2024 MLB Draft Picks: Live Team-by-Team Day 1 Grades and Analysis

Welcome to Bleacher Report’s 2024 MLB draft tracker!

Once again, the draft is being held during the MLB All-Star festivities, with this year’s event spanning three days and 20 rounds. On Sunday, the first 74 selections will be made over the first and second rounds, as well as the competitive balance and compensatory picks slotted in between.

The 2024 draft class skews heavily toward college talent, especially hitters, with Oregon State infielder Travis Bazzana, Georgia outfielder Charlie Condon, Florida slugger Jac Caglianone and West Virginia infielder JJ Wetherholt viewed as the top overall players.

Wake Forest right-hander Chase Burns and Arkansas left-hander Hagen Smith are the cream of the college pitching crop, while prep hitters Bryce Rainer and Konnor Griffin are expected to be the first high school players off the board.

Keep it locked right here as Sunday’s draft unfolds for scouting reports, grades and pick analysis for every Day 1 selection.

Note: My final Mock Draft that was published on Saturday morning can be found here.

First Round (No. 29 Overall): Slade Caldwell, OF, Valley View HS (AR)

An undersized 5’9″, 182-pound spark plug with an advanced hit tool and plus speed, Caldwell has drawn comparisons to New York Mets prospect Jett Williams. He has enough bat speed and strength to be a double-digit home run threat, but he profiles best as a table-setting center fielder who uses the entire field and works the count to maximize his impact on the base paths.

Grade: A

This always looked like a logical fit with Caldwell likely to be the top high school hitter on the board at the end of the first round and the D-backs holding two more picks inside the Top 35. Expect them to go with a safer, cheaper college player with their next selection.

Prospect Incentive Pick (No. 31 Overall): Ryan Waldschmidt, OF, Kentucky

Waldschmidt began his college career at Charleston Southern where he had a 1.043 OPS as a freshman, and he held his own as a sophomore after transferring to Kentucky. He was on his way to a breakout performance in the Cape Cod League last summer when he suffered a torn ACL, but he returned this spring to hit .333/.469/.610 with 17 doubles, 14 home runs and 25 steals while registering some of the best exit velocity numbers in the nation.

Grade: A+

Waldschmidt was getting some buzz in the mid-teens, so this is great value. This was the pick the D-backs got for having NL Rookie of the Year winner Corbin Carroll on the Opening Day roster.

Balance Round A (No. 35 Overall): JD Dix, SS, Whitefish Bay HS (WI)

Slowed on the showcase circuit last summer by a labrum injury that eventually required shoulder surgery, Dix has done a nice job rebuilding his stock with a strong senior season. He should develop more in-game power as his 6’2″, 180-pound frame fills out, and he already has an advanced approach and good pitch-recognition skills. He has all the tools to stick at shortstop but could be a fit all over the infield.

Grade: A

All-around excellent work by the D-backs with their three early picks, getting a good mix of upside, playable tools and spreading out their money well. Dix might have been a first-round pick with a longer run on the showcase circuit last summer.

Second Round (No. 64 Overall): X

X

Grade: X

First Round (No. 24 Overall): Cam Caminiti, LHP, Saguaro HS (AZ)

Caminiti offers a terrific mix of future projection and current pitchability with a 6’2″, 195-pound frame and four pitches that all flash plus and could be legitimate big league offerings in the future. He also has some strong baseball bloodlines as the cousin of former NL MVP Ken Caminiti.

Originally a member of the 2025 draft, he reclassified to this year and is one of the younger players in the draft as a result, with his 18th birthday not until Aug. 8. He also plays center field when he is not pitching, and his plus athleticism serves him well on the mound where he repeats his delivery and throws a ton of strikes.

Grade: A+

Leaving the Braves with their pick of the high school pitching crop feels like a mistake those first 23 teams are going to regret. Caminiti was regularly linked to the Tigers (No. 11) and Giants (No. 13) and is widely regarded as the best high school arm in this class.

Second Round (No. 62 Overall): X

X

Grade: X

First Round (No. 22 Overall): Vance Honeycutt, OF, North Carolina

With an elite mix of power and speed, Gold Glove-caliber defense in center field and an alarmingly high strikeout rate, Honeycutt might be the most polarizing prospect in the 2024 draft. He hit .318/.410/.714 with 28 home runs and 28 steals in 32 attempts this spring, but he also struck out 83 times in 62 games at a 27.5 percent clip. His playable tools give him a high floor, but the range of potential outcomes here is wide.

