(Updated 8/2/2022) 2022 MLB Draft and Roster Management Discussion Thread

[Halph66]

The 2022 MLB Draft begins Sunday, July 17th, 2022 at 7PM EDT (ESPN, MLB Network) and ends Tuesday, July 19th, 2022. There are 20 rounds in this year's draft.

When: July 17, at 7PM EDT; July 18, at 2PM EDT; July 19, at 2PM EDT
Where: Los Angeles, Calif.

I decided to use Google spreadsheets this year to keep track of our draft-eligible players, incoming freshman signees, JUCO signees, and (outgoing/incoming) transfers. Scroll down, and at the bottom of the spreadsheet, you will see four tabs for the four categories mentioned above. You can toggle back and forth between tabs to see players and their info. If anyone has additional info, please let me know in the replies, and I’ll do my best to update. During the draft, I'll update our draftees with round and MLB team.

I'll also update this OP with additional links, articles, and information as they become available. Feel free to post any links or info you find. Thanks everyone!





Links and Resources

2022 MLB Draft News, Dates, Tracker and Prospects | MLB.com




11. Drew Gilbert (21.8), CF, Tennessee
25. Jordan Beck (21.1), RF, Tennessee
52. Blade Tidwell (21.0), RHP, Tennessee
78. Trey Lipscomb (22.0), 3B, Tennessee
91. Ben Joyce (21.8), RHP, Tennessee
194. Alex Stanwich (18.8) CF Lincoln-Way East HS (IL) (Tennessee)
211. Jorel Ortega (21.4) 2B Tennessee




Ongoing Discission Threads

College Baseball - Transfer Portal Tracker

Expectations next year?

Thank You're the Man Gal!

 

[cobbwebb0710]

Quick personal update: I had hoped to update the spreadsheet and OP earlier, but it may take longer. This past weekend, we discovered my mother is facing a serious health issue, so my time has been spent on the phone scheduling medical appointments for her. I'll try to update when I can but it may be more sporadic for the time being.

Thanks everyone for your patience.

Dang gal! I’m just now seeing this! I hope all is well and we appreciate you around here, but don’t worry about this place right now!

 

[NighthawkVol]

We probably won’t know until about 3-4 days after the draft ends who all is coming back. Obviously, we’ll know Beck, Gilbert, etc. are gone, but we’ll be waiting if borderline guys like Stanwich, Valentine, Ortega, Stevenson, Mabrey, or Lawson are drafted or flirt with FA deals to see if they come to terms or decide to return.

 

[preacherman20]

I understand the FA deals but I would struggle telling my son to take a FA deal in this baseball world where it can only be $25,000 versus coming back to UT. I reckon if you only have one year left to play, you have little to no negotiation power.

 

[TN_gal]

Here is an article that lists the mock draft projections:

Looking at Where Vols Are Landing in Latest MLB Mock Drafts

I also included it in the OP.

 

[Ryno14]

Here are the final draft rankings from ESPN's Kiley McDaniel. I counted six Tennessee players and 1 Tennessee commit on his list. (7 total)

11. Drew Gilbert (21.8), CF, Tennessee
25. Jordan Beck (21.1), RF, Tennessee
52. Blade Tidwell (21.0), RHP, Tennessee
78. Trey Lipscomb (22.0), 3B, Tennessee
91. Ben Joyce (21.8), RHP, Tennessee
194. Alex Stanwich (18.8) CF Lincoln-Way East HS (IL) (Tennessee)
211. Jorel Ortega (21.4) 2B Tennessee

We should include Reggie Crawford on this list since it seems probable that he will be a Vol if he doesn't go high

 

[MAD]

 

[cobbwebb0710]

Here is an article that lists the mock draft projections:

Looking at Where Vols Are Landing in Latest MLB Mock Drafts

I also included it in the OP.

I’d wager that the MLB draft is going to experience some rather high ratings this year, just for the simple fact that Volnation will be showing up and tuning in!

 

[Volfan1000]

Here are the final draft rankings from ESPN's Kiley McDaniel. I counted six Tennessee players and 1 Tennessee commit on his list. (7 total)

11. Drew Gilbert (21.8), CF, Tennessee
25. Jordan Beck (21.1), RF, Tennessee
52. Blade Tidwell (21.0), RHP, Tennessee
78. Trey Lipscomb (22.0), 3B, Tennessee
91. Ben Joyce (21.8), RHP, Tennessee
194. Alex Stanwich (18.8) CF Lincoln-Way East HS (IL) (Tennessee)
211. Jorel Ortega (21.4) 2B Tennessee

Tidwell is mentioned as a potential pick by Atlanta at pick number 20 by Jake Mastrionni on his Locked in Braves podcast on You Tube.

