Miami Marlins: 10 way-too-early first round targets for 2022 MLB Draft

10. OF Chase DeLauter – James Madison

While there are two big high school outfield prospects that stick-out among the rest in this draft at the position, you could certainly make an excellent case that DeLauter is the top collegiate outfielder in the 2022 Draft. A two-way player at James Madison, DeLauter easily sticks-out offensively however having slashed a combined .385/.488/.657 across his first two seasons with the Dukes in a combined 42 games.

A player who continues to rise up draft boards, DeLauter has legit five-tool potential as a prospect, and is a player who can hit for both average and power while also a threat to make an impact on the base paths. Capable of playing any outfield position defensively, DeLauter is easily one of the top collegiate hitters in this draft, and is a player who will only continue to rise as the 2022 college baseball season draws near.

9. LHP Jackson Ferris – IMG Academy (FL)

The 2022 MLB Draft class displays a few notable left-hander’s that will all likely go in the upper-half of the first round with the one likeliest to come off the board first being Ferris, a Mount Airy, NC native who attends in-state IMG Academy. An Ole Miss commit, Ferris is widely regarded as one of the top overall high school arms in this class, and backed that up during the 2021 season where he posted a 0.55 ERA across 50.2 innings with the Ascenders.

The 6’4 left-hander already displays a fastball that sits in the mid-90’s, but also uses an impressive breaking ball and changeup that can also get batters out to pair with excellent command for each. Still only 17-years-old, Ferris continues to rise up the ranks as one of the top overall pitchers in the 2022 draft, and is emerging as a high-upside lock to go in the Top 10 picks overall, even potentially Top 5.