2022 MLB Draft Revisited: Every Team's Class Two Years Later

Image credit: Jackson Holliday (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

NOTE: With the 2024 MLB Draft set to begin this weekend, we’re taking a look back at some recent draft classes to reevaluate teams on their selections. See below for links to other classes from the past few years. You can see results from every draft here.

It often takes 10 years to fully evaluate a draft, and it can be five to seven years before a firm picture begins to develop on how draft classes shake out.

If you take the top five picks from the 2017 draft as an example, the evaluations of Hunter Greene, Royce Lewis, MacKenzie Gore, Kyle Wright and Brendan McKay have all changed significantly over the years due to major injuries and, in some cases, bouts of ineffectiveness.

With the benefit of hindsight, teams would almost assuredly choose the three prep picks (Lewis, Greene and Gore) among those five picks, but there was a time when Greene was out with Tommy John surgery, Lewis had two ACL injuries and Gore had a two-year stretch where he struggled with reduced stuff. Wright was an effective starter in a playoff rotation before suffering injury, and McKay reached the majors quickly, only to have shoulder and elbow injuries derail his career.

That’s a long preamble to say that this look at the 2022 draft just two years later is an incomplete snapshot in time. Certainly, some of the prospects not mentioned here will turn into solid big leaguers. And some players who are top prospects now will hit career-altering issues. It’s the nature of prospect development.

SEE THE RANKINGS

That said, two years is still enough time to take a look at how each team’s 2022 MLB draft class is faring in the early stages of their professional careers. We’re trying to be reasonable in these evaluations by building everything around average. It’s too soon to fully grade these drafts, but it’s not too soon to get some sense of how draft classes are sorting out.

For this evaluation, we tried to distribute the drafts evenly. There are two great drafts, seven above-average drafts, 13 average drafts, six with some concerns and two that so far are below-average.

Check out other MLB Draft Reviews here:

2021 draft class
2020 draft class

Great Drafts

Baltimore Orioles

Jackson Holliday struggled in his first MLB stint, but he’s a high school draftee who’s the No. 2 prospect in baseball and has already reached the majors. The other prep picks from the top five haven’t even reached Double-A yet. So far, Holliday is the star of this draft, but Dylan Beavers, Jud Fabian, Cameron Weston, Max Wagner and Trace Bright all rank in the Orioles Top 30.

Chicago White Sox

Prep pitchers are viewed as a risky gambit, but the White Sox got lefthander Noah Schultz with the 26th pick overall and he’s now one of the best pitching prospects in baseball. Third-rounder Jonathan Cannon has reached the majors while Tyler Schweitzer, Eric Adler, Brooks Baldwin, Mason Adams and Peyton Pallette all rank in Chicago’s Top 30. There is a risk to being this aggressive ranking a draft based on a prep pitcher, but at this snapshot in time, Schultz’s ascendance makes this a standout draft.

Above-Average Drafts

Boston Red Sox

Boston’s first pick was 24th overall, so getting Top 100 Prospect Roman Anthony (second round) makes this a solid draft. Anthony received the biggest bonus even though he was the team’s third pick. Fourth-rounder Chase Meidroth is a Red Sox top 10 prospect. First rounder Mikey Romero is on a slower track than Anthony, but he also remains in the Top 30.

Chicago Cubs

The 2022 draft is filled with top 10 selections team might not do again if they had a do-over. The Cubs, however, likely would take righthander Cade Horton again, so that’s a win. He’s their lone Top 100 Prospect from this draft, but lefthander Jackson Ferris could also crack the Top 100 one day (though, If he does, it will be as a Dodger, as he’s already been traded). Righthanders Brandon Birdsell and Nazier Mule and catcher Haydn McGeary are all top 30 prospects.

Houston Astros

The Astros quickly traded first-rounder Drew Gilbert and 11th-rounder Ryan Clifford to bring Justin Verlander back to Houston. Gilbert is a Top 100 Prospect while Clifford has struggled after the trade, but both are top 10 prospects for the Mets. Second-rounder Jacob Melton is the Astros’ No. 1 prospect. Houston did good work in the later rounds. In addition to Clifford, infielder Zach Dezenzo, a 12th-round pick, looks like a steal while seventh-round righthander A.J. Blubaugh and 10th-rounder Zach Cole are now Astros top 10 prospects.

