Druw Jones, CF, Wesleyan HS (GA): Jones, whose father Andruw is a borderline Hall of Famer, was in contention for the top spot entering the spring. It has since emerged as the industry’s preferred choice. It’s not hard to see why. He’s a good-to-great defender at a premium position who could finish his development arc with five-plus or better tools, including both components of his bat. Indeed, he has the kind of projected frame and arm speed that will allow him to add muscle and power as he matures. Jones may end up losing some speed as a result, but he is believed to have the instincts and innate feel for the position that will allow his game to remain rich with secondary value. There is legitimate All-Star potential here. 3 Kumar Rocker, RHP, Tri-City Valleycats: Rocker, who has suffered from overexposure in the past, has been out for most of this year’s cycle after the Mets failed to sign him following their No. 10 overall draft pick last year. He recently reemerged in the Frontier League, running his fastball up to 99 mph and overwhelming indy-league hitters with a 70-degree slider. Heraclitus said that no man steps twice in the same river, because neither he nor the river are the same. Even if Rocker was the same — and he isn’t, if only in age — the river has changed. The industry was already skeptical of it because of its late turnaround and potential command and durability concerns created by its mechanical shortcomings. Now, there’s also the issue of last summer’s post-draft fitness that triggered the Mets’ guarantee. We have to write that it’s silly to obsess over what could go wrong with Rocker’s arm in a draft where almost every other top player already has an elbow zipper. 4 Termarr Johnson, 2B, Mays HS (GA): Johnson was the top player on CBS Sports’ scoreboard entering the spring, and some evaluators argued he should have stayed there. He still has a hit tool that a veteran scout rated as an 80 — which is, in layman’s terms, as good as it gets — and amazing power. The downfall for Johnson is (and always would be) his defensive value. He’s probably just a second baseman, and there’s always a reluctance to take a second baseman for obvious reasons. they have less margin for error than shortstops or other infielders as it involves moving down the defensive spectrum. Oh well. Johnson is going to hit and hit a lot, and he’s going to do it while showing some of the best feel for the game in the division. 5 Elijah Green, OF, IMG Academy (FL): Green is an exciting and polarizing prospect, a prime example of a bimodal distribution that seems to inspire predictions that rely only on the results of his left and right tails. To hear most scouts tell it, he’s either going to make multiple All-Star Games or he’ll wash out before he’s eligible for arbitration. His boosters point to his near-elite combination of power and speed, as well as his ability to play center, despite being listed at 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds. (We note here, to little surprise, that Eric’s father played in the NFL.) Instead, Green’s critics say his game needs a lot of improvement before he can capitalize on his tools, and that his extreme swing-and- his proclivities will cause him to veer from being hot chili pepper to not, more often than John Frusciante. 6 Jacob Berry, 3B/OF, LSU: Berry switched locations twice this past year. First, he followed coach Jay Johnson from Arizona to LSU. He then began playing in the outfield to ease concerns about his defensive value. Did not work. Scouts claim he lacks the arms and legs to be a passable defender anywhere on the diamond. (One even compared Berry to Seth Berry, who was retained as a conscientious objector on defense when he was drafted 28th overall in 2018 by Clemson.) That wouldn’t matter much if Berry’s offensive rise was considered ironclad, but many evaluators they cautioned that the underlying output velocity data suggests that its power potential has been overestimated. 7 Cade Horton, RHP, Oklahoma: Horton, a draft-eligible sophomore who missed the 2021 season with Tommy John surgery, was considered in the first round with a stellar run during the College World Series that culminated with a record 13 strikeouts. . His arsenal is all about power, including a high-spinning fastball that can touch the 90s and a slider that has topped 90 during that aforementioned start. Horton has a limited track record (he hit just over 50 regular-season innings for the Sooners), and scouts still have doubts about whether he’ll be a long-term starter.8 Brooks Lee, SS, Cal Poly: Lee may have the best feel for the game of any prospect in the draft. (If not, then that distinction goes to Termarr Johnson.) He’s a coach’s son and a switch-hitter who should be good from both ends (especially the left). He struck out in less than 10 percent of his plate appearances this season, while showing a good feel for the zone and quality contact. Defensively, he’s not the most athletic guy, and his arm is in the average to tick-above range. That combination usually makes scouts question one’s ability to stick in the top six, though Lee’s aforementioned potential and recent optimization at the defensive position leaves them open to the idea that he at least starts his big league career as a closer. 9 Gavin Cross, OF, Virginia Tech: The Hokies haven’t picked a player in the first round since Joe Saunders in 2002. Cross, who is projected to be an above-average hitter and a good right fielder, ended a decades-long drought . He’s headed in the right direction this season in all relevant areas. At the plate, he improved his break and walk rates while increasing his power output. in the field, he slid into center and fared better than expected for someone slated to play right field as a pro. There isn’t much chrome in his game, but his attacking ability set will make him a welcome addition10 …
