The Cloverdale Clovers were disappointed to come up short on the 2021 Playoffs, but their consolation prize will be the top overall pick in the 2022 Reserve Draft. It will be the Clovers first time holding the top selection with a talented pool of new prospects that doesn't yet have a clear standout.
Whoever hears their name called first overall will join the likes of Jurickson Profar (2013), Jon Gray (2014), Hector Olivera (2015), Lewis Brinson (2016), Hunter Greene (2017), Fernando Tatis, Jr. (2018), Joey Bart (2019) and Austin Martin (2021) as the club of players selected 1-1.
Currently, the Mission Viejo Maulers (8th/11th), Meinert Hops (9th/12th), Idaho Taters (7th/13th) and Maltese Falcons (2nd/15th) hold multiple picks in the first round. The Alamo Short Stacks and Spokane Fightin' Fish currently don't hold a selection until the 4th Round while the Honolulu Hammerheads are set for their first selection at 45th overall, the last pick of the 3rd Round.
Here are a few of the names currently in play for the top overall selection by the Clovers:
SS Anthony Volpe (Yankees)
Skinny: After a pro debut marred by mononucleosis and then a missed year of game reps due to the pandemic, Volpe has filled up the stat sheet in the Low-A Southeast League with his polished set of skills and leadership qualities. Through July 1 he was second in the minor leagues in extra-base hits, was tied for the most runs scored and had an average exit velocity of 92.5 mph, which was the best in his league among players with more than 100 batted balls.
C Gabriel Moreno (Blue Jays)
Tools: Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 30 | Fielding: 50 | Arm: 55 Skinny: On a Blue Jays team littered with Top 100 prospects, Moreno’s start to the season has been loud. Moreno has always been a good athlete with the hand-eye coordination to make a lot of contact, but swing adjustments and more strength have helped his power show up more in games.
RHP Shane Baz (Rays)
Tools: Fastball: 70 | Changeup: 45 | Slider: 70 | Curveball: 40 | Control: 40
Skinny: Selected by the Asti Grape Stompers in 2021, Baz was an early season drop when reports had him ticketed towards more of a future in the bullpen. A dominant season at Triple-A and emergence of a consistent slider has Baz back in discussion as one of the top pitching prospects in baseball.
RHP Cade Cavalli (Nationals)
Tools: Fastball: 70 | Changeup: 55 | Slider: 60 | Curveball: 55 | Control: 50
Skinny: The Nationals' first-round pick from 2020 boasts a double-plus fastball and three off speed pitches that each rate as above-average or better. The best of the bunch is a potentially plus slider.
C Luis Campusano (Padres)
Tools: Hit: 55 | Power: 60 | Run: 30 | Fielding: 50 | Arm: 55
Skinny: Could a current 1FA/$5 player on the St. Joseph Jokers end up being the top overall pick in the 2022 Reserve Draft? It's certainly possible if Campusano starts 2022 in the Minor Leagues. The Co-MVP of the High-A California League in 2019, Campusano has shown the bat speed, contact skills and strike-zone discipline to be an everyday catcher with high OBPs, though it’s been a mixed bag of production this season.
SS Kahlil Watson (Marlins)
Tools: Hit: 60 | Power: 50 | Run: 60 | Field: 55 | Arm: 55
Skinny: Watson packs a potent punch in a 5-foot-9, 178-pound frame. Thanks to that size he has short levers, but he also has excellent bat speed and a surprising amount of strength in his swing. A plus runner with quick-twitch athleticism, he should settle in at shortstop for a long time.
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