Draft Picks
Grade: A
Phillies of Philadelphia: Nick Madrigal, SS, Oregon State University The Phillies select Oregon State shortstop Nick Madrigal with the first pick in the MLB draft. Madrigal is a highly-touted prospect, and he has the skills to be successful in Major League Baseball. He’s a solid defensive player who can also hit for average and power. Philadelphia is getting a high-caliber player at number one overall, and they should be very pleased with this selection.
Grade: A+
Illinois White Sox: Steele Walker, OF, Texas A&M University The White Sox select Texas A&M outfielder Steele Walker with the second pick in the MLB draft. Walker is a two-time All-American and winner of the Golden Spikes Award as college baseball’s top player. He has incredible speed and power both hit and field, which should make him a valuable asset for whichever team drafts him. Chicago is getting an elite talent at number two overall, and they will be contenders in 2022.
Grade: A
Seattle Mariners: Brian Johnson, RHP, University of Miami The Mariners select Brian Johnson with the third pick in the MLB draft. Johnson is a very polished pitcher who has already made several appearances in Major League Baseball. He has an excellent repertoire of pitches and can get hitters out consistently. Seattle should be excited to add him to their rotation; he should help them win many games next season.
Grade: C+
Yankees of New York City: Alec Bohm, 3B/1B/OF, Wichita State University The Yankees select Wichita State third baseman Alec Bohm with the fourth pick in the MLB draft. Bohm is a highly-touted prospect, and he has all of the skills necessary to be successful in Major League Baseball. He’s a powerful hitter who also has excellent defensive skills at third base. New York City is getting an elite player at number four overall, and they will be contenders for years to come.
Grade: B+
Reds of Cincinnati: Shane Baz, RHP, University of California-Santa Barbara The Reds select USC reliever Shane Baz with the fifth pick in the MLB draft. Baz has a very high ceiling and is expected to be one of the best pitchers in Major League Baseball within the next few years. He has an excellent arsenal of pitches, including a powerful fastball and sharp curveball. Cincinnati should be excited to add him to their roster; he’s sure to make an impact right away
Grade: A
Pirates of Pittsburgh: Hunter Greene, RHP, UCLA The Pirates select UCLA pitcher Hunter Greene with the sixth pick in the MLB draft. Greene is a highly-talented prospect who has already made several appearances in Major League Baseball. He has a high ceiling and is expected to be one of the best pitchers in history within the next few years. Pittsburgh should be excited to have him on their roster; he’s sure to make an impact right away.
Grade: B+
Boston Red Sox: The Boston Red Sox select Duke second baseman Nolan Gorman with the second pick in the MLB draft. Gorman is a highly-touted prospect, and he has all of the skills necessary to be successful in Major League Baseball. He’s an excellent hitter who also has good defensive skills at both second base and third base. Boston is getting an elite player at number two overall, and they will be contenders for years to come.
Grade: A
Milwaukee Brewers (from Chicago Cubs): Tyler Beede was one of the most highly-touted prospects in college baseball, and he has lived up to expectations. He has a high arm speed and excellent control, which allows him to dominate opposing hitters. Milwaukee got a steal by selecting him with the third pick in the MLB draft; he’s sure to make an impact on their team within the next few years.
Grade: A+
Arizona Diamondbacks: Ian Happ is a highly-touted prospect who has all of the tools necessary to be successful in Major League Baseball. He’s an excellent hitter with power and good speed, which makes him difficult to pitch to. Arizona got a steal by selecting Happ with the fourth pick in the MLB draft; he’s sure to make an impact on their team very soon.
Grade: B+
Cleveland Indians: Jesse Winker was one of the most highly-touted prospects in college baseball last year, and he has lived up to expectations so far. He’s a powerful hitter with excellent speed and good defensive skills at both second base and third base. Cleveland got a steal by selecting him with the sixth pick in the MLB draft; he’s sure to make an impact on their team very soon.
Grade: B
San Diego Padres: Jordon Adell was one of the most highly-touted prospects in college baseball last year, and he has lived up to expectations so far. He’s a powerful hitter with excellent speed and good defensive skills at both second base and third base. San Diego got a steal by selecting him with the seventh pick in the MLB draft; he’s sure to make an impact on their team very soon.
Grade: B+
Atlanta Braves: Donaldson is a highly-touted prospect who has all of the tools necessary to be successful in Major League Baseball. He’s an excellent hitter with power and good speed, which makes him difficult to pitch to. Atlanta got a steal by selecting him with the eighth pick in the MLB draft; he’s sure to make an impact on their team very soon.
Grade: A
Washington Nationals: Lucas Giolito was one of the most highly-touted prospects in college baseball last year, and he has lived up to expectations so far. He’s a powerful hitter with excellent control, which makes him difficult to hit out. Washington got a steal by selecting him with the ninth pick in the MLB draft; he’s sure to make an impact on their team very soon.
Grade: C
Toronto Blue Jays: Dyson has all of the tools necessary to be successful in Major League Baseball, and he showed that last year by playing for Team USA in the World Cup. He’s an excellent hitter with power and speed, which makes him difficult to pitch to. Toronto got a steal by selecting him with the tenth pick in the MLB draft; he’s sure to make an impact on their team very soon.
Conclusion
The California Angels, who hold the #2 pick in the MLB draft, had a very successful draft this year. They selected stud pitcher Nick Senzel with the first pick and then drafted several talented position players, including first baseman Jonathan Villars and outfielder Jo Adella. Make sure to check out our blog to see all of the team-by-team grades and analysis for the MLB draft selections for the 2022 season!
