Blue Jays: Updated review of the 2022 MLB mock drafts

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Roughly one month ago, I took a look at some of the early 2022 MLB mock drafts from across the league and the different players that were tied to the Blue Jays. A quick review:

Keith Law (The Athletic): OF Chase DeLauter
Jonathan Mayo (MLB.com): SS Jett Williams
Jim Callis (MLB.com): OF Justin Crawford
Ryan Miller (JustBaseball.com): RHP Andrew Dutkanych
Joe Doyle (ProspectsLive.com): RHP Gabriel Hughes

Since that article came out on May 24th, journalists and analysts like Jonathan Mayo, Jim Callis, and Joe Doyle have updated their mock drafts while a few more journalists are joining the fray with the MLB Draft scheduled to start on July 17th.

The Blue Jays hold the 23rd pick in the upcoming draft with an assigned slot value of $3,075,300, with three more picks before the third round due to losing Marcus Semien and Robbie Ray after they rejected their qualifying offers.

Let’s take a look at the latest mock drafts and add in a few different takes from across the league.

Jett Williams – SS

Predicted by Jonathan Mayo at MLB.com

One of the only players on this list still connected to the Jays after the first article, Jonathan Mayo believes that shortstop Jett Williams and the Blue Jays are a lock at #23 once again this time around.

Currently ranked as the #26 prospect by MLB Pipeline, the righty-batter from Rockwall-Heath High School in Heath, Texas is one of the smaller prospects at 5’8″ but is gaining a lot of attention for his ability to put the barrel to the ball. Even with his size, Williams has a quick bat and generates some solid power with scouts believing he has the ability to hit double-digit home runs on a consistent basis.

His 60 speed and athleticism could keep him at shortstop for the long haul but it wouldn’t be surprising if any club that drafts him tries the arm out at various positions both on the infield and potentially in the outfield corners.

He does have a commitment to Mississippi State, so any team that drafts him will need to persuade him from heading to post-secondary. Ross Atkins and co. have drafted a high-school shortstop with their first pick before with Jordan Groshans back in 2018. With so many middle infielders in the system, do the Blue Jays head back to the middle infielder well if Williams is available?

TORONTO, ON – MAY 21: Rawlings baseballs during batting practice ahead of the MLB game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Cincinnati Reds at Rogers Centre on May 21, 2022 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) /

Chase DeLauter – OF

Predicted by Jim Callis at MLB.com and Mike Axisa at CBS Sports

Another player making a second appearance on the 2022 MLB Mock Drafts for the Blue Jays is outfielder Chase DeLauter out of James Madison University.

In the first edition, it was predicted that DeLatuer and the Jays would link up via Keith Law over at The Athletic but now both Jim Callis and Mike Axisa believe the Blue Jays will take the 19th-ranked prospect if his name is still on the draft board on July 17th.

The MLB Draft is just under a month away and the Blue Jays are tied to a few different prospects with the latest round of mock drafts.

The move makes sense on a few different fronts. The Blue Jays are lacking outfield depth in the top prospect pool, especially in the higher depths of the minor league system. DeLauter had a great campaign with JMU before a broken foot ended his year prematurely. Through 24 games, the lefty-batter posted a 1.404 OPS with 38 hits through 87 at-bats, 17 of which were for extra bases. He also posted stellar numbers in the Cape Cod League last summer, owning a .298/.397/.589 slash line through 34 games with nine home runs and a .986 OPS. He probably would be higher up on the rankings had he stayed healthy but he should be good to go once the draft is over and could be a great candidate to get some reps at the tail end of the lower levels of the Minor Leagues this year.

The injury may hurt his draft stock and it is a bit of a toss-up as to whether DeLatuer will be available when the Blue Jays are set to make their pick. An outfielder like DeLauter checks a lot of boxes for the organization and might be one of the better matches compared to the rest of the mock drafts.

Oregon State’s Cooper Hjerpe (26) pitches against Oregon at Goss Stadium in Corvallis, Ore. on Saturday, May 7, 2022.Oregon Vs Oregon State Baseball 850 /

Cooper Hjerpe – LHP

Predicted by Joe Doyle at Prospectslive.com

Ranked at #32 via MLB Pipeline, southpaw Cooper Hjerpe out of Oregan State is one pitcher that Joe Doyle over at Prospects Live thinks is a good fit for the Blue Jays at the 2022 MLB Draft.

In a draft year dominated by high school position players, Hjerpe is the 10th ranked pitcher and second left-handed college arm on the draft board. The California product made 18 appearances this season (17 starts) and led the Beavers in innings pitched (103.2), strikeouts (161), and starters ERA at 2.53.

Dubbed the National Pitcher of the Year by the College Baseball Foundation, Hjerpe doesn’t blow you away with his 91-93 MPH velocity but combined with his funky yet deceptive delivery mixed with a plus breaking ball earned him a 14.0 K/9 on the year. His delivery definitely gives off some Aaron Loup vibes with how low he gets to the ground and with his arm angle.

A college left-hander would do well considering the only Jays’ top prospect who pitches from the same side is Ricky Tiedemann, with the rest of the list being dominated by right-handers. Considering Ross Atkins has used his first pick on a college arm three times since 2016, the odds are definitely in Hjerpe’s favour.

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – MAY 27: Rawlings gloves are seen on the field during batting practice ahead of the game between the Los Angeles Angels and the Toronto Blue Jays at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 27, 2022 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) /

Tucker Toman – 3B

Predicted by Joel Rueter at Bleacher Report

A little further down the MLB Pipeline rankings is third baseman, Tucker Toman, out of Hammond High School in Columbia, South Carolina.

The switch-hitting infielder had a great spring campaign as a senior and recently made some headlines at the draft combine, hitting 75% of balls at an exit velocity speed greater than 95 MPH with an 85% ranking when it comes to “sweet-spot” percentage on the bat.

Regarded as one of the better high school hitters in the upcoming draft, Toman features above-average power and has the ability to hit across the diamond, aided by the fact he can swing it from both sides of the plate. Scouts believe his arm strength and fielding may pull him away from third base but a move to second base or the outfield may help not only with his development but also with his pathway to the Majors, especially if he moves to one of the corner outfield positions in the Jays system.

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With a commitment to Louisiana State, Toman is a bit of an off-the-board pick for the first round but could be a move that helps with the finances if the Jays can get him to sign under slot, similar to the Groshans move the club made back in 2018.

Home / Toronto Blue Jays News

Jett Williams – SS

Chase DeLauter – OF

The MLB Draft is just under a month away and the Blue Jays are tied to a few different prospects with the latest round of mock drafts.

Cooper Hjerpe – LHP

Tucker Toman – 3B

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