After a wild first day of the 2022 MLB Draft covering Rounds 1 and 2, eight compensation picks and Competitive Balance Rounds A and B, it’s time for Day 2, which will cover Rounds 3-10.
MLB.com is streaming all nine rounds with one minute between picks. The Draft concludes with rounds 11-20 on Tuesday, starting at 2 p.m. ET, with no delay between selections, all heard on MLB.com.
There’s plenty of talent left, and we’ll be breaking down some of the more interesting picks throughout the day.
Pick 1 (81st overall), Orioles: Nolan McLean, 3B/RHP, Oklahoma State (Ranked No. 115 on MLB Pipeline’s Draft Prospects list): Baltimore went with a legit two-way talent to begin the third round. McLean slugged 19 homers this spring for the Cowboys and also struck out 39 batters over 25 ⅓ innings. He has three above-average pitches, but the power and defensive arm might earn him a look as a position player with the O’s.
Pick 9 (89th overall): Angels, Ben Joyce, RHP, Tennessee (No. 112): 105. That’s what you need to know. Joyce went way beyond triple-digits to touch 105 mph out of the Volunteers’ bullpen this season. His mid-80s slider might be a better swing-and-miss pitch, but it’s the velo that’s always going to pop for the 6-foot-5 reliever.
Pick 14 (94th overall): Reds: Bryce Hubbart, LHP, Florida State (No. 72): Hubbart tied for the Cape Cod League in strikeouts last summer, pushing up Draft boards heading into 2022. The Seminoles southpaw throws in the low-90s with high spin rates, and his curveball, slider and changeup should help him compete for a starting place in the Cincinnati system.
Pick 20 (100th overall): Yankees, Trystan Vrieling, RHP, Gonzaga (No. 71): Gabriel Hughes went 10th overall on Day 1, and Vierling gives the Bulldogs’ pitching staff another arm in the top three rounds. The 6-foot-4 right-hander moved to the rotation this season with a four-pitch mix, and he’s at his best when he’s commanding his low-90s fastball and deceiving with an above-average changeup.
Pick 21 (101st overall): White Sox, Jonathan Cannon, RHP, Georgia (No. 60): Chicago found an absolute control artist in the third round. The 6-foot-6 right-hander walked only 12 batters in 13 starts this spring. He sports an upper-80s cutter that is his best pitch.
Pick 3 (109th overall): Rangers, Brock Porter, RHP, St. Mary’s Prep (Mich.) HS (No. 11): Texas worked its strategy to perfection. The Rangers shocked many by taking Kumer Rocker at No. 3 overall Sunday, but the organization, which lacked a second- and third-round pick, looks primed to use the bonus-pool savings on MLB Pipeline’s top pitcher in this class. Porter already throws in the mid-90s, touches 100 and shows an above-average slider and plus changeup. He was Gatorade’s National Player of the Year after posting a 0.41 ERA with 115 strikeouts in 58 innings.
Pick 4 (110th overall): Pirates, Michael Kennedy, LHP, Troy (N.Y.) HS (No. 89): Make that five of MLB Pipeline’s Top 90 prospects heading to Pittsburgh. Kennedy will be looking to follow Ian Anderson’s path out of upstate New York, and his advanced feel for a slider and changeup should give him a chance to start in the pros, event at just 6-foot-1.
Pick 7 (113th overall): Cubs, Nazier Mule, RHP/SS, Passaic Tech (N.J.) (No. 94): The Cubs may have taken their third pitcher and their second shortstop of the class in the same selection. Mule showed off power in high-school showcase events last year but looks most likely to stay on the mound. He’s already throwing in the mid-90s and flashes an impressive slider, pitches that could play up if he sticks to pitching full-time.
Pick 12 (118th overall): Angels, Jake Madden, RHP, Northwest Florida State JC (No. 93): This could make two high-velo relievers for the Halos. Madden can touch 98 mph with a heavy fastball that can break bats as well as miss them. He’s already had Tommy John surgery and he’s dealt with blister issues, but his combination of stuff and size (6-foot-6) could have him moving quickly, should he rein in command issues.
Pick 27 (133rd overall): Astros, Trey Dombroski III, LHP, Monmouth (No. 111): Houston may have picked up the best control in the entire Draft by taking the Monmouth southpaw. The 6-foot-5 lefty walked only 10 batters in 95 innings, and that strike-throwing ability came with a full bevy of four pitches. The stuff may not match his size, but the command and control could make him a No. 5 starter in time.