The Top 20 New York Mets prospects headlined by Brandon Sproat
Who's Hot and Who's Not? Digging into Initial Data for 2024 First Round Hitters. Part 2
2024 MLB Mock Draft 3.0
While everything in Texas is bigger, this introduction won’t be. This is a practice in futility and there’s a lot of rumors and potential chaos abound. Prepare for mayhem accordingly!
The Draft Team Staff at Prospects Live is very thankful for everyone we have interacted and worked with this cycle and we appreciate the readers and viewers alike! Please make sure to join our draft stream tonight at 6:30 PM EST/5:30 PM CST.
1. Cleveland Guardians - INF JJ Wetherholt
Slot Value: $10,570,600
Sitting from this chair, it seems the running for 1.1 has come down to JJ Wetherholt and Travis Bazzana. Given the consideration for draft strategy with two more Top 50 picks, the likelihood that Cleveland gets a significant haircut is high and I would be shocked to see otherwise. With that said, who is more likely to give you that out of those two? Our guess is Wetherholt and it mainly comes down to the fact that he'd provide the bigger haircut and fits on the left side of the infield more than Bazzana. The savings that Wetherholt would provide allow Cleveland to float a prep down to #36 and even #48 if the money works out in their favor. Expect this situation to be fluid throughout the day and there is a good likelihood that the pool of players in consideration is higher than these two.
2. Cincinnati Reds - 3B/OF Charlie Condon
Slot Value: $9,785,000
The gut feeling right now is that Cincinnati prefers a power bat over a power arm, though there's been a Chase Burns connection recently. However, Charlie Condon appears to be the name linked the most with the Reds. This is, of course, assuming Cleveland doesn't go haywire. Caglianone makes sense here, too.
3. Colorado Rockies - RHP Chase BUrns
Slot Value: $9,070,800
There's been heat around a few guys here, including Burns, Condon, and Caglianone. This seems to be an early pivotal pick in this draft considering that Colorado could be in a wait-and-see mode with the two picks above them, but Burns makes the most sense in our eyes. They've quietly done a good job with Chase Dollander and Sean Sullivan, among others, in last year's draft and Burns has arguably the highest upside of any arm available. This seems to be Condon's floor, too.
4. Oakland AThletics - INF Travis Bazzana
Slot Value: $8,370,800
If Bazzana isn't the first overall pick, this is his likely ending spot. It's hard to envision this kind of bat slipping out of the top five and Oakland would be giddy to get a great value pick early. Now, if Bazzana is the first overall pick, expect a myriad of players to be in discussion here, including Nick Kurtz and Jac Caglianone.
5. Chicago White Sox - 1B/LHP Jac CAglianone
Slot Value: $7,763,700
To us, Caglianone feels like the leader in the clubhouse right now, though this may be a more pivotal pick than the Rockies at #3. If Caglianone is gone here, there's an expectation that the two prep bats in Konnor Griffin and Bryce Rainer would be in heavy consideration. Consider this one more of a toss-up in all seriousness.
6. Kansas City Royals - INF Bryce Rainer
Slot Value: $7,213,800
Kansas City really threw us a curveball the night before the draft by trading pick #39 to the Nationals in the Hunter Henry deal. They lose $2,395,000 of their bonus pool, giving them closer to $13,000,000 now to sign their allotted picks. They do still have an early second-round selection, so maybe their strategy doesn't change much. Who knows. As of right now, it feels like it'll come down to one of the prep bats or Hagen Smith. We'll go with Rainer for right now, and maybe there's a slight haircut, but again, who knows? This could very well be where Smith ends up.
7. St. Louis Cardinals - LHP Hagen Smith
Slot Value: $6,823,700
Assuming the Royals end up taking a prep bat, Smith makes a ton of sense for the Cardinals and I'd be shocked if they let him slip past them. Pairing him with 2023 draftee Quinn Mathews would be a fun southpaw duo. If Smith is taken before this pick, we'd expect either Rainer or Griffin here, more so Rainer.
8. Los Angeles Angels - INF Christian Moore
Slot Value: $6,502,800
The Angels are always tricky to identify a specific player in a mock. We know their recent demographic, a fast-moving college guy, but who could that be this year? Braden Montgomery is hurt and while I think he's got a chance here, the injury he sustained in Super Regionals may play a factor in their decision-making, unless they turn a new leaf. Look no further than Christian Moore, Tennessee's offensive catalyst in their CWS run. He has the chance to move quickly in their system and likely comes at a discount, as the Angels have liked to pay a prep in later rounds (i.e. Caden Dana, Barrett Kent).
