(previous rank) research through 1-10-22)
1. Brandon Barriera (1)
6-1 170 American Heritage Plantation HS (FL)
82-IP, 125-K, 1.02 WHIP
Age At Draft: 18.4
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.
Fiery and competitive demeanor.
Lots of projection left here.
Vandy commit
2. Jackson Ferris (2)
6-5 190 IMG Academy
0.55 ERA, 50.2 OP, 86-K, 13-BB
Age At Draft: 18.5
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. Tristan Smith (6)
6-2 200 Boiling Springs (SC)
47 1/3-IP, 79 strikeouts, 1.25 WHIP
Age At Draft: 19.1
Dominated at Perfect Game’s National showcase last summer, pitching two perfect innings and striking out every batter he faced.
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
4. Carson Whisenhurst (5)
6-3 205 East Carolina
2021 ECU stat line -
13-G, 6-2, 3.77, 62-IP, 79-K
Age At Draft: 21.7
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.
Isn’t overpowering, but solid across the board.
Many consider him the top college lefty in draft.
5. Noah Shultz (4)
LHP 6-9 220 Oswego Vandy commit
18 2/3-IP, 24-K, 1.39 WHIP
Age At Draft: 18.9
89-91, T93 FB (with life), mid-70s slider, low- 80s change, slurvy massive spin breaker.
Extremely tall and lanky.
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.
6. Bryce Hubbart (3)
5-11 180 Florida State
2021 FSU stat line -
16-G, 14-ST, 6-5, 3.80, 71-IP, 94-K
Age At Draft: 21.0
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.
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
Age At Draft: 21.5
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. Hunter Barco (9)
6-4 208 Florida
2021 stat line -
17-starts, 10-3, 4.01, 83-IP, 94-K
Age At Draft: 21.6
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.
Has a chance to shoot up draft boards with solid performance.
9. Carson Palmquist (8)
6-3 180 Miami
2021 “The U” stat line -
25-G, 1-1, 2.22, 44.2-IP, 75-K
8-BB… a 9.38 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
Team USA this summer -
7-K, 0-BB
Age At Draft: 21.7
Can fill up a strikezone.
Primarily a reliever entering 2022.
Moving to rotation this year.
10. Parker Messick (11)
6-0 230 Florida State
2021 FSU stat line -
23-starts, 3.10, 90-IP, 126-K (12.6 K/9), 23-BB (2.3 BB/9)
Age At Draft: 21.7
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 roll.
11. Cooper Hjerpe (10)
6-2 190 Oregon State
2021 Oregon State stat line -
18-G, 16-ST, 3-6, 4.21, 1.17, 77-IP, 98-K
Age At Draft: 21.3
Four pitch mix, and the ability to throw strikes.
Low-90s FB, a cutter, a slider and a changeup.
Velocity was reportedly much better in the fall, sitting in the 93-97 mph range.
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).
12. Levi Huesman (12)
5-11 185 Hanover HS
Age At Draft: 18.9
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.
2400-2600 slider.
75-80 slider.
Delivery is up-tempo and explosive.
Commitment: Coastal Carolina.
13. Nate Savino (new)
LHP 6-3 195 Virginia
2021 stat line -
16-G, 10-starts, 3-3, 3.79, 54.2-IP, 34-K, 16-BB
Age At Draft: 20.5
Mid-90s FB (heavy sink), hi-70s sweeping curve, 80s curve
His slider looks like bread and butter pitch.
Got hit around a bit in six innings with Team USA this summer.
Took a step forward with velocity during the fall.
14. Michael Kennedy (new)
5-11 210 Troy HS (NY)
FB in upper 80s, but has hit 93.
Scouts give him future plus control grades.
velocity will need to progress,.
78-80 mph slider and 80-82 mph changeup are 55 grade.
Best pitch is his slider. Sits high-70s with high spin and late-breaking action.
Committed to Louisiana State.
15. Brycen Mautz (13)
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.
