The last 16 picks of the 2022 JLB Green Draft did not lack talent, that's for sure. Everyone's minor league systems are filled now and we're ready to move forward toward the 2022 JLB March Draft. ... Now, if only MLB would join us in being ready.
Between now and then, trading is still open. If you trade a minor leaguer, that's fine, but any voids left in your system can only be filled in the 2022 JLB March Draft.
The JLB Winter Meetings closed with only two trades being made. The final trade came late Friday as Choo sent Clayton Kershaw to the Stantonians for Ryan Mountcastle. Choo is ridding himself of excess veteran pitching while Josh and Dan are ridding themselves of extra Orioles.
And there's definitely some reasons for Gina to be excited with her end of the deal.
Jon Gray is now in Texas, and some have him as a sleeper/breakout candidate for this year. He'll be on a winning team and away from Coors field. The Rangers' new ballpark has played as a pitcher-friendly park thus far, so this could be just what Gray needed. Carlos Rodon doesn't have a team yet but he was great for the better part of 2021 before shoulder fatigue kicked in. Jesus Sanchez saw a lot of playing time with the Marlins last season, and given his success — especially late in the season, he'll have a chance to break out this year. Matt Liberatore should be up for the Cardinals soon and Austin Martin is a very good bat who could really make an impact for the Twins — or another organization if he gets dealt — very soon.
It was quite the haul for the Panthers, and possibly an overpay for the Slammers, but as we know with every trade, we'll look back in a year and know the true answer to that.
We can also look back in a year and see how these final 16 picks in the Green Draft panned out, too, so without any further delay, let's take a look at the last 16.
18. Stantonians - Miguel Vargas, 3B, LAD
Vargas was the Dodgers Minor League Player of the Year after dominating Single-A (.314/.366) with 11 doubles, seven homers, 16 RBIs in 47 games. He was promoted to Double-A in June and batted .321/.386 over 83 games with 16 doubles, 16 homers and 60 RBIs. Surely, he'll start this season in Triple-A and who knows, maybe he'll get the call. The Dodgers are stacked, but all it takes is an injury or a slump for the Dodgers to make a move.
Vargas was the Dodgers Minor League Player of the Year after dominating Single-A (.314/.366) with 11 doubles, seven homers, 16 RBIs in 47 games. He was promoted to Double-A in June and batted .321/.386 over 83 games with 16 doubles, 16 homers and 60 RBIs. Surely, he'll start this season in Triple-A and who knows, maybe he'll get the call. The Dodgers are stacked, but all it takes is an injury or a slump for the Dodgers to make a move.
19. Lebowski - Chase DeLauter, CF, James Madison
Potentially the best college bat in the draft somehow fell to the third round of the JLB Green Draft. DeLauter has batted .385 in 42 college games with 7 homers, 35 RBIs and a .488 OBP. It should be very interesting to see what he does this season for JMU, and if he can continue to make contact like he does, he'll go in the Top 10 of the MLB Draft.
Potentially the best college bat in the draft somehow fell to the third round of the JLB Green Draft. DeLauter has batted .385 in 42 college games with 7 homers, 35 RBIs and a .488 OBP. It should be very interesting to see what he does this season for JMU, and if he can continue to make contact like he does, he'll go in the Top 10 of the MLB Draft.
20. Philly Cheese - Jacob Berry, 3B, LSU
Jacob Berry transferred to LSU for the 2022 season after a sensational year at Arizona last year. He batted .352 in 63 games with 17 homers and 70 RBIs. Another top college bat in the 2022 MLB Draft, he could be a guy — if he signs with his team right away — that goes right to Double-A.
Jacob Berry transferred to LSU for the 2022 season after a sensational year at Arizona last year. He batted .352 in 63 games with 17 homers and 70 RBIs. Another top college bat in the 2022 MLB Draft, he could be a guy — if he signs with his team right away — that goes right to Double-A.
21. Breakfast - Everson Pereira, CF, NYY
A strong overall season across 3 levels has piqued interest in the Yankees prospect. He batted .303 with 20 homers and 57 RBIs. He's 13th in the Yankees system, and considering what's in front of him, there's no chance he sees the majors in the Bronx in 2022. ... But he could easily be traded in July and find himself in a position to get the call.
A strong overall season across 3 levels has piqued interest in the Yankees prospect. He batted .303 with 20 homers and 57 RBIs. He's 13th in the Yankees system, and considering what's in front of him, there's no chance he sees the majors in the Bronx in 2022. ... But he could easily be traded in July and find himself in a position to get the call.
