Finest in the Field: Class of 2022

Greg Gerard

Photo: Andruw Jones (Perfect Game)

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Finest in the Field: Class of 2021

Last Friday we took a look at the Finest in the Field for the Class of 2021 as well as each of the MLB Gold Glove winners at each position. Today is the release of the players in the Class of 2022 who will be taking home a 2020 Perfect Game/Rawlings Finest in the Field award, as listed below.

Pitcher: Dylan Lesko (Buford HS, Buford, Ga.)

This award makes three in a row for right-handed pitcher Dylan Lesko. Lesko is a very athletic prospect who has played both on the mound and the left side of the infield for his travel team, the East Cobb Astros, as well as his high school club in the Buford Wolves. Lesko’s athleticism shows up in his delivery as he bounces off of the mound quickly and can make plays off of the mound. The fact of the matter is, Lesko does not have to make a ton of plays for himself because of the high volume of swings and misses that he creates. Lesko is the No. 2 prospect in the Class of 2022 and has seen his fastball reach 96 mph. The pure dominance of the righty on the mound has surely not gone unnoticed as he purely dominates with his three-pitch mix seemingly every time out.

Catcher: Luke Heyman (Lake Brantley HS, Longwood, Fla.)

One of the top arms from any catcher in the 2022 class belongs to Longwood, Florida native Luke Heyman. His defensive skill set is at the top of the class for 2022s, especially with his catch-and-throw ability. He has a cannon of an arm that produces lots of carry to the second base bag. He clocked an 85 mph catcher velocity at the Jr. National Showcase this June that left the PG scouting staff highly impressed. The versatility stands out too, as he can hop on the mound and create low-90s velocity from that outstanding arm strength as well. Heyman, a commitment to the University of Florida, is the No. 25 player in the 2022 class and a very promising young prospect behind the dish.

First Base: Xavier Isaac (East Forsyth HS, Kernersville, N.C.)

Isaac is another Florida commit and also the top-ranked first baseman in the Class of 2022. Coming in at No. 23 overall nationally, Isaac has one of the top power bats in the class and a profile that likely stays at first base long term. The defense does get overlooked by his bat quite often to most, but the 6-foot-4, 240-pound lefty plays athletically on the right side of the infield. He picks it well and can exchange the baseball quickly. Isaac plays his travel ball with the Canes National where he has seen outstanding production on the travel ball circuit. Hitting in the middle of the Canes lineup at plenty of premier tournaments, Isaac has now hit five homers at PG events and is a staple every game at first base for one of the top travel ball programs in the country.

Middle Infield: Termarr Johnson (Mays HS, Atlanta, Ga.)

Johnson has been the most premier glove in this class, regardless of position, for several years now as he, like Lesko, is taking home his third Perfect Game/Rawlings Finest in the Field award. The actions are so smooth, the glove is so sure and the hands stand out in every facet. Johnson can make the forehand, backhand, and slow roller plays all look so easy, while the arm strength is up to 84 mph across the diamond. Johnson’s a middle infielder for the East Cobb Astros and showed out during the Underclass All-American Games as well. It is simply a special glove that has shown up on the PG tournament circuit game in and game out.

Middle Infield: Cole Young (North Allegheny HS, Wexford, Pa.)

Young is right up there with Johnson in regard to his hands and actions in the dirt. Young is the shortstop for Canes National with footwork that excels in the infield. His arm strength will allow him to play at shortstop long term. He always seems to make a spectacular play in the infield too. He makes quick reads, knows how to get to the baseball quickly and without being out of control. His transfers from glove to hand are so true and quick that he makes even tough plays look so easy. The Duke commit hits left-handed and has an outstanding track record in PG events playing in several national tournaments throughout the years.

Third Base: Tucker Toman (Hammond HS, Columbia, S.C.)

Toman is one of six players on this list who were a member of the 2018 14U Select Festival, joining Lesko, Johnson, Young, Jones and Green. Toman has the athleticism to play either infield position on the left side of the diamond. His primary position is third base and that is where he sees most of his time in games for the Dirtbags. Toman took a professional round of infield at the PG All American Games and the defensive skill set stands out in game as well. His frame is lean and he uses his footwork at a high level to generate big-time projectable tools defensively. His arm plays across with good carry and upper-80s velocity. Toman is an LSU commit with lots of potential, not only in the infield, but with his left-handed swing as well.

Outfield: Andruw Jones (Wesleyan HS, Suwanee, Ga.)

Jones simply glides to the baseball in the outfield. His actions are so smooth and his arm strength is pretty substantial as well. The Vandy commit has made tons of big plays in center field for the 6-4-3 DP Cougars on the tournament circuit. His range is pretty remarkable and the fact that he can run a 6.47 second 60-yard dash shows the type of speed he possesses in the outfield. The son of a former Major Leaguer with the same name, Jones is so fluid in the outfield and has outstanding potential as an outfielder in this class.

Outfield: Elijah Green (IMG Academy, Windermere, Fla.)

Green makes his first appearance as an outfielder on the Finest in the Field list this year. Green had a monster 2020, taking the next step while putting his athleticism to the baseball field and showing that he is not just a great athlete, but a superb athlete that is also great at baseball. The Miami commit ran a 6.20 second 60-yard dash at Jr. National and has impact speed to be a star defender with that type of closing speed on fly balls. The defensive ability actually used to be the one tool that was missing with Green at a younger age, but he has made significant gains in that area of his game and now sees himself as a 2020 Perfect Game/Rawlings Finest in the Field for the class of 2022.

Outfield: Paxton Kling (Central HS, Roaring Spring, Pa.)

Kling, an LSU commit and Canes National outfielder, made this list a year ago after showcasing himself in a big way at the 2019 WWBA National Championship and Underclass World Championship. Fast forward a year and those defensive skills that were highlighted in last year’s Finest in the Field have made another step forward. Kling also ran a 6.45 second 60-yard dash this past October. His arm strength from the outfield is up to 92 mph and the overall tools are really special. Kling has the athleticism and foot speed to really go get balls and the range has been noteworthy to scouts looking on.

Utility: Jayson Jones (Braswell HS, Savannah, Texas)

Jones is a bit of a bigger infielder comparatively to Johnson and Young on this list, but Jones is a hard name to leave off of this list after the 2020 that the Arkansas commit had. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound primary shortstop plays his travel ball with the Dallas Tigers and shows the ability to play both left side infield positions at a high level. Jones showcased himself at the 2020 Jr. National, where he took an outstanding round of infield with his soft hands and nimble footwork. His arm strength is plenty strong enough to stick on the left side, up to 87 mph. Jones is the No. 5 overall player in this class and has all the tools to be a very high-ceiling player in due time while the defensive ability is certainly one of note.

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