12 Ole Miss baseball players, signees I'm watching entering 2022 MLB Draft
OXFORD — As Ole Miss baseball is about to learn, the only thing tougher than winning a College World Series is keeping a championship-caliber roster together.
The 2022 MLB Draft begins Sunday, spanning its 20 rounds across three days. Fresh off the program's first College World Series title, the Rebels have the dual challenge of holding onto draft-eligible upperclassmen and keeping the nation's No. 4 recruiting class intact.
More than 10 Rebels players and signees could be selected in the 2022 draft. Here's a rundown of which players to pay attention to, and which ones might find their way to Oxford.
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Tim Elko, senior 1B/3B/DH
Baseball America ranking: Unranked
Elko doesn't have any eligibility left. As such, MLB teams hold all the bargaining power over Elko. Without the leverage of being able to come back to school, he'll likely have to settle for or below slot value, which is the projected bonus assigned to each draft spot.
His raw power and defensive versatility make him an intriguing prospect at a corner infield position, but his injury history and high whiff rate might leave some teams hesitant.
Kevin Graham, senior, OF
Baseball America ranking: Unranked
Unlike Elko, Graham has a year of eligibility left and can return to Oxford if he doesn't like what he's offered. Graham's lack of a positional fit might push him down some draft boards.
That said, Graham can hit. Over the last two years, Graham hit .339 with a .964 OPS. If he comes back to Ole Miss, he's instantly a preseason All-SEC contender. If he turns pro, he leaves Oxford as one of the most accomplished hitters in Rebels history.
Justin Bench, senior, UT
Baseball America ranking: Unranked
Opposite of Graham, there's Bench. His main asset is he can play anywhere. He profiles well at second base, third base, shortstop and anywhere in the outfield. He's a contact machine without much raw power, but his positional versatility makes it hard to imagine all 30 teams passing on him.
Hayden Dunhurst, junior, C
Baseball America rank: 146
He's not ranked as high as he was in the preseason, but Dunhurst is still the safest bet to go pro. Baseball America's No. 10 catcher is a defensive whiz with a top-tier arm and an ever better talent for framing pitches.
His bat never materialized the way scouts hoped in three college seasons, but his wizardry behind the plate means he won't need a fourth.
Dylan DeLucia, junior, RHP
Baseball America ranking: 207
DeLucia, the 2022 College World Series Most Outstanding Player, has rocketed up draft boards after his late-season ascension. His advanced command, sweeping slider and ability to work deep into games makes him an alluring prospect.
The right-hander has eligibility left; he can try to improve his stock with a full season as a starter. But his leverage is probably high as it'll ever be, and it'd be a surprise if he isn't picked in the first 10 rounds.
T.J. McCants, sophomore, OF/SS
Baseball America ranking: 240
A draft-eligible sophomore, McCants is coming off a brutal season at the plate. He's a toolsy player — a natural shortstop who played center field for two college seasons. He has power and steals bases, but he also strikes out at a ton and has trouble hitting lefties.
On talent alone, McCants seems destined to turn pro. But with two more years of eligibility, McCants could benefit from another year on campus.
Derek Diamond, junior, RHP
Baseball America ranking: 212
Diamond is in the transfer portal, so he has three options. Diamond slid down boards this season as he showcased expert command but struggled to pitch deep into games.
Diamond can return to Ole Miss, but it seems unlikely. Whether he turns pro or tries to regain some draft shine elsewhere has yet to be seen.
Jackson Ferris, signee, LHP
Baseball America ranking: 36
A flame-throwing left-hander, Ferris has a real chance of landing in the first round. Like Jackson Jobe last year, Ole Miss would be lucky to get Ferris on campus, but that feels unlikely.
Unless Ferris gets lowballed by the team that picks him, consider him another could-have-been.
Roman Anthony, signee, OF
Baseball America ranking: 74
Scouts rave about Anthony's power, athleticism and speed. He has room to grow into his frame and there are some questions about his pure contact ability, but his upside is tremendous.
Anthony is on the fringe of the first two rounds. If he feels he can grow into a first-round talent in college, he has the option to bet on himself. If not, the Rebels miss out on a Day 1 center fielder.
Grayson Saunier, signee, RHP
Baseball America ranking: 183
A hard-throwing right-hander with a killer curveball, Saunier is thought to be a college lean. He has the stuff to be picked in the first five rounds but might opt for the development of college over the immediate payday.
If Saunier ends up in Oxford, he's an immediate contender for a weekend starter job.
JT Quinn, signee, RHP
Baseball America ranking: 193
Like Saunier, Quinn is a big right-hander with room to grow into his frame and his fastball. He's a raw, two-pitch pitcher who has plenty of developing to do. On talent alone, he'd be a steal for the Rebels, but he may end up opting for the pro contract instead.
James Smith, signee, IF
Baseball America ranking: 284
Ole Miss expects to return its middle infield, so Smith — the athletic prospect from Southaven — might take McCants' path to the outfield. He also might forgo college altogether. He's projected to potentially go in the first 10 rounds. He's developmental, but all it takes is one team to fall in love with you.
Contact Nick Suss at 601-408-2674 or nsuss@gannett.com. Follow @nicksuss on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Where Ole Miss baseball players, signees projected in 2022 MLB Draft