22. Quad - Brayan Rocchio, SS, CLE
Eh Rocchy! ... Brayan Rocchio is highly regarded in the Guardians system as the No. 2 prospect. He competed at Single-A and Double-A in 2021 where he batted .277 with 15 homers and 63 RBIs. He also stole 21 bases. With his speed, he needs to get on base a little more and his 33 walks in 491 at-bats aren't going to cut it.
Eh Rocchy! ... Brayan Rocchio is highly regarded in the Guardians system as the No. 2 prospect. He competed at Single-A and Double-A in 2021 where he batted .277 with 15 homers and 63 RBIs. He also stole 21 bases. With his speed, he needs to get on base a little more and his 33 walks in 491 at-bats aren't going to cut it.
23. Slammers - Caleb Kilian, SP, CHC
Oh, here we go again. Another ace-in-waiting! Kilian has shown great control pitching throughout his college and minors career. He's struck out 129 and walked just 15 in two years of minor league ball (limited action in 2019 after getting drafted out of Texas Tech, and of course, he missed 2020 like everyone else). In 2021, the Giants prospect reached Double-A and was traded to the Cubs in the Kris Bryant deal. Overall last year, he went 7-4 with a 2.42 ERA, 3 complete games, 112 Ks to just 13 walks. He'll likely open up in Triple-A this year and could easily be pitching at Wrigley by mid-summer.
Oh, here we go again. Another ace-in-waiting! Kilian has shown great control pitching throughout his college and minors career. He's struck out 129 and walked just 15 in two years of minor league ball (limited action in 2019 after getting drafted out of Texas Tech, and of course, he missed 2020 like everyone else). In 2021, the Giants prospect reached Double-A and was traded to the Cubs in the Kris Bryant deal. Overall last year, he went 7-4 with a 2.42 ERA, 3 complete games, 112 Ks to just 13 walks. He'll likely open up in Triple-A this year and could easily be pitching at Wrigley by mid-summer.
24. Crox - Cody Morris, SP, CLE
Cleveland likes to crank out pitchers, and the next breakout star could be Cody Morris. He had a tremendous season in 2021 with Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus. The 6-4 righty posted a 1.62 ERA in 61 innings with 93 strikeouts. That's 13.7 strikeouts per 9. Obviously, he needs to add some innings to his resume to be ready for the majors, but if he's pitching like this again in 2022, there's no doubt he'll be a candidate to get the call this summer.
Cleveland likes to crank out pitchers, and the next breakout star could be Cody Morris. He had a tremendous season in 2021 with Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus. The 6-4 righty posted a 1.62 ERA in 61 innings with 93 strikeouts. That's 13.7 strikeouts per 9. Obviously, he needs to add some innings to his resume to be ready for the majors, but if he's pitching like this again in 2022, there's no doubt he'll be a candidate to get the call this summer.
25. Stantonians - Liover Peguero, SS, PIT
Still in the lower levels after his trade from Arizona, the Pirates kept Peguero at Advance Single-A all last season where he batted .270 with 101 hits, 14 homers, 45 RBIs and 28 stolen bases. He still needs to work on his defense, though. ... Hey, I'm not kidding. That's not just a Pirates joke and a reason to hold off the arbitration clock. He committed 23 errors last year and that absolutely cannot happen at shortstop. Who does he think he is? Derek Jeter?!
Still in the lower levels after his trade from Arizona, the Pirates kept Peguero at Advance Single-A all last season where he batted .270 with 101 hits, 14 homers, 45 RBIs and 28 stolen bases. He still needs to work on his defense, though. ... Hey, I'm not kidding. That's not just a Pirates joke and a reason to hold off the arbitration clock. He committed 23 errors last year and that absolutely cannot happen at shortstop. Who does he think he is? Derek Jeter?!
26. Lebowski - Brandon Barriera, SP, American Heritage (FLA)
Another Vanderbilt commitment and another college bat for the Dude. Barreira, out of Hollywood, Fla., has a fastball that runs to 95 and a slider that hits 86. The lefty is rated 22nd on the Top 100 Draft, so it will be interesting to see if he finds a nice landing spot in the draft, or does he go to Vanderbilt to build his stock even more. Based on his comments in The Athletic, he'll likely go pro over spending 3 years at Vandy (unless there's a rule change that allows him to get out sooner).
Another Vanderbilt commitment and another college bat for the Dude. Barreira, out of Hollywood, Fla., has a fastball that runs to 95 and a slider that hits 86. The lefty is rated 22nd on the Top 100 Draft, so it will be interesting to see if he finds a nice landing spot in the draft, or does he go to Vanderbilt to build his stock even more. Based on his comments in The Athletic, he'll likely go pro over spending 3 years at Vandy (unless there's a rule change that allows him to get out sooner).
