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

(previous rank)  research through 1-10-22)

 A bunch of new stuff has come in… interviews, mock drafts, scouting reports, film, etc. Major changes will begin with this post for this position.

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

Some of the best stuff in the 2022 class.

Stress-free operation with very little effort.

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.

70s curveball has solid depth with big, tight spin.

Downhill angle late riding life.

Has superior control of all three pitches.

Clean arm action and has plenty of projection on his frame.

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

Ole Miss commit

 

3.       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

All limbs.

Whole package is nasty, deceptive.

Been inconsistent at times.

 

4.  Noah Shultz (6) 

LHP 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.

Ultra-projectable behemoth

Funk coming from a low, short-arm vertical release.

Max Scherzer type release.

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

Vandy commit. Could be tough sign.

 

5. 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.

Heater-cambio combo are his bread and butter.

Elite change-up.

Will be ECU’s Friday starter.

Many consider him the top college lefty in draft.

 

6. 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.

Fits the profile of a future power pitcher.

Effortless, crossbody delivery with plenty of deception.

Commitment: Clemson

 

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.

Especially high marks for his command of the baseball.

 

8. Carson Palmquist (new) 

6-3 180 Miami

2021 “The U” stat line -

25-G, 1-1, 2.22

Can fill up a strikezone.

Primarily a reliever entering 2022.

Moving to rotation this year.

9. 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.

Sidelined with a shoulder strain toward the end of his prep career.

Needs to develop more velo.

 

10. 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.

He limits walks and gets a ton of swing-and-miss.

Some trouble remaining consistent.

Spent this past winter adding zip to fastball and optimizing the slider.

Grading systems:

FaBIO score of 99 (100 is the max)

DIGS grade of 89 (100 is the max).

 

11. 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.

Returns as Friday night starter.

Is anything but smooth.

Semi-windup with a long arm action and dice rol.,

 

12. Levi Huesman (new) 

5-11 185 Hanover HS

Arrived with a bang.

Most first views by scouts was a 7-IP, 17-K outing at Jupiter this summer.

Sits 92-95 with explosive life.

Breaker in the upper-70s and some 2600+ peaks.

75-80 slider.

Delivery is up-tempo and explosive.

Commitment: Coastal Carolina.

13. Brycen Mautz (new) 

6-3 190 Univ. San Diego

2021 stat line -

22-appearances, 1-0. 4.37, 1.17, 35-IP, 40-K

Soaring up the board.

Pitched 2021 from the pen.

Touched 96, sitting comfortably with a heavy 92- 94.

High 70s curveball, a low 80s slider and can turn over a mid-80s changeup.

Needs to stay ahead of hitters more.