The San Francisco Giants selected Connecticut two-way star and Tennessee transfer commit Reggie Crawford with the 30th pick the in the 2022 MLB Draft.
Crawford committed to Tennessee earlier this week after spending three seasons in Storrs. The left-handed pitcher and first baseman missed the entire 2022 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery before entering the transfer portal. With his late first round selection, Crawford is unlikely to play a game in the orange-and-white.
Most of Crawford’s collegiate success has come at the plate, but the tall left-hander projects as a pitcher in professional baseball.
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Crawford posted a 2.35 ERA while striking out 17 batters in 7.2 innings pitched in 2021 and has thrown just eight innings in his college career. However, Crawford boasts a upper 90s fastball that makes him an extremely attractive left-handed draft prospect.
If Crawford forgoes professional baseball to play his redshirt-junior season at Tennessee, the 6-foot-4, 235-pound prospect will play a major role at the plate. Crawford hit .295 with 11 doubles, 13 home runs and 62 RBIs in his sophomore season and could put up massive numbers at the smaller Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
Entering the draft, sources around the Tennessee baseball program believed it was 50/50 whether Crawford would turn professional or transfer to Tennessee. Crawford going in the first round makes it extremely unlikely he will make it to Knoxville.
Drew Gilbert was the first Tennessee player selected in the 2022 MLB Draft, going No. 28 to Houston.
Stay tuned at Rocky Top Insider all weekend for complete Tennessee coverage of the 2022 MLB Draft.
