When the MLB Draft came and went in 2022, a handful of high-profile high school baseball prospects chose not to sign pro contracts, opting instead to sharpen their skills and raise their stock in college. Among them were Chase Shores, the towering right-handed pitcher, and Ike Irish, the power-hitting catcher/first baseman, both of whom turned heads on the summer showcase circuits but decided the college route was the better bet for their development and long-term career goals.
Now, with a couple of college seasons under their belts, the results are starting to come in on how well that decision has panned out — and for many, it’s clear that college baseball was the right call. Let’s take a closer look at Shores, Irish, and a few other top unsigned recruits from that 2022 class, and see how they’ve navigated the competitive grind of Division I baseball.
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Chase Shores: Big Arm, Big Expectations
When Chase Shores committed to LSU, the buzz was immediate. At 6-foot-8 with a fastball touching the upper 90s, he was seen as a potential weekend ace down the line. Shores arrived at LSU with all the tools: size, velocity, and a developing slider that scouts believed could turn him into a high-round pick when eligible again.
In his freshman year, Shores was eased into action. He flashed his immense potential in limited innings, showing why he was so highly regarded. Unfortunately, his sophomore season was cut short due to injury, a reminder of the risks young pitchers face. Even so, the Tigers staff remains optimistic that a healthy Shores could anchor their rotation next year. If he returns to full strength, expect him to be on every MLB scout’s radar when draft day comes around again.
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Ike Irish: Raking from Day One
Unlike Shores, Ike Irish made an immediate and undeniable impact at Auburn. Coming out of high school as a left-handed bat with power and an advanced approach, Irish looked every bit the part of a future middle-of-the-order hitter. In his freshman season, he lived up to the hype — hitting well over .300, driving balls to all fields, and earning Freshman All-American honors.
Irish’s defensive versatility — catching and playing first base — only added to his value. In his sophomore year, he built on his success, continuing to be one of the Tigers’ most productive bats in the rugged SEC. His mature plate discipline and ability to hit high-level pitching have him trending toward an early-round pick when he’s draft-eligible again. Irish is a poster child for how going to college can help refine tools and build draft value.
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Other Notable 2022 Unsigned Recruits
Of course, Shores and Irish weren’t the only big names from that draft class to choose the college path.
Termarr Johnson, the highly touted infielder, did sign and went pro, but players like Jackson Ferris and Jace LaViolette also made headlines for going to school. LaViolette, an outfielder at Texas A&M, quickly turned into a fan favorite with his combination of speed and pop. His freshman season saw him deliver clutch hits and showcase defensive range, putting him on draft boards as a potential five-tool prospect.
Brady Neal, another LSU recruit, was an underrated piece of that class. As a catcher, he saw valuable innings for the Tigers and earned praise for handling an elite pitching staff and showing a strong arm behind the plate. His development path looks solid as he works to add more power to his offensive game.
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The College Route: Still a Smart Play
For these players, bypassing the draft money at 18 to play college ball was about more than just development — it was about maturing physically and mentally in high-pressure programs. The SEC, in particular, has become the ultimate proving ground for pro prospects, and the early returns show that the gamble is paying off for the top talents who chose that route.
College baseball gives players daily exposure to high-level coaching, state-of-the-art facilities, competitive schedules, and the chance to grow against older, more polished competition. For pitchers like Shores, it’s about refining pitches and managing workloads. For hitters like Irish and LaViolette, it’s about adjusting to better arms and learning to handle failure.
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Looking Ahead
As the next draft approaches, the spotlight will be back on Shores, Irish, and the rest of their cohort. For many, the projection is simple: if they stay healthy and productive, they’re in line for even bigger signing bonuses than they would have seen straight out of high school.
It’s a gamble — as injuries and slumps can derail even the best — but for this crop of 2022 standouts, the college game has provided a strong launch pad. As they continue to grow, they’re showing future recruits that sometimes the long road really can lead to the biggest stage.
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One Thing is Clear
Chase Shores, Ike Irish, and the top unsigned recruits from the Class of 2022 have proven that betting on themselves and trusting the college baseball path can pay major dividends —
both on the field and when the draft comes calling again.