27. Philly Cheese - Bobby Miller, SP, LAD
Bobby Miller has failed to get the innings, and really struggled in the Fall League when facing tough talent, but do not let that sway you. Miller is a top arm in the Dodgers system that added more Driveline personnel to their staff this offseason. Miller is one of the many prospects working with Driveline so the sky is the limit for Miller who struck out 70, walked 13, and posted a 2.40 ERA in 56.1 innings last year. He'll likely start in Triple-A in 2022 where he'll need to build up innings.
Bobby Miller has failed to get the innings, and really struggled in the Fall League when facing tough talent, but do not let that sway you. Miller is a top arm in the Dodgers system that added more Driveline personnel to their staff this offseason. Miller is one of the many prospects working with Driveline so the sky is the limit for Miller who struck out 70, walked 13, and posted a 2.40 ERA in 56.1 innings last year. He'll likely start in Triple-A in 2022 where he'll need to build up innings.
28. Breakfast - Benny Montgomery, CF/RF, COL
A Rockies outfield prospect. He should have no trouble making the team. Right, Raimel Tapia? ... Montgomery batted .340 in 52 at-bats in the rookie league last year. He was ranked 15th overall in the Top 100 Draft List when the Rockies selected him last year. If he and Veen are the real deal, the Rockies could have some real exciting bats in their lineup in 2024.
A Rockies outfield prospect. He should have no trouble making the team. Right, Raimel Tapia? ... Montgomery batted .340 in 52 at-bats in the rookie league last year. He was ranked 15th overall in the Top 100 Draft List when the Rockies selected him last year. If he and Veen are the real deal, the Rockies could have some real exciting bats in their lineup in 2024.
29. Slammers - JJ Bleday, RF, MIA
Welcome back, JJ! The Vanderbilt grad was in my minors system before but I had to make cuts and given who's in my system, he was the tough choice, but I had to send him in a trade to Choo. Bleday was really struggling at the time after the Covid season was lost for him, his return to baseball saw him bat .212 in 110 games at Double-A Pensacola. He homered only 12 times and drove in 54 runs. The only bright side to the season was the fact that he walked 64 times to post a .323 OBP. Fortunately, things started to change for him late in the year when he batted .311 in September. He then batted .316 in the Arizona Fall League, hitting five homers and driving in 24. He also walked 20 times for a .435 OBP.
30. Lebowski: Daniel Susac, C, University of Arizona
Susac is No. 24 on the Top 100 Draft List. He's a switch-hitting catcher for the Arizona Wildcats and eligible for the draft as a sophomore. As a freshman, he started 60 of 61 games, batting .335 with 12 homers and 65 RBIs. His OBP was only slightly higher than his batting average at .392, thanks in part to only 19 walks in 242 at-bats. He'll certainly work on some patience at the plate this spring.
31. Philly Cheese: Kumar Rocker, SP, No School
So, fun fact. When I selected Nick Gonzales in the first round, I was between Nick Gonzales and Kumar Rocker for that pick. Man, I'm glad I made the right pick. Now, Rocker is sitting at No. 31 on the 2022 Top 100 Draft List, which is incredible considering where he was last year (No. 6). He couldn't work out a deal to stay with the Mets — which is so Mets — so now he's waiting for 2022. For JV, it's a great investment because this guy's slider is filthy. He was absolutely dominant at Vanderbilt and if he can stay healthy, there's no doubt in my mind that he will dominate again.
32. Breakfast: Justin Foscue, 2B/RF, TEX
Let's keep this about myself. I was thinking about picking up Foscue at the green pickup deadline last July, but went with pitching. It made sense for me. I wanted to do the same thing in the first round of the green draft, but again, I needed pitching more. So I was really shocked to see him go so late. There's a lot of hype around Foscue — but also a lot of road blocks to the majors. He batted .275 with 17 homers and 51 RBIs across 3 levels last year. He rocked Advanced Single-A, but was a bit sluggish in Double-A. This year will be a big test for him to get comfortable in Double-A, rise to Triple-A and force the Rangers hands.
33. Breakfast: Dustin Harris, 3B, TEX
Why not add one more Rangers prospect!? I mean, if you throw 10 darts at the board, you're bound to get one close to the bull's-eye, right? Harris batted .327 in Single-A last season with 20 homers and 85 RBIs. He also stole 25 bases, and with an OBP of .401, that's a nice weapon to have on the basepaths. We'll see how Double-A treats him this year. ... And then we'll see where the Rangers trade him to get help because with their payroll right now, they are moving into win-now mode, which means Harris will likely join Foscue as trade bait come July.
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