Blue Jays: Updated review of the 2022 MLB mock drafts

TORONTO, ON - JUNE 15: Toronto Blue Jays General Manager Ross Atkins ahead of their MLB game against the Baltimore Orioles at Rogers Centre on June 15, 2022 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JUNE 15: Toronto Blue Jays General Manager Ross Atkins ahead of their MLB game against the Baltimore Orioles at Rogers Centre on June 15, 2022 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) /
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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.