Everything you need to know for the 2022 Major League Baseball Draft from a Louisville baseball perspective.
The Major League draft is always an exciting time for Louisville baseball fans.
This year’s draft takes place July 17th-19th. With less than two weeks to go now, here is the breakdown for who you can expect to see taken in this year’s draft.
Dalton Rushing
MLB Pipeline Ranking- 50
Baseball America Ranking- 44
Prospects Live Ranking- 31
Dalton Rushing is without a doubt going to be the highest draft pick for the Louisville Cardinals this year. There were definitely some questions about him coming into the season but no doubt that he had all the right tools.
Rushing saw little playing time last year with Henry Davis behind the plate. With Dalton getting a full season of at-bats, he certainly made himself a lot of money. He hit .310 with 23 home runs and 63 RBI’s. To go along with an impressive season at the plate, Rushing showed that he is going to be able to stick at catcher in the professional ranks.
Look for Dalton Rushing to be taken as high as the late first round-early second round.
Michael Prosecky
MLB Pipeline Ranking-180
Baseball America Ranking-243
Prospects Live Ranking-208
Michael Prosecky saw himself step into the closer role this year and he ran with it. Along with Rushing, Prosecky was an invite to the MLB Draft combine in San Diego.
Prosecky pitched to the tune of a 2-1 record with 11 saves and a 3.38 ERA this season. While many scouts will tell you that Prosecky is raw, there is a lot to like about a left-handed pitcher with the kind of stuff that he has. Get him in the right organization, and you are looking at a big league closer.
You can expect to see Michael Prosecky taken somewhere in the fourth-sixth round range.
Ben Metzinger
Baseball America Ranking- 411
Prospects Live Ranking- 180
Ben Metzinger is a prospect that many industry insiders are conflicted on. Prospects Live likes him enough to list him as a top ten third baseman in the draft. Baseball America has him lower on their draft board due to the fact that Metzinger will already be 23 at the time of the draft.
One thing that is undeniable though, is that Metzinger put up a season that will make him some money. He hit .312 with 19 home runs and 69 RBI’s in the two hole in the lineup this season. Originally seen as a guy who could be a day three money saver, you could see Ben Metzinger sneak into the later rounds of day two.
One thing is for certain, his advanced bat and position versatility will make a team very happy.
Look for Ben Metzinger to get drafted in the sixth-tenth round range.
Also read: Cards in the Pros, June Update
Jared Poland
Baseball America Ranking-387
Prospects Live Ranking- 414
Jared Poland became the bulldog ace that Louisville desperately needed this year. He assumed the Friday night guy quickly and amazed with his consistency every time out there.
Jared Poland is an intriguing draft option for teams. Outside of the first few rounds of the draft, there is a lack of college pitching. Poland is the type of pitcher that could make a team very happy on day three of the draft. He is very polished and can be sent to Double-A quickly if a team chose to do so.
Look for Jared Poland to go between rounds ten-thirteen. However, do not be surprised if he ends up getting snatched in the later rounds of day two.
Tate Kuehner
Originally the Friday night guy this season, Kuehner was moved back to the bullpen and did a little bit of everything. In addition to starting, Kuehner was used in long relief and high leverage situations as well. Down the stretch, he looked virtually unhittable and became a bulldog in the bullpen.
There is a possibility that we see Kuehner return next year. If he does get drafted, look for Kuehner to go in the early rounds of day three.
Levi Usher, Cameron Masterman, and Ben Bianco
Usher, Masterman, and Bianco are all draft toss-ups. There are certainly reasons that all three could be drafted.
Usher shows elite speed and an elite glove.
Masterman has a big power stroke and can hit for average as well.
Biano is a steady hitter with a great glove at first base.
It has yet to be seen if that is enough for these three however. If they do end up going in this year’s draft, it will be as day three picks and teams looking to grab some late money savers.
I am a firm believer however, that given the chance to play professional baseball, these three would flourish and continue to develop at a high level.
You can watch the 2022 Major League Baseball draft starting July 17th at 7pm
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