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Top Draft Prospect Dylan Lesko Undergoes Tommy John Surgery

By Steve Adams | April 27, 2022 at 11:05am CDT

Right-hander Dylan Lesko, one of the top prospects in the entire 2022 draft class, underwent Tommy John surgery yesterday, reports Kiley McDaniel of ESPN (Twitter link).

Even in spite of the surgery, McDaniel suggests that Lesko could still be the first pitcher off the board in a draft class that skews heavily toward position players. The 6’3″, 195-pound righty out of Buford High School in Georgia has a commitment to Vanderbilt and is regarded by both McDaniel and Baseball America as the clear top pitcher in this year’s class.

Earlier this month, when sharing video from one of Lesko’s outings (what proved to be his final start of 2022), McDaniel tweeted that Lesko showed a mid-90s heater with a plus curveball and the “best amateur changeup I’ve ever seen.” Carlos Collazo and Tom Lipari of Baseball America feel similarly, writing that Lesko has plus-plus (i.e. 70-grade) feel for his changeup and labeling him a “special” talent that “doesn’t come around very often.”

[Related: 2022 MLB Draft Order]

Because of the inherent risk associated with any high school pitching prospect, Lesko hasn’t been listed at the very top of draft boards — and the recent surgery likely ensures that he won’t be as the July draft approaches. McDaniel now has Lesko eighth on his draft list. Baseball America ranked him sixth prior to the injury. Notably, between high school outfielder Druw Jones (son of Andruw Jones) and shortstop Jackson Holliday (son of Matt Holliday), there are a pair of intriguing second-generation talents who are expected to come off the board in the first 10 picks of this summer’s draft.

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2022 Amateur Draft Dylan Lesko

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29 Comments

  1. cgallant

    3 years ago

    This sounds eerily similar to Mark Prior.

    Reply
    • sportsgenius

      3 years ago

      Prior was one of best pitchers to ever come out of college and had no arm issues

      7
      Reply
      • kodiak920

        3 years ago

        True. Other than Strasburg, years later, I can’t think of any other college pitcher with as much promise as Prior had.

        Reply
        • Moonlight Grahamcracker

          3 years ago

          Ben McDonald was up there.

          3
          Reply
        • sjwil1

          3 years ago

          Mark Appel was right there

          1
          Reply
    • laswagn

      3 years ago

      *Walker Buehler

      1
      Reply
      • vtadave

        3 years ago

        Buehler wasn’t nearly as hyped as Prior and Strasburg.

        Reply
  2. tenten

    3 years ago

    Mets!!!

    5
    Reply
  3. seamaholic 2

    3 years ago

    Beware beware beware. High School kids having TJ surgery are not guaranteed to come out of rehab with the same feel for pitching they did before, because their bodies are still growing and changing. And in any case, you’re now talking about someone who might be ready, if all goes well, for the majors in something like 5 years. A lot can go wrong in 5 years, including having to occupy a 40 man slot long before they make their debut.

    Because there just aren’t any other pitchers at the top of this draft, there will be teams with an agonizing decision to make about this kid.

    8
    Reply
    • sacball

      3 years ago

      Jesus Luzardo is probably a good comp as to how long the recovery road is since he had tj surgery in high school as well…

      Reply
  4. Deleted Userr

    3 years ago

    Assuming he honors his commitment to Vandy now.

    4
    Reply
    • For Love of the Game

      3 years ago

      Might be a wise move unless a team is willing to take a risk by offering him the big bucks. The Dodgers drafted Walker Buehler knowing he was about to go under the knife, but he was already a well developed college pitcher (Vandy as well!)

      3
      Reply
      • Jbigz12

        3 years ago

        McDaniel still has him as the first pitcher off the board.

        It’s either wait 3 years and go to Vandy or get top 15 pick money now.

        I bet he goes to the draft or changes to JuCO if his stock really slips.

        Seems like every SP pitcher gets TJ. I’d be fine w having this out of the way and potentially get a discount if I were drafting.

        3
        Reply
  5. Fox News , Trump, Yankees

    3 years ago

    With the first pick in the 2022 Major League Baseball draft, the New York Mets select DYLAN LESKO!!!

    3
    Reply
    • User 3663041837

      3 years ago

      Gonna Kumar Rocker him to get another pick next year.

      Reply
    • Gwynning

      3 years ago

      The suspense! I thought you were going to say Kumar Rocker.

      Reply
      • Old York

        3 years ago

        Kumar Rocker is going to play Indy-ball this year.

        fantasypros.com/mlb/news/351917/kumar-rocker-to-jo…

        Reply
  6. kodiak920

    3 years ago

    This pick has Mike Rizzo written all over it.

    1
    Reply
    • extreme113

      3 years ago

      He did it w/Giolito.

      Reply
  7. Old York

    3 years ago

    Should I assume Scott Boras is already lined up to represent him?

    Reply
  8. David Sampson

    3 years ago

    This has gotten blue jays written all over it, they’ve taken TJ pitchers often in the first round. Makes the most sense here anyways

    Reply
    • Kruk it

      3 years ago

      No.The Blue Jays will probably go with Holliday, for a future starting 9 of ex MLB players kids

      1
      Reply
      • David Sampson

        3 years ago

        No Holliday is a top 3 pick jays pick at 18 a more c likely landing spot for him now

        Reply
  9. DarkSide830

    3 years ago

    Welcome to Philly Dylan

    Reply
  10. ldoggnation

    3 years ago

    I’m having hernia surgery next week. Who wants me?

    Reply
    • Gyo01

      3 years ago

      … apparently only your surgeon.

      Reply
  11. brodie-bruce

    3 years ago

    tbh i wouldn’t draft this kid at 18 already needing tjs, makes me question how many miles are in that are and how many are left.

    Reply
  12. BeansforJesus

    3 years ago

    Dylan Lesko is the grandson of Matthew Lesko, the guy that wore the question mark suit advertising how to get free money from the govt.

    No, need to look it up. Just trust me.

    1
    Reply
  13. piratesanddbacksfan

    3 years ago

    I would love to see a team like my beloved pirates draft him with our comp A pick — 34th overall I believe it has the looks of a Ben Cherington allover it get the best pick @ any price if can creatively move the pool around like last year

    1
    Reply

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