The 2024 MLB draft is sure to raise some eyebrows. With so much parity in the college and high school ranks, surprises are sure to develop during the selection process on Sunday. The draft begins with the Cleveland Guardians, a team that can save a ton of money with the first slot, while still signing a strong deal with a promising prospect.
1. Cleveland Guardians: Travis Bazanna, 2B, Oregon State
Cleveland can push money down the board with this deal. With that said, the idea of JJ Wetherholt going No. 1 overall seems to be in play. Where does Travis Bazanna fit in the mix if that’s the case? Cleveland has guarded their intentions with this slot. In this situation, the Guardians make a solid offer to Bazanna. It may not be the $9.3 million target, but the Oregon State star gets his name called first in the MLB draft on Sunday.
2. Cincinnati Reds: Charlie Condon, OF, Georgia
Cincinnati will have a chance to make a historic signing and still go under-slot. The question revolves around what their preference is in terms of player. Their next pick isn’t until No. 51. They need a thumper in the farm system. This pick feels like a spot for Charlie Condon or Jac Caglianone. Cincinnati selects Condon for a big number that still gets them under.
3. Colorado Rockies: Hagen Smith, LHP, Arkansas
Colorado could be the first landing spot for Chase Burns. The Rockies seem to be targeting pitching. They go left with Smith, to kickstart a few surprises at the top of the MLB draft.
4. Oakland Athletics: Chase Burns, RHP, Wake Forest
Jac Caglianone to the Athletics. Is there a better headline for an organization transitioning to a rental stadium in Sacramento – and then ultimately Las Vegas? Probably not, but that doesn’t mean the organization will go for a glamorous bat here. Last year’s pick at No. 6 was Jacob Wilson. The former Grand Canyon star is already Oakland’s top prospect, hitting .446 in Triple-A through 15 games. Do they land another up-the-middle stud in JJ Wetherholt? The farm needs arms and Burns could be a fast mover.
5. Chicago White Sox: JJ Wetherholt, INF, West Virginia
What will Chris Getz do with his first pick as GM for the White Sox? Chicago has traditionally leaned toward the college side at the top of the draft. That shouldn’t change here. This is a good spot for the White Sox, as Cagliagnone and Wetherholt could still be available. Getz could even go under-slot and grab Braden Montgomery. The White Sox will also have pick No. 43 in the next round. The Sox are exploring all options on the South Side.
6. Kansas City Royals: Bryce Rainer, SS/RHP, Harvard-Westlake (Calif.)
Kansas City has alternated between college and prep selections in the first round, dating back to 2017 when the Royals drafted Nick Pratto. They went with Blake Mitchell last year, who is already the club’s top prospect. Hagen Smith has buzz if they want an arm. In any event, the Royals need a fast-track option at just about any position other than catcher. They fall in love with the upside of Rainer from the left side of the field to make him king of the preps on Sunday.
7. St. Louis Cardinals: Ryan Waldschmidt, OF, Kentucky
The Cardinals are in an interesting position with this one. The slot-value is around $6.8 million, yet the team’s whole bonus pool is just north of 10 million. Their next slot is in the third round (No. 80). Sounds like a full-slot signing at best, like last year’s first-round signing of Chase Davis. Their top two prospects are pitchers – including last summer’s Round 4 gem, Quinn Matthews. This spot feels like a decent landing spot for preps Konnor Griffin and Bryce Rainer. St. Louis could sign a college bat in James Tibbs for slot, maybe even below – depending on what the next two spots have in store. The Cardinals shake things up in a big way and grab Waldschmidt.
8. Los Angeles Angels: Jac Caglianone, 1B, Florida
All bets are off on this one. The Angels need anything that could turn into a fast mover in the system. Although, it would be hard to turn down Rainer or Griffin if Los Angeles goes with a more patient approach. Hagen Smith makes a ton of sense out of the college stash, if available. The next slot for Los Angeles sits at No. 45 in the 2024 MLB draft. The Angels will also hold the last pick before the third round, which will be compensation from the Shohei Ohtani trade. Tibbs, along with Christian Moore have buzz at this spot. With Caglianone falling, the Halos look to crown another two-way talent. Caglianone will assuredly be focused solely hitting to start his pro career. It could pay off in a big way for the Angels.
