Seventeen days earlier than the Guardians will train the No. 1 total decide within the 2024 Draft, they’ve let little slip out concerning their intentions. Their high 4 candidates look like, coincidentally, the highest 4 gamers on MLB Pipeline’s new Draft High 250 listing.
Cleveland not solely is mulling over the power of Oregon State second baseman Travis Bazzana, Georgia outfielder/third baseman Charlie Condon, Florida first baseman/left-hander Jac Caglianone and West Virginia center infielder JJ Wetherholt, but additionally calculating their signability. The Guardians have a document bonus pool ($18,334,000) that features an unprecedented allotment for the No. 1 alternative ($10,570,600), and so they need to stability expertise and value with that choice to maximise their possibilities of doing harm with the remainder of their Draft picks.
If Bazzana does not go No. 1, he may fall to the Athletics at No. 4, which comes with a decide worth of $8,370,800. Condon is just not seeking to take any sort of low cost, and he and Caglianone determine to go to the Reds at No. 2 ($9,785,000) and Rockies at No. 3 ($9,070,800) in both order. Thus Bazzana theoretically ought to be extra amenable to accepting a bonus within the $8.5 million-to-8.75 million vary from Cleveland.
MLB Pipeline’s top-rated prospect getting into the 12 months, Wetherholt missed half the season with a recurring hamstring damage. He additionally rivals Bazzana as the very best pure hitter accessible and is extra athletic, although he does provide much less energy. After the Guardians, his subsequent touchdown spot is presumably the White Sox at No. 5 ($7,763,700) and he may fall into the again half of the highest 10, so he would include the most important low cost of the 4.
For now — and far can change within the subsequent two weeks — I feel Cleveland’s alternative comes all the way down to Bazzana vs. Wetherholt. Caglianone is extra in play with the Guardians than has been realized, whereas Condon is fourth within the pecking order if he desires full slot.
As at all times, detailed stories, scouting grades and video for all of the gamers beneath are included on the Draft High 250 listing.
1. Guardians: Travis Bazzana, 2B, Oregon State (No. 1)On the Pipeline Podcast earlier this week, we assigned share possibilities for the candidates for this decide. I might revise mine like this: Bazzana 35 %, Wetherholt 30 %, Caglianone 20 %, Condon 10 %, the sphere (Wake Forest right-hander Chase Burns, Mississippi highschool shortstop/outfielder Konnor Griffin, possibly Arkansas left-hander Hagen Smith) 5 %.
2. Reds: Jac Caglianone, 1B/LHP, Florida (No. 3)The Reds seemingly are specializing in the gamers talked about above, minus Griffin. Caglianone seems to be forward of Condon, with Burns the selection if they need a pitcher.
3. Rockies: Charlie Condon, OF/3B, Georgia (No. 2)Although there was discuss of the Rockies focusing on a pitcher (seemingly Burns over Smith), they would not cross on Condon and possibly not on Caglianone.
4. Athletics: Braden Montgomery, OF, Texas A&M (No. 8)If the Guardians do not take Bazzana, he in all probability turns into an Athletic. Condon and Caglianone additionally can be straightforward selections if accessible. If not, Oakland would peruse the remainder of the highest tier of faculty bats: Montgomery (who broke his proper ankle within the NCAA Tremendous Regionals), Wetherholt and Wake Forest first baseman Nick Kurtz.
5. White Sox: Konnor Griffin, SS/OF, Jackson Prep (Flowood, Miss.) (No. 9)The White Sox are trying hitters right here, and the choice seems like it is going to come all the way down to Griffin vs. Wetherholt. Although Griffin has the very best ceiling within the Draft, this could be his solely lifelike touchdown spot within the high eight due to questions on his swing, so he may include a reduction.
6. Royals: Hagen Smith, LHP, Arkansas (No. 5)Although the faculty bats could possibly be tempting, new Royals scouting director Brian Bridges has an affinity for left-handers and Smith simply set the NCAA Division I strikeout fee document with 17.3 per 9 innings. Rainer and Griffin could possibly be in play as properly.
7. Cardinals: Chase Burns, RHP, Wake Forest (No. 6)The Cardinals do not often decide this excessive and would have a tough time passing on a possible frontline starter like Smith or Burns. Montgomery, Rainer and Wetherholt are position-player prospects. East Carolina right-hander Trey Yesavage may match as properly if St. Louis’ board blows up.