9. Pittsburgh Pirates - 1B Nick Kurtz
Slot Value: $6,216,600
This pick likely comes down to whichever prep bat is still available (in this case, it's Griffin) and Nick Kurtz. Kurtz is a Pennsylvania native and may present a discount for Pittsburgh's competitive balance pick, though that feeling is not set in stone for us. We'll mock Kurtz for now, but expect an appearance from Griffin.
10. Washington Nationals - OF Braden Montgomery
Slot Value: $5,953,800
Things may get a bit hectic here, but in this scenario, Montgomery's fall comes to an end. He may need to ditch switch-hitting and perform as a left-handed bat, but that's fine. Kurtz makes a ton of sense here if the order changes, plus there's a good chance we could see someone else here. I wouldn't say expect potential chaos, but expect the boards to open up a bit here.
11. Detroit Tigers - INF/OF Konnor Griffin
Slot Value: $5,712,100
Detroit's brass would be pretty happy with Griffin falling into their lap at #11. There's a big link to Cam Caminiti at this spot and I'd imagine that's the likely route, but this is a scenario where the other half of the best prep bats is available. There's some Caleb Lomavita smoke here, too, but that's a rumor we don't feel too confident in. It's still worth noting, nonetheless.
12. Boston REd Sox - RHP Trey Yesavage
Slot Value: $5,484,600
Given Craig Breslow's arrival in Boston, our gut still tells us that ECU's Trey Yesavage is the best fit and would more than likely be available here. He's the last of the premier college arms in this class and fits Boston's organizational needs to a tee. If a top ten player falls to #12, though, expect Boston to pounce.
13. San Francisco Giants - LHP Cam Caminiti
Slot Value: $5,272,300
Assuming Caminiti isn't a Tiger, the next best fit would be the Giants at #13. It'd likely be his absolute floor and that's exactly what happens in this mock scenario. We're prepared to be wrong, though if Yesavage and Cam Smith are available here, we'd expect them to be in consideration.
14. Chicago Cubs - 3B Cameron Smith
Slot Value: $5,070,700
Speaking of Cam Smith, I'd expect the Cubs to pull the trigger if he's available. There's a plethora of college performeres available here and we'd imagine that the Cubs dive into that player pool. Smith's approach changes and power really stand out and he can handle the hot corner.
15. Seattle Mariners - SHP Jurrangelo Cijntje
Slot Value: $4,880,900
The expectation from Seattle is that this pick will likely be pitching. Many, including ourselves, view Jurrangelo Cijntje as SP4 in the college ranks, especially as a right-hander. Yes, there's uniqueness with the switch-pitching, but the stuff from the right side is bringing plenty of suitors to his doorstep. This would likely be Yesavage's floor and we can envision names like Carson Benge to be in consideration here if they go for a bat.
16. Miami Marlins - INF Seaver King
Slot Value: $4,704,700
New Marlins GM Peter Bendix was in Charlotte during the ACC Championship to get eyes on the likes of Seaver King and others. Miami's approach may go bat-heavy now and King seems like an excellent fit at this range, so we'll trust our gut and say he's the pick here.
17. Milwaukee Brewers - OF Ryan Waldschmidt
Slot Value: $4,534,100
Our expectation is that Milwaukee will look for a bat at this spot, though who that is isn't set in stone. Benge makes sense here, though we like Kentucky OF Ryan Waldschmidt more. He's a solid mold of clay for the organization to play with and most believe his best baseball is yet to come. It's a fun analytical fit.
18. Tampa Bay Rays - RHP Ryan Sloan
Slot Value: $4,372,900
There's a plethora of routes that Tampa Bay could go here, but I'd imagine some of the prep arms begin to get some notice here. Ryan Sloan makes the most sense of those arms. The burly right-hander has an excellent three-pitch mix with loud secondaries and has been into the upper-90s this spring. If it's not an arm, we wouldn't be shocked by a prep bat.
19. New YOrk Mets - INF Kaelen Culpepper
Slot Value: $4,219,200
The Mets have a preference for an up-the-middle type of bat and Kaelen Culpepper has the chops to stick at shortstop long term. Vance Honeycutt's name could make an appearance here, too. However, the link between the Mets and Culpepper is too strong to go that route at this time.
20. Toronto Blue Jays - C Malcolm Moore
Slot Value: $4,073,400
The expectation is that Toronto will take a college catcher here, though the real question is which one that'll be. In our eyes, Malcolm Moore is the best available catcher of that group and has solid underlying data to boot. Of course, if it's not Moore, Lomavita, and Walker Janek make the most sense.