Grade: A

The Orioles can afford to gamble on upside more than any perhaps other team thanks to their enviable young core and loaded farm system, so Honeycutt is exactly the type of player they should be targeting.

Prospect Incentive Pick (No. 32 Overall): Griff O’Ferrall, SS, Virginia

O’Ferrall was a three-year starter at shortstop for the University of Virginia, and he also won the starting shortstop job for Team USA last summer when he batted .463 over 10 games. He hit .344/.408/.443 with just 88 strikeouts in 911 plate appearances during his college career, and while he doesn’t offer much power, he knows how to grind out at-bats. A classic whole is greater than the sum of its parts prospect on both sides of the ball.

Grade: B

O’Ferrall is all floor with a strong glove and playable tools across the board. A nice, safe pick to pair with the more boom-or-bust Honeycutt to kick things off.

Second Round (No. 61 Overall): X

X

Grade: X

First Round (No. 12 Overall): Braden Montgomery, OF, Texas A&M

Montgomery was the No. 85 prospect on the Baseball America Top 500 for the 2021 draft as a two-way standout from the Mississippi prep ranks, but a strong college commitment led to him going undrafted and he raised his stock with three productive collegiate seasons.

After hitting 35 home runs in two years at Stanford, he transferred to Texas A&M and batted .322/.454/.733 with 27 home runs this spring. He has some of the best in-game power in the draft and an arm that bumped 98 mph on the mound, giving him the prototypical right fielder profile. He trimmed his strikeout rate from 26.6 percent as a freshman to 20.0 percent this spring, but there will always be some swing-and-miss to his game.

Grade: A+

I had Montgomery going No. 4 overall in my final mock draft, and he looked like a lock to go somewhere in the Top 10, so this is a great get for the Red Sox. Expect him to crush low-minors pitching and quickly climb top prospect lists.

Second Round (No. 50 Overall): X

X

Grade: X

First Round (No. 14 Overall): Cam Smith, 3B, Florida State

A strong commitment to Florida State led to Smith going undrafted out of high school, even though he was the No. 81 prospect on the Baseball America Top 500 for the 2022 draft. After a good-not-great freshman season, he won Most Outstanding Pro Prospect honors in the Cape Cod League last summer and then backed it up by hitting .387/.488/.654 with 16 home runs and 57 RBI this spring. The 6’3″, 224-pound slugger is a draft-eligible sophomore and offers more untapped upside than the average college hitter.

Grade: A

It would have been interesting to see which Florida State slugger they would have taken if James Tibbs III was still on the board. Smith will take a bit longer to reach the majors, but he has a higher ceiling and fits the profile the Cubs have targeted over the years.

Second Round (No. 54 Overall): X

X

Grade: X

First Round (No. 5 Overall): Hagen Smith, LHP, Arkansas

Smith threw seven no-hitters his senior year of high school and only went undrafted due to a strong commitment to Arkansas where he has steadily improved over three years, peaking this spring with a record-setting season. He went 9-2 with a 2.04 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 161 strikeouts in 84 innings, setting the NCAA single-season mark with 17.3 strikeouts per nine innings.

The 6’3″, 225-pound southpaw sits in the mid-90s and touches 100 mph with his fastball, and he backs it with a swing-and-miss slider and a good splitter, giving him the look of a future front-line starter. A deceptive arm slot and crossfire delivery help his electric stuff play up even further, though he does have some refining to do with his overall command.

Grade: A

Jac Caglianone would have been a really fun player to rebuild around, especially if he were given a real shot to be a two-way player. Still, it’s hard to argue with getting the SEC Pitcher of the Year and a potential future ace.

Second Round (No. 43 Overall): X

X

Grade: X

Balance Round B (No. 68 Overall): X

X

Grade: X

First Round (No. 2 Overall): Chase Burns, RHP, Wake Forest

After striking out 217 batters in 152.1 innings over two seasons at Tennessee, Burns transferred to Wake Forest and solidified his status as one of the elite pitchers in a thin 2024 draft class. He went 10-1 with a 2.70 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and a NCAA-leading 191 strikeouts in 100 innings this spring.

The 6’3″, 210-pound right-hander was bumping 100 mph with his fastball in high school, and it has touched 102 mph in college, but his swing-and-miss slider is his best pitch. Fastball command will be the determining factor in whether he reaches his ceiling as a top-of-the-rotation starter, and there is a bit of reliever risk as a result.

