MLB top prospects for 2022

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Baseball is one of those sports where you can totally get lost in the numbers, and scouting the best prospects for the major leagues is one of those exciting things to chat to your friends about in the bar, or speculate on for your fantasy draft.

In this guide, we’re exploring some of the most exciting MLB prospects for 2022, and though winter trading looks a little different this year, expect some of the names we’ve mentioned to start making the headlines in 2022 and beyond.

Of course, there’s no exact science at play here. MLB’s top prospects are a matter of opinion. Keep an eye on the MLB news to see who is living up to expectations.

Bobby Witt Jr.

Bobby’s father had a 16-year career as a pitcher in the big leagues but was never actually selected for an All-Star game.

Witt Jr. was a No. 2 pick in the draft in 2019, but his hitting has shown what an incredible talent he is now that he is a pro with the Royals.

His hitting has been an impressive .290/.361/.575 and he also has 33 home runs and 35 doubles to his name, striking out in less than a quarter of his Triple-A plate apps.

All the signs are there that Bobby Witt Jr. could even surpass the amazing career his father had.

Shane Baz

Shane Baz, at the age of just 22, is already making waves with the Rays in the majors. The Rays have unfinished business in the World Series and recent trades have bolstered the roster.

Baz can boast a 6.00 strikeout-to-walk ratio in his 13 innings to date, and we expect to see much more of him in the future.

He was traded from the Pirates and since the pandemic, his figures have become truly impressive. He can also boast a fastball in the high 90s, with some interesting release-point techniques.

Shane Baz is definitely one for the future.

Francisco Álvarez

Álvarez of the Mets is only just 20 years old. He hasn’t let youth hold him back, and for a young backstop, his hitting is pretty amazing. He hit .272/.388/.554, including 24 home runs, throughout 2021. This includes his figures in the time he spent with the St. Lucie Mets. He had the highest exit velocity the league saw in the season, which has certainly got people talking about this young talent.

Noelvi Marte

Marte is another of the youngsters making waves and potentially looking like he is going to continue to be a huge MLS prospect. Scouts love him, and the fact that he has an impressive swing with a real loft to it.

Some people think his defensive game is lacking, but he’s so incredibly good as an offensive prospect that he is definitely worthy of his place on this list.

In the 2021 season, he managed .271/.368/.462, with 17 homers and 24 doubles – impressive figures from another prospect who has only just hit 20 years of age.

Marcelo Mayer

Going into the draft in the summer, CBS actually ranked Mayer as their top prospect on the board. He went fourth in the overall draft, and the Boston Red Sox took him on.

He’s a left-handed hitter whose figures suggest that he might be able to contribute average, on-base and some big hitting once his frame fills out. He isn’t known to be a quick runner but he is a good defensive player and can also remain a shortstop if needed.

There are limited stats out there and Mayer’s frame needs to fill out before we can really see if he has the chance to become an All-Star.

Jack Leiter

Leiter is a pitcher who has some of the most impressive traits people are looking for, so it is no wonder he was the first pitcher picked in the draft in July. He has a wicked fastball and his release point makes every delivery hard to face.

Like a lot of the younger players, he seems to need to find a little bit more consistency as he grows, but ask any of the scouts out there and they will tell you what an impressive talent we could have on our hands.

Summary

2022 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting MLB seasons for a long time, with some of the most exciting young talents out there for us to keep an eye on. These prospects are definitely some for your fantasy draft.