12/31/21

RIGHT NOW! The Top 13 LHPs in the 2022 Draft (UPDATED)



(previous rank)  research through 12-29-21

 

1.  Brandon Barriera (1) 

    6-1     170     American Heritage Plantation HS (FL)

        82-IP, 125-K, 1.02 WHIP

92-94, T97, FB, low-80s wipeout slider, mid-80s change-up, 76-78 curve

Comes right at hitters with a bulldog mentality,

Slider seems to be setting up as his go-to pitch. 

Lots of projection left here.

Vandy commit

 

2.  Jackson Ferris (2)

    6-5      190     IMG Academy

        66 1/3-IP, 90-K, 1.12 WHIP

90-94, T97 FB, low-80s change

High spin breaking ball at 75-77.

The fastball is definitely his signature pitch. Downhill angle late riding life.

Has superior control of all three pitches.

@B_Sakowski_PG - “Ferris is the top lefty on our ‘22 PG Draft Board.”

Ole Miss commit

 

3. Carson Whisenhurst (3) 

        6-3     205     East Carolina

2021 ECU stat line -

13-G, 6-2, 3.77, 62-IP, 79-K

Works downhill from a high ¾ slot.

90-94, T-95 fastball. High spin (2,300-2,400 RPMs).

Curve is a low 80s pitch (max 2,600s).

This summer a 71% whiff rate.

Elite change-up.

Will be ECU’s Friday starter.

Many consider him the top college lefty in draft.

 

4. Reggie Crawford (4) 

        6-4     230     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 prospect.

Ranked as 4th first baseman also.

Loose arm action with a ¾ release.

Fastball sits in upper-90s, tops 101.

High spin fastball (+2,500 RPM).

Low 80s slider and good change.

Out 2022 (TJS).

 

5.  Nate Savino (5) 

       6-3      195     Virginia

2021 stat line -

16-G, 10-starts, 3-3, 3.79, 54.2-IP, 34-K, 16-BB

Mid-90s FB (heavy sink), hi-70s sweeping curve, 80s curve

His slider looks like bread and butter pitch.

 

6.  Noah Shultz (6) 

     6-9     220     Oswego Vandy commit

        18 2/3-IP, 24-K, 1.39 WHIP

89-91, T93 FB (with life), mid-70s slider. 

Low- 80s change, slurvy massive spin breaker.

Slider is a difference maker.

Max Scherzer type release

Very intimidating on the mound. Fastball spins up to 2500 rpm. Super high ceiling.

Vandy commit. Could be tough sign.

  

7. Connor Prelipp (7) 

        6-1      195     Alabama

2021 Alabama Stat Line -

3-starts, 1-1, 3.86, 7-IP, 12-K

0.96 ERA with a 47/7 K/BB ratio in 28 college innings

Monster 2020, beginning with:

26-IP, 0-R, 43-K, 6-BB, 9-H.  

Elbow gave out in 2021 after one start.

Came back too early - TJS - will miss 2022.

FB  93-96, T-97, with command.

88-90 slider, with late break. 

 

8. Parker Messick (8) 

        6-0     230     Florida State

2021 FSU stat line -

23-starts, 3.10

One of the most impressive changeups.

  Two distinct breaking balls.

Sneaky fastball. Sits low 90s.

 

9. Tristan Smith (9) 

        6-2     200      Boiling Springs (SC)

47 1/3-IP, 79 strikeouts, 1.25 WHIP

FB sits low 90s, T-95 - high spin - 2,600 RPM’s

Curve is one of the top secondary pitches in the 2022 prep class. 3,000 RPMs

Slider with elite power and spin.

Commitment: Clemson

 

10.       Bryce Hubbart (10) 

    5-11     180     Florida State

2021 FSU stat line -

16-G, 14-ST, 6-5, 3.80, 71-IP, 94-K

Plus athlete with some potential to add strength.

Really impressed in the Cape this past summer.

Primarily 3-pitch guy

89-92, T-96 FB, 78-80 SL, 74-75-12/6 curve

Been inconsistent at times. 

 

11. Hayden Mullens (new) 

    6-1     195     Auburn

2021 Auburn stat line -

7-appearances, 2-0, 2.38, 11.1-IP, 19-K

Low 90s fastball that projects more coming.

Slider, change-up combo improving.


12. Hunter Barco (new) 

    6-4      208     Florida

2021 stat line -

16-starts, 10-3, 4.01, 83-IP, 94-K

Low-90s, T95 FB, 80-86 slider, splitter and change-up

3/4 arm slot and deceptive delivery

Starting to really fill out his projectable 6’4/220 frame with strength. 

 

13. Cooper Hjerpe (new) 

    6-2     190     Oregon State

2021 Oregon State stat line -

17-G, 16-ST, 3-6, 4.21, 1.17, 77-IP, 98-K

Four pitch mix, and the ability to throw strikes.

Low-90s FB, a cutter, a slider and a changeup.

Some trouble remaining consistent.

Grading systems:

FaBIO score of 99 (100 is the max)

DIGS grade of 89 (100 is the max).

 

2 comments:

Tom Brennan said...

Barriera, Ferris, and Crawford are my 3 favorites. Crawford could be our next JT Ginn.

Mack Ade said...

Or our next Pete Alonso