RIGHT NOW… the Top 10 Outfielders in the 2022 Draft

(Previous rank  -  research through 12-25-21) 

1. Elijah Green (1) 

    6-3      215     IMG Academy

Could be a plus hitter with plus-plus raw power.   Already tapping into                 that juice in-game.

The ball comes off his bat in a special way.

Above-average raw power and speed.

Quality center fielder with a strong arm. Five tool player.

Swing and miss concerns.

Everyone has Green in their Top 5.

Right now… my 1.1 pick. 

 

2. Andruw Jones (2) 

    6-3     180      Wesleyan HS (FL)

Athletic ability among the best in this year’s crop.

++ speed and amazes in the field and at the plate.

Exit velocity off his bat is eye-popping.

Swing change recently now generating more power.

70-grade runner. Double-plus speed.

Five-tool potential.

Premium defensive center fielder

 

3. Chase DeLauter (3) 

    6-4      230      James Madison

2021 James Madison stat line -

26-G, 101-AB, .386/.508/.723/1.231, only 14-K, 6-HR

                            2021 Cape -

                                    34-G, 9-HR, .589

Physicality along with plus athleticism.

 A career average in the .380s.

  Some prodigious raw power

Potential to hit 40 home runs at the next level.

 A ++ arm in a corner. Rangy speed. Sound fundamentals.

Clocked 6.4 second 60 at pro day

Rising on the charts every week.

Ranked at No. 3 for Perfect Game's Top 300 

 

4. Brock Jones (4) 

    6-0     203     Stanford

2021 Stanford stat line -

56-G, 206-AB, 59-K, .311, .646-slug, 18-HR,

62-RBI

Ultra-physical, muscled-up outfielder.

One of the best power-speed combinations.

4-tool player. Limited arm.

Strikeout rates healthy and drew a lot of walks.

Above average runner, maybe plus.

Projected more power to come.

Played safety in  2019.

 

5. Gavin Cross (5) 

    6-3     210     Virginia Tech

2021 - VT stat line -

51-G, 203-AB, .345/.415/.621/1.036, 11-HR, 48-K

                    2020 -

                        .369, .629-slug%

Drives the ball to all parts of the field.

Plenty of power.

May have the best college hit tool in draft.

Will stick in right.

Above-average arm.

Has moved into the first round. 

 

6. Dylan Brewer (6) 

    6-3     175     Clemson

2021 stat line -

49-G, 174-AB, .207, 10-HR

65 strikeouts in 215 plate appearances.

                2021 Coastal Plain League -

.350/.444/.608.

Simply had a very unproductive 2021.

So far, defense first.

Raw power.

Above-average arm and speed.

Projected to stick in center.

Don’t sleep on him.

 

7. Paxton Kling (7)

    6-2     195     Central HS (Pa.)

Stats -

42 games, .444-4-32 with a 1.218 OPS

Hits for power.

Above average hit tool.

Clocked at 106 mph off the bat.

Above-average runner.

Projects as center fielder.

 

8. Chris Newell (new) 

    6-2     190     Virginia

2021 Virginia stat line -

57-G, 194-AB, 75-K, 17-BB, .258, 5-HR

Projected 1^st round pick out of high school.

Lackluster 2021 season (.733 OPS).

Ended up being one of UVA’s most dangerous hitters through regionals/Omaha.

Needs to work on whiffs.

Strong defense in center field.

Plus outfield arm and above average foot speed. 

 

9. Jud Fabian (new) 

    6-2      190     Florida

2021 Florida stat line -

59-G, 225-AB, .249/.364/.560/.924, 20-HR

Finished strong last year after a slow start.

Never went more than 4 games without a HR.

Strikeouts are an issue.

Strikeout rates did improve as his spring progressed.

+ speed & range very well in center field.

 

10. Justin Crawford (new) 

    6-2     170     Bishop Gorman HS (NV)

Level bat path and showed solid bat-to-ball skills.

Dynamic athlete with 80 speed.

6.11 60-yard time with a 1.53 10-yard split.

Covers ground many center fielders can’t get to.

Raw arm strength is currently below average.