2022 MLB Draft Odds, Picks, Predictions: Best Bets for Druw Jones, Kumar Rocker and More

The MLB Draft is now thrust into the All-Star break and its added attention has resulted in betting lines at most major sportsbooks.

However, bettor beware, the MLB draft is an enigma. There are many things to account for when teams draft players. Yes, talent and need are the priority, but money is also a significant factor. Each draft slot has a price associated with it and given the disparity in the money between the teams, you will see guys go up and down the draft board based on whether they will sign for their slot price.

Now, this market is not as big as the NFL or NBA drafts, but there are plenty of angles to capitalize on. So after surfing through rumors and analyzing countless mock drafts, here are my best bets for Sunday's draft.

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2022 MLB Draft Best Bets

First Overall Pick: Druw Jones +275 (0.5 units)

I'm fading the Brooks Lee steam and sticking with the best overall player in this draft class. Druw, son of former major leaguer Andruw Jones, can do it all. He has elite bat speed and raw power built into a lanky 6-foot-4 frame that should fill out with age.

Jones is not only one of the best pure hitters in this draft, but he has speed and is a plus defender in centerfield. Some scouts have said he is the best defender in the entire draft class.

The Lee steam is unwarranted. Yes, he's a college bat at a position the Orioles will need to fill in the near future, but Baltimore would be missing out on a potential five-tool star with All-Star bloodlines if they don't take Jones.

Draft Position Over/Unders

Kevin Parada Under 4.5 +170 (.25 units)
Parada has been the one name constantly linked to Texas at three and the Georgia Tech product was one of the best hitters in the nation this past season.

He not only hit for a high average, but also set a school record with 26 homers. Parada projects as a middle-of-the-order bat who could routinely hit .300 and rack up extra-base hits. He made consistent hard contact and respectable strides behind the dish in his sophomore season.

The Rangers would love if either Jones or Jackson Holliday falls to them, but since it's rather unlikely, Parada is the best fit at third overall.

Justin Crawford Under 13.5 +190 (.25 units)
Justin Crawford, son of former MLB speed demon Carl Crawford, has a home in the top 10. The bloodline is evident when you watch him play as he is a burner out of the left-handed batter's box and in the outfield.

Crawford is one of the best athletes in this class. His speed makes him a plus defender and scouts believe there could be power in his swing once he fills out because he's already displayed exceptional bat-to-ball skills.

Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com has him going at nine to the Royals and Kiley McDaniel of ESPN has him going at 11 to the Mets. There are also rumors that Crawford is willing to sign under slot, which only helps his case go in the top 13.

Kumar Rocker Over 21.5 -130 (.75 units)
Rocker was selected with the 11th overall pick in last year's draft by the New York Mets. However, the Mets opted not to sign him as his post-draft medicals raised a red flag.

Fast-forward a year and Rocker will have eyeballs on him once again. Instead of returning to Vanderbilt this past season, he signed with an independent team in the Frontier League and flashed high-end stuff in limited starts.

In his latest mock draft, Kiley McDaniel said Rocker's range is anywhere from 13 to 40. In addition to that, he is ranked as the 38th-best prospect according to MLB Pipeline. Given his stock from last season, the thought is that Rocker will demand a sizable contract, so his best fits come at the end of the first round, where the contenders are.

1st to be Drafted Matchups

Jacob Berry -215 vs. Gavin Cross (1.25 Units)
Jacob Berry is a lock for the top 10 and Kiley McDaniel has him mocked at five to Washington. He has drawn comparisons as the switch-hitting version of Andrew Vaughn.

Berry can do it all at the dish as he hit for average and power equally from both sides of the plate in college. His defensive position is to be determined as he's only an average fielder and has below-average speed.

On the other hand, Gavin Cross is pegged to go at nine or 10. He was the leader of a stout Virginia Tech offense this past season. He has a smooth stroke from the left side of the plate and has the potential to hit for both average and power at the big league level.

However, Berry will have his name called first when it's all said and done because as his ceiling is a few feet higher.

Cade Horton -250 vs. Blade Tidwell (1.25 Units)
The fact that these two are even paired together is shocking. Horton has the potential to be the first pitcher drafted and is mocked at 10 by Kiley McDaniel and 17 by Jonathan Mayo. Horton's stock skyrocketed as he led the Oklahoma Sooners to the College World Series Finals with stellar outings where he flashed an upper-90s fastball and plus secondary stuff.

Tidwell was one of the top collegiate pitching prospects entering this past spring, but an injury kept him on the shelf for the first chunk of the regular season. Once he returned, his stuff was still impressive, but the results weren't there down the stretch at Tennessee. As a result, Tidwell is mocked at 45 by McDaniel and 38 by Mayo. This seems like no brainer to me.