Grade: A-

If they didn’t want to give Charlie Condon the $10 million-plus bonus that he will likely command, walking away with the best pitcher in the draft is a nice consolation prize.

Second Round (No. 51 Overall): X

X

Grade: X

Balance Round B (No. 71 Overall): X

X

Grade: X

First Round (No. 1 Overall): Travis Bazzana, 2B, Oregon State

Bazzana has been one of the best pure hitters in the nation since his freshman season, and he solidified his status as one of the top prospects in the 2024 draft cycle by winning 2023 Cape Cod League MVP honors last summer when he hit .375/.456/.581 with 14 extra-base hits and 14 steals in 33 games.

The Australia-born infielder followed that up with an all-time great junior season this spring, hitting .407/.568/.911 with 28 home runs and 66 RBI in 60 games and winning Pac-12 Player of the Year honors. He has the athleticism and arm strength to be a fine second baseman, though he could also be a fit in center field with plus speed and good instincts.

Grade: A

High floor, high ceiling, should be in the majors in short order. What’s not to like? But will we be talking about how they left Charlie Condon on the board years from now?

Balance Round A (No. 36 Overall): Braylon Doughty, RHP, Chaparral HS (CA)

Doughty has as much late helium as any prep pitcher after popping up on the draft radar late in the showcase circuit last summer and then backing it up with a terrific spring. His 6’1″, 196-pound frame does not offer much projection, but with a fastball that sits in the mid-90s, a great feel for spin on two distinct breaking pitches and a developing changeup, his present stuff and ability to consistently throw strikes has his arrow pointing straight up.

Grade: A+

This will probably take an above-slot bonus to get a deal done, so the Guardians likely have a number lined up with Bazzana that is below the $10.6 million slot value. One of the top prep arms to a team that develops pitching as well as anyone.

Second Round (No. 48 Overall): X

X

Grade: X

First Round (No. 3 Overall): Charlie Condon, OF, Georgia

After redshirting as a freshman walk-on and then hitting .386 with 25 home runs in 2023, Condon had a season for the ages this spring en route to 2024 Golden Spikes honors. He hit .433/.556/1.009 with an NCAA-leading 37 home runs while showcasing superstar upside with a 60-hit, 70-power offensive profile.

The 6’6″, 216-pound slugger has a powerful, compact stroke, and while he lacks plus speed, he is a good athlete for his size. He played third base and all three outfield spots this spring, but he will be limited to an outfield corner at the next level. He has drawn some comparisons to Kris Bryant as a long-levered power hitter with huge college numbers.

Grade: A+

Condon is the player from this draft class most likely to develop into an MVP winner, and he is going to have a lot of fun in Coors Field. The Rockies will always need pitching, regardless of whether they took an arm here, so might as well grab the potential superstar.

Balance Round A (No. 38 Overall): X

X

Grade: X

Second Round (No. 42 Overall): X

X

Grade: X

First Round (No. 11 Overall): Bryce Rainer, SS, Harvard-Westlake HS (CA)

After showing first-round potential as both a shortstop and pitcher on the showcase circuit and with Team USA last summer, Rainer made it clear his future is as a position player this spring while displaying better strength, speed and overall athleticism.

He has a rocket arm at shortstop and his range has improved to the point that there is no doubt he can handle the position at the next level. The question is whether he will outgrow it once his 6’3″, 195-pound frame fills out, but his arm and power potential would fit just fine at third base. He has drawn some comparisons to Corey Seager.

Grade: A+

The Tigers are one of the few teams that have been consistently tied to prep players, and they end up with arguably the best in the class. He could have gone as high as No. 6, and now joins Max Clark as a potential future offensive cornerstone.

Second Round (No. 49 Overall): X

X

Grade: X

Balance Round B (No. 72 Overall): X

X

Grade: X

First Round (No. 28 Overall): Walker Janek, C, Sam Houston

Widely regarded as the best defensive catcher in the 2024 draft, Janek backed up his 60-grade arm and strong receiving skills with the best offensive season of his college career in 2024. He hit .364/.476/.709 with 15 doubles, 17 home runs and 58 RBI in 58 games this spring and took home Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year honors. He also won the Buster Posey Award given to college baseball’s top catcher.

Grade: A

The Astros were regularly linked to the college catching crop, and Janek looks like the best all-around option of the bunch. He immediately becomes the best catching prospect in a system that was extremely thin at that position.