21. Minnesota Twins - OF James Tibbs III
Slot Value: $3,934,400
Do we expect James Tibbs III to slip this far? No. In all honesty, there's a good likelihood that he goes way higher. There is some worry about his platoon splits and if he falls like we think he will in this mock, the Twins would be more than happy to scoop him up. He fits their recent trends to a tee.
22. Baltimore Orioles - OF Carson Benge
Slot Value: $3,802,200
Baltimore has liked Culpepper and Honeycutt, though, with one gone and the other having legitimate hit tool concerns, the Orioles may pivot to Benge. Benge's swing is a bit of a project, though Baltimore's hitting development would be perfect for him. It's an extremely fun fit.
23. Los Angeles Dodgers - INF/OF Theo Gillen
Slot Value: $3,676,400
Our expectation is that the Dodgers will go after one of the prep shortstops available in the backend of the first round. Theo Gillen makes the most sense in our eyes right now. Luke Dickerson, Wyatt Sanford, and others are potential fits, too. This is legitimate toss-up territory for us.
24. Atlanta Braves - RHP Dax Whitney
Slot Value: $3,556,300
Dax Whitney has the most helium of any prospect at this present time. It's a projectable frame with budding secondaries and a potentially loud heater. The Braves seem to have an eye on a prep arm and while Kash Mayfield makes a ton of sense, the heat around Whitney is too hard to ignore.
25. San Diego Padres - LHP Kash Mayfield
Slot Value: $3,442,100
The Padres love their preps, that's no secret. There's a grouping of prep guys here, though Mayfield seems like the best fit of that gaggle and would be a fun get for Preller and company. If it's not Mayfield, Kellon Lindsey's name gets some run here.
26. New York Yankees - 1B/3B Tommy White
Slot Value: $3,332,900
The likelihood that the Yankees go with a bat is pretty high and while this may end up being a prep selection, the Yankees may target a performing college bat. That includes Billy Amick, Tommy White, and others. White's bat is the best of that group and our gut tells us he'd be the pick here if it works out that way.
27. philadelphia Phillies - RHP Brody Brecht
Slot Value: $3,228,300
Depending on how you feel about Brody Brecht, this could be in the middle of his potential range or it could be near the top of it. Either which way, the Phillies have the pitching development to at least help Brecht clean up the delivery and improve the strikes necessary to start.
28. HOuston Astros - C Walker Janek
Slot Value: $3,132,500
The Astros have the lowest bonus pool total and it's hard to envision a prep player being the pick here, especially this slot alone is over half of Houston's total pool. Our gut tells us it will likely be one of the college catchers. Janek would be a bit of a surprise since he has suitors higher up on this board, but he'd help Houston save some money if they wanna utilize the most of their money later on.
29. Arizona Diamondbacks - SS Kellon Lindsey
Slot Value: $3,045,500
This is the first of three Arizona picks in the next six. Arizona likes high-contact bats and Lindsey certainly profiles as such. He's also a very impressive runner and many believe he has the chops to stick at shortstop. Expect Arizona to maximize their money over the next couple of picks. Slade Caldwell could be the pick here, as well.
30. Texas Rangers - C Caleb Lomavita
Slot Value: $2,971,300
Whichever college catcher becomes available to Texas at #30, whether it be Janek or Lomavita, makes the most sense to us. Lomavita's got some more raw tools, but the upside is high if everything clicks.
31. Arizona Diamondbacks - RHP Braylon Doughty
Slot Value: $2,904,000
Arizona is back on the clock and this time, our gut feel says it's a prep arm. There's a few options available to them, including Joey Oakie and Dasan Hill, but it's hard to see Doughty falling much further than this. Teams love the feel to spin and there's a good chance he adds more velocity in due time.
32. Baltimore Orioles - INF Wyatt SAnford
Slot Value: $2,835,400
This pick is a bit of wild card. The Orioles have the cash to splurge a little and there's a good chance a prep player is taken here. Dickerson, Caldwell, and Carter Johnson make sense, but it's hard to ignore the projection and tools surrounding Sanford.
33. Minnesota Twins - OF Slade Caldwell
Slot Value: $2,766,100
A potential high-OBP kind of bat for the Twins? Yeah, that's got Caldwell's bat written all over it. It feels like a solid match from this desk.
34. Milwaukee Brewers - OF Vance Honeycutt
Slot Value: $2,698,300
Is it possible that Honeycutt falls this far? Maybe. In this scenario, he does and Milwaukee is as good of a fit as it can get for him. It's a bit of a toss-up if Honeycutt is not available.
35. Arizona Diamondbacks - INF Carter Johnson
Slot Value: $2,632,500
It's time for the last Arizona pick in this mock and we will continue the expectation that they'll utilize as much of their change as humanly possible. Johnson may command a bit of an over-slot deal here, but it's hard to not love the bat path and potential power.