9. Pittsburgh Pirates: Nick Kurtz, 1B, Wake Forest
The Pirates nailed last year’s No. 1 selection by taking Paul Skenes from LSU. Skenes has already graduated from prospect status and is an MLB All-Star selection in 2024. The Bucs need a quick-moving bat. They can afford to take a patient route for an arm. This is where we start to hear about top prep arm Cam Caminiti. Tibbs is also live for this landing spot. The Pirates have a Comp-A slot at No. 37 and a second-round pick at No. 47. With a total bonus pool around $14 million, Pittsburgh can get a little creative. With Kurtz sitting here, the Bucs buy an impactful college bat.
10. Washington Nationals: Braden Montgomery, OF, Texas A&M
Things are trending in the right direction for Washington executive Mike Rizzo and the front office in D.C. The young talent in the system is starting to bud. They could use an up-the-middle prospect or fast-moving arm. This spot looks like the floor for Burns or Smith. The Nationals take advantage of Montgomery falling and buy some insane athleticism and power.
11. Detroit Tigers: Konnor Griffin, OF, Jackson Prep (Miss.)
Detroit also shows signs of promise at the top of their farm system. They’re not hard-pressed to obtain a fast mover with this pick. With Rainer gone, it’s the toolsy Griffin the Tigers go with in the first round of the MLB draft.
12. Red Sox: James Tibbs, OF, Florida State
Boston capitalized on Kyle Teel falling to them at No. 14 in the 2023 MLB draft. The Red Sox historically like preps and up-the-middle options. Trey Yesavage and Brody Brecht are live with this pick if Boston wants an intriguing college arm. Vance Honeycutt and Christian Moore have some buzz here. In this situation, Boston gets a quality left-handed hitter.
13. San Francisco Giants: Cam Caminiti, Saguaro HS (Ariz.)
The Giants seem to be in on Caminiti. That glove would fit, considering the Giants’ ability to develop pitchers. Although, they could use a fast-moving bat. This would have to be the floor for a guy like Kurtz.
14. Chicago Cubs: Trey Yesavage, RHP, East Carolina
The last three first-round selections by the Cubs have worked out extremely well up to this point, with the injury status of Jordan Wicks notwithstanding. Once top prospect Cade Horton gets called up, you could argue pitching as a top priority for this slot. This feels like a landing spot for Trey Yesavage, the top college arm left on the board. If Chicago goes for a bat, Moore and Cam Smith could be options.
15. Seattle Mariners: Jurrangelo Cintje, RHP, Mississippi State
Many arms have progressed through the farm system and the Mariners could use one that fits their bill. The switch-handed stud out of Starkville, Mississippi, will rise as a permanent righty in the Northwest.
16. Miami Marlins: Christian Moore, 2B, Tennessee
Miami’s new scouting department takes the best bat on the board in Tennessee’s All-American. Moore’s surge in 2024 led to an SEC triple crown. The right-handed stick is loud and the defense is adequate enough to play second base or in left field.
17. Milwaukee Brewers: Brody Brecht, RHP, Iowa
The Brewers have five picks in the top 100 of the MLB draft. It sounds like an opportunity to get creative. Milwaukee will also have pick No. 34 ala the Corbin Burnes trade. They tend to like college prospects as their choice of brew in the first round. Obtaining a raw arm with upside could be in play. They get Brecht for slot. Kaelen Culpepper could be in play if they want to cut a deal that would push some money down the board.
18. Tampa Bay Rays: Theo Gillen, INF, Westlake HS (TX)
Tampa Bay loves to go prep, especially if they can get creative with their first few slots. In this draft their next pick is set at No. 58, however. The Rays need a quick-mover on the mound and they have plenty of guys that can play on the left side of the field. That doesn’t stop Tampa Bay from buying the best high school bat on the board. Gillen projects as an up-the-middle fielder, but it’s an above-average combination of power and hit tools that the Rays love.
19. New York Mets: Carson Benge, OF, Oklahoma State
Grimace may have been removed as an option here. All jokes aside, the Mets haven’t had a ton of success in recent years with first-rounders sticking with the organization for various reasons (Kelenic, Crow-Armstrong, Rocker,). Their top prospects look solid right now sans the Drew Gilbert injury. Benge may be too tough to turn down as the possibly the biggest upside college bat available. Honeycutt may be in play. Kash Mayfield could be a high school option here.