First Round (No. 6 Overall): Jac Caglianone, 1B/LHP, Florida

With a 6’5″, 250-pound frame and legitimate 70-grade raw pop, Caglianone is the best power hitter in the 2024 class. He led the nation with 33 home runs as a sophomore and then hit .419/.544/.875 with 35 home runs and more walks (58) than strikeouts (26) this spring. He has more than enough hit tool to consistently get to his power, and he raised his walk rate from 5.3 to 18.4 percent this spring.

He also won the John Olerud Award given to the best two-way player in the country after posting a 4.76 ERA and 83 strikeouts in 73.2 innings on the mound. He regularly touches triple digits with his fastball and has the makings of three quality off-speed offerings, but his command is inconsistent and his ceiling is much higher as a hitter.

Grade: A+

I LOVE that the Royals are going to give him a shot at being a two-way guy, and even if he doesn’t stick as a pitcher, he could be a middle-of-the-order staple. Someone has to help Bobby Witt Jr., and Salvador Perez isn’t going to be around forever.

Second Round (No. 41 Overall): X

X

Grade: X

First Round (No. 8 Overall): Christian Moore, 2B, Tennessee

No player did more to boost his draft stock during this year’s College World Series than Moore, who became just the second player in history to hit for the cycle at the annual event while helping to lead the Volunteers to a national championship.

With a strong 6’1″, 210-pound frame and great bat speed, he hit .375/.451/.797 with a school-record 34 home runs and an NCAA-leading 111 hits in 72 games. He has an aggressive approach and his swing can get long at times, but he made more consistent contact this spring and looks like a potential 25-30 homer threat at the next level.

Grade: A

The Angels continue to focus on players who can be quick to the majors, and while he might not make his MLB debut in a month like Nolan Schanuel did in 2023, he could definitely be one of the first players from the 2024 class to the big leagues.

Second Round (No. 45 Overall): X

X

Grade: X

Compensation Round (No. 74 Overall): X

X

Grade: X

First Round (No. 23 Overall): Kellon Lindsey, SS, Hardee HS (FL)

A premium athlete, Lindsey was a two-sport star at Hardee High School where he also served as quarterback on the football team. The 6’2″, 175-pound speedster has been one of the biggest pop-up prospects in the 2024 prep class this spring after an injury kept him out of the showcase circuit last summer. He may never be a prolific power threat, but his top-of-the-scale speed, developing hit tool and remaining upside give him impact potential.

Grade: A

The Dodgers don’t pick again until No. 98 overall, so a prep player with upside made sense here and Lindsey was the best high school position player left on the board. They rarely miss with their top pick.

First Round (No. 16 Overall): PJ Morlando, OF, Summerville HS (SC)

Morlando has a long history of production against top-tier competition, playing for the 18U Team USA squad each of the past two summers and winning MVP honors at the High School All-American Game last July. However, he did not have the senior year many were expecting, he is already 19 years old, and he might wind up with a first-base-only defensive profile. That puts a lot of pressure on his bat, and he will need to fully realize his raw power potential.

Grade: C+

If Morlando was their guy, he probably wasn’t going to be there at No. 56 overall, so they had to make their move now. The Marlins have to get this one right given their complete lack of offense up and down the organization, and his stock was moving in the wrong direction this spring, but he was expected to go right around this range heading into the spring.

Second Round (No. 56 Overall): X

X

Grade: X

Balance Round B (No. 70 Overall): X

X

Grade: X

First Round (No. 17 Overall): Braylon Payne, OF, Elkins HS (TX)

Payne has three plus tools with elite speed, a terrific glove in center field and a solid hit tool that gives him a top-of-the-order, table-setter profile. His bat speed and the physical projection remaining in his 6’2″, 186-pound frame mean there could be some power to come, but he has a flat swing path and will likely never be more than a 10-12 homer guy. That said, he uses his speed well and knows his strengths.

Grade: C+

This is almost certainly going to be a below-slot deal given his expected draft position, so the grade here will be tied to what they do with that next pick. Payne has three playable tools and fits the type of athletic, toolsy player the Brewers have often targeted.

Balance Round A (No. 34 Overall): Blake Burke, 1B, Tennessee

Burke hit .379/.449/.702 with 30 doubles, 20 home runs and 61 RBI in 72 games this spring for the College World Series champions, and he ripped off a 31-game hitting streak to set a Tennessee school record. The 6’3″, 240-pound slugger has some of the best raw power in the 2024 class, and since he won’t provide much secondary value in the field or on the bases, his left-handed pop will be his ticket to the big leagues.