36. Cleveland Guardians - 1B/OF PJ Morlando
Slot Value: $2,569,200
Well, with William Schmidt pulling himself from the draft at the eleventh hour, there's some changes here. There was a plan B to this scenario and for us, it's hard to ignore the availability and tools with Morlando. We'll see what ultimately happens.
37. Pittsburgh Pirates - RHP Bryce Meccage
Slot Value: $2,511,400
There's a bloodline link here, as Meccage's uncle is a bullpen coach in Pittsburgh. Many teams have preferred Meccage over the likes of other prominent Northeast arms and it's easy to see why. Starter traits, a budding arsenal with two banger breaking balls, plus he's been up to 96 MPH this spring.
38. Colorado Rockies - RHP Luke Holman
Slot Value: $2,452,200
Colorado's likely searching for a college arm at this point and things begin to get a bit murky this deep. Ben Hess has been tossed around, as well as Drew Beam. Luke Holman's more of a safer pick, but there's some upside here if he can throw harder and command the baseball better.
39. Washington Nationals - SS Tyson Lewis
Slot Value: $2,395,000
There's a good likelihood that Lewis finds himself higher on this board, but given the Nationals' additional pool money now, could they buy him down? That scenario plays out in our minds and could ultimately happen.
2024 MLB Draft: Top 300 Players Final Update
After a long, tedious construction of our board, the Prospects Live Draft Team is excited to unveil the final iteration of our 2024 board. This update takes in a lot of factors: our live looks, film studies, and industry rumblings. There’s been quite a bit of movement, especially at the top of this class, as the likes of Christian Moore and Jurrangle Cijntje have had helium down the stretch. There are also a few new names on our board, including Nathan Flewelling and Ryan Verdugo, both of whom are intriguing pieces to take on the second day of the draft. There’s a new #1, too.
2024 MLB Draft: Top 300 Prospects
2024 MLB Mock Draft 2.0
Live Looks: Kubota College Baseball Series
Editor’s Note: This is a collaborative effort from Tyler Jennings and Patrick Bauer, both of whom attended the event in person.
Michigan Wolverines
OF Jonathan Kim
draft grade: Day 2 (2025)
Arkansas Razorbacks
LHP Hagen Smith
draft grade: Top Ten or better
RHP Brady Tygart
draft grade: Rounds 4-5
LHP Mason Molina
draft grade: Late Day 2 (Rounds 6-10)
OF/DH Kendall diggs
draft grade: Round 5
Oregon State Beavers
2B travis bazzana
DRAFT GRADE: Top three (legitimate 1.1 upside)
RHP jacob kmatz
draft grade: Late Day 2
RHP Aiden May
draft grade: third round (maybe second)
OF Gavin Turley
draft grade: First round (2025)
Oklahoma State Cowboys
OF Carson Benge
draft grade: Mid to late first
OF Zach Ehrhard
draft grade: late Day 2
RHP Gabe Davis
draft grade: day 1 (2025)
2024 MLB Draft: Top 100 College Prospects
Director’s Note: All Draft Day Ages for players are pinned to July 14, 2024, our guess as to when the MLB Draft will start. The league has not announced the dates for the 2024 MLB Draft and once revealed, we will adjust approximate ages to that date.
The 2024 Top 100 High School board can be found here. Once the season is in full bloom, we will begin to integrate a single list, starting off with 200 prospects. As always, our 2024 Prospect Footage can be found here.
1. 2B/SS JJ Wetherholt, West Virginia
Height: 5’10
Weight: 190
B/T: L/R
Draft Day Age: 21 yr 10 mo
Wetherholt's bat has a chance to be very special, as the mix of pure hit and power tools profile as one of the best in the entire country. Wetherholt posts elite contact rates and seldom whiffs with impressive feel for the barrel. It's a compact and powerful swing from the left side of the plate, showcasing very quick hands and loud bat speed. Wetherholt utilizes the whole field to his advantage and will punish the gaps with legitimate above-average to plus power, which also plays well to his pull side. It's a truly special bat. He's played at third base and second base the past two years, though he's been given a chance at shortstop this fall and the reports are promising. The range is there to handle the position, though the arm strength needs some improvement. He's a solid runner and knows how to be a menace on the basepaths, as well, recording 36 stolen bases in 2023.