8. Angels: JJ Wetherholt, SS/2B, West Virginia (No. 4)Regardless of persistent buzz that the Angels will look to economize with this alternative, may they cross on Wetherholt, Smith, Burns, Kurtz or Montgomery when not less than two of them ought to get right here? Although they’re identified to love fast-moving collegians, Rainer may tempt them. If Los Angeles takes the low cost route, it may flip to Yesavage, Tennessee second baseman Christian Moore, Kentucky outfielder Ryan Waldschmidt or Sam Houston catcher Walker Janek.
9. Pirates: James Tibbs, OF, Florida State (No. 12)If one of many eight gamers projected above will get to No. 9, the Pirates may pounce. They’re in all probability the second workforce, after the White Sox, that might pop Griffin. Barring a type of guys remaining on the board, Pittsburgh may pivot to a below-slot take care of somebody like Tibbs or Moore. Do not rule out Kurtz.
10. Nationals: Bryce Rainer, SS, Harvard-Westlake HS (Studio Metropolis, Calif.) (No. 10)The Nationals will store amongst whichever of the consensus high 10 prospects (Bazzana, Condon, Caglianone, Wetherholt, Smith, Burns, Kurtz, Montgomery, Griffin, Rainer) is accessible. That is in all probability Rainer’s flooring and Kurtz is the most probably of that group to final this lengthy. There’s chatter that California catcher Caleb Lomavita may go this early, although the 20-35 vary is extra lifelike.
11. Tigers: Nick Kurtz, 1B, Wake Forest (No. 7)As soon as tied strongly to the Athletics, Kurtz has no apparent residence within the high 10 choices and could possibly be a steal right here, the scary latest observe document of faculty first baseman within the higher half of the primary spherical nothwithstanding. The Tigers may take anybody else from the consensus high 10 who slips. They’re strongly linked to Cam Caminiti, the very best prep pitching prospect, although there’s some latest intel that means that is overblown. Yesavage and Tibbs are different alternate options.
12. Pink Sox: Christian Moore, 2B, Tennessee (No. 13)Barring a shock fall — maybe Griffin or Rainer? — the Pink Sox determine to dip into the second tier of faculty bats that begins with Tibbs and Moore, although Yesavage can be engaging. That is the ceiling for different members of that group, together with Florida State third baseman Cam Smith, Wake Forest third baseman/outfielder Seaver King, Oklahoma State outfielder Carson Benge, Louisiana State third baseman Tommy White, North Carolina outfielder Vance Honeycutt and Kentucky outfielder Ryan Waldschmidt.
13. Giants: Cam Caminiti, LHP, Saguaro HS (Scottsdale, Ariz.) (No. 15)The Giants are the ground for Kurtz, Rainer, Griffin and Caminiti and have a superb likelihood to snag one in every of them. Plan B can be Yesavage or one of many faculty bats.
14. Cubs: Trey Yesavage, RHP, East Carolina (No. 11)Yesavage can be a pleasant addition to what has turn out to be a hitter-heavy Cubs system. Tibbs, Moore and Smith can be main hitting contenders, with King, Waldschmidt and Stanford catcher Malcolm Moore additionally getting seems.
15. Mariners: Jurrangelo Cijntje, RHP/LHP, Mississippi State (No. 25)The Mariners want to restock their pitching provide and Yesavage is the dream right here. Caminiti and the switch-pitching Cijntje are subsequent in line, adopted by Illinois prep right-hander Ryan Sloan. King and Arkansas highschool outfielder Slade Caldwell may lead Seattle’s listing of accessible bats.
16. Marlins: Cam Smith, 3B, Florida State (No. 14)After the Marlins spent $8.6 million and their first two 2023 selections on a pair of highschool arms, they’re trolling for bats. Tibbs and Christian Moore in all probability will not discover their means out of the higher half of the primary spherical, leaving Miami to take a look at Smith, King and Benge. In the event that they go for a pitcher, it might be Cijntje.
17. Brewers: Seaver King, 3B/OF, Wake Forest (No. 17)The school bat run begins to select up with a bunch that features King, Benge, White, Honeycutt and Malcolm Moore…
18. Rays: Ryan Waldschmidt, OF, Kentucky (No. 23)The Rays may hold the faculty hitter practice going with candidates similar to Smith, King, Waldschmidt and Malcolm Moore. They would not let Caminiti get previous them, may contemplate different pitchers similar to Cijntje and Sloan or pursue prep shortstops similar to Theo Gillen and Kellon Lindsey.