Grade: B

Burke is more than just an all-or-nothing slugger with a solid hit tool, and he could have snuck into the first round. This doesn’t necessarily make a ton of sense with the reach at No. 17 overall, but they’ll find a way to spend that savings eventually.

Second Round (No. 57 Overall): X

X

Grade: X

Balance Round B (No. 67 Overall): X

X

Grade: X

First Round (No. 21 Overall): Kaelen Culpepper, SS, Kansas State

After a breakout sophomore season, Culpepper was one of the most productive players on Team USA last summer, and he further raised his profile this spring by making a successful shift from third base to shortstop. He hit .328/.419/.574 with 11 home runs, 59 RBI and 17 steals in 61 games, and while he lacks a true plus tool, he is a well-rounded prospect who will stick somewhere on the left side of the infield.

Grade: A

The best college infielder left on the board, and he fits a profile the Twins have done a great job developing in recent years as a well-rounded infielder with some versatility. There were bigger upside plays still on the board, but I love the player and team fit here.

Compensation Round (No. 33 Overall): Kyle DeBarge, SS, Louisiana-Lafayette

With a .356/.418/.699 line and 21 home runs this spring, DeBarge put up numbers that belie his undersized 5’9″, 175-pound frame. He homered just 10 times in his first two seasons and hit .267 with three extra-base hits in 114 plate appearances in the Cape Cod League last summer, so his power outburst might not be sustainable. Elite contact skills, good speed and a solid glove that could make him a plus defender all over the infield give him a high floor.

Grade: B

There was some buzz about the Twins being a team that could float a high school arm on an above-slot deal to this spot, but I like what they did getting guys they know they can develop well. This was the pick they got for losing Sonny Gray in free agency.

Second Round (No. 60 Overall): X

X

Grade: X

Balance Round B (No. 69 Overall): X

X

Grade: X

First Round (No. 19 Overall): Carson Benge, OF, Oklahoma State

Benge was one of the best two-way players in the country this spring, hitting .335/.444/.665 with 24 doubles, 18 home runs and 64 RBI as an outfielder and posting a 3.16 ERA and 10.7 K/9 with three saves in 37 innings. He prefers to hit, and his combination of power and arm strength makes him a good fit in right field, though he is also athletic enough to handle center field. He is a five-tool prospect just starting to unlock his full potential.

Grade: A-

I thought the Mets would have been a nice landing spot for Trey Yesavage as he continues to slide down the board, but they end up with a very productive college bat that has further room to grow once he turns his full attention to hitting.

Second Round (No. 46 Overall): X

X

Grade: X

First Round (No. 26 Overall): Ben Hess, RHP, Alabama

Hess stayed healthy this spring after missing time during his freshman and sophomore seasons, and while his command was spotty, he showed swing-and-miss stuff. With a fastball that touches 99 mph and a plus slider from a durable 6’5″, 255-pound frame, he racked up 106 strikeouts in 68.1 innings. He also had a 5.80 ERA with 35 walks and 12 hit batters, but he has middle-of-the-rotation upside if his control improves.

Grade: B-

The results didn’t match the stuff this spring, but there’s a ton of untapped potential if he can stay healthy. Second-tier college arms were inevitably going to be picked above their draft ranking simply because there was such a gap between the top four and everyone else, but his ceiling is worth the reach.

Second Round (No. 53 Overall): X

X

Grade: X

First Round (No. 4 Overall): Nick Kurtz, 1B, Wake Forest

In 164 games over three seasons at Wake Forest, Kurtz hit .333/.510/.725 with 61 home runs and 182 RBI as one of the most productive hitters in ACC history. With a strong 6’5″, 240-pound frame and quick left-handed stroke, he is built for power. He also has a 60-grade hit tool and an extremely advanced approach, leading the nation with 78 walks in 54 games this spring while still doing enough damage to post a 1.294 OPS and 22 home runs.

If there’s a knock on his game, it’s his bottom-of-the-scale speed and athleticism, but he is a quality defender at first base and should move as quickly through the minors as any player in the 2024 draft class.

Grade: B+

His value will come exclusively from his bat, so he’s not the next Matt Olson, but he might be that type of middle-of-the-order threat. Face of the franchise for the Las Vegas A’s?

