Draft Thoughts: Jordan Taylor. Dylan Beavers, Mac Horvath, Easton Swofford

 

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

102 Jordan Taylor OF St. Johns Country Day 

Jacksonville, FL 

Taylor is about as tooled up as they come in this class. He's an elite-level runner with a huge arm in centerfield; a rare blend. For now, he's a gap-to-gap hitter, but Taylor has shown the strength and exit velos to project future power. Taylor will be 19 years old and 9 months on draft day 2022, making him the oldest high school player near the top of this draft class, a narrative he'll have to outperform should he hope to hear his name called very early. Regardless, the tools here are exemplary.

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

24. Dylan Beavers

Outfield, California 

Beavers was one of the best players in the PAC in 2021. A tall, rangy outfielder, Beavers gets high marks for his hit tool and raw power. There's some loft in his swings, as evidenced by his 18 homers last season. Beavers can expand the zone at times as he's an aggressive hitter who looks to do damage and drive in runs. 

There's some speed to his game too, and natural instincts on the base paths, though he’s likely only an average “athlete” which limits his ability to make the highlight reel play. He best projects into a corner where his above average arm, length and wheels can best be optimized.  Some have compared the entire package to a Christian Yelich type of profile.  High praise, indeed. 

1-5-21 - https://www.prospectslive.com/prospects-live/2022-mlb-mock-draft - 

Prospect Live Mock Draft 1.0 

17. Philadelphia Phillies

Dylan Beavers, Outfield, California 

After going with high school pitching in the first round of the last two drafts, it may be time for Philadelphia and Brian Barber to restock the position player ranks of their farm. Beavers profiles into all three outfield positions, though he’s probably best suited for a corner when it’s all said and done. A patient hitter with sublime zone control, Beavers works mature at-bats and has shown some serious juice when ambushing mistakes. We could be talking about a solid average hitter with above average or better power as a pro. 

He’s a plus runner and a decent baserunner. Beavers should be a threat to steal a handful of bases into his prime. It would surprise nobody if Barber went with a prep phenom like Jackson Ferris or Tristan Smith here either.

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

255 Mac Horvath 3B North Carolina 

Rochester, MN 

Horvath is a bit of a wildcard in the bunch. The Rochester, Minnesota product was the 11th ranked high school shortstop in the 2020 draft according to Perfect Game, though he went unselected. Now 6-foot-1, 200 pounds, Horvath is a big, strong kid with a lot of the building blocks of a future contributor at the pro level. 

He's still tapping into just how strong he is, especially at the plate. In two years, Horvath has started to engage his hips more offensively, and his swing continues to get shorter, even though he can get extended a little early on pitches away. But Horvath's strength right now is in his approach. He struck out less than 19 percent of the time in 2021, and chased pitches outside of the zone just 17 percent of the pitches he saw. 

Now Horvath's .227/.311/.387 line won't blow anyone away, nor should it. But if Horvath can find more consistency in barrels next spring, and stay more up-the-middle of the field instead of getting pull-happy, he's got the foundational mature approach and physical tools to succeed. 

Defensively, Horvath still possesses the bounce he had when he manned shortstop full-time. He can make all the angular throws, all of which are supplemented by a plus throwing arm. Horvath's footwork is among the best you'll find at the position. As he continues to age into the position, the possibility exists Horvath could be a plus defender at the hot corner. Defensively, he's an asset.

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

107 Easton Swofford SS South Side Bee Branch 

Dee Branch, AR 

Arguably the best player out of the state of Arkansas in 2022, Swofford is a quick, twitchy middle-infielder with way more juice in the bat than his frame would lead you to believe. Swofford gets very high marks for contact rate and mature approach, fighting off pitches exclusively in the zone and drawing his walks. Swofford doesn't strikeout and uses the whole field. 

Swofford was one of the best hitters on the showcase circuit in 2021, posting a .444 batting average with a .559 on-base. He's got quick hands at the plate that work well covering every quadrant. Swofford has a very good arm on the dirt, but his actions and effort may eventually land him at second base where he could become an above average defender with an especially good ability to make plays to his right.