Atlanta also has the number 35 pick via trade from Kansas City.

 

[TN_gal]

Came across this interview with Coach V from yesterday's SportsTalk. It's an interview touches on everything, the two main topics are the upcoming MLB draft and transfers. He'll be there in person for the first round on Sunday.

 

[taylorvol]

Came across this interview with Coach V from yesterday's SportsTalk. It's an interview touches on everything, the two main topics are the upcoming MLB draft and transfers. He'll be there in person for the first round on Sunday.

CTV will be the college baseball expert like Corbin was last year. Tremendous exposure for UT.

 

[cobbwebb0710]

Tidwell is mentioned as a potential pick by Atlanta at pick number 20 by Jake Mastrionni on his Locked in Braves podcast on You Tube.

Atlanta also has the number 35 pick via trade from Kansas City.

I know a few guys in the baseball forum that would lose their dang minds if the Braves got Blade and either Gilbert or Beck!
Other than LF and C, they really don’t have a position player that starts or gets PT, over the age of 28!

 

[TN_gal]

Can you add a birthdate to the sheets?

Players who have graduated high school but not attended college are eligible for the draft, as are those who have completed at least one year of junior college. Players attending four-year colleges are eligible to be drafted upon completing their junior year or turning 21 years old.

Rule 4 Draft | Glossary | MLB.com

@StarRaider The draft-eligible players tab has now been updated with the birthdates.

 

[TN_gal]

We should include Reggie Crawford on this list since it seems probable that he will be a Vol if he doesn't go high

Thanks for the suggestion, @Ryno14. I updated the OP to include Reggie Crawford. He is #63 on McDaniel's list.

 

[MAD]

@StarRaider The draft-eligible players tab has now been updated with the birthdates.

That made me feel super old.

 

[TN_gal]

Catching up with the thread. @StarRaider, @cobbwebb0710 thanks so much for the prayers for my mom. We should know some results from the first test on Monday, so it's the waiting game this weekend. I'm glad the MLB draft starts Sunday night as it'll give me something else to focus on for a little while.

I'll be adding bits and pieces to this thread. over the next couple of days.

 

[TN_gal]

That made me feel super old.

Same here, mads.

 

[MAD]

CTV will be the college baseball expert like Corbin was last year. Tremendous exposure for UT.

 

[TN_gal]

:Latest batch of rankings:


2022 MLB Draft Top 100 prospects: Keith Law's final rankings ahead of Round 1

14 Jordan Beck OF Tennessee
18 Drew Gilbert OF Tennessee
32 Blade Tidwell RHP Tennessee
82 Reggie Crawford LHP Connecticut

2022 MLB draft guide: Best fits, system strengths and weaknesses for all 30 teams

Baltimore Orioles

Best fits: There are lots of players who fit their after-the-first-round type: Vanderbilt RF Spencer Jones, Tennessee RF Jordan Beck, Oregon State CF Jacob Melton, Oklahoma SS Peyton Graham, Cal RF Dylan Beavers, Louisville C Dalton Rushing, Florida CF Jud Fabian, VCU 3B Tyler Locklear, Illinois State CF Ryan Cermak

Cincinnati Reds

Best fits: Prep pitchers Dylan Lesko, Jacob Miller and Jackson Ferris, Vanderbilt RF Spencer Jones, prep CF Justin Crawford, Tennessee RF Jordan Beck

Oakland Athletics

Best fits: Tennessee CF Drew Gilbert and Oklahoma State RHP Justin Campbell have been rumored for a while, with Arizona C Daniel Susac and Oregon State CF Jacob Melton also logical fits.

Atlanta Braves

Best fits: The heavy rumors are underslot college pitching at their first pick, with Oklahoma State RHP Jacob Campbell, Campbell RHP Thomas Harrington, Georgia RHP Jonathan Cannon, Gonzaga RHP Gabriel Hughes and Tennessee RHP Blade Tidwell all prominent.

What about that kid who threw 105 mph?

That's Ben Joyce, Tennessee relief pitcher. Joyce pitched 32⅓ innings for the Vols and had 53 strikeouts and 14 walks while holding batters to a .157 average -- although he was tagged for five home runs. And, yes, 105 is not an exaggeration; he threw a pitch clocked at 105.5 mph on May 1 against Auburn. The only pitches known to have been throw harder, at least via official readings, were two pitches thrown by then-Reds reliever Aroldis Chapman in 2010.

