Similar to the state of Georgia, Florida will once again be a prominent state featured in the 2022 MLB Draft as multiple top prep prospects from the Sunshine State will be selected in the upper rounds this year. Here is a short look at who those seven prospects are.
Elijah Green
While the state of Georgia had three players in the top 10 prospects overall, including two in the conversation for the No. 1 overall pick, Florida also has a player in that conversation in Green. A standout outfielder at IMG Academy who posted a 1.116 OPS as a junior in 2021 for the Ascenders, Green has five-tool potential led by his elite speed, which grades as a 70 on MLB’s 20/80 scale.
Jackson Ferris
The top high school, and possibly overall, left-hander in the 2022 MLB Draft is Ferris, yet another IMG Academy stand out who is coming off a phenomenal junior season that included a 0.55 ERA across 50.2 IP. The 6-foot-4 southpaw has not only been an impactful pitcher for the Ascenders, but also with Canes National, where Ferris has showcased his impressive three-pitch mix.
Brandon Barriera
Right behind Ferris in the conversation for the top high school left-hander is Barriera, the next prospect in the line of draft picks from American Heritage. A Vanderbilt commit, Barriera has some of the best pure stuff of any prep pitcher in the 2022 MLB Draft in his three-pitch mix, each of which have excellent command.
Walter Ford
One of the youngest players in the upcoming draft is Ford, who transferred to Pace over the summer, while also reclassifying. The right-hander is an intriguing two-way prospect who hits for plus-power, as well as displaying a strong three-pitch mix on the mound led by an electric fastball.
Sal Stewart
A name that may actually sound familiar to fans of high school baseball is Stewart, a third baseman from Westminster Christian who ranked among the nation’s leaders in home runs in 2021 with 17 total. As expected, Stewart has some of the best power potential of any prep player in the 2022 MLB Draft, as well as being a strong defender at the hot corner.
Brady Neal
The top overall catcher in the state of Florida entering the 2022 season is Neal, the third and final IMG Academy product on this list. After slashing .371/.446/.612 as a sophomore a year ago, the recently reclassified Neal is one of the top overall catchers in the 2022 draft.
Jurrangelo Cijntje
The final prospect from the state of Florida expected to go in the early rounds is Cijntje, an intriguing prospect from Champagnat Catholic. Not only is Cijntje a two-way player, but he is also both a left-handed and right-handed pitcher, both of which he displays impressive pure stuff.
