2022 MLB Draft League: Pre-Draft Pitcher Rankings
By Mike Rosenbaum, Trevor Madison, Peyton Sumpter, Koby Bernstein and Brandon Smith
MLB Draft League Data Analysts
1 | Jonah Tong | RHP | FRE | 19 | Younger arm with wiry athletic frame and plenty of projection remaining. North Dakota St. is a data darling when looking at his fastball (up to 96, high spin offering w plus IVB outputs) and curveball (12-6 with good depth, over 2800 rpm). |
2 | Brock Blatter | RHP | SC | 18 | Blatter's projectable frame and four-pitch mix have shown room for improvement. High spin offerings on a 12-6 curveball (2700-2800 RPM) and 2-plane slider (2600-2700 RPM) with obvious ability to grow into more velocity as he matures. |
3 | KC Hunt | RHP | TRE | 22 | Hunt has starter traits as he commands a quality four-pitch mix headlined by a riding fastball (91-94) and a big 12-6 breaking curveball that has posted a 59% Whiff%. Showing starter durability was a big development for Hunt in the Draft League. |
4 | Trey Braithwaite | RHP | WV | 24 | Blazing 4-seamer (97-99) flashes double plus with great riding action paired with a serviceable slider which will give him the chance to be an effective reliever in pro-ball. |
5 | Micah Bucknam | RHP | TRE | 18 | Polished prep pitcher impressed against older Draft League hitters, posting a 0.53 ERA in 5 starts. He works at 91-92 (T94.5) with his fastball (30% Whiff%), effectively pitching up in the zone and complementing his heater with a sharp low-80s slider (35% Whiff%) and a nascent changeup. |
6 | Riley Gowens | RHP | WSP | 22 | Redesigned arsenal during Draft League stint and paid dividends with a 93-96 MPH riding fastball (18-21 IVB) that posted a 40% Whiff%, paired with a sweeping slider and depth-killing changeup. Starter traits. |
7 | Jackson Soucie | LHP | MV | 18 | A late arrival during the Draft League's first half, Soucie impressed immediately with his smooth delivery and three-pitch mix, showing an advanced feel for a low-90s FB (T95), a slider that he could land in the zone or bury for strikes, and a late-running changeup that flashes above-average with out-pitch potential. |
8 | Will Geerdes | RHP | MV | 22 | Deep six-pitch mix with starter traits headlined by a cutting fastball (88-93) which he commands well. Has the traits to be given a chance to start upon his arrival in pro-ball. |
9 | Jacob Peaden | RHP | WSP | 21 | Analytical darling of a relief prospect with a riding 4-seamer (93-95) with a flat vertical approach angle creating an "invisible-ball" illusion to hitters. Super athletic frame with a clean operation suggests plenty of future projection is still in the tank. |
10 | Duncan Davitt | RHP | MV | 22 | Right-hander with a low release point that gives fastball hopping action which generates 27% Whiff%. Curveball a solid secondary with 21" HZB and effective changeup as an out pitch diving down and away from righty barrels generating an astounding 50% chase rate and a 65% Whiff%. |
11 | Geo Rivera | RHP | FRE | 21 | Filthy slider with 14" HZB, 3" IVB that generates whiffs at a 35% Whiff%. Spins consistently at 2900 and frequently peaks above 3000. Fastball 90-92, T93 that generates 28% Whiff%. |
12 | Kohl Drake | LHP | MV | 21 | Athletic lefty that oozes with projection and dominated JUCO ball this past spring by posting a gaudy 160 K's to 17 BB. Starter traits with plus command of all pitches complete with an above-average curveball and changeup. |
13 | Austin Marozas | RHP | WSP | 23 | Marozas' XL, athletic frame pairs well with his above-average arsenal. The sinker (92-94) garnered a 92% GB% while with the DL and a sweeping slider and plus changeup (18" HB) kept hitters off balance. |
14 | Daniel Harper | RHP | SC | 23 | Harper has only improved during his stint with the Draft League while heavily relying on a hard fastball (95-97) and a lethal cutter (91-92). Both pitches have elite spin (2700-2800 RPM) and miss bats often. |
15 | Mason Ronan | LHP | SC | 22 | Ronan is a big-bodied left-hander who has stunned Draft League hitters with a good riding fastball and lethal breaking balls from his 3/4 slot. The curveball and slider have achieved 90% and 53% Whiff%, respectively. |
