Looking back at the 2021 MLB Draft, SEC Baseball saw a total of four players selected within the first round a year ago, each of which were pitchers. With each of those names set for their first full professional season in 2022, where are SEC Baseball’s top stars from a year ago beginning the minor league season this year?
(NOTE: Former Vanderbilt pitcher Kumar Rocker did not sign with the New York Mets last year)
Where are 2021 SEC Baseball first round picks beginning the 2022 season?
Jack Leiter
The No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft out of Vanderbilt, Leiter will make his anticipated professional debut in Double-A of the Texas Rangers organization with the Frisco RoughRiders. The Rangers top prospect, Leiter also enters the 2022 season rated as the No. 17 overall prospect in baseball according to MLB Pipeline.
Will Bednar
The No. 14 overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft by the San Francisco Giants, the former Mississippi State right-hander actually made his professional debut last season posting a combined 1.29 ERA across seven innings between Rookie Ball and Low-A. The Giants No. 5 overall prospect, Bednar will begin the 2022 season in Low-A with the San Jose Giants.
Gunnar Hoglund
Selected with the No. 19 overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft by the Toronto Blue Jays, Hoglund was however recently traded to the Oakland Athletics where the former Ole Miss right-hander is now the organization’s No. 7 prospect. Set to make his professional debut at some point this season, Hoglund will make that debut in Low-A with the Stockton Ports.
While it’s likely that none of these three will make their MLB debut during the 2022 season, it seems likely that each are set for strong campaigns to set up a potential major league call-up in 2023. Which former SEC Baseball standout will have the best 2022 season?