There was a time when velocity alone would have made Joyce a first-round pick. Heck, Rice relief pitcher Matt Anderson went first overall to the Tigers in 1997 thanks to a 100 mph heater. But Joyce has very little experience, having pitched little in high school due to injuries, missing his first season at Walters State Community College in 2019 with an elbow injury and pitching just 20⅔ innings there in 2020 before transferring to Tennessee and missing all of 2021 after Tommy John surgery.

Maybe some team will find that fastball too hard to resist. The Rockies have four of the first 50 picks; why not the roll dice on Joyce with one of those?

https://www.prospects1500.com/mlb-draft/2022-mlb-draft-rankings-top-50/

20) Jordan Beck, OF, Tennessee – The biggest question with Beck is whether or not he will make enough contact as he has struggled in past stints with a wood bat, but the toolsy athleticism is something easy to love. He flirts with plus arm and power while running well for a 225 pounder. He projects best in right field and has been a very productive player in the SEC, so he will likely be a quick mover early in his minor league career.

24) Blade Tidwell, RHP, Tennessee – While most top college arms were performing early in the season, then getting injured halfway through it seemed, Tidwell did the opposite, opening the season injured and ending healthy. Like seemingly every arm in Knoxville this season, Tidwell has a power fastball, but it is the slider and sinking change that make him a genuine starting pitching prospect.

26) Drew Gilbert, OF, Tennessee – The lasting image of Gilbert for most college baseball fans is likely his heated ejection in the Super Regionals against Notre Dame, but he should have plenty of opportunities to make a bigger name for himself at the next level. He is only 5’9”, and the power is limited, but he makes plenty of contact and has a plus arm in the field that once was a mid-90s fastball on the mound. He is a good enough fielder to hold down center, and his eye at the plate might be the best of any college hitter.

 

[TN_gal]

Question: Aside from Backus and Valentine, do we have any other 2022 JUCO signees? I tried to look for a list, but had a hard time finding anything. Thanks in advance!

 

[Volprofch05]

Question: Aside from Backus and Valentine, do we have any other 2022 JUCO signees? I tried to look for a list, but had a hard time finding anything. Thanks in advance!

I poked around some when you first asked, but had a hard time finding anything. I'm kind of surprised how little information there is out there on JUCO commitments.

 

[preacherman20]

We have at least one RHP coming from juco but can’t remember name.

 

[youcancallmeAl]

Under the current regime, headed by GM MIke Elias, the Orioles have used their first round picks for a catcher, a SS, and two power hitting projected corner outfielders. All of them college products, as they have stated that preference because they have needed to get their prospects quickly to the majors in their rebuild mode. They have the 1/1 pick this year after tanking last year. They won't take a pitcher with a first round pick, a policy I agree with. They are rumored to be kicking the tires on Druw Jones , the projected 1/1. Although they have stayed away from HS prospects for the first four drafts under Elias, I expect they will take Jones or another CF they feel good about, as CF Cedric Mullins will be a FA in 2026, and they have no heir apparent now. I can't see them going all the way down to pick up Drew Gilbert with the 1/1, but he may be someone they take a close look at to be their future CF. He would make a dandy lead off hitter for someone, too. They have gone down the board previously to underslot their first pick and have money for later picks, so they just might surprise and take Drew. I doubt it, but I'm hoping for it.

 

[StarRaider]

Question: Aside from Backus and Valentine, do we have any other 2022 JUCO signees? I tried to look for a list, but had a hard time finding anything. Thanks in advance!

from @GregAmsler Tennessee Baseball Commitments

Colby Backus (JUCO) OF 6'5" 200 R-R Walters State CC
Bryce Jenkins (JUCO) RHP 5'10 176 R-R Cleveland State https://twitter.com/bryce10jenkins
Aaron Combs (JUCO) RHP 6'3" 175 R-R Central Florida https://twitter.com/aaroncombsbsb
Jacob Bimbi (JUCO) LHP 5'11" 148 L-L Wabash Valley (says 2024 on his twitter, edit this may mean his Sr year?) https://twitter.com/jacobbimbi?lang=en
Turner Swistak (JUCO) RHP 6'2" 210 R-R Pearl River


Dakota Harris (JUCO) 2B/SS 6’0” 185 S-R Polk State - I saw a post where Dakota decommitted and committed to Georgia... this might have been Ahuna collateral damage
Chase Valentine (JUCO) SS 6’0” 175 R-R Central Arizona https://twitter.com/cvalentine_27

 

[Volfan1000]

Came across this interview with Coach V from yesterday's SportsTalk. It's an interview touches on everything, the two main topics are the upcoming MLB draft and transfers. He'll be there in person for the first round on Sunday.

This will be a public relations boom for Tennessee.