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When is the 2022 MLB Draft? (Every Team's Draft Position, Top Prospects, Odds for No. 1 Pick)

By Ben Heisler

Many MLB Draft analysts have Georgia H.S. outfielder Druw Jones as the No. 1 overall pick, but odds indicate he will not go first to the Orioles.
Many MLB Draft analysts have Georgia H.S. outfielder Druw Jones as the No. 1 overall pick, but odds indicate he will not go first to the Orioles. / CBS Sports
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Before bettors look to lock up their Home Run Derby wagering selections, or bet on this year's Mid-Summer Classic from Dodger Stadium this upcoming Tuesday, the future of baseball gets a slot in prime time this Sunday with the first round of the 2022 Major League Baseball Draft.

The draft is a total of 20 rounds over three days, that also feature rounds for compensatory picks and competitive balance in the sport.

While many of these future prospects are nowhere near the household names as other top draft picks in other major American sports, the draft still provides unique opportunities to bet on where each player will go overall, as well as multiple prop bet opportunities where bettors can project their over/under on their draft slot for this year.

When and Where is the 2022 MLB Draft?

This year's draft begins at 7 p.m. ET from the home of this year's MLB All-Star Break, Los Angeles, California. The first round takes place at at Xbox Plaza in downtown L.A, and will be broadcast live on both MLB Network as well as ESPN.

Who is the Top Prospect in This Year's MLB Draft?

Right now, the consensus best player in this year's Draft is Georgia high school center fielder Druw Jones, the son of former Big Leaguer and 10-time Gold Glove winner Andruw Jones. However, as the odds indicate, it doesn't appear that Jones will end up in the Orioles' organization.

Unlike the drafts for the NFL and NBA, the best overall player on the board does not always go No. 1 overall due to team budgets. Each MLB Draft Pick is assigned a slot for compensation, but players who may have a higher demand or asking price may slip in the draft if a team is willing to go "above slot" to acquire them. In Baltimore's case, it appears they may look to save money with their first pick to then draft more expensive players later on with their savings.

MLB Draft Odds (Who is the Favorite to Go No. 1 Overall in the MLB Draft?)

Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook:

  • Termarr Johnson - 330
  • Brooks Lee +250
  • Druw Jones +400
  • Jackson Holliday +750
  • Jacob Berry +8000
  • Elijah Green +10000
  • Kevin Parada +15000
  • Gavin Cross +20000

Of this list, Parada is the player with the lowest over/under on the board at 4.5; with heavy juice on the over at -295, compared to UNDER 4.5 at +210.

Other notable names, including Brock Porter, Zach Neto, Justin Crawford, Jace Jung, Dylan Lesko, and Daniel Susac all range from 12.5 - 17.5 on the board.

2022 MLB Draft Betting Pick and Prediction

The betting markets have had all sorts of movement earlier today, as we've seen Cal Poly shortstop Brooks Lee go as the consensus favorite at DraftKings to second on the board behind Georgia H.S infielder Termarr Johnson.

With Johnson now at -330, and Lee all the way down to +250, I don't see any value in taking the favorite, nor the recent favorite with this type of fall.

Instead, I'll take a chance that both options are a bit of a smokescreen, as the Orioles have had interest in Jones' talent. And who can blame them!

At +400, I still find value in the best player on almost every team's board going to Baltimore if the price is right.

LEAN: Druw Jones to go No. 1 Overall (+400)

What is the 2022 MLB Draft Order?

The Baltimore Orioles have the first overall pick, and will also pick at No. 33 for MLB's Competitive Balance Round A. The Colorado Rockies can select three players in the first 39 picks: No. 10 overall, No. 31 (compensation round), as well as No. 38 (Competitive Balance Round A). Furthermore, the New York Mets own two picks in the top 14 (11, 14) as compensation for not signing Vanderbilt pitcher Kumar Rocker by the deadline of last year's draft.

2022 MLB Draft Order (First Round)

  1. Baltimore Orioles
  2. Arizona Diamondbacks
  3. Texas Rangers
  4. Pittsburgh Pirates
  5. Washington Nationals
  6. Miami Marlins
  7. Chicago Cubs
  8. Minnesota Twins
  9. Kansas City Royals
  10. Colorado Rockies
  11. New York Mets (compensation pick)
  12. Detroit Tigers
  13. Los Angeles Angels
  14. New York Mets
  15. San Diego Padres
  16. Cleveland Guardians
  17. Philadelphia Phillies
  18. Cincinnati Reds
  19. Oakland Athletics
  20. Atlanta Braves
  21. Seattle Mariners
  22. St. Louis Cardinals
  23. Toronto Blue Jays
  24. Boston Red Sox
  25. New York Yankees
  26. Chicago White Sox
  27. Milwaukee Brewers
  28. Houston Astros
  29. Tampa Bay Rays
  30. San Francisco Giants

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