2. 1B Nick Kurtz, Wake Forest
Height: 6’5
Weight: 235
B/T: L/L
Draft Day Age: 21 yr 4 mo
Coming in at 6'5, 235lbs, Nick Kurtz is a monster of a human being at the plate. The size, strength, and power Kurtz possesses is a scout's dream. The Wake Forest first baseman has a scary good offensive profile. He is going to draw his fair share of walks due to his patience at the plate while also hitting for massive power thanks to his near 70-grade pop. On top of that, he's got a well advanced approach at the plate and is able to use the entire field. Shockingly for his size, he is fairly athletic and can more than hold his own at first base. He's one of the best defenders at first base and easily grades as a plus defender. Kurtz is a likely frontrunner to be the 2024 ACC Player of the Year and should be providing plenty of offense as the anchor for the Demon Deacons lineup. He has the makings of becoming a force in a big league lineup and will likely be a fast riser through the minors.
3. 2B Travis Bazzana, Oregon State
Height: 6’0
Weight: 199
B/T: L/R
Draft Day Age: 21 yr 10 mo
An import from Australia, Bazzana's overall toolset is ridiculously impressive. He's put up incredible numbers in his two years at Oregon State, slashing .340/.463/.549 across two seasons in Corvallis with elite bat-to-ball skills and plate discipline. He's a really tough out at the plate, rarely expanding the zone and he's got an incredible eye, racking up walks aplenty. His spray chart is a thing of beauty, utilizing the entire field with a compact, line drive swing with a ton of bat speed that is meant to do serious damage. It's above-average juice at the present and most of it plays to his pull side, but he's shown an ability to hammer the ball to the opposite field gap. Bazzana is also an incredible runner, posting plus run times on a consistent basis. He's primarily been a second baseman up to this point, though there's a chance we see him at shortstop in 2024. He's got enough athleticism and twitch to have solid range there, though his arm is nothing more than average. Either way you draw it up, this is a potentially elite bat with suitable defense up the middle.
4. RHP Chase Burns, Wake Forest
Height: 6’4
Weight: 195
B/T: R/R
Draft Day Age: 21 yr 5 mo
Burns is an electric factory on the bump. The Wake Forest transfer is a bulldog type on the mound and he exudes all the confidence you want to see in a pitcher on the mound. He isn't afraid to go right after batters with his electric fastball. What is an elite two-pitch mix, he sits in the upper-90s with significant life to the fastball and pairs it with a diabolical upper-80s/low-90s slider that he can manipulate the shape of. He also isn't afraid to reach back on his fastball for a little extra and can get it up to 101-102 mph. He's been working on a curveball and a splitter, flashing potential, though he doesn't rely on either heavily. His command can waiver at times, but when he is locked in, he can paint a masterpiece. Even with the slight command woes, the stuff is elite and it will be interesting to see what the Wake Forest pitching lab can do to elevate his already incredible arsenal to the next level. He is the best arm in this class.
5. 1B/of Charlie Condon, Georgia
Height: 6’6
Weight: 211
B/T: R/R
Draft Day Age: 21 yr 3 mo
The reigning SEC Freshman of the Year, Condon's unexpected emergence was a welcome sight. After redshirting his first year on campus, Condon exploded onto the scene with a .386/.484/.800 slash line and 25 home runs in 56 games. Condon has a towering, physical frame at 6'6, 211 pounds with plenty of strength throughout his body and there's quite a bit of projection to it still. Condon has plus-plus raw power to all fields and got to it often in 2023, posting healthy exit velocities and even getting into the 110-115 MPH range. It's a ton of bat speed and very quick hands with the barrel exploding through the zone with little effort. There's some hitterish traits with Condon, as he has solid bat-to-ball skills, though he does have his struggles with spin. Defensively, Condon has enough speed and athleticism to handle a corner outfield spot, though if he outgrows the position, he can handle first base. The bat would have to continue to perform in that case and that's the selling point right now.
6. OF Vance Honeycutt, North Carolina
Height: 6’3
Weight: 205
B/T: R/R
Draft Day Age: 21 yr 1 mo
Finding guys with five tool potential is a tough task, but Honeycutt has the potential to be that type of player. Honeycutt showed plenty of improvements in the strikeout department in 2023, dropping the strikeout rate significantly, though that came with the price of production. Nonetheless, Honeycutt has game-changing tools. There's plenty of bat speed from the right side of the plate and there's potentially plus power that plays to his pull side and he'll hit the gaps to show off his blazing speed. The swing-and-miss has toned down and he rarely chases, which is promising for the hit tool. If everything comes together in 2024, there's potential for an above-average hit tool here. He's a lock to stick in center field long term, as his plus speed gives him exceptional range and he'll make highlight reel plays on a consistent basis. There's a strong arm here, as well. If everything clicks, there's serious 1-1 potential.
