Reds Land Elite Backstop in ESPN MLB Mock Draft

Calling the Cincinnati Reds' 2022 MLB campaign "bad" would likely be an understatement. The club hasn't given its fanbase many reasons to cheer, but that could all change next month at the 2022 MLB Draft.

The Reds could go numerous ways with the 18th overall pick in July, however, ESPN's 2022 MLB mock draft sheds late on what that decision could look like. Analyst Kiley McDaniel has Cincinnati using the No. 18 selection on Arizona Wildcats catcher Daniel Susac.

Kiley McDaniel writes the 2022 MLB Mock Draft 2.0... There's a new name in the mix for the No. 1 overall pick https://t.co/Gxi4CMH1IR
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) June 29, 2022

Reds Mock Draft

McDaniel says that the Reds haven't been shy about taking a catcher that high in the past, making Susac one of the more likely choices at No. 18. After all, they used the 11th overall pick on Tyler Stephenson back in 2011.

Susac's 2022 campaign was just as solid as his 2021 performance, if not more so. The 21-year-old backstop finished his second season at Arizona with 19 doubles, 12 home runs, 61 RBIs and a .366 batting average in 64 games (273 at-bats).

Defensively, Susac has a terrific arm and doesn't let too many balls get behind him. His defense is far from perfect, but he could become something special behind the plate with the right attention and development.

Susac would look terrific in a Reds uniform moving forward, but nothing is guaranteed until next month. Only time will tell who Cincinnati uses the 18th overall pick on, but the truth is that the Reds fanbase would be thrilled if it ends up being the talented switch-hitting prospect.

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

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Devon Platana is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Devon Platana also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username PepeSilvia0. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.