Mock draft: MLB Pipeline's final predictions

As Saturday changed into Sunday, the Guardians nonetheless weren’t divulging how shut they have been to creating a choice concerning the No. 1 total decide and so they could not finalize their plans till shortly earlier than the Draft begins at 7 p.m. ET in Fort Value, Texas, stay on MLB Community and ESPN.

The frontrunners seem like Oregon State second baseman Travis Bazzana, Georgia outfielder/third baseman Charlie Condon and West Virginia center infielder JJ Wetherholt. Florida first baseman/left-hander Jac Caglianone continues to be within the combine, with Wake Forest right-hander Chase Burns and Arkansas left-hander Hagen Smith extra distant prospects.

Beneath is MLB Pipeline’s closing 2024 mock draft, with every of us presenting our predictions. Detailed scouting studies, grades and video for all of the gamers talked about beneath are included with MLB Pipeline’s Draft High 250 checklist.

1. GuardiansCallis: JJ Wetherholt, SS/2B, West Virginia (No. 4)The Guardians’ technique seems to be maximizing the worth of their whole Draft class, and Wetherholt is the highest expertise who would settle for the most important low cost, so I am switching to him after going with Bazzana in my earlier 4 projections. So as of likelihood, Bazzana could be an in depth second and Condon (who will land the most important bonus within the Draft and will break Paul Skenes’ document of $9.2 million) coming in third.

Mayo: JJ Wetherholt, SS/2B, West Virginia (No. 4)You’re going to listen to a bit about Paul Skenes’ $9.2 million bonus because it pertains to those prime two picks. The primary is the final buzz that Cleveland could not wish to go above that with whomever it takes. That also leaves Travis Bazzana very a lot within the combine, however Wetherholt affords an possibility very shut in talent, whereas additionally permitting the Guardians to be much more aggressive later within the Draft.

2. RedsCallis: Charlie Condon, OF/3B, Georgia (No. 2)The Reds could choose Condon, but when he costs himself past the place they really feel comfy, they might flip to Caglianone or Burns.

Mayo: Charlie Condon, OF/3B, Georgia (No. 2)The opposite bonus-related scuttlebutt on the prime is that Condon desires greater than that $9.2 million threshold, which leaves him out of the 1-1 combine and will have the Reds trying elsewhere, although that’s nonetheless underneath slot for them. They’d think about Bazzana, Jac Caglianone, Braden Montgomery and Chase Burns in the event that they want options.

3. RockiesCallis: Chase Burns, RHP, Wake Forest (No. 6)The Rockies covet Condon and he has extra leverage with the Guardians than Wetherholt or Bazzana as a result of he has a better ground within the Draft. If Condon is not out there, the Rockies will determine between Burns, Hagen Smith and Caglianone.

Mayo: Chase Burns, RHP, Wake Forest (No. 6)I nonetheless really feel like this can be a toss-up between a university bat (Caglianone) and a university arm in Burns, however we’ll make it two faculty pitchers in a row for the Rockies after they took Chase Dollander in 2023.

4. A’sCallis: Travis Bazzana, 2B, Oregon State (No. 1)Bazzana to the Athletics looks as if a lock, although there was chatter Saturday night that they might take Wake Forest first baseman Nick Kurtz even when Bazzana was on the board. Texas A&M outfielder Montgomery is one other chance.

Mayo: Travis Bazzana, 2B, Oregon State (No. 1)If he doesn’t go on the prime of the Draft, it does really feel like he wouldn’t get previous right here, with the A’s seemingly not pondering he was going to be out there. Caglianone, Montgomery and Nick Kurtz stay different bat choices, with Burns a attainable goal if he’s nonetheless out there.

5. White SoxCallis: Konnor Griffin, SS/OF, Jackson Prep, Flowood, Miss. (No. 9)Bazzana could be a no brainer for the White Sox. In any other case, Griffin seems to be their desire, even over Caglianone and Wetherholt.

