Red Sox's 2022 MLB Draft Guide and Top Prospects to Target

The Boston Red Sox have the No. 24 overall pick in the 2022 MLB draft, and that means much of their draft strategy will hinge on how things play out ahead of them.

The Red Sox have chosen 24th three times before, most recently in 2017 when they selected University of Missouri right-hander Tanner Houck. Outfielder Corey Jenkins (1995) and shortstop Deven Marrero (2012) did not turn out as successfully.

Who might the Red Sox be targeting this time around?

Ahead, we've broken down three prospects who should be on their radar when their pick comes up in the 2022 MLB draft.

OF Dylan Beavers, California

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TEMPE, AZ - APRIL 3: California Berkeley Outfielder Dylan Beavers (17) gets a hit to start the game during a baseball game between the Arizona State Sun Devils and California Berkeley Bears on April 3, 2022, at Phoenix Municipal Stadium, AZ. (Photo by Zac BonDurant/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Picking at No. 24 overall, the Red Sox are in a position where many expect there to be a run at college outfielders, and University of California slugger Dylan Beavers might be the headliner of that second-tier group.

The 20-year-old hit .291/.427/.634 with 17 home runs and 50 RBI this spring, and perhaps more importantly for his draft stock, he showed a more advanced approach with a 51/54 BB/K ratio after posting a 32/53 BB/K ratio as a sophomore.

There's always going to be some swing-and-miss to his game and a power-over-contact approach, but with some of the best raw power in the draft class his upside far outweighs the risk attached to his hit tool at the back of the first round.

OF Drew Gilbert, Tennessee

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KNOXVILLE, TN - JUNE 12: Tennessee outfielder Drew Gilbert (1) hitting during game three of the NCAA Super Regionals between the Tennessee Volunteers and Notre Dame Fighting Irish on June 12, 2022, at Lindsey Nelson Stadium in Knoxville, TN. (Photo by Bryan Lynn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

There was perhaps no college hitter who boosted his stock more this spring than Drew Gilbert playing for a stacked University of Tennessee squad.

After hitting .274/.341/.437 with 23 extra-base hits as a sophomore, he batted a robust .362/.455/.673 this spring while tallying 21 doubles, 11 home runs and 70 RBI and raising his OPS more than 300 points.

Unlike many of the other college outfielders projected to be in play at the back of the first round, he's a natural fit in center field, though his strong arm could also play in right field as he showed a mid-90s fastball in 11 appearances out of the Volunteers bullpen as a freshman and sophomore.

RHP Kumar Rocker, Tri-City ValleyCats

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OMAHA, NEBRASKA - JUNE 30: Starting pitcher Kumar Rocker #80 of the Vanderbilt reacts to being pulled from the game against Mississippi St. by Head Coach Tim Corbin of the Vanderbilt in the top of the fifth inning during game three of the College World Series Championship at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha on June 30, 2021 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Kumar Rocker was a popular name in mock drafts for the Boston Red Sox last year when they were picking No. 4 overall, though he ultimately slipped to the New York Mets at No. 10 and then failed to sign after undisclosed concerns over his elbow and shoulder in his post-draft physical.

Rather than returning to Vanderbilt for his senior season, Rocker sat out the 2022 collegiate season before eventually signing with the Tri-City ValleyCats in the independent league to give him a chance to pitch in front of scouts ahead of the draft.

The 6'5", 245-pound right-hander has looked healthy, pitching to a 1.35 ERA with 32 strikeouts in 20 innings over four starts and lighting up radar guns, and he'll be one of the most compelling storylines of the 2022 draft.

It's unlikely he'll go in the top 10 again, but he could be a serious value for a Red Sox team that could use more young pitching talent in the pipeline.

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All stats courtesy of Baseball Reference.