Georgia 2022 Rankings Update - The Top-10
April 21, 2022
We are only a few short months away from the 2022 MLB Draft, and Georgia is in store for a potentially historic class with three of the top high school prospects in the entire country. Termarr Johnson (Mays), Druw Jones (Wesleyan) and Dylan Lesko (Buford) have all been considered top prospects in the state from early in their prep career’s. Now, they are each making a case to be seriously considered No. 1.
The No. 1 prospect in the state remains SS/2B Termarr Johnson (Mays). Johnson is one of the most advanced high school hitters in Georgia’s extensive draft history. Precise timing, hand eye coordination, and swing efficiency separate him from the pack. It's very rare to see him off balance at the plate, and even the best pitching prospects in the country found it tough to miss his barrel. Perfectly connected swing that stays in the hitting zone forever. Can run, and has improved his defense over the last year.
Moving up to No. 2 is OF Druw Jones (Wesleyan; Vanderbilt). From the ability to recognize spin early out of a pitcher's hand, to incredible jumps & range in center field, Jones does many things on the diamond just like his dad. You can add swing, headfirst slides on steals, and body comparison (at same age) to that list. This is no coincidence. Jones is one of the best defenders in the country at a premium defensive position. He has 3 tools that will play every day no matter what - speed, glove, and arm.
RHP Dylan Lesko (Buford; Vanderbilt) drops one spot, but still remains arguably the top pitching prospect in the country. Lesko has always had advanced stuff. His fastball can reach up to 98 mph, sitting comfortably in the mid 90s. While the velocity is certainly enough to put him over the top, it is his offspeed stuff that truly makes Lesko a special prospect. His changeup is the best in the 2022 draft. A pitch that has been untouchable throughout the right-handers prep career. Lesko has recently developed a curveball that is swing and miss with elite spin rate.
Rising up to No. 4 is one of the state’s top athletes and hitters, OF Gage Harrelson (Houston County; Texas Tech). Harrelson has the ability to impact the game in a multitude of ways. He has a high contact left-handed swing with the ability to spray the ball to all fields. One of the toughest outs in the state, Harrelson has a sharp eye at the plate and recognizes pitches early With 6.5 speed, Harrelson can swipe bags at-will and has enormous range in center field.
Making his first appearance in the top-10 is RHP/QB1 Samuel Horn (Collins Hill; Missouri), who jumps all the way to No. 5. Very few arms in the country can match Horn’s combination of athleticism and pitchability. Standing a long, lean 6-foot-4, 200-pounds, Horn has one of the cleanest, most repeatable deliveries we’ve seen at the high school level. This projects him to have elite command, consistent movement, and hold velocity deep into starts. Every great starting pitcher possesses these three tools. With two different live fastballs that can play up to 94 mph, a future plus breaking ball, and developing changeup, he has as much potential as any arm in the country.
Possessing some of the top pitchability in the state, LHP Cade Fisher (Northwest Whitfield; Florida) comes in at No. 6. We have become accustomed to seeing, a low effort delivery with high level pitchability each time Fisher takes the mound. The future Gator works from a low 3/4 slot and does a good job of staying short on the back-side, allowing him to easily repeat. His fastball sits in the upper 80s and has reached as high as 92 in past view. Fisher pitches to both sides of the plate with his fastball, and routinely used the running action to get under the hands of hitters or get them to extend the zone. Much like his fastball, he has great feel for his curveball, able to locate it at-will. The pitch takes a 1/7 shape with depth and big break.
At No. 7 is RHP Hayden Murphy (Tiftarea Academy; Auburn). Murphy toes the rubber at 6-foot-3, 192-pounds. He possesses lean strength throughout his athletic frame, and still has lots of room for further development. The arm action is long with a full arm swing, but Murphy's athleticism shines as his arm operates with lightning quick arm speed and whip-like qualities. The ball jumps out of a 3/4 slot as he gets out front and downhill. His fastball sits 90-93 and can reach 95 mph. Murphy has a tight, biting slider that he throws with intent at 82-83. He also has a late sinking changeup in the back pocket that he has taken great strides forward with.
Another one of Georgia’s high powered arms comes in at No. 8, RHP/OF Riley Stanford (Buford; Georgia Tech). Stanford has a big fastball that can sit in the mid 90s and get as high as 97 mph. A physical 6-foot-4, 225–pounds, Stanford is an imposing figure on the mound and pitches with high intensity, challenging hitters. The big right-hander also wields one of the most powerful bats in the country and is a threat to go long at any point.
With arguably the most raw power in the 2022 MLB Draft class, C Jared Jones (Walton; LSU) is at No. 9. There might not be a more physically ready prospect in the class than Jones, who stands 6-foot-5, 230-pounds of muscle. A right-handed hitter, he can impact the ball like few can. The ball jumps off his bat, and when he elevates, he is capable of hitting some of the furthest balls you will ever see.
Rounding out the top-10 is RHP/SS Leighton Finley (Richmond Hill; Georgia). Finley is tall and strong at 6-foot-4, 200-pounds, with room to fill out. His fastball has late tail and sink sitting in the low 90s and capable of reaching 95 mph. He commands the pitch to both sides of the plate. His slider comes in at 79-81 with good spin and hard, late diving action. He has a good feel for pitching and repeats his delivery to throw strikes.
Full Class of 2022 Rankings
Related Content