7. SS/OF Seaver King, Wake Forest
Height: 6’0
Weight: 190
B/T: R/R
Draft Day Age: 21 yr 2 mo
One of the funnest development stories to follow, Seaver King has made his way to Wake Forest after playing last year at Division II Wingate. He was quite undersized coming out of high school which only earned him the Wingate offer, but he's grown a bit since then and found his way into a gig with what might be one of the best college teams going into the 2024 season. King has a robust line-drive approach at the plate with tons of bat speed and has the ability to use the entire field to go along with very good exit velocities, getting up to 111 MPH this fall. King doesn't strikeout often and gets a lot of barrel to ball, but he also doesn't walk a ton either and the chase rates are a bit too high. If he can improve the discipline in 2024 and continue to blast the baseball, he'll be a certified top fifteen pick. He's rather twitchy in the field and can play a myriad of positions for Wake Forest this spring, including center field.
8. RHP Brody Brecht, Iowa
Height: 6’4
Weight: 225
B/T: R/R
Draft Day Age: 21 yr 9 mo
Brecht may have the highest upside of any arm in this loaded college class and he's lit up Stuff+ models with some of the loudest stuff in the college landscape. Brecht has undergone some mechanical tweaks since his high school days, most notably being a shortened arm action that has given him more deception. It's a very quick arm with excellent athleticism, as well. He's gotten up to 101 MPH during starts in 2023, holding upper-90s velocity well throughout his starts, accuring whiffs at a high rate despite suboptimal vertical carry. The slider is the real deal, showing true double-plus potential with hellacious bite. It'll display shorter break with late lateral movement and he's shown an ability to land it for strikes when the fastball command is out of whack. He's tinkered with a low-90s change-up and a low-80s curveball, but he's primarily just had to use the FB-SL combination thus far. The high walk rate and command woes have been the big thing holding Brecht back, though he did show improved fastball command down the stretch for the Hawkeyes. He's stepped away from football and will be focusing solely on pitching moving forward.
9. 1B/LHP Jac Caglianone, Florida
Height: 6’5
Weight: 245
B/T: L/L
Draft Day Age: 21 yr 5 mo
Dubbed the "Ohtani" of college baseball, Caglianone is one of the most well-known players at the amateur level with legitimate two-way potential. There's a bit of rawness to his game, but the power on both sides of the ball are rather impressive. We'll start with the bat, which might have the best power in this entire class. It's easy double-plus right now with extremely quick hand speed and torque, generating a ton of bat speed and all fields power. He's producing some of the loudest exit velocities in the country as a result. The hit tool could use some refinement, as he's rather aggressive and expands the zone frequently. On the defensive side, it's a first-base profile. As an arm, Caglianone has loud stuff, but the command holds him back. The fastball has flirted with triple digits with some life, paired with a bullet-esque slider with solid potential and a bigger bender. The change-up has excellent velocity separation and fading life, boasting a high whiff rate. He's tinkered with his mechanics, becoming more compact this fall, but time will tell how much this helps his command. The jury is still out on if he has to choose one or the other, but the upside on both sides is enticing.
10. OF Mike sirota, Northeastern
Height: 6’3
Weight: 188
B/T: R/R
Draft Day Age: 21 yr
Sirota is about as well-rounded of a hitter as you'll find in college baseball. The Northeastern outfielder possesses a rare combination of discipline, power, and hit ability that is hard to come by at the amateur level. Offensively, he lets the ball get deep in the zone, allowing him to stay back and drive the ball to all fields with authority. He rarely chases pitches out of the zone, drawing plenty of walks in the process. Though he occasionally gets knocked for playing at a mid-major, his performance against high-quality pitching over the last two summers in the Cape Cod League show he can excel with a competition jump and wood bat. His speed allows him to cover a ton of ground in center field, which is where he projects as plus long-term. Sirota's advanced bat combined with his athleticism are what make him a potential first-round pick.
2024 MLB Draft: Top 50 College Prospects
Director’s Note: All Draft Day Ages for players are pinned to July 14, 2024, our guess as to when the MLB Draft will start. The league has not announced the dates for the 2024 MLB Draft and once revealed, we will adjust approximate ages to that date. Furthermore, we do not own the rights to any images utilized in these lists and those rights belong to the proper individuals/organizations.
The link to our 2024 Top 50 High School board can be found here and our 2024 Prospect Footage can be found here.
