2024 MLB First Round Mock Draft
Photo Credit: MLB
The MLB Draft is taking place from July 14-16, and teams across the league are looking at prospects from both the high school and college level to make a quick impact to their organization. As Paul Skenes, the 2023 first overall pick, demonstrated, a great prospect can immediately contribute and become a star at the major league level. Here is our mock draft of the first round of the 2024 MLB Draft, with in-depth analysis of the top 15 selections.
1. Guardians: Travis Bazzana, Oregon State, 2B
There’s rumors that Cleveland may target Charlie Condon or JJ Wetherholt in this spot instead. However, we think Bazzana will prove to be too pure of a prospect to pass up. He posted a .407/.568/.911 slash line last season for Oregon State, and had twice as many walks as strikeouts. His plate vision and power (28 HRs), on top of great bat to ball skills at a tough defensive position will likely make Bazzana the first overall pick.
2. Reds: Charlie Condon, Georgia, OF/3B
This pick really depends on what the Reds hope to target. If they want pitching, Chase Burns or Hagen Smith could go here. But, more likely than not, Cincinnati is going to take the best hitter available on the board in Condon, who hit X with Georgia last year.
3. Rockies: Chase Burns, Wake Forest, RHP
The flamethrowing Burns will likely be the first pitcher off the board. The Rockies used their first pick last year on a starting pitcher (Chase Dollander), and will likely do the same this year. Colorado hopes to get the next Skenes in Burns, who topped 102 mph for Wake Forest, striking out a ridiculous 191 batters in 100 innings. With development in his command, Burns easily has the stuff to become an MLB ace.
4. Athletics: Jac Caglione, Florida, 1B/LHP
It will be interesting to see if Caglione will continue to pitch after being drafted, as we saw his velocity drop considerably late into last season. Even if he becomes a position player only, Caglione’s bat makes him worthy of a top-5 pick. He hit 35 home runs on top of a .419/.544/.875 line. He does whiff quite a bit, but the raw power is undeniable. Add in the possibility of him pitching, and Caglione could go as high as two.
5. White Sox: JJ Wetherholt, West Virginia, SS/2B
Wetherholt dealt with hamstring issues in the spring, but still managed to hit for a 1.061 OPS. He’s an elite left-handed hitter at a premier position. Though he may end up having to move to another infield spot, his plus-bat and plus-speed makes him a great pick for the White Sox, who are in desperate need of a rebuild.
6. Royals: Braden Montgomery, Texas A&M, OF
The Royals find themselves in a great spot, having a solid season while also garnering the sixth pick in the draft. They will likely look for an elite prospect that could join the pro club early to aid in a World Series run. Montgomery gives them the best chance to do so. He did suffer a broken ankle in the Super Regionals, but should heal fine. The switch-hitter knocked 27 dingers with a .322/.454/.733 slash line, and has also demonstrated a great arm.
7. Cardinals: Hagen Smith, Arkansas, LHP
The Arkansas southpaw dominated hitters last season, K’ing 161 in 84 innings of work and only allowing a .144 BAA. He throws a devastating slider from an uncanny arm angle, while also topping out at 97. The Cardinals do have a history of drafting college pitchers, so St. Louis could be a likely landing spot for Smith if the Cardinals choose not to draw first blood in the high school crop.
8. Angels: Nick Kurtz, Wake Forest, 1B
The Angels seem to prioritize players that can move through the farm system quickly (look at Ben Joyce and Nolan Schanuel), and of the remaining prospects Nick Kurtz best fits that role. The lefty is a strong all-around hitter, displaying raw power, great contact skills, and plate discipline. Kurtz led NCAA baseball in walks, also hitting to the tune of a 1.294 OPS. Moreover, he’s a strong defender at the first base position. Look for Nick Kurtz to get his name called by the Angels.
9. Pirates: Bryce Rainer, Harvard-Westlake HS, SS
Rainer or Konnor Griffin could easily be the first high school prospect off the board, but ultimately we went with Rainer. The Texas commit is a tall and strong shortstop prospect, drawing comparisons to Corey Seager, according to MLB.com. He hits for power while also playing well defensively in the six-hole. He was a two-way prospect at one time, but will likely play as just an infielder in the bigs.
10. Nationals: Konnor Griffin, Jackson Prep HS, OF/SS
As mentioned before, it could be Griffin going before Rainer in the draft, but the Nationals would likely grab either that falls into their lap. The reigning Gatorade National Player of the Year, Griffin is viewed as a “five-tool prospect”, giving him early first round buzz. He’s fast, with a cannon for an arm and a great bat. He could very easily enter the majors at shortstop or center field, stealing plenty of bags and hitting bombs at either.
11. Tigers: Cam Caminiti, Saguaro HS, LHP
Caminiti’s name seems to be linked with the Tigers in multiple mock drafts. The lefty from Saguaro High School in Arizona already can touch 98 MPH with the fastball, despite still only being 17. He’s highly athletic for a pitcher, and has at least four pitches that could transfer to the big league level. The Tigers definitely don’t shy from high school players, so if Rainer and Griffin have already been drafted, look for them to grab Caminiti.
12. Red Sox: Trey Yesavage, East Carolina, RHP
With the top three high school prospects going in succession, stud pitcher Trey Yesavage may fall to the twelfth pick. Yesavage was the American Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year in 2024, thanks to his sneaky-fast fastball and a disgusting slider/cutter breaking pitch. He was amongst the best in the NCAA in a number of pitching categories, and the Red Sox would love to scoop up the eleventh best prospect in the draft, according to MLB.com.
13. Giants: James Tibbs, Florida State, 1B/OF
The Giants have options with this pick- Tibbs, Christian Moore, and Cam Smith could all find their way to San Francisco. Assuming they do indeed go the college hitter route, Tibbs may stand out as the best pick. At Florida State, Tibbs hit .363/.488/.777 in his junior year campaign, and though he doesn’t dazzle in the field on the bases he has a strong enough swing to put himself in top-15 range.
14. Cubs: Christian Moore, Tennessee, 2B
After hitting .375 for the NCAA champs, Moore entered the draft as MLB.com’s 13th best prospect. He led D1 baseball with 111 hits, but also demonstrated great power for a middle infielder. Cubs have trended towards college prospects as of late, and we expect the same will happen here.
15. Mariners: Ryan Sloan, York HS, RHP
We predict the Mariners may reach a bit to scoop the second high school pitcher off the list. They don’t shy from young talent; Seattle has drafted a high school prospect in the first round five years in a row now. Sloan, from Illinois, has a power fastball that tops out at 99, and a strong change-up and slider to complement it. He is very developed for his age, and is built well to endure lots of work at the big league level.
16. Marlins: Cam Smith, Florida State, 3B
17. Brewers: Carson Benge, Oklahoma State, OF/RHP
18. Rays: Seaver King, Wake Forest, 3B/OF
19. Mets: Vance Honeycutt, North Carolina, OF
20. Blue Jays: Ryan Waldschmidt, Kentucky, OF
21. Twins: Caleb Lomavita, California, C
22. Orioles: Brody Brecht, Iowa, RHP
23. Dodgers: Slade Caldwell, Valley View HS, OF
24. Braves: Jurrangelo Cijntje, Mississippi State, SWP
25. Padres: William Schmidt, Catholic HS (LA), RHP
26. Yankees: Tommy White, Louisiana State, 3B
27. Phillies: Theo Gillin, Westlake HS, SS/2B
28. Astros: Walker Janek, Sam Houston State, C
29. Diamondbacks: Kaelen Culpepper, Kansas State, SS
30. Rangers: Malcolm Moore, Stanford, C