Los Angeles Angels

Getting shortstop Zach Neto at 13th overall is a steal. He’s one of the best picks from the first round. Third-round righthander Ben Joyce has reached the majors and shows flashes as a reliever. Eleventh-rounder Caden Dana is a Top 100 Prospect who has thrived as one of the youngest players in Double-A. Sixth-rounder Victor Mederos has also pitched in the majors, but he’s struggled in Double-A.

Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers only had one pick in the top 100 picks and no first rounder. They nabbed catcher Dalton Rushing in the second round and he’s turned into a Top 100 Prospect. The same is true of third-rounder Alex Freeland. The rest of the draft hasn’t matched that start, but getting two Top 100 Prospects with the 40th and 105th picks overall is a great job.

Minnesota Twins

Brooks Lee slid to the eighth pick, and the Twins took advantage. He’s playing in the big leagues and has hit whenever he’s been healthy. Lefthander Connor Prielipp, the team’s second round pick, has not been healthy at all, but the development of eighth-rounder Zebby Matthews, now a Top 100 Prospect, has made up for that. Day two righthanders Andrew Morris (4th round) and Cory Lewis (9th round) are also worth keeping an eye on, and 13th-rounder C.J. Culpepper has been even better than them.

Tampa Bay Rays

Selecting first baseman Xavier Isaac with the 29th overall pick looks like a coup. He’s a Top 50 prospect who would go much higher if teams had a do-over. Second-round outfielder Brock Jones has struggled to make contact, but supplemental second–round outfielder Chandler Simpson has already led the minors in stolen bases and is battling for the MiLB batting crown in 2024. The pick that moves this draft into the above-average category, though, is the emergence of righthander Gary Gill Hill (sixth round). He just cracked the back of the Top 100 and looks like the latest Rays’ pitching find.

Average Drafts

Cincinnati Reds

First-rounder Cam Collier has had plenty of ups and downs already, but he and second-rounder Sal Stewart are both solid prospects with some defensive questions. The best of the rest may end up being an astute 15th round pick in lefthander Adam Serwinowski. Sixth-round pick Zach Maxwell will likely find a big league role thanks to his big arm.

Cleveland Guardians

This could every well end up being an above-average draft in a few years. Injuries are the biggest reason it’s average for now. First-round outfielder Chase DeLauter has looked good when he’s been healthy, but he’s struggling to stay on the field. Supplemental first rounder Justin Campbell has yet to get on the field because of injuries. Second-round lefthander Parker Messick is a crafty pitcher and eighth-round lefty Jackson Humphries is a promising arm.

Colorado Rockies

Outfielder Jordan Beck (supplemental first round) has made the majors, and he, supplemental first round outfielder Sterlin Thompson and third-round lefthander Carson Palmquist are all Rockies Top 10 prospects. First-round righthander Gabriel Hughes, the 10th overall pick, has been sidelined since mid-2023 with Tommy John surgery. There are a number of potential big leaguers from this class, including prospects like Ryan Ritter, Zach Agnos and Michael Prosecky.

Detroit Tigers

Jace Jung, the 12th overall pick, is a Top 100 Prospect. Fourth-round righthander Troy Melton has shown promise, as well. Detroit only had two picks in the top 100 picks and it shows. Second-round shortstop Peyton Graham has struggled to hit, and as of yet, there hasn’t been a breakout late-round pick.

Milwaukee Brewers

Righthander Jacob Misiorowski, a second-round pick, has blossomed into a Top 100 Prospect. That almost pushes this to an above-average class, but first-rounder Eric Brown has struggled and supplemental second-round pick Robert Moore was traded. The team’s 12th-round pick, prep infielder Luke Adams, looks like an astute pick.