Mayo: Braden Montgomery, OF, Texas A&M (No. 8)Montgomery’s identify is everywhere in the prime half of the primary spherical, beginning at No. 2. The White Sox are nonetheless contemplating Kurtz (faculty bat), Hagen Smith (faculty arm) and the highest two highschool hitters in Griffin and Bryce Rainer.

6. RoyalsCallis: Jac Caglianone, 1B/LHP, Florida (No. 3)Earlier than this weekend, it did not seem that Caglianone may get to the Royals. If he does not, it is no secret that they love California prep shortstop Bryce Rainer and likewise would think about Smith.

Mayo: Bryce Rainer, SS, Harvard-Westlake, Studio Metropolis, Calif. (No. 10)This might come right down to a selection between Caglianone and Rainer, with Hagen Smith a chance as properly. However Kansas Metropolis has at all times appreciated Rainer’s left-handed swing.

7. CardinalsCallis: Hagen Smith, LHP, Arkansas (No. 5)If the Guardians go on Wetherholt, he may get all the best way to No. 7 and be the best-case state of affairs for the Cardinals. Smith and Burns each could be enticing to St. Louis, which additionally has curiosity in Rainer and perhaps Kurtz.

8. AngelsCallis: Braden Montgomery, OF, Texas A&M (No. 8)Any participant apart from Bazzana and Condon may fall to the Angels, who seemingly would select between Montgomery and Kurtz as full-slot choices if the Draft performs out like this. If they like a reduced faculty bat, Florida State outfielder James Tibbs and Tennessee second baseman Christian Moore are choices.

Mayo: Hagen Smith, LHP, Arkansas (No. 5)It had appeared the Angels have been taking a look at bats, and so they nonetheless may, with somebody like Kurtz, James Tibbs or Christian Moore. However additionally they most likely thought Smith wouldn’t be right here at this level.

9. PiratesCallis: Nick Kurtz, 1B, Wake Forest (No. 7)The Pirates may pop one of many consensus prime 10 skills (the eight gamers projected above, plus Kurtz and Rainer), however additionally they may lower a cope with somebody like Tibbs, Moore or Oklahoma State outfielder Carson Benge.

Mayo: Nick Kurtz, 1B, Wake Forest (No. 7)Tibbs continues to be a attainable match, as is Christian Moore on the school bat entrance, Trey Yesavage from the school pitcher crop and Griffin in the event that they roll the cube on the toolsy highschool hitter.

10. NationalsCallis: Bryce Rainer, SS, Harvard-Westlake HS, Studio Metropolis, Calif. (No. 10)Rainer is the kind of high-upside participant the Nationals historically pursue, although we’ll acknowledge that the consensus 10 finest gamers hardly ever all get taken with the highest 10 choices. Florida State teammates Tibbs and third baseman Cam Smith are different prospects, and rumors of an under-slot deal for California catcher Caleb Lomavita persist.

Mayo: Konnor Griffin, SS/OF, Jackson Prep, Flowood, Miss. (No. 9)The Nationals don’t shrink back from risk-taking and so they may look again and notice they acquired the most effective participant within the class with the most effective all-around instruments years from now.

11. TigersCallis: Theo Gillen, SS/2B, Westlake HS, Austin, Texas (No. 28)Barring one of many prime 10 prospects dropping into their laps, the Tigers have been linked to Arizona highschool left-hander Cam Caminiti for weeks. However on the evening earlier than the Draft, they have been repeatedly tied to an under-slot transfer with Gillen. Lomavita additionally will get talked about right here on a reduction deal, and Cam Smith could possibly be an element.

Mayo: James Tibbs, OF, Florida State (No. 12)There have been some rumors circulating late that the Tigers have been trying arduous at prep shortstop Theo Gillen right here, however the speak of faculty bats like Tibbs or Cam Smith was additionally loud.

12. Purple SoxCallis: Christian Moore, 2B, Tennessee (No. 13)The Purple Sox additionally would not thoughts an surprising faller attending to No. 12. Whereas they may be tempted by East Carolina right-hander Troy Yesavage, they will most likely seize a university bat reminiscent of Moore, Cam Smith, Benge or Kentucky outfielder Ryan Waldschmidt.

