MLB Draft 2022: Winners and losers from Round 1

MLB Draft 2022: The losers

#1 – The Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs made the surprising decision to take right-handed pitcher Cade Horton with the seventh pick in the first round. Horton is just fine as a pitcher and was a big part of this past year’s College World Series, but going this early in the draft is something of a head-scratcher.

The 20-year-old righty spent time last year with his collegiate Oklahoma Sooners as both a starting pitcher and an infielder. On the mound, Horton had 11 starts (and three relief appearances) and while his 4.86 ERA doesn’t reflect much success, he struck out 64 batters and walked just 15 in 53+ innings.

With the bat, Horton hit just .235 with a single home run and more strikeouts than you’d like to see. The Cubs drafted him as a pitcher and he will likely function exclusively as one in the future. Again, not a bad player, but an odd pick to make with the seventh overall choice.

#2 – The Colorado Rockies

The reaction to the Colorado Rockies selecting Gabriel Hughes with the tenth-overall pick in the first round is very similar to the Cubs selection of Horton.

Hughes is a fine pitcher but his being drafted by the Rockies, whose home is the biggest hitter-friendly park in the majors, is very confusing at first glance.

The 20-year-old starter is another highly-talented player (don’t let that be forgotten as you read this) but it’s just a bit confusing that he landed with the Rockies with such a high pick.

Hughes dominated last year with his collegiate Gonzaga Bulldogs, making 15 starts and posting a 3.21 ERA in 98 innings. He is a high-strikeout pitcher, as evidenced by his 138 K’s against just 37 walks across his starts. He also has done exceptionally well with limiting the longball, as he surrendered just five big flies last year.

#3 – The New York Mets

Yes, the New York Mets landed one of the best hitting players in this year’s MLB Draft class in Kevin Parada. He has been an unreal offensive force in recent years in college but his being drafted by the Mets is a very odd move on the surface.

With the presence of uber-prospect Francisco Álvarez already in the Mets system, a selection of another catcher seems strange. The oft-used line of ‘draft the best player, not strictly from a position of need’ is always prevalent in times like this. Yet, unless one of these young catchers is switching positions, or Álvarez is moved (wink wink), this move leaves me with more questions than answers.