2022 MLB Draft: Dodgers target athleticism, upside in Rounds 11-15

Dustin Nosler 07/20/2022 MLB Draft Leave A Comment

The Dodgers continued their trend of shortstops, athleticism and upside in Rounds 11-15 of the 2022 MLB Draft. There are some interesting players below.

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Round 11, No. 345 overall: OF Kyle Nevin, Baylor University

The Dodgers went the bloodline route by popping former Padres slugger and current Angels’ manager Phil Nevin‘s son out of Baylor. Phil Nevin was the No. 1 overall pick in the 1992 MLB Draft. Kyle Nevin hit .304/.361/.514 in 245 plate appearances for the Bears in 2022.

Rankings
ESPN: 300

Kyle Nevin (‘22 Elig.) gives @BaylorBaseball the lead with a long 2R HR. Didn’t miss the hanging 3-2 SL; 6-4/200 with tons of strength off the barrel. 2-0 Bears T5. #PGDraft pic.twitter.com/eHK2739XJF
— PG College Baseball (@PGCollegeBall) March 4, 2022

Baylor’s Kyle Nevin commits ROBBERY. pic.twitter.com/j47AUOJzCR
— Ballplayeruniverse (@Ballplayerverse) February 21, 2022

And it sounds like he’s going to sign.

Caught up with former Baylor Bear Kyle Nevin, who confirms that his plan is to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

"From yesterday morning to this morning, the Dodgers showed a ton of interest in me…It's an opportunity that I couldn't turn down, for sure."
— Eric Kelly (@EricKellyTV) July 19, 2022

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Round 12, No. 375 overall: RHP Jacob Meador, Dallas Baptist

Lots of folks are saying this was a steal in the 12th round, and if he signs, he just might be. Meador had an unimpressive 5.24 ERA, but he struck out 91 hitters in 68 2/3 innings.

Rankings
Baseball America: 287
ESPN: 277
Perfect Game: 245
Prospects Live: 193

Absolutely love this pick, I had Meador as one of my top targets entering the day, and originally as a target for the back half of day two yesterday.

Mid 90s fastball with a low release and plus vertical movement, potential VAA monster. 91 strikeouts in 68.2 innings this year.
— Future Dodgers (@FutureDodgers) July 19, 2022

Jacob Meador has control problems but elite stuff metrics. FB at 93 with 19.5" IVB from a 5.4' RelHeight is unfair and should miss a ton of bats. CB at 77.7 has -15" IVB and is a 55. CH at 86 has 17" Fade has potential too. Improve command and he'll soar.
— Tieran (@Tieran711) July 19, 2022

Dodgers steal a guy in Jacob Meador; has been up to 96 and sitting 92-94 for his starts. Flat VAA, had 33% whiff rate. Has a legit CB with 56” of drop at 76-79, showed a SL at 80-83. Love him w/ Dodgers. pic.twitter.com/zkp7HQelS2
— 📊 (@mason_mcrae) July 19, 2022

Jacob Meador @DBU_Baseball showing off the Elite VAA Fastball up in the zone

AVERAGED 19.3 IVB, 93 mph, out of a 5'4" to 5'5" Rel Height

Rare combo that leads to big swing and misspic.twitter.com/YWMP43cIMx
— Brett Homer (@B_HOMERun2) July 6, 2022

Watch Dallas Baptist RHP Jacob Meador in 2022. Sexy name for analytic draft models. Up to 94, avg close to 20" of IVB. Sub-5'6" release. Explodes at top of the zone. Throws strikes. Banger *hammer* CB, low-80s, w/massive depth @ 2700+ RPM at times. Mariners 31st rd. pick in 2019. pic.twitter.com/JGrHWkuwFT
— Joe Doyle (@JoeDoyleMiLB) December 20, 2021

Jacob Meador picks up his first strikeout of the evening!