Mayo: Christian Moore, 2B, Tennessee (No. 13)The names I used to be listening to probably the most given this state of affairs have been Moore and Cam Smith on the hitting facet and Yesavage if they give the impression of being to the mound.

13. GiantsCallis: Cam Caminiti, LHP, Saguaro HS, Scottsdale, Ariz. (No. 15)There’s an outdoor likelihood that Kurtz may final this lengthy and the Giants could be his ground. If not, they will most likely take Caminiti or Yesavage.

Mayo: Cam Caminiti, LHP, Saguaro HS, Scottsdale, Ariz. (No. 15)In the event that they don’t go along with the younger left-hander, they may be one other workforce taking a look at Yesavage. In the event that they wish to think about a university bat, Cam Smith, Carson Benge, Vance Honeycutt or Tommy White could possibly be within the combine.

14. CubsCallis: James Tibbs, OF, Florida State (No. 12)As with the Purple Sox, Yesavage could be a pleasant match for an additional farm system that would use extra pitching prospects, however the Cubs may discover it arduous to go up among the faculty bats. This can be Tibbs’ ground and Christian Moore, Cam Smith, Stanford catcher Malcolm Moore and Wake Forest third baseman/outfielder Seaver King additionally could be in play.

Mayo: Trey Yesavage, RHP, East Carolina (No. 11)I’m sticking with the school arm right here like I did per week in the past, over faculty hitters like Cam Smith, Honeycutt or Seaver King. Outdoors of some speak some time in the past about big-time offers with the Angels at No. 8, that is the primary point out of Walker Janek I’ve heard.

15. MarinersCallis: Trey Yesavage, RHP, East Carolina (No. 11)The Mariners would like a university pitcher (Yesavage, Mississippi State switch-pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje) however may take a university bat (Waldschmidt, King). Arkansas prep outfielder Slade Caldwell is a darkish horse.

Mayo: Jurrangelo Cijntje, SWP, Mississippi State (No. 25)The dialog could proceed between Cijntje and a university hitter like King, with prep right-hander Ryan Sloan not out of the dialogue.

16. MarlinsCallis: Cam Smith, 3B, Florida State (No. 14)If Tibbs and Christian Moore are gone, the Marlins seemingly would flip to Smith over King.

Mayo: Cam Smith, 3B, Florida State (No. 14)This continues to really feel like the most effective touchdown spot for the third baseman, although the Marlins are additionally taking a look at different faculty hitters like Benge and Ryan Waldschmidt. Sloan may enter the equation in the event that they change gears to the mound.

17. BrewersCallis: Carson Benge, OF, Oklahoma State (No. 18)The Brewers are sorting by way of faculty bats reminiscent of Christian Moore, Cam Smith, Benge, North Carolina outfielder Vance Honeycutt and King.

Mayo: Carson Benge, OF, Oklahoma State (No. 18)School bats stay on the forefront of the dialogue right here, with Honeycutt additionally within the image.

18. RaysCallis: Kellon Lindsey, SS, Hardee HS, Wauchula, Fla. (No. 29)Highschool shortstops Gillen and Lindsey would make sense right here, as would among the faculty place gamers projected shortly forward of them (Tibbs, Cam Smith, Benge), in addition to Waldschmidt.

Mayo: Ryan Sloan, RHP, York HS, In poor health. (No. 19)Waldschmidt could be the school bat they may be most certainly to have a look at in the event that they wished a university hitter, however I’m having them go upside on the mound on this final projection.

19. MetsCallis: Vance Honeycutt, OF, North Carolina (No. 22)The Mets are related to a number of faculty bats, led by Benge, Honeycutt and King.

Mayo: Slade Caldwell, OF, Valley View HS, Jonesboro, Ark. (No. 27)On this state of affairs, it could possibly be a choice between Caldwell and a university hitter like White, however I’m sticking with my prep decide from per week in the past.

