The case for number one in the 2022 class is sure to be challenged over the next two years, but for the time being, OF Ryan Clifford (Leesville Road HS, NC) has a vice grip on the top spot. An elite hitter with plus-power potential from the left side, the advancements that he displayed early on in the spring spoke volumes about his trajectory, and even more so his high ceiling. In a small sample size, the powerfully-built, athletic 6-foot-3, 215-pounder produced a smattering of extra-base hits including a multitude of home runs. His further development as a hitter combined with the unquestionable power make him the marquee prospect for 2022.

Ryan Clifford (NC)


But behind Clifford, there are all sorts of prospects and storylines ready to unfold, especially as the list has now been updated and expanded to include 500 players.

Georgia, with six prospects in the Top 15, gets the early nod as the strongest state in the country for 2022. RHP/SS Dylan Lesko’s (Buford HS, GA) supreme pitchability and overpowering present “stuff” combine with advanced athleticism and projection that make him the second overall player in the class. Not far behind at number four overall is the most dynamic, must-see player in the country, INF Termarr Johnson (Mays HS, GA). Though just 5-foot-9, 165-pounds, the left-handed hitter impacts the ball with considerable force, and his speed is a constant threat. Rounding out the Peach State’s representation in the top 10 overall are OF Druw Jones (Wesleyan HS, GA), a Vanderbilt recruit, and C Jared “Bear” Jones (Walton HS, GA), a Louisiana State recruit. Each offers eye-popping bat speed and power from the right side with the former showing strong potential of sticking in centerfield and the latter positioning himself as an elite backstop.

Dylan Lesko (GA)

A pair of two-way prospects in RHP/OF Riley Stanford (Buford HS, GA) and RHP/INF Hayden Murphy (Tiftarea Academy, GA), an Auburn recruit, check in at numbers 12 and 13. Stanford is a fierce competitor who has the ability to run a fastball into the mid 90s, but might show even more promise at the plate given the loud contact that he produces. Murphy is one of the most projectable arms in the class with a smooth, repeatable delivery, and whippy arm that produces a 90 mph fastball, and sharp swing-and-miss slider. He has the potential to rise even higher in the class in a short time.

Hayden Murphy (GA)


LHP Brandon Barriera (American Heritage HS, FL), a Vanderbilt recruit, ascends to the top spot in Florida as his 6-foot-1, 165-pound frame continues to mature, and his electric left arm continues to produce staggering velocity. Up to 93 mph in the preseason with a sharp slider, the southpaw shows no signs of slowing down, and is likely to see more jumps in the future. He settles in as the third overall player in the class.

Brandon Barriera (FL)


Newcomer to the Top 10, and the player who had the loudest off-season/preseason, is power-armed RHP Andrew Dutkanych (Brebeuf HS, IN), who enters at number eight. Physically-gifted with a workhorse, 6-foot-3, 205-pound frame that features a thick lower-half,
Dutkanych was up to 95 mph in a bullpen in March, flooding the strike zone with a high RPM fastball, power changeup (80-83), and two potential swing-and-miss breaking balls (curveball/slider). The imposing right-hander pitches with “hate”, and exhibits a honed-intensity that allows his overpowering stuff to play up even better in games.

Fellow Top 10 newcomer, RHP/INF Nazier Mule (Passaic County Tech HS, NJ) holds intriguing upside both on the mound and as a position player. His quick hands and power potential from the right side will likely attract plenty of attention from college coaches, but it is his electric right arm and wicked arsenal that elevate him into the upper-echelon of 2022 prospects. The 6-foot-1, 180-pounder is proportionally strong with a fastball that was up to 92 mph in the fall with a sharp slider and power changeup. Mule’s polished delivery combines with a whippy arm that delivers out of a ¾ slot that produces late life at the plate as he is fearless in the strike zone.

So that’s a look at some of the players in the top 15. Below is a glimpse a quick glimpse at the top 20, and click the link to see the entire Overall 2022 Top 500.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE Overall 2022 Rankings

RANK	NAME	STATE	SCHOOL	CLASS	POS	COMMITMENT
1	Ryan Clifford	NC	Leesville Road	2022	OF
2	Dylan Lesko	GA	Buford	2022	RHP
3	Brandon Barriera	FL	American Heritage Plantation	2022	LHP	Vanderbilt
4	Termarr Johnson	GA	Mays	2022	SS
5	Andruw Jones	GA	Wesleyan	2022	OF	Vanderbilt
6	Luke Davis	CA	Cypress	2022	C	Southern California
7	Jared Jones	GA	Walton	2022	C	Louisiana State
8	Andrew Dutkanych IV	IN	Brebeuf	2022	RHP	Vanderbilt
9	Nazier Mule	NJ	PCTI	2022	RHP
10	Elijah Green	FL	TNXL Academy	2022	OF	Miami
11	Sal Stewart	FL	Westminster Christian	2022	3B	Vanderbilt
12	Riley Stanford	GA	Buford	2022	OF
13	Hayden Murphy	GA	Tiftarea Academy	2022	RHP	Auburn
14	Tristan Smith	SC	Boiling Springs	2022	LHP
15	Jaden Noot	CA	Sierra Canyon	2022	RHP	Oregon
16	Rylan Galvan	TX	Sinton	2022	C	Texas
17	Matthew Porchas	CA	Santa Margarita Catholic	2022	RHP	Texas
18	Ben Bybee	KS	Blue Valley Southwest	2022	RHP	Arkansas
19	Ian "JR" Ritchie	WA	Bainbridge Island	2022	RHP	Oregon State
20	Kyndon Lovell	OK	Lookeba-Sickles	2022	LHP	Arkansas

 

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