Draft’s Top Pitcher Dylan Lesko Needs Tommy John Surgery

Image credit: Dylan Lesko (Photo by Bill Mitchell)

The lack of healthy pitchers is one of the running subplots in the lead-up to July’s 2022 MLB Draft. On Wednesday, the club of injured pitchers gained another significant name.

Righthander Dylan Lesko, the top pitcher in the 2022 class, has an injured right elbow that requires Tommy John surgery, Baseball America has learned. The news was first reported by ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel.

Lesko’s injury adds yet another dark mark on a class that is known for its impressive group of hitters, but even more so for its seemingly cursed group of pitchers.

Lesko is the latest in a long line of highly-regarded pitchers who have been sidelined.
In addition to Lesko, Alabama lefthander Connor Prielipp will not pitch in a game for the Tide as he recovers from Tommy John surgery. Mississippi State righthander Landon Sims, Arkansas righthander Peyton Pallette, Connecticut righthander Reggie Crawford and Duke righthander Henry Williams are all recovering from Tommy John surgery as well.

Texas prep righthander Cole Phillips has also been sidelined by an elbow injury and Florida lefthander Hunter Barco is out indefinitely with an elbow injury as well. East Carolina lefthander Carson Whisenhunt will not pitch for the Pirates this season because of a positive drug test that left him ineligible.

Lesko was viewed as the best pitcher in the class thanks to an outstanding changeup that paired well with his mid-to-high-90s fastball. He was dominant in the early going this spring for Buford (Ga.) High, but he had not pitched since his outing at the National High School Invitational.