12/20/21

RIGHT NOW! … the Top 10 RHPs in the 2022 Draft (UPDATED)


1. Dylan Lesko (previously #3)

        6-3      170     Buford HS (GA)

93-96, T99 FB (1900-2300 rpm) , + 78-81 change (2700-3000mrpm), slider, curve

Change is one of the best seen in years.

Card is full of pluses, from his athleticism to mechanical operation.

Projected SP1  -  Vandy Boy commit

 

 2. Brock Porter (previously #1)

         6-4     220     Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (Mich.) HS

52-G, 52.2-IP, 81-K, 0.91 WHIP

99-FB, ++ 70s change (1400 rpm), curve, slider

Cold weather pitcher - Projected SP1

Clemson commit

 

3. Peyton Payette (previously #2)

 6-1     175     Arkansas

            2021 stat line -

15-G, 11-st, 1-2, 4.02, 56-IP, 67-K

93-95, T99 FB, 80 3500 rpm curve, hi-80s change

Elite arm.

An elite arm speed & sharp breaking ball.

Injured part of last season.

Projected SP2

 

4. Blade Tidwell (new)

 Tennessee

2021 Tennessee stat line -

18-starts, 10-3, 3.74, 97.2-IP, 90-K

Draft-eligible sophomore.

Many believe is the best college arm in the country.

93-95 fastball, tops off T 99.

Sharp low-80s slider.

Low-80s change-up with fade.

 

 5. Landon Sims (previously #5)

 6-1      205      Mississippi State

            2021 stat line -

25-app, 5-0, 1.44, 56.1-IP, 100-K

An incredible 4-Ks per game as a reliever.

No more dominant reliever in college.

94-95, T98 FB, 80-89 slider

Projected starter/closer 

 

6. Ian (JR) Richie (previously #4) 

        6-2     185     Bainbridge HS (WA)

92-95, T97 FB, mid-80s slider, hi-70s curve

Slider with late, sharp bite.

Projected SP1 - UCLA commit

 

 7. Andrew Dutkanych (new)

         6-3      200     Brebeuf Jesuit Prep

42 2/3 innings pitched, 63 strikeouts, 1.17 WHIP

Top Indiana prep arm in years.

93-96 fastball that never drops below 90.

Fastball has excellent backspin and life up.

Mid-to-upper 80s hard slider with late tilt.

Upper 70s curveball.

Low 80s change-up that has occasional late fading action.

Draft him early, or over-slot, or he’s off to Vandy.

 

8. Kumar Rocker (new)

     RHP      6-5     245     ???

2021 Vanderbilt stats -

20-starts, 14-4, 2.73, 122-IP, 179-K, 39-BB

Mets drafted with 10th pick in 2021

92-95 FB, T-98

Graded as high as ++ by evaluators in the past.

Health going forward is a major question.

Has begun a throwing program.

 

9. Walker Ford (new)

     6-3     195     McAdory (AL.) HS

Reclassified from 2023 draft.

Soaring up the charts.

90-95-FB, T-97 (2,400-2,600 RPM range).

Big 12-6 curve.

81-82 slider.

 3/4 arm slot, plunging movement.

 

10. Nazier Mule (new)

    6-3     205     Passaic County Tech (NJ)

70 games, .364-2-55 with a 1.004 OPS

Top 10 shortstop prospect as well.

Turned only 17 in October.

Fastball starts sitting at 99, tops 100.

Short, low 3/4 arm slot.

Immense arm speed.

Sharp SL in the low-80s.

Probably #1 two-way prospect in this draft.

7 comments:

TexasGusCC said...

How can a player that struck out 179 in 122 innings be hurt? I bet you he has a showcase or two. Maybe medicals too, but I’d be surprised.

Tom Brennan said...

KUMAR AGAIN, ANYONE?

Tom Brennan said...

It will be intriguing to see how high the Mule flies up the draft charts in the months ahead.

Mike Freire said...

I'd take a shot at Rocker with a second round pick, or a compensatory pick if it is the proper value, etc.

He will likely need some medical work on his arm/shoulder moving forward, but he is still a talented player
who would slot nicely into our system.

I don't know if there are any hard feelings on either side, but you don't pass on talent if it is staring you in the face
and you have a bunch of early picks, IMO.

Mack Ade said...

My guess,and all it is is a guess, that they concentrate on developing control on that heater and work on additional secondary pitchers.

Mack Ade said...

Mike

Cohen will not touch him with a stick.

Mack Ade said...

One more thing.

Don't need chances this draft.

Plenty of solid pitching thru the 4th round.