Experts offer up early 2022 mock Draft

We may be about nine months away from the 2022 MLB Draft, but it’s never too early to forecast what will happen at the top of next year's first round.

MLB.com’s Jim Callis and Jonathan Mayo held their own two-man, 20-pick experts draft on a recent edition of the MLB Pipeline Podcast, picking among the best college and high school prospects in the class. Here is what transpired.

Callis selected Cal Poly shortstop Brooks Lee with the No. 1 pick. Lee is considered the best college Draft prospect and could have been a first-round selection when he came out of high school in 2019.

Mayo used the second overall pick on shortstop Termarr Johnson, whom he ranked as the best high school prospect. Johnson carries a loud bat from the left side; he won the Perfect Game All-American Classic home run derby in July.

Druw Jones was chosen by Callis at No. 3. The son of former 17-year Major Leaguer Andruw Jones, Druw is loaded with tools and athleticism. According to Callis, one scout said you could give Jones 60 grades across the board on the 20-to-80 scouting scale.

The first pitcher came off the board when Mayo took Dylan Lesko at No. 4. The 6-foot-3 Vanderbilt commit already possesses a mid-90s fastball, a plus changeup and a quality breaking ball.

Rounding out the top five, Callis drafted toolsy prep outfielder Elijah Green. Green has raw power, and his elite will enable him to stick in center field. The only drawback is that there are concerns about his ability to make consistent contact.

Here is what the rest of the draft looked like from pick Nos. 6 through 20:

6. Mayo: Jace Jung, 2B Texas Tech (Mayo)
7. Callis: Jacob Berry, 1B/2B, Louisiana State (Callis)
8. Mayo: Reggie Crawford, LHP, Connecticut (Mayo)
9. Callis: Brock Jones, OF, Stanford (Callis)
10. Mayo: Jackson Ferris, LHP, IMG Academy (Fla.)

11. Callis: Chase DeLauter, OF, James Madison
12. Mayo: Daniel Susac, C, Arizona
13. Callis: Brock Porter, RHP, Orchard Lake St. Marys Prep (Mich.)
14. Mayo: Robert Moore, 2B, Arkansas
15. Callis: Hunter Barco, LHP, Florida

16. Mayo: Tristan Smith, LHP, Boiling Springs HS (S.C.)
    17. Callis: Kevin Parada, C, Georgia Tech
    18. Mayo: Gavin Cross, OF, Virginia Tech
    19. Callis: Connor Prielipp, LHP, Alabama
    20. Mayo: Cole Young, SS, North Allegheny HS (Pa.)

Callis and Mayo talked in-depth about each of their picks during this podcast, so make sure to listen for more.