If MLB.com is correct, the Oakland A’s selection with the 19th pick of the 2022 MLB Draft will have been seen for weeks in advance.
For the eighth consecutive week, the MLB.com mock draft has the A’s taking University of California, Berkeley outfielder Dylan Beavers. While they did note that other collegiate bats could be an option for the pick, Beavers has consistently landed in that draft slot.
Dylan Beavers almost has to land with Oakland A’s
At this point in time, the A’s almost have to select Beavers. Seeing his name next to the A’s so often over these past few weeks to the point where it is seemingly carved in stone that he will be the 19th pick.
Beavers is an intriguing prospect in his own right. According to his profile, several scouts had compared him to a Christian Yelich type, albeit from the left side. He makes hard contact and has good command of the strike zone, with his .291/.427/.634 batting line over 272 plate appearances, along with 17 homers and 16 doubles, showing his potential.
There are plenty of risks as well. His unorthodox setup in the batter’s box leads to his having holes in his swing and timing issues. Beavers has had particular trouble with pitchers on the inner part of the plate, consistently getting jammed.
Yet, when he is right, Beavers looks like a five tool talent. He has plenty of raw power in his swing and the speed to be a threat on the basepaths. That speed also translates into the outfield, where he can play all three positions and has the type of arm that would work in right field if he grows out of center. There may be plenty of risks, but he is also the type of player that the A’s need to take a chance on.
The Oakland A’s keep landing Dylan Beavers in the MLB.com mock draft. If they say it enough times, maybe this prediction will come true.