Second Round (No. 40 Overall): X

X

Grade: X

Balance Round B (No. 73 Overall): X

X

Grade: X

First Round (No. 27 Overall): Dante Nori, OF, Northville HS (MI)

Already 19 years old and set to turn 20 in October, Nori is on the extreme end of the prep age scale. That alters his developmental curve a bit, and his 5’10”, 190-pound frame is already maxed out, but it doesn’t detract from his quality hit tool, elite speed and strong outfield defense. He has drawn some comparisons to Diamondbacks outfielder Alek Thomas at the same stage in his development.

Grade: C

The Phillies took a 19-year-old prep in Aidan Miller last year and that has worked out well so far, so they are not a team that was going to be scared off by his age. This was definitely a reach with below-slot potential, so stay tuned for what they do with No. 63 overall.

Second Round (No. 63 Overall): X

X

Grade: X

First Round (No. 9 Overall): Konnor Griffin, SS, Jackson Prep (MS)

The 2024 Gatorade National Player of the Year, Griffin is a legitimate five-tool prospect who projects as a potential 30/30 threat offensively with the athleticism to stick at shortstop and the quickness to handle center field if he outgrows a middle infield spot.

He went 87-for-88 on stolen base attempts this spring and generates huge raw power thanks to some of the best bat speed in the draft. The only real question mark is his hit tool with a swing that gets long and some timing issues, but he showed the ability to make adjustments this spring. His elite upside is well worth the risk.

Grade: B

There is some boom-or-bust potential here given the hit tool questions, and the Pirates can’t afford to miss at this stage in their rebuilding cycle. However, he could end up being the best player in this draft if all the pieces fall into place.

Balance Round A (No. 37 Overall): Levi Sterling, RHP, Notre Dame HS (CA)

Sterling is one of the youngest players in the 2024 draft class, and he will not turn 18 years old until Sept. 2. He was a two-way player on the showcase circuit and with Team USA last summer, and he continued to play shortstop when he wasn’t pitching this spring. The 6’5″, 200-pound right-hander uses his athleticism well on the mound with clean, repeatable mechanics and throws a ton of strikes.

Grade: A

Sterling is a prospect similar to Bubba Chandler in terms of athleticism, projectable frame and upside. He will take some time to develop, but the Pirates know how to move those guys up the ladder. They’ll likely have to go below-slot to close out Day 1.

Second Round (No. 47 Overall): X

X

Grade: X

First Round (No. 25 Overall): Kash Mayfield, LHP, Elk City HS (OK)

Mayfield led his Elk City High School team to the state semifinals as a junior and then took the summer showcase circuit off to rest his arm. When he showed up this spring bumping 97 mph with a fastball that had previously operated in the upper 80s, his draft stock soared. With a 6’4″, 200-pound frame, clean mechanics and two good secondary offerings, he is polished for a prep pitcher, and that helps offset the fact that he turned 19 in February.

Grade: A

The Padres have not taken a college player in the first round since Cal Quantrill in 2016, so no surprise they went with one of the prep arms. It’s a coin toss between him and Illinois right-hander Ryan Sloan for best high school pitcher on the board at this point.

Second Round (No. 52 Overall): X

X

Grade: X

First Round (No. 13 Overall): James Tibbs III, OF, Florida State

Tibbs hit .363/.488/.777 with 28 home runs and 95 RBI this spring, tallying more walks (58) than strikeouts (37) while establishing himself as arguably the most polished college bat in the entire draft class. The 6’0″, 205-pound slugger has bat-to-ball skills to match his raw power, and his advanced approach at the plate allows him to maximize his tools.

He will be limited to first base or left field defensively and has below-average speed, but his floor is high enough to bet on his left-handed bat, and there is enough ceiling for him to be an everyday, middle-of-the-order bat.

Grade: B

There was some belief that Nick Kurtz might slip this far, but the Giants still walk away with a polished college power hitter. Given their ability to develop pitching talent, the ties to prep left-hander Cam Caminiti were intriguing. He would have been more of an upside play for a team that doesn’t pick again until No. 116 overall.

First Round (No. 15 Overall): Jurrangelo Cijntje, SHP, Mississippi State

Cijntje was a breakout name at the 2022 draft combine due to his unique profile as a switch-pitcher, and he raised his profile considerably this spring by going 8-2 with a 3.67 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 113 strikeouts in 90.2 innings in a year where several top college arms underperformed.

