2022 MLB Draft Preview: Prep bats for the Colorado Rockies to consider

With the MLB lockout in full effect, all is quiet on the baseball transaction front, leaving Colorado Rockies fans in need of some thought provocation.

In the presence of all this uncertainty, one thing is certain: The 2022 MLB draft class is loaded. Early indications suggest the class will offer one of the best hitting crops in memory. That’s where we’ll focus in this article.

The prep bat class is especially notable due to the elite trio of prospects at the top. The college group — which will be covered in a future article — pitches even more enticing names into the fold.

For now, let’s go ahead and highlight six of the most exciting bats in the prep class that could be of interest to the Colorado Rockies

Prep Hitters

Termarr Johnson | SS/2B | Atlanta, GA

An early favorite to run away with the #1 overall pick, Johnson offers a lightning-fast left-handed swing that generates remarkable bat speed. Scouts have also praised his pitch recognition and knack for manipulating the barrel to make contact.

Those offensive skills, in combination with above-average speed, make for an incredible offensive profile. Johnson has been projected for second base but he deserves an opportunity to prove himself as a shortstop in professional ball.

Think Kahlil Watson from last year’s class with an even more juiced-up bat. The Colorado Rockies would be extremely lucky to have Johnson on the board at pick 10, but one of these elite prep hitters is likely to fall due to team underslot strategies.

Perfect Game measurables:

97 mph max exit velo (98th percentile in 2022 class)
6.65 second 60-yard dash (93rd percentile)

Elijah Green | OF | Orlando, FL

Until Termarr Johnson (and the next player to be mentioned) burst onto the scene, Green was seen as the surefire top prep player in the 2022 class. In a normal year, he would be. Unfortunately for him — and fortunately for MLB teams — he’s not alone as a once in five years kind of prospect.

The Miami commit has insane measurables that appear regularly in the field.

Green already stands 6’3″ and 225 pounds with plenty of room to grow. That impressive size gives way to pinnacle-level exit velocities to go along with his Olympic-level speed.

As a result of his incredible athleticism, Green is a promising center-field defender with Platinum Glove upside.

Like Johnson, it would be a miracle if Green slipped to pick 10 but it’s not entirely out of the question given Green’s average hit tool. A Byron Buxton comparison is fair for Green.

Perfect Game measurables:

100 mph max exit velo (99th percentile)
6.15 second 60-yard dash (100th percentile)

Druw Jones | OF | Suwanee, GA

The son of the legendary Andruw Jones, Druw projects to have a similar skill set.

The young outfielder has remarkable range and speed that profile well for center-field. There’s promising power potential and bat-to-ball skills, as well.

The combination of these tools was enough for MLB.com to rank Jones as their top 2022 draft prospect.

Between, Johnson, Green, and Jones, the 2022 class promises three generational-type prep prospects. It’s reasonable to think each player might be ranked as the top prep bat on multiple team boards.

Perfect Game measurables:

93 mph max exit velo (96th percentile)
6.31 second 60-yard dash (99th percentile)

Jayson Jones | SS/3B | Denton, TX

This prep class is loaded with elite tools. For Jones, it’s his power.

The strongly built infielder’s max exit velo at a Perfect Game showcase was 105 mph, the second-highest mark in Perfect Game showcase history, only behind current Mississippi sophomore Kemp Alderman.

Jones has a knack for making consistent contact and could potentially stick at shortstop, making him a really tantalizing prospect. His hitting approach is inconsistent which has limited his draft stock, to this point.

Jones could potentially be a high first-round pick because of his pristine pop, but if he doesn’t hit this spring, he might slide and honor his commitment to Arkansas.

Perfect Game measurables:

105 mph max exit velo (100th percentile)
6.59 second 60-yard dash (95th percentile)

Cole Young | SS | Pittsburgh, PA

Young doesn’t come with any jaw-dropping skills although his hand-eye coordination will wow you if you pay close enough attention.

The Pennsylvania shortstop profiles as an elite pure-hitter with great speed and defensive ability, a high coveted skillset. Young’s power is nothing to write off either.

With the Rockies lacking in shortstop depth, Young could be an ideal pick. It’s very likely, he makes it down to pick 10.

Perfect Game measurables:

94 mph max exit velo (94th percentile)
6.49 second 60-yard dash (97th percentile)

Gavin Turley | OF | Chandler, AZ

Turley can be clumped in with Elijah Green for having ridiculous physical tools across the board.

The 6-foot-2 outfielder has elite speed and power that gives him similar upside to Green as a dynamic center-fielder with light-tower power.

Like Jayson Jones, his less-polished offensive approach infuses significant risk into his profile but he’s likely a lock for the first round given the rare physicality.

Perfect Game measurables:

103 mph max exit velocity (99th percentile)
6.29 second 60-yard dash (99th percentile)

Overall, it’s a pipe dream to hope one of Johnson, Green, or D. Jones fall to the Rockies at pick 10. Still, there’s a trio of exceptional prep bats that will still be available to them and deserve attention.

However, this draft class looks set to offer the best crop of collegiate bats in years. We’ll get into that in the next article.