Experts are still confirming just how historic last night’s MLB Draft was for Black prospects; however, most experts are saying that four Black players selected in the top five was indeed unprecedented. Add two more Black players selected in the top 18, and that was the early headline for Black baseball fans.
There was no surprise at the very top. Drew Jones was selected #2 overall to the Arizona Diamondbacks. The only surprise was that Jones was still available at #2. Going into the draft, he was the number one prospect for months. The Orioles selected Justin Holiday with the #1 pick, moving the highly-touted right-handed outfield to #2. Jones has all the tools and an MLB All-Star bloodline. Drew’s father is multi-All-Star, multi-Gold Glove, Andruw Jones. Drew, 6’4, R/R, is a certified “can’t-miss” prospect.
The big surprise of the draft took place right after Jones’s selection. Kumar Rocker went third overall to the Texas Rangers. For those keeping score (and we all were), Rocker was drafted in the first round in last year’s draft, but the New York Mets ultimately walked away from the deal due to medical concerns. This move forced Rocker into baseball exile for a year. He was unable to go back to Vanderbilt, where he was a highly decorated pitcher. He ended up throwing a few games independent Frontier League, showing enough to get him the #3 spot in this year’s draft. Amazing story. It is very safe to say that everyone at BBM is rooting for Kumar.
Termarr Johnson was another “can’t miss” prospect. The 5’10, L/R shortstop was drafted #4 overall by the Pirates. Though he is projected to play second base in the pros, that actually not why he was drafted this high. He was drafted this high because scouts say he is the best pure-hitting prospect they’ve seen in decades. By far, the best pure-hitting prospect in this draft. Even at 5’10, he is projected to hit 25-30 home runs in a season in the pros.
Another son of a former pro athlete was drafted with the fifth pick. Elijah Green, son of Pro Bowl Tight End Eric Green. Elijah is all diamond though. He has show impressive skills all over the field. The right-handed outfielder will have to continue to show progress to advance at a swift pace in the pros, but that will have a lot to do with the coaching he receives. He has all the tools to be a steller outfielder in the bigs.
Justin Crawford, son of Carl Crawford, was drafted #17 by the Phillies. Justin is a 6’3 L/R outfielder with plus plus speed. He is committed to LSU, but the Phillies will try to sign him now.
Rounding out the top 18 is the youngest top prospect of the entire draft Cam Collier. Collier is only 17 years old, but he is already 6’2, 210. He is a power hitter with solid speed. He is a L/R player. And his dad, Lou, was also a former major league player (are you sensing a theme?)?
With Drew, Kumar, Termarr, Elijah, Justin, and Cam, that’s just you’re first 18 picks. There was much to be excited about regarding the Black baseball talented drafted (so far) in 2022. The game is changing for the better.
