Draft Thoughts: Henry Williams, Jackson Ferris, Jared Hocking, RJ Austin

 

1-11-22 - Aaron Fitt @aaronfitt

Bad news for Duke:

@d1baseball has learned that Blue Devils RHP Henry Williams will miss the 2022 season after having Tommy John surgery. Talented and projectable pitcher (No. 40 on our list of 2022 mlb draft prospects) showed 94-95 heat with electric secondary stuff this fall.

                                    1-11-22 - Joe Doyle  @JoeDoyleMiLB

Brutal. Williams recently ranked no. 68 on our @ProspectsLive Top 300 board for the 2022 MLB Draft.

                            12-30-21 - https://www.prospectslive.com/prospects-live/2021/12/29/2022-mlb-draft-top-300-prospects - 

63

Henry Williams

RHP 

Duke 

Darien, CT 

Following in Bryce Jarvis' footsteps, Henry Williams could be the next Blue Devil to become a day one selection come 2022. It's an athletic frame and delivery for Williams, who stands an imposing 6-foot-5, 200 pounds. 

The fastball usually sits 90-93 with good late run and high spin rates, peaking close to 2,500 RPM. The slider has two-plane tilt with tight spin in the 81-85 MPH range and he commands it well. The change-up is an interesting pitch, as it has exceptionally high spin rates (upwards of 2,300 RPM's) in the 85-87 MPH range with some late sinking life to it. There's plenty of projection to his frame and it's likely there's more velocity to come.

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12-30-21 - https://www.prospectslive.com/prospects-live/2021/12/29/2022-mlb-draft-top-300-prospects - 

17. Jackson Ferris

Left-Handed Pitcher, IMG Academy 

Ferris has a long, yet relatively clean arm action and has plenty of projection on his frame to add strength and velocity. Primarily 93-95, Ferris has been up to 97 with a fastball that showcases huge riding life. His curveball has solid depth with big, tight spin in the mid-70's and there is a change-up in the low-80's that needs refinement. 

The fastball is the calling card here and it absolutely blows hitters away. Being a left-handed pitcher that can reach back for high-90s cheese, and given his 6-foot-5-inch frame, scouts are drooling over what the final package could look like here a few years down the road.

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12-30-21 - https://www.prospectslive.com/prospects-live/2021/12/29/2022-mlb-draft-top-300-prospects - 

145

Jared Hocking OF Servite 

Anaheim, CA 

Hocking, a big, strong stout kid from Southern California, is the son of former MLBer Denny Hocking. Jarrod plays well above his listed height and weight, especially for his age. The bat speed here is quite considerable and he's shown real juice to all fields. Hocking has feel for launch and aims to do damage at the plate. His tools are mostly average in the field, though some believe if he keeps his body loose and limber he could handle centerfield as he ages.

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12-30-21 - https://www.prospectslive.com/prospects-live/2021/12/29/2022-mlb-draft-top-300-prospects - 

139 RJ Austin SS Pace Academy 

Atlanta, GA 

Austin has some of the loudest BP you can find. His high hands create a long bat path, but Austin really understands his swing. It's a well-leveraged with big loft. He packs a punch and he's getting into it in-game. Plus arm plays well anywhere on the field. 

Austin has some pep in his step. He's a bouncy athlete with some twitch in all aspects of the game. He's a pretty physical kid and presents one of the more explosive profiles at the shortstop position this year.