1. 2B/SS Travis Bazzana, Oregon State
Height: 6’0
Weight: 202
B/T: L/R
dRAFT dAY aGE: 21 yr 10 mo
An import from Australia, Bazzana's overall toolset is ridiculously impressive. He's put up incredible numbers in his two years at Oregon State, slashing .340/.463/.549 across two seasons in Corvallis with elite bat-to-ball skills and plate discipline. He's a really tough out at the plate, rarely expanding the zone and he's got an incredible eye, racking up walks aplenty. His spray chart is a thing of beauty, utilizing the entire field with a compact, line drive swing with a ton of bat speed that is meant to do serious damage. It's above-average juice at the present and most of it plays to his pull side, but he's shown an ability to hammer the ball to the opposite field gap. Bazzana is also an incredible runner, posting plus run times on a consistent basis. He's primarily been a second baseman up to this point, though there's a chance we see him at shortstop in 2024. He's got enough athleticism and twitch to have solid range there, though his arm is nothing more than average. Either way you draw it up, this is a potentially elite bat with suitable defense up the middle.
2. 2b/3b j.j. wETHERHOLT, wEST vIRGINIA
hEIGHT: 5’10
wEIGHT: 190
b/t: l/r
Draft Day Age: 21 yr 10 mo
Wetherholt's bat has a chance to be very special, as the mix of pure hit and power tools profile as one of the best in the entire country. Wetherholt posts elite contact rates and seldom whiffs with impressive feel for the barrel. It's a compact and powerful swing from the left side of the plate, showcasing very quick hands and loud bat speed. Wetherholt utilizes the whole field to his advantage and will punish the gaps with legitimate above-average to plus power, which also plays well to his pull side. It's a truly special bat. He manned second base primarily in 2023, though he's got prior experience at the hot corner and one would expect him to see more time there in 2024. The range is there to handle the position, though the arm strength needs some improvement. He's a solid runner and knows how to be a menace on the basepaths, as well, recording 36 stolen bases in 2023.
3. RHP Chase Burns, Wake Forest
Height: 6’4
Weight: 195
B/T: R/R
Draft Day Age: 21 yr 5 mo
Burns is an electric factory on the bump. The Wake Forest transfer is a bulldog type on the mound and he exudes all the confidence you want to see in a pitcher on the mound. He isn’t afraid to go right after batters with his electric fastball. What is an elite two-pitch mix, he sits in the upper-90s with significant life to the fastball and pairs it with a diabolical upper-80s/low-90s slider that he can manipulate the shape of. He also isn’t afraid to reach back on his fastball for a little extra and can get it up to 101-102 mph. He’s been working on a curveball and a splitter, but both pitches are still a work in progress with potential. His command can waiver at times, but when he is locked in, he can paint a masterpiece. Even with the command issues, the stuff is elite and it will be interesting to see what the Wake Forest pitching lab can do to elevate his already incredible arsenal to the next level.
4. 1B NIck Kurtz, Wake Forest
Height: 6’5
Weight: 235
B/T: L/L
Draft Day Age: 21 yr 4 mo
Coming in at 6’5, 235lbs, Nick Kurtz is a monster of a human being at the plate. The size, strength, and power Kurtz possesses is a scout's dream. The Wake Forest first baseman has a scary good offensive profile. He is going to draw his fair share of walks due to his patience at the plate while also hitting for massive power thanks to his near 70-grade pop. On top of that, he’s got a well advanced approach at the plate and is able to use the entire field. Shockingly for his size, he is fairly athletic and can more than hold his own at first base. He’s one of the best defenders at first base and easily grades as a plus defender. Kurtz is a likely frontrunner to be the 2024 ACC Player of the Year and should be providing plenty of offense as the anchor for the Demon Deacons lineup. He has the makings of becoming a force in a big league lineup and will likely be a fast riser through the minors.
5. OF Vance Honeycutt, North Carolina
Height: 6’3
Weight: 205
B/T: R/R
Draft Day Age: 21 yr 1 mo
Finding guys with five tool potential is a tough task, but Honeycutt has the potential to be that type of player. Honeycutt showed plenty of improvements in the strikeout department in 2023, dropping the strikeout rate significantly, though that came with the price of production. Nonetheless, Honeycutt has game-changing tools. There's plenty of bat speed from the right side of the plate and there's potentially plus power that plays to his pull side and he'll hit the gaps to show off his blazing speed. The swing-and-miss has toned down and he rarely chases, which is promising for the hit tool. If everything comes together in 2024, there's potential for an above-average hit tool here. He's a lock to stick in center field long term, as his plus speed gives him exceptional range and he'll make highlight reel plays on a consistent basis. There's a strong arm here, as well. If everything clicks, there's serious 1-1 potential.
