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.
This sounds eerily similar to Mark Prior.
Prior was one of best pitchers to ever come out of college and had no arm issues
True. Other than Strasburg, years later, I can’t think of any other college pitcher with as much promise as Prior had.
Ben McDonald was up there.
Mark Appel was right there
*Walker Buehler
Buehler wasn’t nearly as hyped as Prior and Strasburg.
Mets!!!
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.
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…
Assuming he honors his commitment to Vandy now.
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!)
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.
With the first pick in the 2022 Major League Baseball draft, the New York Mets select DYLAN LESKO!!!
Gonna Kumar Rocker him to get another pick next year.
The suspense! I thought you were going to say Kumar Rocker.
Kumar Rocker is going to play Indy-ball this year.
https://www.fantasypros.com/mlb/news/351917/kumar-rocker-to-join-independent-league-within-two-weeks.php
This pick has Mike Rizzo written all over it.
He did it w/Giolito.
Should I assume Scott Boras is already lined up to represent him?
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
No.The Blue Jays will probably go with Holliday, for a future starting 9 of ex MLB players kids
No Holliday is a top 3 pick jays pick at 18 a more c likely landing spot for him now
Welcome to Philly Dylan
I’m having hernia surgery next week. Who wants me?
… apparently only your surgeon.
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.
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.
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