20. Toronto Blue Jays: Malcolm Moore, C, Stanford
Toronto could desperately use a catcher on a fast track to success. Malcolm Moore fits that mold. Moore has impressed with his presence off the field. His play on the field was strong at Stanford. Moore is a great battery mate that can hit. An alternate route for the Blue Jays could be a right-handed option from the mound. Conversely, another catcher to watch at this spot is Walter Janek.
21. Minnesota Twins: Vance Honeycutt, OF, North Carolina
Minnesota has three picks in the top 60 spots. The Twins can get creative, as they own pick No. 33 before the Competitive Balance – A Round kicks off. If they want to pull down a prep, Culpepper or Dakota Jordan could be options. Ryan Waldschmidt is a perfect fit for Minnesota. He’s a surprising goner in at the top of the board.
22. Baltimore Orioles: Kaelen Culpepper, SS, Kansas State
The Orioles will pick beside the Twins three more times in the top 100 of the MLB draft. Baltimore is in good shape throughout the system, which leads to thinking they take the approach of selecting the best player available. The Orioles have knack for sniffing out certain qualities based on their models. There are many different ways to attack this slot, but ultimately Baltimore is willing to grab Culpepper. This may lead them to push some money down the board.
23. Los Angeles Dodgers: Joey Oakie, Akheny Centennial HS (Iowa)
In light of William Schmidt pulling his name from the draft, this slot is updated for another massive arm. Oakie is a midwest kid from Iowa, who is currently committed to play for the University of Iowa. The right-hander has tremendous upside. Standing well over six feet, he carries around 200 pounds and looks very mature from a physicality standpoint. Oakie gets downhill with good carry and sink. He flashes a two-seamer and slider.
24. Atlanta Braves: Braylon Doughty, RHP, Chaparral (Calif.)
It wouldn’t be a Braves’ draft in the post-covid era without Atlanta taking a projectible guy from the mound with spin. Jurrangelo Cjinte makes a ton of sense, if he’s available. Brecht could be an intriguing option, and would attach himself to guys like AJ Smith-Shawver and Owen Murphy as a couple of examples of past Braves selections with a football background. It’s mainly high school arms that center around this spot. Atlanta gets a deal done with Doughty, a right-hander who fills up the strike zone and misses bats.
25. San Diego Padres: Kash Mayfield, LHP, Elk City HS (Okla.)
The Padres have an affinity for high school options under President A.J. Preller. That probably won’t change in 2024. Ryan Sloan is a prime prep option if the Friars want a young right-handed option. If they want a high school bat that sticks up the middle, Gillen makes sense – if available. San Diego holds pick No. 52 as its next slot.
26. New York Yankees: Cam Smith, 3B, Florida State
Some of the spots ahead of the Yankees may upset the Big Apple cart. The Bronx Bombers go with Smith, as arguably the most well-rounded college bat available. As a result, Smith could stick at third base. He’s also athletic enough to play a corner spot in the outfield.
27. Philadelphia Phillies: Seaver King, INF/OF, Wake Forest
A dream scenario for Philadelphia would be to pull down Brecht. That’s unlikely, as the Iowa pitcher probably has too many suitors ahead. The Phillies grab King, giving them a huge upside if the Wake Forest product cleans up some swing decisions. King flashes athleticism in the field and can play multiple positions. He’s a dangerous talent if the contact quality matches discipline at the plate.
28. Astros: Wyatt Sanford, SS, Independence (TX)
Names like Billy Amick and Walter Janek have some buzz here. This area of the draft is also prime for Tommy White. This is Houston’s only pick inside the top 100 of the MLB draft. You can make a case for various needs for the Astros. Houston goes with the in-state prep in Sanford.
29. Arizona Diamondbacks: Slade Caldwell, OF, Valley View (Ark.)
Enter Arizona. Even though its first pick sits at No. 29, the Diamondbacks, along with Cleveland, have a stronghold on the first round. Arizona has two more picks – a prospect-incentive pick along with a Comp-A selection. In this situation, The Snakes take a bite out of the prep market and buy a bat that some think doesn’t fall this far.
30. Rangers: Walker Janek, C, Sam Houston
The defending world champions may be looking at a few different options. College bats like Amick or White are definitely in play. This is also a spot for one of the college catchers.
