MLB Mock Draft 2022: Druw Jones, Jackson Holliday make a splash
By Eric Treuden
6. Miami Marlins mock draft: INF Termarr Johnson
While my latest predictions of the top-five had Termarr Johnson landing in Pittsburgh with the fourth pick, I believe the Pirates are more likely to take a different middle infield prospect with their selection, but we’ll get to that in a bit.
I am now of the belief that the Miami Marlins are going to be the lucky winners of the Johnson sweepstakes. Johnson has what is likely the best hit-tool in the entire draft class but there are some concerns around the industry that his size will get in the way of a long, successful major league career as he is just 5-10 coming out of high school.
Johnson has been described by scouts as “a combination of Wade Boggs’ plate discipline mixed with Vlad Guerrero Sr.’s bat-to-ball skills” which is crazy to think about. He is being held back by his defense limitations (he is a shortstop now but has virtually no chance of sticking there once he is drafted, more likely a second baseman) but will land in Miami and give them a very strong duo of Kahlil Watson and Johnson as the infield of the future.
5. Washington Nationals mock draft: C Kevin Parada
While I had Kevin Parada going higher in my initial predictions, there isn’t a better (and more obvious) fit than Parada and the Washington Nationals. The club has been said to be “very heavily interested” in his services and will be glad to snatch him up with the fifth pick in the draft.
Parada has been on the receiving end of a ton of criticism when it comes to his defense but in recent days he has been said to have taken “massive strides” to better himself behind the plate. His wish is to stick at catcher longterm and it’s a very encouraging sign to see him putting in the work to do exactly that.
The Nationals have Keibert Ruiz atop their current depth chart behind the plate but behind him there’s a whole lot of nothing. Whether Parada stays behind the plate or not remains to be seen but him landing with the Nats feels like the best fit for everyone involved.