Draft night in 2022 felt different. It was the first time we saw the draft moved to July to coincide with the All-Star festivities, and honestly, the tension in Los Angeles was palpable. Most of us were glued to the screen wondering if the Baltimore Orioles would actually take the "best player available" or go for another under-slot deal to spread their money around.
When they called Jackson Holliday’s name at 1-1, the trajectory of the franchise shifted. Fast forward to now, and we’re seeing those 2022 MLB draft results play out in the box scores every single night. It wasn't just about the first pick, though. This class was deep with high-school talent and a few college arms that have already survived the meat grinder of the minor leagues.
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The Top of the Board: Hits and Misses
Looking back at the top ten, it’s a fascinating mix of "told you so" and "what happened?" Jackson Holliday lived up to the hype almost instantly. He was the first high schooler from this class to debut, breaking into the bigs in early 2024. By 2025, he was a fixture in the Orioles' lineup, slashing .242 with 17 homers while showing the kind of plate discipline that makes scouts drool.
Then you have Druw Jones. The Diamondbacks took him at number two, and the "son of Andruw Jones" narrative was everywhere. But baseball is cruel. Jones dealt with a torn labrum almost immediately after signing, then fought through quad and hamstring issues. While he started to show flashes of that Gold Glove potential in High-A Hillsboro during the 2025 season, he hasn’t had the meteoric rise many expected. It's a reminder that even "can't-miss" prospects are one awkward slide away from a setback.
The 2022 First Round Top 10
The names at the top defined the strategies of their respective front offices. Here is how that elite group shook out:
- Jackson Holliday (SS, Orioles) - Stillwater HS
- Druw Jones (OF, D-backs) - Wesleyan HS
- Kumar Rocker (RHP, Rangers) - Tri-City ValleyCats
- Termarr Johnson (SS, Pirates) - Mays HS
- Elijah Green (OF, Nationals) - IMG Academy
- Jacob Berry (OF, Marlins) - LSU
- Cade Horton (RHP, Cubs) - Oklahoma
- Brooks Lee (SS, Twins) - Cal Poly
- Gavin Cross (OF, Royals) - Virginia Tech
- Gabriel Hughes (RHP, Rockies) - Gonzaga
The Zach Neto Phenomenon
If you want to talk about the real winner of the 2022 MLB draft results, you have to talk about Zach Neto. The Angels took him 13th overall out of Campbell University. He didn't care about "developmental timelines."
Neto was the first player from the entire 2022 class to reach the Major Leagues, debuting in April 2023. Think about that for a second. He went from college ball to the Big Leagues in less than a year. By 2025, he wasn't just a "young guy" anymore; he was a 5-WAR superstar hitting 23 home runs and stealing 30 bases. He basically became the engine of that Angels offense while everyone was still looking at Mike Trout.
Why We Should’ve Seen the Pitching Shift Coming
One of the weirdest stories of that night was Kumar Rocker. After the Mets drama in 2021, the Rangers shocked everyone by taking him at number three. It was a massive gamble.
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Rocker eventually underwent Tommy John surgery (again), but the Rangers’ aggressive scouting of "rehab" arms became a blueprint. Similarly, the Cubs took Cade Horton at seven after a massive College World Series run. At the time, people called it a reach. Now? Horton’s wipeout slider is one of the most feared pitches in the Chicago system.
Late Round Values and "Steals"
The 2022 draft wasn't won only on Sunday night. It was won in the trenches of the second and third rounds.
- Dalton Rushing (Dodgers, 2nd Round): The Dodgers just keep doing it. They took Rushing 40th overall, and he immediately started mashing. By 2025, he was widely considered the best catching prospect in baseball.
- Drew Thorpe (Yankees, 2nd Round): Known for a changeup that looks like it's falling off a table, Thorpe became a huge trade chip before establishing himself as a mid-rotation stabilizer.
- Chase DeLauter (Guardians, 1st Round): Falling to 16th because of a foot injury was a blessing for Cleveland. He’s the prototypical Guardians hitter: high contact, elite eye, and more power than he gets credit for.
The Financial Fallout
The 2022 cycle also set the stage for the massive bonuses we’re seeing today. Jackson Holliday signed for $8.19 million, which was a record for a high schooler at the time. It’s funny looking back now that his younger brother, Ethan Holliday, went to the Rockies in the 2025 draft and shattered that record with a $9 million signing bonus.
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The Holliday family basically owns the draft at this point.
What This Means for Your Dynasty Team
If you’re still holding onto prospects from this class, the window is closing on the "potential" tag. You’re either a contributor now or you’re a "change of scenery" candidate.
Honestly, the biggest takeaway from the 2022 MLB draft results is the importance of "proximity to the bigs." College bats like Neto and Brooks Lee proved that if you can hit at a high level in the Power Five or even the Big South, the jump to pro ball isn't as scary as it used to be. Meanwhile, the high school "toolsy" guys like Elijah Green are still fighting the high strikeout rates that plagued them as teenagers.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Collectors:
- Watch the K-Rates: For guys like Elijah Green or Termarr Johnson, if the strikeout rate hasn't dipped below 25% by now, it’s time to be concerned.
- Buy the Post-Hype Injury Dip: Druw Jones is still a premier talent. If someone in your card-collecting circle or fantasy league is frustrated by his slow start, that's your opening.
- The Pitching Ninja Effect: Keep an eye on the 2022 arms reaching their third full year of pro ball. This is typically when "pitch design" changes from the big league club finally take hold.
The 2022 draft didn't just give us a few stars; it redefined how teams value high-floor college players versus high-ceiling prep stars. Whether you're an Orioles fan basking in the Jackson Holliday era or a D-backs fan waiting for Druw Jones to take flight, these results are the foundation of the current MLB landscape.
Check the current MiLB stats for any 2022 draftees still in Double-A; if they haven't been promoted by the 2026 mid-season mark, their "prospect" status is officially in jeopardy.