Inbox: Draft fever begins to intensify

Since Spring Training, I've spent most of my time gathering information and writing reports for our updated Draft Top 150 Prospects list, so I asked for Draft questions for this edition of the Pipeline Inbox. Thanks for the responses -- and before anyone asks, the Draft Top 150 will come out next week.

Elijah Green has been on a hot start recently. Has he raised his stock and quieted concerns about his hit tool?
-- @WilliamHaoWeng
Green has the highest ceiling in the 2022 Draft class. The son of former Pro Bowl tight end Eric Green, he's a 6-foot-3, 235-pounder with plus-plus raw power and speed to go with plus arm strength and center-field defense. But his performance last spring at IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) and on the showcase circuit created concern about his ability to make contact against quality pitching.

Green has eased those worries this spring by displaying an improved approach and barreling balls more regularly. His bat is still the biggest question in his game -- in part because his other tools are so loud -- but several teams I've spoken with have more comfort with his hitting ability than they did previously. Wesleyan School (Peachtree Corners, Ga.) outfielder Druw Jones also has improved at the plate this spring and he remains the consensus No. 1 prospect, but Green has closed the gap.

Should Jackson Holliday start being grouped in with the other top prep hitters like Druw Jones, Termarr Johnson, and Elijah Green? Because he's looked very impressive this spring.
-- @NationPSU
The son of seven-time All-Star Matt Holliday and a shortstop at Stillwater (Okla.) HS, Holliday has played his way into the top tier of prep position prospects this spring. He's a lock to go in the first 10 picks, a good bet to crack the top five and it wouldn't be an upset if he became the second high school hitter chosen, trailing only Jones.

Holliday's stock took a mild hit on the summer showcase circuit when he got homer-conscious and his left-handed swing got too long, but it's soaring now. He has added significant strength and speed, enhancing his power and his chances of staying at shortstop. He's hitting the ball with more authority than ever and has wowed scouts all year.

Which college pitcher will get drafted highest?
-- @IHPSDM
There can't ever have been a Draft that has had an many potential first-round college arms sidelined as this one. Left-handers Reggie Crawford (Connecticut) and Connor Prielipp (Alabama) and right-handers Peyton Pallette (Arkansas), Landon Sims (Mississippi State) and Henry Williams (Duke) all had Tommy John surgery. Lefty Carson Whisenhunt (East Carolina) was suspended for the entire season after testing positive for a banned substance, while righty Blade Tidwell (Tennessee) has only recently returned from shoulder soreness.

Among the pitchers who haven't had any setbacks this spring, Gonzaga righty Gabriel Hughes is the leading candidate. He misses a ton of bats with the armside run on his 93-97 mph fastball, his low-80s slider and changeup are also difficult to hit and he throws strikes. He sports a 2.72 ERA, .189 opponent average and an 84/21 K/BB ratio through 56 1/3 innings.

Prielipp had his elbow reconstructed last May, and while he won't pitch for the Crimson Tide this spring, he will be able to throw for teams before the Draft begins July 17. He still might be the first college arm selected because he dominated when healthy with a devastating mid-80s slider and a lively low-90s fastball. He also is nearing the end of his rehab and will be able to begin his pro career without delay.

How would your top 5 college position player rankings shape out?
-- @A837361
I'm not giving away anything from our upcoming Draft Top 150, which is heavily weighted toward the industry consensus, because this ranking here is my personal opinion. Cal Poly shortstop Brooks Lee is No. 1 because he's the best pure hitter in college baseball, his power continues to grow and he might have more defensive value than the rest of my contenders even if he does move off short as a pro.

I go back and forth on Texas Tech second baseman Jace Jung vs. Louisiana State third baseman/outfielder Jacob Berry, and right now I'll give the slightest of edges to Jung. Georgia Tech catcher Kevin Parada is an easy choice at No. 4, and then I'll go with my gut to complete my top five with James Madison outfielder Chase DeLauter over Virginia Tech outfielder Gavin Cross and Arizona catcher Daniel Susac.