19. Mets: Carson Benge, OF, Oklahoma State (No. 18)Extra faculty bats: Benge, Honeycutt, Kansas State shortstop Kaelen Culpepper, Mississippi State outfielder Dakota Jordan…
20. Blue Jays: Walker Janek, C, Sam Houston (No. 24)And extra faculty bats: the highest three catchers (Janek, Moore, Lomavita, who may get drafted in any order) and in addition White, Honeycutt, Culpepper and Tennessee third baseman Billy Amick…
21. Twins: Vance Honeycutt, OF, North Carolina (No. 22)And extra faculty bats: Honeycutt, Amick and Culpepper, with White and Lomavita extra believable for the Twins at No. 33.
22. Orioles: Brody Brecht, RHP, Iowa (No. 21)The Orioles additionally may go for faculty hitters similar to White, Honeycutt, Culpepper, Amick or one of many catchers, however Brecht’s premium stuff and robust end to the season might be exhausting to withstand.
23. Dodgers: William Schmidt, RHP, Catholic HS (Baton Rouge, La.) (No. 16)Simply one of many first 97 picks belongs to the Dodgers, so they should make this depend. Excessive-ceiling choices embrace prep pitchers Schmidt and Mayfield, in addition to faculty arms Brecht and Cijntje in the event that they’re round and prep speedsters Caldwell and Lindsey.
24. Braves: Braylon Doughty, RHP, Chaparral HS (Temecula, Calif.) (No. 36)Doughty can attain 97 mph together with his fastball and three,000 rpm together with his curveball, and he has as a lot helium as any potential first-rounder proper now. The Braves would not thoughts a shot at Benge, Brecht, Waldschmidt or Cijntje.
25. Padres: Kash Mayfield, LHP, Elk Metropolis (Okla.) HS (No. 30)The Padres have spent their final eight first-rounders and three supplemental first-rounders on excessive schoolers. Guess on them making it 9 in a row with Schmidt, Mayfield, Sloan, Caldwell, Gillen, Lindsey or Doughty.
26. Yankees: Tommy White, 3B, Louisiana State (No. 20)The Yankees would favor a pitcher however exterior of Sloan, each the faculty and highschool teams might be fairly picked over by this level. They in all probability would not cross on Cijntje or Doughty however might have to show to hitters similar to White, Amick or Virginia shortstop Griff O’Ferrall.
27. Phillies: Ryan Sloan, RHP, York HS (Elmhurst, In poor health.) (No. 19)Just like the Padres, the Phillies have used their latest first-round choices on high-upside prepsters. Except the best faculty bat falls, they might lengthen their streak to 5 straight with Sloan, Caldwell, Gillen, Mayfield or Doughty.
28. Astros: Theo Gillen, SS/2B, Westlake HS (Austin, Texas) (No. 28)After Griffin and Rainer, there are 5 highschool shortstops who may go within the first spherical and all may come off the board sooner than listed right here. Gillen and Lindsey are first-rounders on this projection, Carter Johnson matches within the sandwich spherical and Wyatt Sanford and Tyson Lewis could not fairly discover houses within the high 39 selections. The 2 demographics talked about most for the Astros are prep shortstops and faculty catchers.
29. Diamondbacks: Malcolm Moore, C, Stanford (No. 26)With three of the subsequent seven choices, the D-backs can transfer cash round as they see match and are related to a big selection of gamers, together with Sloan, White, the faculty catchers, Caldwell, Gillen, Lindsey, Mayfield, Culpepper, Amick and Jordan.
30. Rangers: Kellon Lindsey, SS, Hardee HS (Wauchula, Fla.) (No. 29)As with the Astros and D-backs, the Rangers are linked to the highschool shortstops and faculty catchers. Sloan, White and Caldwell are different concerns.
Supplemental first-round picks31. Diamondbacks: Kaelen Culpepper, SS, Kansas State (No. 31)32. Orioles: Caleb Lomavita, C, California (No. 33)33. Twins: Billy Amick, 3B, Tennessee (No. 32)34. Brewers: Griff O’Ferrall, SS, Virginia (No. 38)35. Diamondbacks: Dakota Jordan, OF, Mississippi State (No. 34)36. Guardians: Slade Caldwell, OF, Valley View HS (Jonesboro, Ark.) (No. 27)37. Pirates: Carter Johnson, SS, Oxford (Ala.) HS (No. 40)38. Rockies: Jonathan Santucci, LHP, Duke (No. 37)39. Royals: David Shields, LHP, Mt. Lebanon (Pa.) HS (No. 41)