20. Blue JaysCallis: Ryan Waldschmidt, OF, Kentucky (No. 23)The Blue Jays are casting a large web for faculty bats that features Benge, Waldschmidt, Honeycutt, King, Sam Houston catcher Walker Janek and Louisiana State third baseman Tommy White.

Mayo: Seaver King, 3B/OF, Wake Forest (No. 17)Again to the school hitter bucket right here, with King the selection over Waldschmidt, White or Janek.

21. TwinsCallis: Seaver King, 3B/OF, Wake Forest (No. 17)Additionally rely the Twins in on faculty bats (Honeycutt, King, Amick) and do not rule out Louisiana highschool right-hander William Schmidt. In addition they may attempt to push Schmidt to their supplemental first-round decide at No. 33.

Mayo: Billy Amick, 3B, Tennessee (No. 32)One other faculty bat spot, this time with Amick getting the nod over White or Kaelen Culpepper.

22. OriolesCallis: Brody Brecht, RHP, Iowa (No. 21)Brecht and Cijntje give the Orioles two faculty pitching prospects with upside. Waldschmidt, Amick, White and Kansas State shortstop Kaelen Culpepper are faculty place gamers who may curiosity Baltimore.

Mayo: Caleb Lomavita, C, California (No. 33)They may take a look at an arm like Iowa’s Brody Brecht right here or different faculty hitters like Waldschmidt or Culpepper.

23. DodgersCallis: Slade Caldwell, OF, Valley View HS, Jonesboro, Ark. (No. 27)The Dodgers are pursuing highschool shortstops however could flip to Caldwell with Gillen and Lindsey not out there. In the event that they’d fairly have a pitcher, they might go for Brecht, Schmidt or Oklahoma prep lefty Kash Mayfield.

Mayo: Brody Brecht, RHP, Iowa (No. 21)It’s at all times felt like an arm right here, with a excessive schooler like William Schmidt or Kash Mayfield prospects, however I’ll give them the high-ceiling faculty arm in Brecht.

24. BravesCallis: Dax Whitney, RHP, Blackfoot (Idaho) HS (No. 56)The Braves have taken under-slot arms with their final 4 first-round picks and will prolong that streak with Whitney, who has helium. California prep right-hander Braylon Doughty, Brecht and Cijntje are different mound targets. Atlanta would bounce on among the faculty bats projected earlier in the event that they slid to No. 24, and King may be probably the most real looking likelihood.

Mayo: Ryan Waldschmidt, OF, Kentucky (No. 23)This could possibly be an excellent end result for the Braves. In addition they may take a look at highschool arms like Schmidt, Mayfield or Braylon Doughty.

25. PadresCallis: Kash Mayfield, LHP, Elk Metropolis (Okla.) HS (No. 30)The Padres may spend a first-round selection on a excessive schooler for the ninth consecutive Draft by going for Mayfield, right-hander Ryan Sloan (Illinois), outfielder PJ Morlando (South Carolina), Schmidt or Doughty. Gillen or Lindsey may be apparent selections in the event that they get this far.

Mayo: William Schmidt, RHP, Catholic HS, La. (No. 16)The prep streak for the Padres proceed, as they might go for Schmidt, Mayfield or Doughty on the mound; Gillen or Kellon Lindsey from the highschool shortstop group are additionally in play.

26. YankeesCallis: Jurrangelo Cijntje, RHP/LHP, Mississippi State (No. 25)The Yankees need pitching and could be delighted to search out Cijntje out there. In addition they like highschool arms Doughty, Mayfield and Bryce Meccage (New Jersey). Place gamers of their sights embrace White and New Jersey prep shortstop Luke Dickerson.

Mayo: Braylon Doughty, RHP, Chaparral HS, Calif. (No. 36)It’s felt for the final short while just like the Yankees have been leaning arm right here, with Doughty maybe the most suitable choice with the school pitchers they appreciated off the board. White or Mississippi State’s Dakota Jordan are of curiosity from the school hitter crop.

