The 2024 MLB Draft is right here. Day 1 contains the primary 74 alternatives, masking Rounds 1 and a couple of, Aggressive Stability Rounds A and B, two Prospect Promotion Incentive picks, plus two compensation picks. The Guardians obtained issues going with the No. 1 total decide.
Spherical 1 is airing dwell proper now on MLB Community, MLB.com and ESPN. Days 2 (Rounds 3-10) and three (Rounds 11-20) start at 2 p.m. ET on Monday and Tuesday and can stream dwell solely on MLB.com.
Comply with alongside right here all evening for a rundown of each decide with evaluation by MLB Pipeline and MLB Community consultants.
1) Guardians: Travis Bazzana, 2B, Oregon StateThe Guardians saved issues very near the vest till the final minute, taking a look at quite a few school gamers, particularly the highest hitters. Bazzana was at all times excessive on that checklist, and for good purpose. The left-handed-hitting Australian infielder was a Golden Spikes Award finalist after he hit .407/.568/.911 with 28 homers and 16 steals in his junior yr with the Beavers. His penchant for contact matches the Guardians’ hitting philosophy and he has loads of thump that ought to get to Cleveland rapidly.
2) Reds: Chase Burns, RHP, Wake ForestThe Reds have been taking a look at many choices and it could have come all the way down to Charlie Condon vs. Chase Burns. In the long run, they went for top-of-the-line arms in the complete class, giving them their second straight Wake Forest pitcher taken within the first spherical (Rhett Lowder in 2023). Burns transferred to Wake Forest and its pitching lab and it had an incredible impact as he took a step ahead with all of his stuff. He has a fastball that touches 100 mph, but it surely’s his simply plus slider that misses a ridiculous quantity of bats.
3) Rockies: Charlie Condon, OF, GeorgiaMany thought Condon was one of the best participant within the Draft and he definitely put up the numbers to again up that declare. The Golden Spikes Award winner led all Division I hitters together with his .433 common and 37 homers (to not point out his 1.009 SLG). It’s exhausting to not get enthusiastic about how his 70-grade energy will play at Coors Subject, even when it takes a bit of to determine what place he may settle into (I suppose an outfield nook).
4) A’s: Nick Kurtz, 1B, Wake ForestA gradual begin due to a shoulder harm could have harm his inventory ever so barely, however he was far too proficient to slide too far. He obtained scorching because the season wore on, ending with 22 homers and main Division I hitters with 78 walks. He has properly above-average pop to all fields and is an entire hitter, and whereas he’s restricted to first base, he’s a plus defender there.
5) White Sox: Hagen Smith, LHP, ArkansasWe at MLB Pipeline had him because the top-ranked pitcher within the class. Smith was a Golden Spikes Award finalist, main all Division I pitchers in batting common towards (.144) and setting a file for Okay/9 (17.3) price. The southpaw sits at 93-97 mph and touches 100 together with his fastball and has a grimy slider that’s just about unhittable. Add in a splitter and a few deception in his supply and he has frontline starter potential.
6) Royals: Jac Caglianone, 1B/LHP, FloridaA super participant who has a 70-grade fastball from the left aspect on the bump and super energy on the plate, Caglianone was introduced as a two-way participant when his title was introduced. If I needed to guess, his future shall be punishing pitches, not delivering them (if he does not stick as a two-way participant). His lack of swing-and-miss given his energy is spectacular.
7) Cardinals: JJ Wetherholt, SS, West VirginiaThe West Virginia standout missed a piece of the season due to a hamstring harm, however an argument may be made that he’s one of many high pure hitters within the class. The left-handed hitter can drive the ball to all fields and is a plus runner with a really superior strategy on the plate. Some scouts felt there wasn’t a lot separating him from Travis Bazzana, with much less energy and extra velocity than his counterpart.
8) Angels: Christian Moore, 2B, Tennessee
9) Pirates: Konnor Griffin, SS, Jackson Prep, Flowood, Miss.
