With the MLB Draft right around the corner, we begin to take a look at some of the top prospects available for selection this season. The 2022 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft will take place July 17–19, 2022 in Los Angeles. The draft will assign amateur baseball players to MLB teams. The draft order will be set based on the reverse order of the 2021 MLB season standings.
This draft hype is huge with that of Druw Jones, son of should-be MLB Hall of Famer Andruw Jones. His father was known for his great tenure with the Atlanta Braves in the late 90’s. He tallied 434 bombs in total while racking up 10 Gold Gloves, five All-Star nods and winning a Silver Slugger award in 2005.
High School: Wesleyan HS, Norcross, Ga. State: Georgia
Ht.: 6’3″ Wt.: 175 lbs. Bats: R Throws: R
Living Up to the Hype
Although it may not come as a surprise, Druw Jones is an excellent defender in center field. At an athletic frame of 6-4, 180 Jones has some of the best combination of tools with a high projection of potential and baseball skills in the entire draft class.
One knock you could point at is the swing of Druw, which always isn’t as fluid as one would like. But the eighteen-year-old is still raw and can be groomed for discipline within a player development program. Jones has a knack for driving the ball hard and making solid contact. For his age, Jones is already showing great signs of quality swing decisions with his approach at the plate.
It’s also worth noting that Jones has shown promising signs at shortstop in workouts as well. Only boosting to his observed athleticism. Field-wide versatility will also be another reason teams will want him inside their organizations.
POISED at a Young Age
As we have seen over the years with legacy players, high praise is often dished quickly. By no means does it leave them from criticism as well. This will definitely feel during a game in Decatur, Georgia earlier this spring that went viral. The visiting crowd et him hear just how they felt about him during his first at-bat.
They shouted while Jones was in the box with “overrated” chants as he prepared to take on their starting pitcher. The pitcher who was also a top prospect and commit to Georgia State.
The chants only fueled the competitive fire for Jones as he launched on over the center-field fence, ultimately hushing the crowd. Already seeing Jones performing in big moments showing he is not fazed by the pressures that are being bestowed on him.
As you can see in the video above, Jones has a great “pop” in his bat, with excellent exit velocity. With some swing adjustments from higher level development, Druw could easily hit that next level to fully unlock that future power.
Although Jones shows himself “stepping into the bucket” his tools are phenomenal and are any organizations dream to work with.
PREDICTION
Druw is currently committed to play for Vanderbilt next spring, but barring something completely unexpected you can make a solid assumption that he will forego his collegiate career and head straight into an organizations player development system.
“He’s the best defensive center fielder in the class, with tremendous instincts and athleticism, as well as 70-grade speed.”
Baseball America
It’s hard not to see him being the first overall selection this year sending Jones to the Orioles. Mike Elias, Baltimore’s General Manager has done a fantastic job building up the farm throughout the organization and this one seems like a home run. Simply put, this kid is good. The Baltimore Orioles in the past few seasons have been known to go under the slot price, but it is highly unlikely they will try and do something along those lines with the first overall selection in 2022.
Regardless of where Jones gets drafted to (Orioles or some other team like Pirates at #2) he will be easily a few years from breaking the majors. Jones will only be 18 years and __ months when he is selected in June, leaving plenty of time to grow and develop into a hopeful better version of his old man. Some big shoes to fill without question, but Druw has the tools to accomplish it.
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About the Author
Christian Rauh is the Co-Founder of Slasher Sports and is the Host of The Rauh Report Podcast and Wake Up! with Wowie and The Kid. You Can find all his written work here.