New York Yankees

Getting a pair of Top 100 Prospects (outfielder Spencer Jones and righthander Drew Thorpe) is an excellent return for a team that didn’t pick until 25th overall. Righthander Chase Hampton (6th round) is also one of the Yankees’ better pitching prospects.

Oakland Athletics

The development of outfielder Henry Bolte (second round) this year to go with the solid performance of outfielder Colby Thomas (third round) and the steady performance of first-rounder Daniel Susac makes this a solid draft.

Philadelphia Phillies

Outfielder Justin Crawford is a Top 100 Prospect who’s been a steady performer. Fifth-rounder Orion Kerkering proved it’s possible to get a fast-moving college arm to help the big league bullpen a little over a year after the draft. The rest of this draft seems more like role players, but hitting on two picks is a solid effort.

New York Mets

The Mets had two first round picks. Catcher Kevin Parada (11th overall) has struggled to live up to expectations, but shortstop/center fielder Jett Williams (14th overall) is a Top 100 Prospect. Righthander Blade Tidwell (second round) is one of the Mets’ best pitching prospects, and seventh-round righthander Jonah Tong is off to a great start, as well.

San Diego Padres

The Padres have already two 2022 draftees to the majors in second-round righthander Adam Mazur and 13th-round third baseman Graham Pauley. Lefthander Robby Snelling had a standout 2023 season before struggling this year. Similarly, first-rounder Dylan Lesko has flashed the form he showed in high school, but he’s had control issues.

San Francisco Giants

This was a pitching-heavy draft for the Giants; the team’s top six picks were all pitchers. Sixth-rounder Hayden Birdsong has already reached the majors while lefthanders Reggie Crawford (1st round) and Carson Whisenhunt (2nd round) aren’t far behind him. Outfielder Wade Meckler (eighth round) has also had an MLB cup of coffee already. For a team that picked 30th overall, this is a very solid draft class.

Seattle Mariners

This isn’t as flashy as the Mariners’ 2023 draft class, which looks like a tour de force so far, but there’s plenty to like in Seattle’s 2022 draft. First round prep shortstop Cole Young is a very productive hitter, and second rounder Tyler Locklear has already reached the majors. Both are Top 100 Prospects. It’s a top-heavy class for now, although prep arms like Walter Ford and Ashton Izzi could be late bloomers.

St. Louis Cardinals

Picking 22nd overall, the Cardinals added four college pitchers among their top six picks. Lefthander Cooper Hjerpe (1st round) is one of the team’s top pitching prospects. The returns on lefthanders Brycen Mautz (2nd round) and Pete Hansen (3rd round) have been less encouraging so far, but that has been balanced out by the emergence of outfielder Victor Scott (fifth round). Scott has struggled to match his 2023 season, but he’s reached the majors already, and his speed and defense are valuable. Catcher Jimmy Crooks (fourth round) is a Cardinals top 10 prospect while righthander Max Rajcic (6th round) also cracks the Cardinals Top 20.

Drafts With Some Concerns

Arizona Diamondbacks

If Arizona had picked 15th, this would fit in the average draft category. But picking second overall, outfielder Druw Jones’ struggles with injuries and the fact that he has yet to reach High-A have to rank as causes for concern. Jones is the only player from this draft who ranks in the D’Backs’ top 10 currently. Arizona could get several finds from the fifth round on, as fifth-rounder Andrew Pintar, seventh-rounder Demetrio Crisantes and 11th rounder Spencer Giesting all crack the D’backs Top 20. Arizona picked three college pitchers (Landon Sims, Nate Savino and Dylan Ray) in the top four rounds. Sims has moved to the bullpen, Savino has barely pitched and Ray (No. 23 on the Top 30) has struggled in Double-A.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Termarr Johnson has shown improvement in June/July, but the fourth-overall pick has struggled at the plate ( A.244 career batting average, albeit with an excellent .406 on-base percentage) for a bat-first infielder. Johnson, Thomas Harrington and Jack Brannigan are all top five prospects for Pittsburgh, but for a team with three picks in the top 50, the return so far seems a touch light. If Johnson’s June-July resurgence continues and Harrington takes a step forward, this could quickly move back to being an average draft.

