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.

Ryan says: The Mets go with the high school pitcher who, if not for Tommy John surgery, might have been number one overall. With major league teams viewing TJ surgery as a right of passage for a power pitcher these days, the Mets might be getting a steal with the prep righty at 11. The upside is an ace level major leaguer who could be the next great Mets starting pitcher.

Chris says: His unorthodox swing and small-school pedigree may scare some teams away, but all Neto has done is produce, with an OPS that topped 1.200 in both college and wood bat summer leagues. He’s also a no-doubt infielder with a plus arm, above-average athleticism, and a good chance to stick at shortstop.

Jon says: The news of Rocker’s medicals not scaring off swaths of teams, plus Rocker dominating Indy leaguers should put him comfortably in Round 1. His performance at Vanderbilt still resonates. Rocker might be the most likely player chosen outside the Top 10 where people look back in a decade and say “how did he last that long?!”

Jake says: Barriera has an advanced arsenal with the makings of a sum-of-the-parts mid-rotation lefty starter. He’s physically mature with only modest gains remaining which leaves a relief future possible, but his strike throwing and comfortable three pitch mix should allow him to progress quickly in the Mets’ system.

Matthew says: The likelihood of Berry falling this far in real life is quite slim, despite concerns about his long term defensive viability. He’s probably the best all-around hitter in the draft, certainly the best college hitter. San Diego gets an absolute steal here at 15.

Matthew says: The Guardians have become known as a pitching factory over the past few years, but most of their success hasn’t come from homegrown talent. Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco, Mike Clevinger, and others were all acquired via trade. Prielipp gives them the best chance to buck that trend, despite coming off Tommy John surgery. His stuff landed him as a potential 1:1 guy before the surgery. Knowing what Cleveland does with pitching, this could be another steal.

Jake says: Susac isn’t a prototypical catcher profile; he’s a hit-first guy with a tall frame and average defensive abilities. It remains to be seen if he sticks at the spot, but an eventual move to first base would be a plausible solution considering his plus arm. In a best case scenario, Susac can step in for JT Realmuto, who will be a free agent after 2025.

Jon says: All of SE Michigan rejoices to see a local lad in Round 1. The Reds see the 6’4” frame throwing 97-mph as a good bet when adding a curve and change-up which seem above average. The money at #18 should get Porter off his Clemson commitment.

Chris says: Oakland swings for the fences with DeLauter, a jumbo outfielder with a fascinating profile. He has had spectacular success over a limited track record, and he has a chance to be a true five-tool talent despite being shaped more like a tight end than a typical center fielder.

Ryan says: The Braves go for the underslot and select maybe the top college arm in the draft. Hughes fanned over 12 batter per 9 innings last year, and should be solid mid rotation starter in a few years to help the Braves continue their World Series aspirations.