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12/23/21

Right now… the Top 10 First Basemen in the 2022 Draft


(last week’s rank - research through 12-22-21)  

1. Dominic Keegan (same) 

     Vanderbilt

2021 Vandy stat line -  

60-G, 262-AB, .345/.427/.628, 15-HR, 74-K

Drafted in 19th Rd. 2021 Draft by Yankees

2021 Cape -

49-PA, .302/.388/.651, 5-HR

(1 HR per 10 PA)

Massive year at the plate in 2021.

Ranked in top 25 in the country in xwOBA at .468.

One of top power hitters in draft.

Top right hand hitting first basemen in draft.

Needs to cut down 28% K-rate.

Defensively, Keegan is fringy with some stiff actions.


2. Nolan Schubart (same) 

        6-5     210     Orchard Lake St. Mary's HS

68 games, .354-8-51 with a 1.123 OPS

Projected as one of top power bats in draft.

More projection expected.

++ bat speed.

Projected as first baseman or DH, but… has the type of body and power projection you want out of a future corner outfielder.

Michigan commit. 

 

3. Luke Gold (same)

Boston College

2021 BC stat line -

44-G, 177-AB, .318/.364/.576, 9-HR

Played 2B and 3B last season - projects to 1B.

Real knack for barreling up the baseball.

Superb at launch angle.

Close to 55/55 bat projection.

Defensively, soft hands.

Sub-par arm strength, which warrants move to first.


4. Reggie Crawford   (same) 

    1B/P     UConn

2021 Univ. Connecticut stat line -

51-G, 210-AB, .295/.349/.543, 13-HR

6-games, 1-start, 1-1, 2.35, 7.2-IP, 17-K, 3-BB

Legitimate 2-way player.

Projected top power hitter

Has touched 100 as a pitcher.

Out for entire 2022 season due to TJS 

 

5. Dalton Rushing (same) 

    1B     5-11   230    Louisville

2021 Louisville stat line -

142-AB, .314/.401/.542, 6-HR

Played in only 28 games.

2021 Summer (Bourne) -

 .319/.428/.543, 7-HR

+ Power bat - ++ swing speed

Showed up at the Cape muscled up.

Patient hitter - works counts

1B profile only going forward 

 

6. Spencer Jones   (same) 

    1B     6-7     205

2021 Vandy stat line -

34-G, 94-AB, .274/.346/.421, 10-HR

        2021 Cape -

                            .309/.409/.457

Limited first base play due to Dominic Keegan

Five-tool capability as a position player.

Simply needs to play more - might see him more at corner outfield position.

Health going forward a question. 

 

7. Ivan Melendez  (same)

        6-3      225     Texas

16th round by Marlins last season.

Transferred Odessa College.

Hit .319, 13-HR. 51-RBI in first season at Texas.

Top 20 in country in xwOBA.

70-grade raw power.

Enough athleticism to handle first.

He only played six games in the field last season. 

 

8. Tyler Locklear (new) 

    1B/3B     6-3     215     VCU

2021 VCU stat line -

54-G, 194-AB, team leading .345, 16-HR

Immense physical strength.

2021:

  Became the first player in the history of the conference to win both A-10 Player and Rookie of the Year in the same season 

Hit 16 home runs, which is a VCU freshman record, the second-most in a single season in program history, and tied for the most in the A-10 

Led the conference in runs (69), RBIs (66), on- base percentage (.515), and walks (46), all marks that rank in the top 10 in VCU history for a single season 

 

9. Xavier Issac (new) 

    6-4     240      East Forsyth HS (NC)

98 games, .332-6-72 with a 1.009 OPS

Big kid with even bigger power.

Multiple 95+ MPH exit velocities at WWBA in October.

Defensively, limited to first base,

Florida commit.

 

10. Eli Serrano (new) 

    6-5     195     Pro5 Acadamy (NC)

XL frame with plenty of projection & athleticism.

Lot of power potential.

Bat will carry him forward.

Solid 91 mph arm.

NC State commit.

 

 

4 comments:

  1. Kids are a hard call until spring HS ball, but if the Mets are thinking of a Pete Alonso replacement in say 4 years, a HS kid could be the perfect tee-up, and could be drafted in a lower (3rd?) round, and concentrate on pitching and OF or catching in rounds 1 and 2.

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  2. I agree.

    Sadly, it is time to start thinking beyond Pete.

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  3. Eddie may be totally nailing who our next 1B could be. Vientos can certainly field 1B, and he may not hit them as long as Pete, but he hits them plenty long - and frequently.

    Pete right. now is a key part of the Mets' brand - but Vientos started as a SS and played lots of infield, and my guess is with work, he is a superior 1B, fielding-wise. If Nelson Cruz can DH, Pete can DH too.

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