(last week’s rank - research through 12-31-21)
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. Reggie Crawford (4)
1B/P 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 player.
Projected top power hitter.
Generally reluctant to take his walks.
Has touched 101 as a pitcher.
Out for entire 2022 season due to TJS.
Before his UCL injury, there may not have been a more exciting player in college baseball.
One of the most dynamic players in college baseball when healthy.
2. Tyler Locklear (8)
1B/3B 6-3 215 VCU
2021 VCU stat line -
54-G, 194-AB, team leading .345, 16-HR
Immense physical strength.
2021:
Became the first player in the history of the conference to win both A-10 Player and Rookie of the Year in the same season
Hit 16 home runs, which is a VCU freshman record, the second-most in a single season in program history, and tied for the most in the A-10
Led the conference in runs (69), RBIs (66), on-base percentage (.515), and walks (46), all marks that rank in the top 10 in VCU history for a single season
Draws a ton of walks.
Some of the biggest pure raw juice in the 2022 class.
Below average defender.
3. Luke Gold (3)
Boston College
2021 BC stat line -
44-G, 177-AB, .318/.364/.576, 9-HR
Played 2B and 3B last season - projects to 1B.
Real knack for barreling up the baseball.
One of the better bats in the 2022 class.
Superb at launch angle.
Close to 55/55 bat projection.
Defensively, soft hands.
Sub-par arm strength, which warrants move to first.
4. Spencer Jones (6)
1B 6-7 205 Vanderbilt
2021 Vandy stat line -
34-G, 94-AB, .274/.346/.421, 10-HR
2021 Cape -
.309/.409/.457
Limited first base play due to Dominic Keegan.
The biggest slugger in the 2022 class was shutdown in 2020 with TJS.
Five-tool capability as a position player.
Simply needs to play more - might see him more at corner outfield position.
Health going forward a question.
Could have the rare plus hit, plus power profile.
5. Eli Serrano (10)
6-5 195 Pro5 Acadamy (NC)
XL frame with plenty of projection & athleticism.
Lot of power potential.
Considerable upside at the plate.
Bat will carry him forward.
Solid 91 mph arm.
NC State commit.
6. Ethan Long (new)
6-2 220 Arizona State
2021 ASU stat line -
51-G, 162-AB, team leading .340/.417/.704/1.121, 16-HR, 46-K
Sterling reputation inside the industry.
He's the ultimate cheerleader for his teammates.
Plus raw power.
Some strikeout concerns.
Figures to be a middle-of-the-order hitter.
He's certainly a first baseman.
Bat could be significant.
7. Dalton Rushing (5)
1B 5-11 230 Louisville
2021 Louisville stat line -
142-AB, .314/.401/.542, 6-HR
Played in only 28 games (blocked by Alex Benelas).
2021 Summer (Bourne) -
.319/.428/.543, 7-HR
+ Power bat - ++ swing speed.
Showed up at the Cape muscled up.
Patient hitter - works counts.
1B profile only going forward.
Fringy runner.
Needs to cut down strikeouts.
8. Ivan Melendez (7)
6-3 225 Texas
Huge 2021 slashing .319/.438/.603, 13-HR.
16th round by Marlins last season.
Transferred Odessa College.
Hit .319, 13-HR. 51-RBI in first season at Texas.
Top 20 in country in xwOBA.
70-grade raw power.
Enough athleticism to handle first.
Average arm.
He only played six games in the field last season.
9. Drew Compton (new)
6-2 210 Georgia Tech
2021 GT stat line -
52-G, 187-AB, .294, team leading 13-HR
Monster at the plate as a prep.
Switch-hitter with some juice in his bat.
Struggled at the Cape this summer.
Playing third, but projects going forward at 1B.
10. Ryan Clifford (new)
6-3 215 Pro5 Academy
Solid power to all fields.
Led Canes National this summer in Home Runs
Strong 94 mph arm.
May be enough athleticism here to handle the OF.
Bat will dictate where he plays.
11. Xavier Issac (9)
6-4 240 East Forsyth HS (NC)
98 games, .332-6-72 with a 1.009 OPS
Big kid with even bigger power.
Multiple 95+ MPH exit velocities at WWBA in October.
Defensively, limited to first base,
Florida commit.
12. Yoel Tejada Jr. (new)
6-6 205 North Broward Prep
Key Stats:
123-G. .255-5-70, .797 OPS, 38+ IP, 38-K.
Lanky frame with tons of projection remaining.
Switch-hitter with serious raw power.
Projects to end up at first.
Also throws a 94 heater.
13. Dominic Keegan (1)
1B Vanderbilt
2021 Vandy stat line -
60-G, 262-AB, .345/.427/.628, 15-HR, 74-K
Drafted in 19th Rd. 2021 Draft by Yankees
2021 Cape -
49-PA, .302/.388/.651, 5-HR
(1 HR per 10 PA)
Massive year at the plate in 2021.
Ranked in top 25 in the country in xwOBA at .468.
One of top power hitters in draft.
Top right hand hitting first basemen in draft.
Needs to cut down 28% K-rate.
Defensively, Keegan is fringy with some stiff actions.
6 comments:
I just wonder if we need a 1B at all, with Alonso, Smith, and Vientos.
To me, 1B is a low priority for 2022. Increasing priority in a year or 2.
Tyler Locklear does sound like the second coming of Pete Alonso, though.
A team always needs players for their affiliates.
But, I too don't see drafting early here.
They all sound invincible in school.
Remember David Thompson
Very true.
Give me Crawford in the second round. The next three have intrigue but I’d tell Serrano that Piazza was drafted as a first baseman too, and see how he feels about that thought.
This is why: 1) I want to trade Alonso. His value will never be higher and the Mets have plenty of options. Plus, alternatives are pretty available for a guy that can hit the ball hard, when he hits it, but has no walk rate to talk of or a defensive contribution.
2) I wouldn’t draft a first baseman unless he profiled like one of these top ones. If it’s to put a guy there that has too many question marks, let me put one of my top position prospects there if I have duplicity (ahem, Baty/Vientos).
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