Ranking The Top MLB Draft Prospects 2024

The new collegiate baseball season started today. That can only indicate that it’s time to rate the MLB prospects for the upcoming Major League Baseball draft. Following tradition, these are the 30 players that, five months before the Cleveland Guardians choose the first-ever No. 1 choice in team history, we believe to be the best in the class.

Ranking The Top MLB Draft Prospects 2024

Conversations with scouts and other front-office staff members, first-hand statistics and video analysis, and historical precedent were some of the factors that influenced our rankings. When it comes to risk tolerance and skill sets, each person has own prejudices and preferences.

For that reason, this list may not look exactly like the others when it is published. Another explanation is that our rankings are based on a blend of skill and  expected landing spots. We’ll explain the disparity in cases where there’s a great disparity either way between our impression of a player and their expected range.

1. J.J. Wetherholt, SS, West Virginia

Some players have stats that are simply astounding. Among them is J.J. Wetherholt. In 2023, he had a 26-to-22 walk-to-strikeout ratio and a.517 rate of base hits. With 36 stolen bases and 16 home runs, he wreaked havoc on the bases. Wetherholt, a left-handed hitter who stands 5-11 and weighs 180 pounds, has made a number of career modifications that have all contributed to his reputation as a dangerous batter. The only thing to determine is if he plays shortstop or second base in the major leagues. Regardless of the position he plays, he will be a fixture on television.

2. Nick Kurtz, 1B, Wake Forest

How does Kurtz stack up against his old teammate Brock Wilken, who was picked by the Brewers with the 18th pick in the summer after a 31-home run campaign? He seems like the better option to us. With 24 home runs against the Demon Deacons, Kurtz came in second (behind Wilken) in the category, walking more often than he striking out. Despite his stature (6-foot-5, 230 pounds), he is a more flexible athlete, and he might be auditioned for a corner outfield position by his future employer. Few players in this class can match Kurtz’s mix of in-game power, plate discipline, and contact even if they don’t. The one possible problem here is that he may be more patient than is healthy.

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3. Oregon State’s Travis Bazzana, second base

From Nick Madrigal to Adley Rutschman, Oregon State has recently produced some real draft prospects. In their respective drafts, both were among the first five selections; Travis Bazzana may be the next. With a well-rounded résumé that included more walks than strikeouts in 2023 and a 1.122 OPS as a sophomore following an outstanding.902 OPS season as a freshman, the 6-foot, 199-pound second baseman is highly sought after. In 2023, Bazzana won the MVP award for the Cape Cod League, an accolade that frequently signals success in the professional levels. The native of Sydney, Australia, has improved as a left-handed batter, is a quick runner on the bases, and makes a lot of contact with the ball. Defensively, he’s likely limited  to second base, but as is the case with Wetherholt, the bat will do plenty to keep him at the top of the class.

4. Chase Burns, RHP, Wake Forest

For Chase Burns, the material has never been a doubt. He has a triple-digit fastball and a slider that might be the finest secondary pitch in the MLB Draft of 2024. He adds a strong changeup that provides him with another reliable option. However, following a fantastic rookie campaign, the former Tennessee pitcher regressed, struggling somewhat more in 2023 as a sophomore and ending up in the Volunteers’ bullpen. The 6-4, 195-pound right-hander may be an ideal fit to transfer to Wake Forest. With access to the most sophisticated pitching lab in collegiate baseball, the Demon Deacons should be able to assist him improve his command and control and become the top pitcher in the class.

5. Konnor Griffin, CF, Jackson Prep HS (MS)

Griffin reclassified from the 2025 draft class, where he would have faced competition for the title of greatest prepster from Ethan Holliday (Matt’s son and Jackson’s brother, the No. 1 prospect in the minors), to this year’s class, where he is unquestionably the best. That turns out to be a smart business move. Griffin gets praise for his makeup and is a tall, powerful man. Even though he can bat both ways right now, it’s anticipated that he will only play in the professionals. Even his fiercest supporters believe he has a chance to remain in center field and record 30–30 seasons at his best.

After an inconsistent summer in which he struggled early on, scouts are interested in  to see this spring if he can reduce the amount of swing and miss in his game. His ceiling is such that he seems highly likely to go in the top 10 picks, keeping him away from LSU.

6. Jac Caglianone, 1B/LHP, Florida

It is conceivable The most well-known player in the 2024 draft class is Jac Caglianone. He had an incredible 2023 season, hitting 33 home runs with a slash line of.323/.389/.738, a 4.34 ERA, and 87 strikeouts in 74.2 innings. The 6 feet 5 inches, 245 pounds southpaw may not be selected as a two-way player in the draft, but he may be selected as a bat or an arm. With a fastball that can reach 99 mph and the potential to be the best slugger in the draft, “power” sums him up nicely on both sides of the ball. He lacks command as a pitcher and has trouble with strikeouts as a batter, so he’s a little raw on both sides. A group might have faith in it.

 

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