Rangers Take Slam Dunk Pick in ESPN's MLB Mock Draft

The Texas Rangers have had their ups and downs throughout the 2022 MLB season, but remain just five games out of the final American League Wild Card spot. Their future's looking bright with solid prospects in their system and they'll have the chance to add more during July's 2022 MLB Draft.

ESPN's latest MLB mock draft sheds some light on who the Rangers could use this year's No. 3 pick on. The club's fanbase will love the projected selection as analyst Kiley McDaniel has Georgia Tech catcher Kevin Parada landing in the Lone Star State.

Rangers Mock Draft

McDaniel also says that Vanderbilt recruit Druw Jones and Oklahoma State recruit Jackson Holliday are the Rangers' preferences for the third overall pick. However, there's nothing to complain about if Texas leaves the draft with Parada as their pick.

The 20-year-old had a strong rookie campaign at Georgia Tech but took things to a new level in 2022. Parada nearly tripled his home run total last year (26) compared to 2021 (nine) while more than doubling his RBI total (42 to 88).

Parada even looked more comfortable at the plate in his second season with the Yellow Jackets, recording 30 walks to 32 strikeouts while slashing .361/.453/.709. The right-handed hitter also improved his base-running, totaling 183 total bases and crossing home plate 79 times.

The Georgia Tech product is a player that could easily be a part of the Rangers' core for years to come. It remains to be seen if they'd be willing to use the No. 3 pick on him or if one of their preferred choices will fall next month.

The 2022 MLB Draft begins on Sunday, July 17 in Los Angeles, CA.