3 pitchers the Mets could select in the first round of the 2022 Draft

The New York Mets arguably have the best pitching rotation in all of Major League Baseball, with a one-two punch of Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer. The Mets also rank 20th strongest farm systems of the 30 major league teams, and held a 2021 midseason rank of 22. 14 of the 30 top Mets prospects are pitchers, which complement the future of the arm-staff.  

The Mets are slated to pick twice this year in the first round; 11th pick to compensate for not signing 2021 pick, Kumar Rocker, and 14th round pick. This year’s MLB draft will be 20-rounds, making competition between prospects very intense. As the Rocker did not meet the terms of signing with the Mets last year, drafting top-notch pitching this year will be crucial.

3 Pitchers the New York Mets should consider in the First Round

1. RHP Blade Tidwell, Tennessee

Ranked at No. 13 of MLB’s top draft prospects for 2022, Blade is a 6’4” 207lbs rocket-launcher northpaw out of Tennessee. The 20-year old possesses 4 pitches in his repertoire, with a fastball maxing at 99pmh, with a range of 94-96mph.  His out-pitch is his slider that sits low 80s, up to 87-88mph with strong sweeping action and late break. His changeup is one of a kind, one which works low, often has batters fishing ahead and out of the zone. His curveball is another option, least depended on pitch which he can start off counts with. Tidwell is strong, athletic, with a rubber-like arm, and still growing in size.

2.       RHP Brock Porter, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s

When looking at Brock Porter, he reminds me of last year’s 2nd round pick, Calvin Ziegler, with a similar delivery, body type, and grading. Porter is a top-class high school arm, and current Clemson commit. He has 4 pitch-options, with a heater fastball sitting 94-97mph, topping a hot 100mph with run. His changeup is his out-pitch, with good ability to change speeds, work low, in and out the zone, and followed by a hard slider and good curveball. In 2021, he was Gatorade’s State Player of the year, with a perfect 12-0 record and a 0.56 ERA.

3.       LHP Jackson Ferris, IMG Academy

One of the most spoken about left-handers in this draft class, coming out of the well-known IMG Academy in the sunshine state, Jackson Ferris shows various current and presentable reasons to be considered very early in the draft; with the Mets have 2 1st round picks, why not? Ferris is 6’4” 190lbs, tall, slim-athletic with a ton of potential to grow his pitch-options from raw to plus. He works a triangle of pitch options, in a fastball, curveball, and changeup. His fastball ranges at 93-95 with run, and solid ability to command.  This velocity is projected to hit 98-99.  His change is workable, along with a good 12-6 hook! His makeup and body type screams projectable, and has starting pitcher potential.

The New York Mets have 2 chances in round 1 to make up for the misshapen of 2021’s Kumar Rocker selection. Pitching will be needed!