Detroit Tigers 2022 Mock Draft 1.0

The 2022 MLB Draft is just days away.

Here at Motor City Bengals we’ve been covering the 2022 MLB Draft for the better part of a month. The draft begins this Sunday at 7PM, so we figured we’d end our coverage with a fun mock draft or two.

For this first mock draft, five MCB contributors took turns making picks through the first round. We aren’t draft experts, and we aren’t reporting inside information here. But we follow all the latest draft buzz, and we think this is a good way to get a feel for how the draft might unfold.

This year the Detroit Tigers pick 12th overall, and then again with the 51st selection. We considered going to 60 picks to get two Tigers selections, but there are 30 picks in the first round this year, so that felt like a natural stopping point. Keep an eye out for our Mock Draft 2.0, where we take turns projecting Detroit’s first five picks.

Without further ado, let’s get to the draft. With the first overall pick in the 2022 MCB Mock, the Baltimore Orioles select…

Ryan says: When you’re the scion of a potential Hall of Famer (father Andrew got 41% of the vote last year) and you just finished hitting .570 in your senior year of high school it is easy to see why the Orioles would take you number one. The Orioles are finally competitive again, but every team could use a talent like Jones, who has the upside to be a plus defender in center field with 20 HRs and 20 SBs for the next decade or so.

Chris says: The Diamondbacks need help everywhere, but their infield is particularly rough, so they go with Brooks Lee from Cal Poly. He might be the best pure hitter in the draft, he has enough pop to hit 20+ HR a year, and he’ll stick somewhere in the dirt.

Jon says: After spending major resources in free agency this year there is an argument to be made to get a possible “fast to the Majors” guy. Parada is a better hitting prospect than Joey Bart. Texas grabs him.

Jake says: Arguably the most exciting player in the draft, Green has the potential as a do-it-all, top of the lineup guy at the MLB level. Green would round out a nice quartet of position player prospects in the Pirates organization in addition to Oneil Cruz, Nick Gonzales, and last years #1 overall selection Henry Davis.

Matthew says: Johnson might be the best prep hitter in the class. He’s gotten some potential 1:1 buzz as the O’s might go underslot. The Nationals need help everywhere as they look to build around Juan Soto. Hard to believe Mike Rizzo and company wouldn’t pounce on Johnson if he were to fall this far.

Matthew says: The son of Matt Holliday, Jackson’s advanced plate approach has scouts drooling. He’s a guy who could easily go in the top 3. It may not make sense for Miami to take a first round shortstop two years in a row, but given the current situation surrounding last year’s first rounder Kahlil Watson, Holliday makes much more sense here than you think.

Jake says: Brother of Rangers prospect Josh Jung, Jace is a fellow Red Raider that looks to go in the top 10. As the Cubs retool their roster, they get a possible fast track type who will be 22 by the time he enters his first full season of pro ball. His advanced approach will carry him through the minors, with defensive home being one of the few question marks. Still—a potential middle of the order bat makes Jung a nice fit for the Cubs here.

Jon says: Collier is still only 17-years old. He still has critical developmental time remaining on top of his fine play at Chipola. This seems like a player to take a safe shot on. Already showing bat skills and power with a top shelf arm at 3B.

Chris says: The young pitching here is enticing, but the Royals doubled up on prep arms last year. There are also a few exciting prep position players available, but the Royals are happy to take Gavin Cross, OF, Virginia Tech, who looks like an ideal right fielder for Kauffman Stadium.

Ryan says: The Rockies like their up the middle high schoolers and the son of Carl fits right in line. He projects as a CF with elite speed and a good power projection. In the thin air of Denver he should hit way more home runs than his father ever did.