Texas Rangers Draft: A way too early peek at 2022’s class

Texas Rangers 2022 Draft Prospects: C Kevin Parada

“But the Rangers have Sam Huff and Jonah Heim already.”

While the above is true, sometimes there are can’t-miss talents at positions of strength, and Kevin Parada of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets is one of those.

With rumblings that he could go first overall in 2022 (precedent is there with Adley Rutschman to Baltimore in 2019), Parada may not be there for the Rangers by their selection, but if he is, that is certainly worth considering.

The Yellow Jacket starting backstop brings great defense behind the plate who can already call his own games. He also projects well as a hitter, making him the whole package and potentially the next great Georgia Tech catcher after highly regarded names like Joey Bart, Matt Wieters and Jason Varitek.

Could you imagine a battery of Jack Leiter and Kevin Parada? Holy moly. That’s what we would call must-see TV.

Texas Rangers’ 2022 Draft Prospects: INF Jace Jung

Jace Jung‘s older brother is former Texas Tech Red Raider Josh Jung, the Rangers’ No. 1 prospect who was selected with a first round pick in 2019, so Texas knows their way around the Jungs quite well.

Why not add the younger Jung should the opportunity present itself? Jace is plenty talented, demonstrating a plus bat and winning Big-12 Player of the Year, along with a solid glove at second base.

Jace is almost an exact replica of older brother Josh, with many of the same physical traits and playing style. Two Jungs roaming the infield in Arlington would surely be something to see.

Whether he’s there when the Texas Rangers will pick is a legitimate question, but I have to imagine they’ll have Jace Jung high on their board on draft day given how impressed they’ve been with Josh.

Texas Rangers’ 2022 Draft Prospects: SS Carter Young

There are some pundits who believe had Vandy’s Carter Young been eligible for the 2021 MLB Draft, he would’ve been the first shortstop off the board. In a class that had Marcelo Mayer, Kahlil Watson and Jordan Lawlar in it, that’s awfully high praise.

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Young was Jack Leiter’s teammate on the Commodores, so the two would obviously be familiar with each other. Also, Vanderbilt is a college baseball powerhouse.

He’s projected as a plus defender at shortstop with a good arm. With the bat, Young can hit switch, a huge asset to his game, and does well from both sides of the plate.

Young is also compared to former Vandy product and current Brave Dansby Swanson, who has turned into a productive regular for Atlanta. That’s about all you could ever hope for out of a draftee.

With the Rangers linked to shortstops in 2021, it’s likely they’ll explore the idea of drafting one in 2022. If Carter Young is there when they pick, he’ll surely be in consideration.

Texas Rangers 2022 Draft Prospects: SS Termarr Johnson

The high school shortstops are impressive in the 2022 class. Another standout and potential top selection next summer could be Georgia high schooler Termarr Johnson.

A shortstop with an average build, Johnson is a smooth fielder who has phenomenal bat speed and plus raw power.

Johnson is currently uncommitted to college, though you’d have to think he is being heavily recruited in addition to pursuing a path to the pros right out of high school.

Either way, he’s a projected top-five pick in 2022, and like with Young, the Texas Rangers have a known interest in shortstops. Therefore, expect Johnson’s name to be circulated in rumors surrounding the organization’s draft plans next year.

Texas Rangers 2022 Draft Prospects: SS Brooks Lee

As you might be able to gather from this slider, 2022’s draft class is loaded with shortstops, much like 2021’s class.

Brooks Lee is the last one though, we promise!

Lee, a collegiate shortstop at Cal Polytech, hails from the same state as oft-rumored 2021 draft prospect SS Marcelo Mayer.

The freshman infielder is a switch hitter with plus potential from both sides and is actually ranked as the top hitter in the 2021 draft class according to Baseball America, even ahead of the highly touted Elijah Green. That is some praise for Brooks Lee.

He can pick it with the glove too, so naturally he’s the full package as many of these other prospects seem to be.

Lee probably won’t be a Texas Ranger, as he’ll be selected before they have a chance to pick, but he’s still lots of fun to watch and name to keep track of.

Who do you want the Texas Rangers to select in the 2022 MLB Draft?