Jones, Grady, & Benefield will get the Patriot bats started pic.twitter.com/BMiXz6F0iL
— DBU Baseball (@DBU_Baseball) April 8, 2022

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Round 13, No. 405 overall: OF Chris Newell, Virginia

Newell was an early round candidate heading into the season, but things didn’t pan out for him in 2022. He hit .258/.385/.468 with 12 home runs for the Cavaliers. He also showed well in the Cape Cod League last summer — .289/.396/.556 in 53 plate appearances.

Rankings
Baseball America: 237
ESPN: 258
Perfect Game: 370
Prospects Live: 356

#Dodgers get Chris Newell in 13th, outfielder from Virginia – plenty to like in the offensive profile though he'll have to become more passive and make better decisions to regularly get to power upside, solid athlete who has chance for CF
— Taylor Blake Ward (@TaylorBlakeWard) July 19, 2022

Chris Newell was a guy who had some first round chatter before the year began. Then instead of a step forward it was a step back, he showed a lot of swing and miss. He has been on the day one radar since he was in high school a nice gamble here on unlocking more for the Dodgers.
— Jeffmlbdraft (@jeffMLBdraft) July 19, 2022

I like the #Dodgers drafting OF Chris Newell. He has tools that would fit among the top 3 rounds—just has never hit as much as scouts wanted . Power, speed, good defense in CF. Swing is steep and he misses a lot up in the zone. Will be curious to see his development.#MLBDraft
— Carlos Collazo (@CarlosACollazo) July 19, 2022

Dodgers presumably spend up to get CF Chris Newell (Virginia) in R13. Large physical frame, plus arm and above average foot speed should ensure he sticks in center. Plus raw that can sometimes get into games, below avg contact rates. A "we can teach you how to hit" pick for LAD.
— Will Hoefer (@whoeferbaseball) July 19, 2022

Round 14, No. 435 overall: SS Jose Izarra, Florida Southwestern State College

The Dodgers finally hit the JuCo ranks in the 14th round. And Izarra continues the theme of selecting shortstops in this draft.

Rankings
Unranked

#Dodgers take @FSWBucs shortstop Jose Izarra in the 14th Round. Elite defender at SS, solid hit tool, line-drive approach to all fields https://t.co/ElA0Zu2oqE
— John Vittas (@JohnVittas3) July 19, 2022

BSB: Jose Izarra rips another double off the wall in left to up the Bucs lead to 6-0 in the 2nd pic.twitter.com/fCzMDHzF9L
— Florida SouthWestern Buccaneers (@FSWBucs) April 25, 2022

(So.) Jose Izarra – SS@FSWBucs

6’0” 175 lbs.

Izarra flips the switch on this game bringing FSW within 1 run in the 6th w/ a 3R #PBRBombSquad💣 to LCF. @PBR_JUCO || @PBR_FL_JUCO pic.twitter.com/SjTHxBjDpJ
— Cayden Hatcher (@C_Hatcher_PBR) February 12, 2022

Round 15, No. 465 overall: SS Nicolas Perez, B You Academy (Puerto Rico)

Perez is the youngest player the Dodgers drafted this year, and he’s going to be a bit of a tougher sign at this stage.

Rankings
Baseball America: 203
Perfect Game: 239
Prospects Live: 156

Perez is a Florida St commit, won't turn 18 until September.

Highly rated by both Prospects Live (156) and Baseball America (203), described as athletic with a good arm at shortstop.
— Future Dodgers (@FutureDodgers) July 19, 2022

SS Nicolas Perez absolutely went off last fall in Perfect Game's WWBA in Jupiter, FL. Gorgeous swing, solid actions up the middle. Chases a bit, but has more thump than you would think given the size. Another #Dodgers pick on day 3 I like.#MLBDraft
— Carlos Collazo (@CarlosACollazo) July 19, 2022

Nicolas Perez (2022 Isabela, PR) has been scorching hot in Jupiter and it continues in the playoffs. Smokes this double to the opposite field that had a 96 exit velocity. #WWBAWorlds #Noles commit pic.twitter.com/0uPNEFxhio
— Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) October 10, 2021

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Next up is a recap of Rounds 16-20, and any undrafted free agents who sign.

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