The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
A look back at ’21 draft
The 2022 MLB Draft starts on July 17, and Cleveland holds the 16th overall pick, the highest it has picked since the 2016, when the organization selected 14th in the first round that year.
In 2021, Cleveland made 21 selections and signed them all. Just shy of a year later, here’s a look at some of their notable picks, where they are, and how they’re performing, ahead of the 2022 draft.
RHP Gavin Williams (1st round, 23rd overall): Started at High-A Lake County, recently promoted Double-A Akron. 1.48 ERA in 61 innings with 86 strikeouts and 22 walks. He’s on the fast track to be major-league ready.
LHP Doug Nikhazy (2nd round, 58th overall): 3.71 ERA in 53 1/3 innings pitched at High-A Lake County, but has struggled with control, having issued 39 walks. He has struck out 67 and only allowed 38 hits. He’s good when he throws enough strikes.
RHP Tommy Mace (Competitive Balance Round B, 69th overall): 4.38 ERA at High-A Lake County with control problems like Nikhazy. Has 31 strikeouts and 19 walks in 34 2/3 innings. His fastball is down to 90-93 mph from 92-96 in college.
INF/OF Jake Fox (3rd round, 95th overall): One of just two hitters Cleveland drafted in 2021. Playing second base and centerfield at High-A Lynchburg. The 19-year-old is hitting .259/.424/.371 in 295 plate appearances through July 7.
LHP Ryan Webb (3th round, 125th overall): University of Georgia lefty finished his rehab from Tommy John surgery and is expected to make his first full-season league start in the coming days at Low-A Lynchburg.
RHP Tanner Bibee (5th round, 156th overall): Posted a 2.59 ERA in 59 innings at High-A Lake County with 86 strikeouts and just 13 walks. Struck out six in five shutout innings in his Double-A debut on July 7. His fastball has jumped to 93-98 after throwing 89-94 in college.
RHP Aaron Davenport (6th round, 186th overall): Has a 4.59 ERA in 51 innings with 60 strikeouts and 32 walks at High-A Lake County through July 6.
RHP Jack Leftwich (7th round, 216th overall): Has a 2.39 ERA in 60 1/3 innings pitched with 84 strikeouts and 10 walks at Low-A Lynchbug. Struck out four in 6 1/3 shutout innings in his first start at High-A Lake County.
LHP Rodney Boone (8th round, 246th overall): Has an impressive 1.85 ERA in in 48 2/3 innings at Low-A Lynchburg.
LHP Will Dion (9th round, 276th overall): The 22-year-old has a 1.84 ERA in 73 1/3 innings at Low-A Lynchburg with 85 strikeouts and 19 walks.
Others of note
RHP Franco Aleman (on the IL at Lynchburg), RHP Hunter Stanley (on the IL at Lake County),
OF Connor Koxk (starting OF at Lake County), RHP Davis Sharpe (reliever at Lake County, started season at Lynchburg), RHP Trenton Denholm (starting pitcher at Lynchburg, improving fastball velocity), RHP Alaska Abney (reliever at Lake County), RHP Zach Pettway (rehabbing reliever at Arizona Complex League), RHP Tyler Thornton (reliever in Lynchburg), RHP Tommy Ventimiglia (lone high school pitcher drafted by Cleveland, pitching at Arizona Complex League), RHP Reid Johnston (starting pitcher at Lynchburg), RHP Jake Miller (on IL at Lynchburg).
Prospect notes
OF George Valera and 1B/OF Jhonkensy Noel were selected to represent the Guardians in the MLB Futures Game, a seveninning contest at Dodger Stadium July 16 at 7 p.m. during All-Star weekend. It’s the first Future’s game selection for both prospects, who are both on the Guardians 40-man roster. … RHP Ethan Hankins is recovering from Tommy John surgery and throwing bullpens in Arizona at the club’s spring training complex. … RHP Cody Morris (shoulder) is progressing to throwing in Arizona as well.