16 | Andrew Walling | LHP | WSP | 22 | Physical LHP is aggressive in the zone with four-seamer (94-96). Sharp, high-spin slider that has two plane movement with sweep. Quality reliever prospect. |
17 | JJ Sanchez | LHP | WSP | 22 | Super athletic body with a live arm. Two future plus pitches with a low release high hop fastball paired with a sweeping slider that consistently pushes over 12" of horizontal break. |
18 | Jean Paul Ramos | RHP | FRE | 17 | Puerto Rican prep has a loose, lively body with projectable arm strength (FB up to 91) and some natural spin ability with the breaking ball. Competed admirably against hitters 4-5 years his senior. |
19 | Wesley Scott | RHP | WSP | 21 | Big-bodied, power-throwing righty with a wide release and a deadly fastball-slider combo. 2-Seam 92-93, T94 with 10" IVB, 15" HZB riding laterally in on the hands of RHHs. Slider has 18" of HZB and 0" of IVB that spins at 2700 and generates 38% Whiff%. |
20 | Dillon Orr | RHP | SC | 19 | The big, physical prep righty showcased a unique fastball during his brief Draft League stint, running it up to 91 while averaging 19" IVB across his 58 tracked fastballs. |
21 | Will Schomberg | RHP | WV | 21 | Key trademark is a disgusting slider that averages 2900 spin and has been over 3,200. Has 19" of run off the table against RHHs. Throws in all counts to get ahead effectively. Fastball 92-93, T95 with 24% Whiff%. |
22 | Alan Carter | RHP | MV | 24 | Quick, short arm delivery with low release. Ride fastball 91-94, T96 with 17" of IVB generating 37% Whiff%. Superb slider with 10" of HZB and sweeping action generating 46% Whiff% and 15% Chase%. Has also shown deceptive curveball and changeup. |
23 | Cole Paplham | RHP | MV | 22 | Short power-throwing righty blows the fastball by guys at 95-97, T99 that generates 25% Whiff% and 11% Chase%. Slurvy slider with 16" of HZB and 6" of IVB plays off the fastball well. |
24 | Branden Noriega | LHP | WV | 21 | Projectable body and a low mileage arm with present arm strength, despite poor mechanics, has been up to 98, with a sharp breaking ball. |
25 | Connor Brandon | RHP | SC | 21 | Brandon's unique delivery and low slot aid in two plus pitches in his sinker and changeup, both achieving 16-18" of arm-side run. Has additional vertical depth on his changeup and the potential for a wipeout sweeping curveball. |
26 | Tyler Hoffman | RHP | SC | 22 | Hoffman has achieved high whiff rates with an above-average fastball (94-96) and a plus slider (41% Whiff%), showing his potential to be an effective bullpen arm. |
27 | Max Alba | RHP | WV | 23 | Swing-and-miss strikeout pitcher: 21K/3BB. Lethal ride fastball with 21" of IVB and 7" of HZB giving the illusion of rising vertically from release to plate. Up to 93 mph and generates 35% Whiff%. Hard slider pairs well with the fastball and moves with good sinking action down and away from RHH. Pitch generates 45% Whiff% and 29% Chase%. |
28 | Joe Joe Rodriguez | RHP | TRE | 22 | Rodriguez shows solid starter traits with his ability to miss bats and induce weak contact with each of his three pitches. He mainly operates with a 92-94 (T95) and a mid-to-upper 70s slurvy breaking ball (61% Whiff%, 2700 rpm avg.) while also working in a quality changeup (60% Whiff%). |
29 | Cobe Reeves | LHP | FRE | 21 | Big-bodied lefty with rubber band delivery that produces generous amounts of strikeouts and whiffs. Fastball up to 96 with 19% Chase% and 26% Whiff%. Breaking balls have good downward, gyro action that plays off the fastball well. |
30 | Braden Nett | RHP | WSP | 20 | Sturdy power-pitching righty. Hop fastball is extremely effective with 17" of ride at 92-94, T96 creating 35% Whiff%. Curveball spins 2700-2900 with 12-6 action that he throws in all counts for strikes. |
31 | Creed Watkins | RHP | WSP | 21 | Athletic right-hander with a big fastball up to 99 with a sharp 12-6 curveball. |
32 | Easton Sikorski | RHP | WSP | 22 | Knows how to pitch with a quality 4-pitch mix. Starter traits as he repeats his delivery and commands his arsenal well. |
33 | Will Stevens | RHP | SC | 20 | Super raw talent, has struggled to command pitches. Fastball has been up to 96 numerous times in the Draft League with a hard sweeping slider and a sharp curveball-- both breaking balls with above-average spin (2900-3100 RPM). |
