2022 Dynasty Baseball First-Year Player Draft Rankings

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Welcome to our 2022 Dynasty Baseball First-Year Player Draft Rankings.

"It's the most wonderful time of the year!" That's right, it is FYPD season. While some fans are missing baseball this off-season, the season is already in swing for dynasty managers.

There are a couple of key ways to prepare for FYPDs. First off, consume as much media as you can. Most prospect sites are putting out rankings for FYPDs, so read everything possible.

Second, know your league. If your player pool consists of any un-rostered prospects, and not just the typical FYPD guys, there is plenty of value to be had. Some players who may have slipped through waivers last season include Steven Kwan, Juan Yepez, Deyvison De Los Santos, Junior Caminero, Ian Lewis, Reiver Sanmartin, Willy Vasquez, and many, many others.

Finally, I recommend you always take the best player available when it is your turn in your drafts. This may seem like a given, but I am saying that you should not draft for need. FYPDs are all about getting the most value for your pick, so always take the best player on your board. Without further ado, here are the Top 30 FYPD Prospects!

2022 Dynasty Baseball First-Year Player Draft Rankings

1. Marcelo Mayer SS BOS - HS

The crown jewel of this FYPD class, Mayer possesses an easy, pretty swing with projection for above average power. No-brainer 1.01 in my books because of his combination of high upside and floor.

2. Kahlil Watson SS MIA - HS

Watson has arguably a higher fantasy ceiling than Mayer thanks to his potential stolen base totals. He has quick bat speed, coupled with a tantalizing power/speed combo.

3. Brady House SS WAS - HS

House has mature plate discipline with insane power. He hit four home runs in his debut down in the FCL, and has a ceiling of 30+ HR in the future.

4. Henry Davis C PIT - NCAA

Davis is a high floor college bat, who also possesses an exciting ceiling. Catchers are not the most popular position in dynasty baseball, but Davis is one with big power.

5. Colton Cowser OF BAL - NCAA

Cowser is a college bat with an elite hit tool, plus above-average power and speed. He had a monster pro debut and could end up helping you in every category once he reaches the Majors.

6. Trey Sweeney SS NYY - NCAA

I wrote about Sweeney here; he is one of the most underrated players near the top of this class, as he has an alluring combination of power, hit tool, and plate discipline. Buy in before his big-time breakout occurs.

7. Jack Leiter RHP TEX - NCAA

The first pitcher on this list, Leiter and his elite pitch mix dominated the SEC in 2021. I personally would lean hitter over pitcher if I had a Top 5 FYPD pick, but I have seen two instances of Leiter going 1.01 in leagues I am in.

8. Harry Ford C SEA - HS

Prep catchers are generally risky dynasty targets, but I like Ford, as he is an athletic player with immense power, plus above average speed. We will see if he is a catcher long-term, but either way, his bat is legit.

9. Jordan Lawlar SS ARI - HS

Lawlar went 1.01 in one of my FYPDs this month, but I am honestly not quite as high on him as I am on the other prep infielders ahead of him on this list. I would be cautious to draft him because of his shoulder injury, but he and his tools are definitely worth drafting if he falls towards the back of the Top 10.

10. Seiya Suzuki OF N/A - Int'l

Suzuki hit 38 home runs in the NPB in 2021. If you are a win-now team, I think you could potentially find a more proven MLB bat if you were to trade your high draft pick, but it may also be worth investing in Suzuki's power upside.

11. Jay Allen OF CIN - HS

I wrote about Allen here; he has immense upside, as he put up an impressive stat line in his pro debut. If his hit tool takes a step forward, I think there is a legit chance he can be a five-tool player.

12. Matt McLain SS CIN - NCAA

The ying to Allen's yang, McLain is a safe college bat who was also drafted in the First Round by the Reds. He does not have quite the upside of Allen, but his hit tool gives him a nice floor.

13. Sal Frelick OF MIL - NCAA

Frelick is another safe college hitter with a plus hit tool. He projects for similar stats to McLain in the future, but I think Frelick has the potential for even more power.

14. James Triantos 3B CHC - HS

Triantos put himself on the map in his pro debut. He has the potential for a high average and above average power.

15. James Wood OF SD - HS

If you like high upside bats, this may be your guy. Towering at 6'7", the Oneil Cruz comps seem inevitable, as Wood has the build for huge power.

16. Benny Montgomery OF COL - HS

I kind of wish Montgomery, a player with this kind of high-upside profile, was in a different organization (man the Rockies' player development is fun). His pro debut left room for improvement, but his plus power and plus speed are legit, and if he makes gains with his hit tool, he will wreak havoc on Coors Field.

