Detroit Tigers 2022 MLB Draft: High School Preview

Detroit Tigers 2022 MLB Draft Options – High School LHP

The prep pitching class isn’t quite as deep in southpaws, but the top of the lefty class is arguably better than the top of the right-handed class, with four pitchers boasting first-round stuff. Jackson Ferris moved from North Carolina to Florida to face better competition at the IMG Academy, but he still blows most hitters away with his stuff, which includes a mid-90s fastball, and a curve and change that both flash plus. Brandon Barriera doesn’t quite have Ferris’ projection and ceiling, but he throws a lot of strikes and arguably has better stuff right now, with a fastball hits the mid-90s, a nasty slider, and a changeup with plus potential.

Tristan Smith gives prep hitters fits with his high-spin low-90s heater and nasty breaking ball, but scouts will likely want to see more consistent command and a third pitch. Noah Schultz is a massive lefty with surprising athleticism, huge spin rates, and a funky delivery. His pure stuff is more average at the moment, but it’s not hard to imagine him throwing harder in the next few years.

The last two southpaws on the list are a bit undersized and likely won’t go in the first round, but they both offer an interesting mix of stuff and strike throwing. Levi Huesman has a strong track record of performance on the showcase circuit, and he’ll show three pitches that flash above-average, led by his low-90s fastball and sweeping breaking ball. Michael Kennedy doesn’t quite have the present stuff of Huesman, but it’s close, and he’s more than a year younger.

Detroit Tigers 2022 MLB Draft Options – High School Infielders

We start at the top with Termarr Johnson, who we likely won’t discuss again this season, because he’s one of a handful of players with a legitimate chance to be drafted first overall. He’s a strange case, as he’s short and already maxed out physically, but he has one of the better pure hit tools from a prep player in the last two decades, and he also projects to hit for plus power. If he’s still there when the Detroit Tigers pick, something has gone terribly wrong.

The rest of the players in this group figure to still be around for the Tigers. Cole Young proved to be one of the best hitters in the class during the showcase circuit, though he doesn’t project to hit for much power. He’s otherwise a well-rounded player with a good shot to stay at shortstop. Mikey Romero is another one of the best pure hitters in the prep class. He comes from an impressive family — his older sisters Sierra and Sydney are two of the most decorated college softball players in recent history — but he’s not a plus in any one area, and he needs to develop more strength.

It’s unlikely Jackson Holliday will ever reach the playing size of his All-Star father Matt (6’4, 240), but he seems to have the hitting gene. He also shows good instincts and enough athleticism to stick on the infield dirt, though expected strength gains would probably push him to third base. High-school catchers are always risky, and Malcolm Moore does have some defensive question marks, namely an iffy arm, but his hitting ability and power potential might make those issues irrelevant. He could be an above-average hitter with above-average power, and at that point he’d probably be fine moving to first base.

There’s no such concern about Ike Irish’s arm, which is among the best in the prep catcher crop. He also boasts the athleticism to be an above-average defender behind the dish, and he could produce above-average power in time. Brady Neal is another player who reclassified from 2023, bringing his well-rounded tools to the 2022 class instead. He’s a stocky catcher with some feel to hit, pull power, an above-average arm, and experience catching premium stuff at IMG Academy.

We finish with a pair of power-hitting corner bats. Tucker Toman is a switch hitter with some feel to hit and power potential from both sides, though he may not have enough arm or quick-twitch ability to stick at third base in pro ball. Sal Stewart has some of the best power in the entire prep class, and there’s enough feel to hit for him to put that pop to use. He’s got a strong arm, but given his current size and subpar footwork, it may be tough for him to stick at third.

Detroit Tigers 2022 MLB Draft Options – High School Outfielders

This year’s prep outfield class is paced by two phenomenal athletes. Druw Jones is the son of former MLB great Andruw Jones, and he might have five plus-or-better tools once he finishes growing. For now he’s considered the best defensive outfielder in the class, with plus-plus speed, a cannon for an arm, and a good approach and contact skills. Coming in right behind Jones is Elijah Green, whose father was an NFL tight end for ten years. Green’s jaw-dropping mix of size, speed, power, and arm strength is reminiscent of Matt Kemp circa 2008-2011, but there are some real questions about his ability to make consistent contact.

Justin Crawford is another terrific athlete with bloodlines, as his father Carl hit .290 with 480 stolen bases and 568 extra-base hits over his 15-year MLB career. Justin should stick in center field, and he has a ton of upside, but he hasn’t shown much power yet. Henry Bolte is another player whose plus power and speed potential give him tantalizing upside, but some contact issues over the showcase circuit have some scouts worried about his hit tool. Gavin Turley is similar to Bolte, with big-time power and plus-plus speed, but he’s a bit too aggressive at the plate and he currently lacks to instincts to take full advantage of his wheels.

Paxton Kling has a terrific name and a well-rounded set of tools with some projection remaining, though his busy setup leads to some questions about his ability to make consistent contact against premium stuff. Ryan Clifford is the first player on this list who doesn’t have a shot to play center field in pro ball, but he has a good approach, a long track record of performing on the national stage, and he projects to hit for power and average.

We finish with a pair of local kids committed to play college ball at the University of Michigan. Nolan Schubart is another terrific prospect from the loaded Orchard Lake St. Mary’s squad, though at his size he may not be able to stick in the outfield for long. He’s a solid athlete now, but as he fills out he could slow down and grow into substantial left-handed power. Gregory Pace Jr. isn’t necessarily considered a huge draft prospect at the moment, but he showed some loud tools at the Super 60 event last month, including a 6.35-second 60-yard dash, plus arm strength, and a max exit velo over 100 MPH. It’s a line drive swing for now, and he may be better off heading to school, but Pace has enticing potential.

That’s it for the high school draft preview. Be sure to check back in weekly to get more draft updates.