6. RHP Brody Brecht, Iowa
Height: 6’4
Weight: 225
B/T: R/R
Draft Day Age: 21 yr 9 mo
Brecht may have the highest upside of any arm in this loaded college class and he's lit up Stuff+ models with some of the loudest stuff in the college landscape. Brecht has undergone some mechanical tweaks since his high school days, most notably being a shortened arm action that has given him more deception. It's a very quick arm with excellent athleticism, as well. He's gotten up to 101 MPH during starts in 2023, holding upper-90s velocity well throughout his starts, accuring whiffs at a high rate. The slider is the real deal, showing true double-plus potential with hellacious bite. It'll display shorter break with late lateral movement and he's shown an ability to land it for strikes when the fastball command is out of whack. He's tinkered with a low-90s change-up and a low-80s curveball, but he's primarily just had to use the FB-SL combination thus far. The high walk rate and command woes have been the big thing holding Brecht back, though he did show improved fastball command down the stretch for the Hawkeyes. He's stepped away from football and will be focusing solely on pitching moving forward, which is great news for his potential.
7. 1B/OF Charlie Condon, Georgia
Height: 6’6
Weight: 211
B/T: R/R
Draft Day Age: 21 yr 3 mo
The reigning SEC Freshman of the Year, Condon's unexpected emergence was a welcome sight. After redshirting his first year on campus, Condon exploded onto the scene with a .386/.484/.800 slash line and 25 home runs in 56 games. Condon has a towering, physical frame at 6'6, 211 pounds with plenty of strength throughout his body and there's quite a bit of projection to it still. Condon has plus raw power to all fields and got to it often in 2023, posting healthy exit velocities and even getting into the 110-115 MPH range. It's a ton of bat speed and very quick hands with the barrel exploding through the zone with little effort. There's some hitterish traits with Condon, as he has solid bat-to-ball skills, though he does have his struggles with spin. Defensively, Condon has enough speed and athleticism to handle a corner outfield spot, though if he outgrows the position, he can handle first base. The bat would have to continue to perform in that case and that's the selling point right now.
8. C Jacob Cozart, NC State
Height: 6’3
Weight: 216
B/T: L/R
Draft Day Age: 21 yr 6 mo
Cozart is the latest to join a recent pipeline of NC State backstops and there's a chance he could be the best of the bunch. Instead of enduring a "sophomore slump," Cozart improved in all facets of his game, becoming a very well-rounded catcher with a budding bat. While he does struggle a bit with spin, Cozart's plate discipline is great and he's able to curb the strikeouts with solid contact rates. There's at least average power in his sweet lefty swing and it plays primarily to his pull side, but he's shown an ability to go up the middle and use the gaps. He shines on the defensive side, as he's one of the best defensive catchers in recent memory. He's a very good framer and has excellent actions behind the dish, as well as owning an above-average arm with solid pop times. It's above-average defense at the present with plus potential down the line. He was one of the best players to try out for the Collegiate National Team, as well.
9. OF/RHP Braden Montgomery, Texas A&M
Height: 6’2
Weight: 217
B/T: S/R
Draft Day Age: 21 yr 2 mo
Are you looking for someone with tools for days? Look no further than Braden Montgomery. The two-way star transferred to Texas A&M and will be looking to make an impact on both sides of the ball for the Aggies. He’s a force at the plate, as the switch-hitter has easy plus pop from both sides of the batter box. There were plenty of concerns about his approach and patience at the plate, but he greatly increased his walk rates and cut down on the strikeouts last year. He’s got the tools to project as a power corner outfielder as he has what might be the best arm in the draft class. It’s extremely accurate and has tons of carry. Montgomery also saw time on the bump as his fastball has been up to 97 MPH. He’s struggled quite a bit with command of his fastball, leading many to believe that he will eventually focus on being a bat only. He will likely be a day one call as many teams will want to take a shot on his physical tools and athleticism.
10. 1B/LHP Jac Caglianone
Height: 6’5
Weight: 245
B/T: L/L
Draft Day Age: 21 yr 5 mo
Dubbed the "Ohtani" of college baseball, Caglianone is one of the most well-known players at the amateur level with legitimate two-way potential. There's a bit of rawness to his game, but the power on both sides of the ball are rather impressive. We'll start with the bat, which might have the best power in this entire class. It's easy double-plus at the present with extremely quick hand speed and torque, generating a ton of bat speed and all fields power. He's producing some of the loudest exit velocities in the country as a result. The hit tool could use some refinement, as he's rather aggressive and expands the zone frequently. On the defensive side, it's a first base profile. As an arm, Caglianone has loud stuff, but the command holds him back. The fastball has flirted with triple digits with some life, paired with a bullet-esque slider with solid potential. The change-up has excellent velocity separation and fading life, boasting a high whiff rate. The jury is still out on if he has to choose one or the other, but the upside on both sides is enticing.