St. Louis Cardinals' 2022 MLB Draft: A Look at Potential Picks for the No. 22 Slot
Anticipated Selections for St. Louis Cardinals in Upcoming 2022 MLB Draft
Gear up for the 2022 Major League Baseball Draft this Sunday at 7:00 ET in Los Angeles! With the first pick going to the Baltimore Orioles, Shohei Ohtani's former team, and the Arizona Diamondbacks, Texas Rangers, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Washington Nationals following suit, let's focus on the St. Louis Cardinals' 22nd pick.
With the Baltimore Orioles taking the first overall pick, it remains to be seen who'll follow in their steps. Prospects like Druw Jones, Termarr Johnson, Kevin Parada, and even Jackson Holliday, Matt Holliday's son, are being considered for the top spot.
The Cardinals' No. 22 pick boasts an assigned slot value of $3,180,600. So, who's catching the Cardinals' eye? Here's a peek at a few top prospects:
Peyton Graham: Shortstop, Oklahoma
In Jim Callis' (MLB.com) prediction, Peyton Graham, a versatile shortstop from the University of Oklahoma, might be the Cardinals' choice at No. 22.
Graham has gained notoriety in MLB Draft circles due to his notable performance in 2022, making him the first NCAA player ever to hit 20 home runs and steal 30 bases. His college statistics include a batting average of .354, an on-base percentage of .453, and a slugging percentage of .602.
Although shortstop isn't a pressing need for the Cardinals, as they already have players like Masyn Winn, Jonathan Mejia, and Delvin Perez in their Top 30 prospects, Graham's versatility (he's also played third base) could make him an appealing pick for St. Louis.
For more insights on the St. Louis Cardinals' past draft picks, let's take a look at Cooper Hjerpe, their No. 1 round, No. 22 overall pick in 2022.
Cooper Hjerpe (2022 1st-Round, 22nd overall pick)
Before we dive into the Cardinals' potential picks for the No. 22 slot in the upcoming draft, let's rewind to the Cardinals' 2022 MLB Draft selection, Cooper Hjerpe. This left-handed pitcher has displayed striking ability, as evidenced in his minor league statistics from 2024.
Strengths:- Hjerpe finished the season with a 3.27 ERA and a solid strikeout-to-walk ratio (76 strikeouts to 28 walks) over 52 1/3 innings, playing at the High-A and Double-A levels.- With his strong strikeout ability, good control, and command, Hjerpe was regarded as a highly-touted pitching prospect, originally ranking as high as No. 7 in the Cardinals system post-draft.
Weaknesses and Challenges:- Hjerpe's aspired major league debut was slated for around 2026, but injuries have slowed his progress, with surgeries such as Tommy John surgery in 2025 and the removal of loose bodies from his pitching elbow in his past.- Consequently, Hjerpe has dropped in prospect rankings from No. 7 to No. 12 within the Cardinals system.
Other Context
While the focus is on the Cardinals' potential picks, it's worth noting that the Cardinals have other young talents in their organization, like outfielder Victor Scott II, a 5th-round pick who's displaying great potential with his defensive prowess, speed, and base-stealing ability.
Summary
The Cardinals' 2022 MLB Draft pick, Cooper Hjerpe, showcased great promise with his control, command, and strikeout ability, which originally ranked him as a highly-touted pitching prospect. However, his career has been marred by injuries, including Tommy John surgery, which will cause him to miss the entire 2025 season and part of 2026, leading to drops in his prospect ranking within the Cardinals system.
As for the upcoming 2022 MLB Draft, catcher Kevin Parada, shortstop Peyton Graham, and outfielder Elijah Green, among others, are generating buzz for the Cardinals' No. 22 pick. With Graham's impressive performance in 2022 and versatility, there's no doubt he's a strong contender for the pick. The Cardinals' future looks bright with standout prospects like Graham in the mix.
- The St. Louis Cardinals are reportedly considering Peyton Graham, a versatile shortstop from the University of Oklahoma, for the No. 22 spot in the upcoming MLB Draft.
- Graham's notable performance in 2022, where he hit 20 home runs and stole 30 bases, has gained him attention in MLB Draft circles.
- Although shortstop isn't a pressing need for the Cardinals, Graham's versatility could make him an appealing pick, as he's also played third base.
- In the 2022 draft, Cooper Hjerpe, a left-handed pitcher who was the Cardinals' No. 1 round, No. 22 overall pick, had shown great potential with his control, command, and strikeout ability before injuries affected his progress.
