MLB Mock Draft 2022: Druw Jones, Jackson Holliday make a splash
By Eric Treuden
2022 MLB Mock Draft: Predicting the top-ten selections
It’s one of the most exciting times of the year for baseball fans as we are less than a week away from the start of the 2022 installment of the MLB Draft.
While the draft as a whole is nearly impossible to accurately predict (especially with the Orioles picking first), it’s still a tradition like no other to form the best MLB mock draft that you can.
The Orioles comment above is out of absolutely no disrespect to the system GM Mike Elias and Co. have going for them. The thing with Baltimore is nobody ever knows what exactly they’re going to do with their first pick in the draft.
This year they are rumored to be considering picking an untraditional player first round in an effort to spread out their available bonus pool money instead of centering it all around one single player.
MLB Mock Draft: Predicting the top-ten picks
Following the Orioles in this year’s installment are the Diamondbacks, Rangers, Pirates, Nationals, Marlins, Cubs, Twins, Royals and Rockies.
10. Colorado Rockies mock draft: INF/OF Jacob Berry
There is no guarantee that Jacob Berry will still be available this late in the draft. However, the total talent pool in this year’s draft is absolutely outrageous and there’s a real shot that he falls all the way to tenth and the Colorado Rockies will be happy to snag him.
Berry has an exceptional eye at the plate and has light-tower-power from both sides of the plate. He’s made significant strides in his game by cutting down on the amount of times he strikes out in his most recent stint in college ball. All told, he hit 15 home runs with a slash-line of .370/.464/.630 this spring so he will be a hot commodity in this year’s draft.
Berry is a third baseman by trade but he does not do well on defense. He’s gotten looks at third and in the outfield corners but has looked rough everywhere he’s been played by his collegiate LSU Tigers. The lack of defense does impact his value and is what I believe will make him drop to tenth.
9. Kansas City Royals mock draft: OF Gavin Cross
Cross is another college bat that has a knack of getting on base consistently. He had an on-base percentage of .411 with Virginia Tech last season, hitting 17 home runs and stealing 12 bases along the way.
Cross, 21, has a great eye at the plate as well, as he drew nearly as many walks (30) as he did strikeouts (41) in 57 games with the Hokies.
His blend of speed and on-base skills mixed with his budding power makes him an exciting pick for this Kansas City Royals squad. He is a center fielder by trade but he will be able to slot in anywhere in the outfield down the line, with the athleticism to play above-average defense anywhere.