We continue our 2022 MLB Draft coverage by looking at some of the top college bats the Atlanta Braves could be targetting with their first 5 picks.
The Atlanta Braves are positioned for a big 2022 MLB draft with over $10 million in bonus pool money to spend and five of the first 100 picks.
All week we’ve been looking at potential targets with those first five picks, and today we turn our attention to the college hitters.
There are some very solid college hitters in this draft, but most of them are likely gone by the time Atlanta picks at 20.
Those players include Kevin Parada (C – Georgia Tech), Brooks Lee (SS – Cal Poly), Cam Collier (3B – JUCO), Gavin Cross (OF – Virginia Tech), Jacob Berry (3B/OF – LSU), Jace Jung (2B – Texas Tech), and Daniel Susac (C – Arizona).
If any of them happen to fall to 20 it’s likely a no-brainer selection.
Behind those top seven college hitters, there is still some great value, but it might be better to take a risk on some players with loud tools later in the draft.
Braves MLB Draft: College Hitters to Target at 20
Chase DeLauter — OF — James Madison: A corner outfielder with big power and a big arm. He broke his foot in April an donly played in 24 games, but had a .437 average and 8 home runs.
Dylan Beavers — OF — Cal: He has the potential to be a five-tool player with plus power, but there are some questions about how his swing will translate at the next level.
Braves MLB Draft: College Hitters to Target at 35
Jordan Beck — OF — Tennessee: Another outfielder with big power and a big arm. He’s a plus defender in right field and plays with a ton of passion.
Peyton Graham — SS — Oklahoma: Versatile defender who can play short, third, and in the outfield. Gives you a little bit of everything hitting 20 homers and stealing 34 bases for the Sonners in 2022.
Sterlin Thompson — OF — Florida: Plus hit tool who really increased his draft stock late in the year against great SEC competition finishing with a .357 average and 11 home runs.
Brock Jones — OF — Stanford: Was a potential 1-1 pick coming into the year because of his five-tool capability. After a slow start he turned it on late and finished with 21 home runs and 16 stolen bases.
Cayden Wallace — 3B/OF — Arkansas: Likely settles defensively as a right fielder where he’ll have a plus-plus arm. At the plate, he has some of the best raw power in this draft.
Braves MLB Draft: College Hitters to Target at 57
Spencer Jones — OF — Vanderbilt: Average to above-average tools across the board. Didn’t play a lot before 2022 because of injuries, so he could be a potential steal here.
Jud Fabian — OF — Florida: Thought to be a sure thing to go in the top five last year, but his strikeout rate at the college level is alarming (25.6% in last two seasons. But he has tremendous power with 44 home runs the past two seasons and might be the best defensive player in this draft.
Braves MLB Draft: College Hitters to Target at 76
Logan Tanner — C — Mississippi State: The best arm of any catcher in the draft and a proven leader. Not the best hit tool, but enough power to slug 20 homers.
Max Wagner — 3B — Clemson: He only falls this low if teams think he’s only a DH, which is a possibility. But he has some of the best raw power in this draft belting 27 homers in 2022.
Braves MLB Draft: College Hitters to Target at 96
Ivan Melendez — DH — Texas: Again, like Wagner, he’s only available at this point if teams think he doesn’t have a position. But the Golden Spikes Award winner is one of the best bats in this draft.
Dominic Keegan — DH — Vanderbilt: Very mature hitter with a ton of pop who also might profile better as a DH at the next level.
Robert Moore — 2B — Arkansas: Was thought to be a first-round pick coming into the year but had a down season at Arkansas. A Gold Glove defender who has some pop despite his 5-foot-9 frame.
Those are some of the college hitters the Braves could be looking at. Where these players go obviously depends on how the team evaluates them, but this is where I would feel comfortable taking these hitters. Let me know what you thin in the comments.