27. PhilliesCallis: Caleb Lomavita, C, California (No. 33)The Phillies are pursuing faculty bats reminiscent of Lomavita, White, Amick and Culpepper. Highschool choices embrace Morlando amongst hitters and Mayfield, Sloan, Schmidt and Doughty amongst pitchers.

Mayo: Tommy White, 3B, Louisiana State (No. 20)They’re clearly not afraid of taking excessive schoolers, so they may think about Mayfield on the mound or Gillen and Lindsey within the discipline.

28. AstrosCallis: Billy Amick, 3B, Tennessee (No. 32)Amick, Nebraska prep shortstop Tyson Lewis, the school catchers and Virginia shortstop Griff O’Ferrall could possibly be on the Astros’ quick checklist.

Mayo: Theo Gillen, SS/2B, Westlake HS, Tex. (No. 28)They may take a look at the school catchers nonetheless out there (Malcolm Moore, Janek) as properly.

29. D-backsCallis: Malcolm Moore, C, Stanford (No. 26)With picks 29, 31 and 35, the Diamondbacks get talked about with a slew of gamers, together with faculty bats (the three catchers, Amick, Culpepper, Mississippi State outfielder Dakota Jordan), highschool place gamers (Caldwell, Morlando, Lewis) and prep arms (Mayfield, Sloan, Schmidt).

Mayo: Vance Honeycutt, OF, North Carolina (No. 22)There’s an excellent likelihood he goes larger than this given his instruments, although the swing-and-miss issues haven’t gone away. If he’s off the board, Malcolm Moore or Janek could possibly be of curiosity.

30. RangersCallis: Walker Janek, C, Sam Houston (No. 24)School catchers appear to be the precedence for the Rangers, who even have been tied to Caldwell and the second tier of highschool shortstops that features Carter Johnson (Alabama) and Wyatt Sanford (Texas).

Mayo: Walker Janek, C, Sam Houston (No. 24)They may take a look at a highschool shortstop like Lindsey in the event that they wished to go the prep route, or Malcolm Moore if they like the left-handed-hitting faculty backstop.

31. D-backs (Obtained for Corbin Carroll profitable Rookie of the 12 months)Callis: Ryan Sloan, RHP, York HS, Elmhurst, In poor health. (No. 19)Mayo: Malcolm Moore, C, Stanford (No. 26)

32. Orioles (Obtained for Gunnar Henderson profitable Rookie of the 12 months)Callis: Kaelen Culpepper, SS, Kansas State (No. 31)Mayo: Kaelen Culpepper, SS, Kansas State (No. 31)

33. Twins (Obtained for Sonny Grey signing with the Cardinals)Callis: Tommy White, 3B, Louisiana State (No. 20)Mayo: Wyatt Sanford, SS, Independence HS, Frisco, Texas (No. 35)

34. Brewers (Acquired as a part of commerce package deal for RHP Corbin Burnes)Callis: Griff O’Ferrall, SS, Virginia (No. 38)Mayo: Griff O’Ferrall, SS, Virginia (No. 38)

35. D-backsCallis: Dakota Jordan, OF, Mississippi State (No. 34)Mayo: Kellon Lindsey, SS, Hardee HS, Wauchula, Fla. (No. 29)

36. GuardiansCallis: Braylon Doughty, RHP, Chaparral HS, Temecula, Calif. (No. 36)Mayo: Kash Mayfield, LHP, Elk Metropolis (Okla.) HS (No. 30)

37. PiratesCallis: Drew Beam, RHP, Tennessee (No. 64)Mayo: Bryce Meccage, RHP, The Pennington College, Pennington, N.J. (No. 51)

38. RockiesCallis: PJ Morlando, OF, Summerville (S.C.) HS (No. 43)Mayo: Dakota Jordan, OF, Mississippi State (No. 34)

39. Nationals (Acquired as a part of commerce package deal for RHP Hunter Harvey)Callis: William Schmidt, RHP, Catholic HS, Baton Rouge, La. (No. 16)Mayo: PJ Morlando, OF, Summerville (S.C.) HS (No. 43)