in 2021 and had 42 RBI’s.
Parada also recorded four four hit games in the season. Parada finished the season hitting a team best .318 with 70 hits, 20 doubles, two triples and nine home runs. The Rangers will be set up for success if they are able to draft Kevin Parada.
4. Pittsburgh Pirates: SS, Brooks Lee, Cal Poly
The Pirates and Lee have been close since Spring 2022 and the Pirates have a need for a good Shortstop. Lee is currently at 100-1 odds to be the number one overall pick but analysts say that he could slide down in the draft if not picked number one by Baltimore.
In three varsity seasons with Cal Poly, Lee had a .384 on base percentage and was named to the Big West Conference first team and was also honored as a first team All American.
5. Washington Nationals: OF, Elijah Green, IMG Academy (FL)
Green has major upside in the draft and if the Nationals draft him they could pair him alongside fellow Outfielder and All-Star Juan Soto. This move could put the Nationals back in contention.
Green was also one of the top baseball prospects in the nation when he committed to IMG Academy, a top athletics school in Florida. At IMG Academy in two seasons Green has hit over 15 home runs and has 18 stolen bases. If the Nationals make this move, they could get out of this rebuilding phase rather quickly.