Kansas City Royals

The Royals pick of outfielder Gavin Cross ninth overall looks better now than it did a year ago, as he’s shown last year he was affected by an illness. Third baseman Cayden Wallace (2nd round) and righthander Mason Barnett (3rd round) are Royals Top 10 prospects. The pick of 20th-round shortstop Austin Charles could pay off as he has a high ceiling if it all clicks. Righthander Steven Zobac (fourth round), lefthander Hunter Patteson (fifth round) and outfielder Javier Vaz (15th round) are all in the Royals Top 30. But for a team picking ninth overall, it’s hard to point to a prospect who’s broken through, at least yet. This could be a draft that moves back into the average category if Charles, Cross or Wallace take further steps.

Texas Rangers

Much like the Braves (see below), this is somewhat of an incomplete grade. Tommy John surgery has sidelined righthander Kumar Rocker (third overall) . The Rangers didn’t pick again until the fourth round, but with money saved on Rocker’s bonus, they nabbed another first-round talent in Brock Porter. The righthander looked dominant at times in 2023, but he was sent back to the Arizona Complex League this season to get his mechanics in check after he walked 13 in 8.1 innings at High-A Hickory. This was designed as an all-in draft on those two picks. Texas signed only 11 other draftees, none of which received $500,000, and no other player from this draft ranks in the team’s Top 30. It’s hard to put an average grade on a two-pitcher draft when both those pitchers are not currently in full-season ball.

Toronto Blue Jays

For a class with five picks in the Top 100, three $1 million+ picks and another two picks that received $450,000+ in bonuses, the returns so far seem modest. Lefthander Brandon Barriera (first round) is recovering from Tommy John surgery that has derailed his pro career so far. The best two picks look to be shortstop Josh Kasevich (second round) and outfielder Alan Roden (third round), but both of them project as role players in the majors. A pair of supplement second round picks in shortstop Tucker Toman and second baseman Cade Doughty aren’t currently in the Blue Jays Top 30.

Washington Nationals

Where a team picks plays role in how the draft is evaluated. The Nationals have a nice draft success story in third baseman Trey Lipscomb (third round). The Tennessee product has reached the majors already and looks to be a useful infielder who can play a number of positions. But the fifth overall pick, outfielder Elijah Green, is hitting .174/.270/.290 at High-A Fredricksburg with a 43.2% strikeout rate for his pro career. Second-round pick Jake Bennett is missing this season because of Tommy John surgery. Righthander Brad Lord (18th round) is the only other pick in the Nationals top 30, although righthander Marquis Grissom Jr. is not far off the list.

Below-Average Drafts

Atlanta Braves

This grade could change a few years from now, but the Braves’ 2022 class ranks as one of the most injury-ravaged drafts you will ever see. Eight of the top 10 picks have missed significant time with injuries, including six elbow surgeries among the top six picks.

First-rounder Owen Murphy showed early success, but he’s out for the season with an elbow injury, while competitive balance pick JR Ritchie is also working back from Tommy John surgery. The Braves traded second round pick Cole Phillips, who has yet to pitch in a pro game because of two Tommy John surgeries. Fellow second-round pick Blake Burkhalter is just back from Tommy John surgery. Even third baseman David McCabe is out with Tommy John surgery. Seventh-rounder Adam Maier was recovering from brace surgery on his elbow ligament at the time he was drafted and is just getting back on the field. Third-round catcher Drake Baldwin and fifth-round infielder Ignacio Alvarez have both reached Triple-A and are the Braves’ best position prospects.

Miami Marlins

Though he faced questions about where he could play defensively, sixth overall pick, Jacob Berry, was supposed to be a safe bet as a very productive college bat. In stead, he’s struggled to hit for average or power and is a career .231/.295/.374 hitter. Second round righthander Jacob Miller is the only top 10 prospect from this draft, and the Marlins quickly traded fourth-rounder Marcus Johnson. There doesn’t seem yet to be a late-round pop-up.