34 | Terry Busse | RHP | WSP | 20 | Busse has a promising bullpen profile, as he attacks hitters with a riding 94-96 FB and a pair of swing-and-miss breaking balls, both of which induce whiffs. |
35 | DJ Carpenter | RHP | FRE | 22 | Long and lanky right-handed groundball pitcher. Ride fastball 92-94, T95 with 17" of ride and 11" of run. Slider has more of a slurvy shape but gets whiffs at an incredible 44% Whiff%. |
36 | Javier Ramos | RHP | TRE | 22 | Ramos has thrown gas for two straight Draft League seasons, touching 97.5 this summer with a low-to-mid 80s swing-and-miss slider (61% Whiff%) |
37 | Aaron Roberts | RHP | WSP | 21 | XL frame with long levers. Command is an issue, but has above-average raw tools. Fastball has been up to 97, with plus riding action up in the zone. Throws a curveball, that has more of a slurvy shape. High spin offering. Plenty of upside with Roberts. |
38 | Josh Bortka | RHP | SC | 23 | Big, physical right-hander that racked up insane whiff rates during his stint with the Draft League, including a 61% Whiff% on his slider. Good velocity on riding fastball (T95) and elite spin rates on all pitches. |
39 | Zach Fruit | RHP | FRE | 22 | Fruit racked up more strikeouts than any other Draft League pitcher, punching out 36 in 22 innings (14.7 K/9) compared to seven walks. He has the two requisite pitches to become a good pro reliever, pairing a 92-95 T96 FB (39% Whiff%) with an upper-70s slider (32% Whiff%). |
40 | Eli Ankeney | LHP | MV | 21 | Deceptive southpaw attacks hitters, missing bats and inducing weak contact with a disappearing low-90s fastball that averages 20" IVB. |
41 | Ben Thompson | RHP | MV | 20 | Sturdy right-hander with big-time arm strength, Thompson has a pair of present above-average offerings: a 94-95 mph with 18"+ IVB that gives it excellent riding life up in the zone (36% Whiff%), and a mid-70s changeup that absolutely drops off the table, eliciting ugly swings from hitters on both sides of the plate (66.7% Whiff%). |
42 | Mark Adamiak | RHP | SC | 21 | Poised righty with a solid arsenal. Fastball (T97) pairs well with cutter and sweeping slider (113 sweep+), both secondaries generating whiffs (35% and 40% respectively). |
43 | Wyatt Wendell | RHP | WV | 22 | Wendell operates with a four-pitch mix led by a low-90s fastball and a high-spin (T3000+), swing-and-miss slider (61% Whiff%), and he also shows aptitude for turning over a quality changeup. |
44 | Austin Becker | RHP | WV | 22 | Becker has a big arm (up to 95) but lacks consistency with his fastball. Improvement on that front stands to make both his curveball and changeup (50% Whiff% each in DL) even more effective. |
45 | Cédric De Grandpré | RHP | WV | 20 | De Grandpré has numerous starter traits, including a repeatable delivery and advanced feel for sequencing his pitches. He can run his fastball up to 95+, pitching to both sides of the plate, and De Grandpré can keep hitters off balance using his curveball and changeup that fuels his starter potential. |
46 | Mason Olson | LHP | SC | 20 | Small, crafty lefty that knows how to pitch, fills the zone with sinker/slider and is uncomfortable at-bat. |
47 | Jonathan Pintaro | RHP | FRE | 24 | A big physical right-handed pitcher with a deceptive 3/4 release. Pintaro features a (91-95) FB, an 85 mph Cutter, and a high-spin curveball with heavy downward action (-16 IVB). |
48 | Cameron Tullar | LHP | FRE | 22 | Muscular lefty with nasty offspeed pitches. Slider sweeps down and in on the hands of RHHs with 8" of horizontal break garnering 30% Chase% and 50% Whiff%. Changeup plays off the fastball well with good downward action and 10" or run making it an effective out pitch. |
49 | Tyler Jeans | RHP | TRE | 23 | Projectable, athletic righty only improved during his Draft League campaign, showing more velocity (T95) as the season progressed along with a high-spin (2600-2800) swing-and-miss (~40% Whiff%) slider. |
50 | Alec Whaley | RHP | TRE | 24 | Plus sinker (0" IVB, 19" HB) induces lots of soft contact on the ground. Swing-and-miss slider has accumulated 48% Whiff%%. Low slot makes for an uncomfortable AB. |