Baltimore Orioles Mock Draft 3.0: Druw Jones or Jackson Holliday?

Mike Elias narrowed the No.1 pick to five or six players. Looking back at our previous Baltimore Orioles Mock Drafts, we break down the top two candidates.

Just over three weeks to go until the 2022 MLB Draft begins. For the Baltimore Orioles, their Sunday night before the All-Star Game will be packed with intrigue, future, and hopefully, the best draft picks possible. This is our third Mock Draft, and so far, we have the O’s selecting either Druw Jones or Jackson Holliday; keeping with that theme, which better suits the Birds moving forward?

Mike Elias spoke with MLB.com after spending the weekend watching the MLB Draft Combine and said that there are still five or six guys that he and the Baltimore Orioles are settling on. Who those five are still unknown, but you have to think that Jones and Holliday are right in the mix.

Druw Jones, OF, Wesleyan HS, Ga. (No. 1)

Hit: 55 | Power: 60 | Run: 70 | Arm: 65 | Field: 70 | Overall: 60

Druw Jones, as we know, is the son of Andruw Jones, and his game carries many parallels to his father’s. Not just on defense but also at the plate. Power and bat control are what make him so lethal in the box, and his ability to not always pull the ball shows that he is well beyond his years.

For now, he is statistically a plus runner, simply put, he’s fast! If Jones can keep the stick hot and turn his power into contact as well, he will be a yearly 30/30 guy. Worse case, he lacks the contact side of things and has to elevate the rest of his game. By the way, the rest of his game is towards the top of every list in this year’s draft.

Baltimore Orioles Mock Draft 3.0: Druw Jones or Jackson Holliday?

Jackson Holliday, SS, Stillwater HS, Okla. (No. 3)

Hit: 60 | Power: 55 | Run: 60 | Arm: 55 | Field: 55 | Overall: 60 

If the Baltimore Orioles don’t take Jone at No.1, then their pick should be Jackson Holliday. He’s been extremely difficult to strike out, with his pitch recognition being very high, something rare for a kid his age at this level of experience. No one has helped themself more than Holliday this spring, climbing up the prospect boards and playing exceptionally well.

Holliday has enhanced his defensive skills at shortstop, but he can also play at second and third bases. His speed, like Jones, could see him move to the outfield, but I think the Orioles would be wise to keep him in the infield. He is his father’s son, and whoever takes him will see glimpses of  Matt Holliday everywhere he goes.

Is it possible that Mike Elias pulls a Houdini on us and takes someone else? Sure, but it seems more likely that he will take either Jones or Holliday less than a month from now. In our opinion, the Baltimore Orioles can’t go wrong with either selection here. However, throwing on our Arm Chair GM hat, we have a preference for you.

With the 1st pick in the 2022 MLB Draft, the Baltimore Orioles select Druw Jones!