17. Jackson Jobe RHP DET - HS

The second pitcher on this list, Jobe has insanely high upside. He has yet to make his pro debut, so he is far away from the Majors, but his repertoire is elite.

18. Gavin Williams RHP CLE - NCAA

An experienced college arm with a big-time fastball and above-average secondaries drafted by this player development staff? Sign me up!

19. Connor Norby 2B BAL - NCAA

Norby did nothing but hit in college, and kept doing nothing but hitting in his pro debut. His power is still developing, but his hit tool is one worth banking on.

20. Cristhian Vaquero OF WAS - J15

The first J15 signee on the list, Vaquero received the highest signing bonus of any J15 player during this period. He is a switch hitter who has projection for above average power, so it will be worth monitoring how his hit tool progresses.

21. Roderick Arias SS NYY - J15

Arias signed for the second most amount of money during this J15 period. A switch hitter like Vaquero, Arias' development can head in a variety of directions, but his combo of tools is one worth rolling the dice on past Pick 20 in an FYPD.

22. Joshua Baez OF STL - HS

Baez has elite raw power, but also has strikeout and contact concerns. If the Cardinals can help him improve in this regard, that power is gonna shine through.

23. Will Bednar RHP SF - NCAA

The brother of Pirates closer David, Will carved up the SEC in 2021. He has a solid floor, and is in the perfect system to help him reach his ceiling.

24. Gunnar Hoglund RHP TOR - NCAA

Hoglund was dominant in the SEC before undergoing Tommy John surgery. He has a high floor as a starter, and I expect him to return even more polished once he takes the mound again towards the end of 2022.

25. Aaron Zavala OF TEX - NCAA

Zavala is seemingly an under-the-radar player in this class. He is a college bat with a great eye and underrated, big power; could be ranked even a few spots higher.

26. Lonnie White OF PIT - HS

White is one of the top athletes in this class, as he was a Big Ten wide receiver recruit in addition to being an outfielder. His potential for elite power and speed is enticing, but it will come down to how his hit tool develops.

27. Colson Montgomery SS CHW - HS

Montgomery did not have the loudest pro debut, but he is still intriguing. He has a chance for strong power if his plate discipline improves.

28. Zack Gelof 3B OAK - NCAA

Gelof raked in the ACC and he raked in his pro debut. I like his potential for a high OBP with double digit home runs.

29. Sam Bachman RHP LAA - NCAA

Bachman has reliever risk due to his injury history, plus his pitch mix and delivery. His fastball and slider are above average though, so it is up to the Angels (who are notoriously great at developing pitchers) to turn him into a star.

30. Cooper Kinney 2B TB - HS

Kinney is in the most crowded system for middle infielders, but there is a chance he can separate himself from the pack. He has the potential to hit for above average power for a second baseman (similar to the Rays current 2B in that regard).

Other names to know (in no particular order):

Andrew Painter just missed the Top 30, but I still like him a lot. He is a fun prep arm.

Jordan Viars also just missed the Top 30, I think he is an underrated hitter who will tap into fairly substantial power and rise up rankings this year.

Ricardo Cabrera is my next favorite J15 player after Vaquero and Arias.

Kyle Manzardo is a dude, and he is in the perfect system to succeed.

Michael McGreevy is a high floor, college arm who you may be able to get a good ROI on in drafts.

Chase Petty has elite upside as a young pitcher, and is going much, much later than other arms who have similar ceilings.

Alex Binelas has big time power, and his trade to Boston should end up being good for his development.

Won-Bin Cho has enamored dynasty baseball twitter, and is a worthy draft target if the price is right.

Cooper Bowman is a great late-round target thanks to his speed.

William Bergolla Jr. is another one of my favorite J15 bats from this cycle.

Jose Torres had an eye-opening pro debut, and is starting to quell the notion that he is a "glove-first" player. I already have four dynasty shares of him.

Yasser Mercedes is another fun J15 target with nice upside who you can find late in drafts.

Cody Morissette is a great college hitter who you should be able to get a discount on in drafts because of his underwhelming pro debut.

Ryan Spikes is another smart, late-round target because of his compelling tools.

Noah Miller has a high floor for a prep bat, as his defense is already smooth and elite.

Justice Thompson has elite speed and can be an impact player if he adds more power.

Robert Suarez is a 30-year-old reliever, but he is likely eligible for your FYPD, and is absolutely worth drafting, as he may end up being the Padres closer this season.

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Be sure to check out all the 2022 Fantasy Baseball content as the season gets closer.