The consensus seems to be that he is a first-round talent with a Marcus Stroman-type profile from the right side, and more of a reliever with a Day 2 profile from the left side. He could be asked to focus on developing solely as a right-handed pitcher in pro ball, though his unique skill set undoubtedly provides some additional value if only as a fallback plan.

Grade: A

I figured the Mariners would be the team to pounce on the Trey Yesavage slide, and he definitely has a higher floor. The upside here is a lot of fun, though. Cijntje is in good hands with an organization that does a great job developing pitching talent.

Second Round (No. 55 Overall): X

X

Grade: X

First Round (No. 7 Overall): JJ Wetherholt, SS, West Virginia

Wetherholt announced himself as the best pure hitter in his draft class when he led the nation in batting average as a sophomore, hitting .449/.517/.787 with 16 home runs, 60 RBI and 36 steals in 55 games. He then played well for Team USA and in the Cape Cod League last summer to emerge as a candidate to go at the top of the 2024 draft.

Unfortunately, a nagging hamstring issue derailed his junior season and robbed him of a chance to show scouts what he can do at shortstop after playing primarily second base his first two years. The long-term outlook obviously ticks up if he can man a premium position, but his elite hit tool and plus speed give him All-Star potential even if he does wind up at second base.

Grade: A

The best-case scenario for the Cardinals would have been Chase Burns or Hagen Smith slipping to them, but this is a close second. Wetherholt was the favorite to go No. 1 overall when the spring started, and as long as the hamstring issue is in the rearview, he has a chance to be every bit as good as No. 1 pick Travis Bazzana.

First Round (No. 18 Overall): Theo Gillen, OF, Westlake HS (TX)

Gillen dealt with a torn labrum that required shoulder surgery as a sophomore and a knee injury as a junior, but he sent his stock soaring with a healthy senior season. The 6’3″, 200-pound infielder has one of the best hit tools in this year’s prep class and plus raw power that he is still working to fully tap into in games. Questions about his arm strength in the wake of his shoulder issues could land him at second base or in center field.

Grade: A

I like that the Rays are sending him out as an outfielder from the jump, as that will allow him to focus more on developing his offensive game. His hit tool is as good as any in the prep class, and the Rays always like a prospect with a strong carrying tool.

Second Round (No. 58 Overall): X

X

Grade: X

Balance Round B (No. 66 Overall): X

X

Grade: X

First Round (No. 30 Overall): Malcolm Moore, C, Stanford

Moore hit just .255 this spring and his surface-level numbers regressed after a standout 2023 season, but he actually raised his OPS thanks to a spike in his walk rate from 7.0 to 18.0 percent. His profile as a left-handed hitting catcher with 50-hit, 50-power potential makes it easy to overlook the batting average, and while there is some risk that he will wind up at first base, his potential upside as an offensive-minded catcher is extremely high.

Grade: A

A fantastic buy-low move here by the Rangers. He could have easily gone in the mid-teens and entered the spring as a candidate to go even higher. The poor batting average masked a strong overall junior season.

Second Round (No. 65 Overall): X

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Grade: X

First Round (No. 20 Overall): Trey Yesavage, RHP, East Carolina

A high-floor starter and the consensus No. 3 pitcher in this draft class, Yesavage steadily improved throughout his three years at East Carolina after flashing plus velocity but a raw overall profile in high school. He made a solid transition to the rotation as a sophomore and then went 11-1 with a 2.03 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 145 strikeouts in 93.1 innings this spring.

With a 6’4″, 225-pound frame and four polished pitches, he is a no-doubt starter, and he throws plenty of strikes even with limited athleticism and a bit of effort in his delivery. He could be one of the first players from the 2024 class to reach the majors.

Grade: A+

This looks like the best value pick of the first round so far, and while there is probably more floor than ceiling, he could have gone at least 10 picks higher. He could plug a spot in the Toronto rotation in the near future.

Second Round (No. 59 Overall): X

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Grade: X

First Round (No. 10 Overall): Seaver King, SS, Wake Forest

King raked for two years at D-II Wingate University before impressing in the Cape Cod League and with Team USA last summer, and then he transferred to Wake Forest for his junior season and solidified his standing as a first-round prospect. He hit .308/.377/.577 with 16 home runs and 11 steals this spring, and he has seen time at second base, shortstop, third base and center field, with the outfield his most likely long-term home.

Grade: B

The Nationals value pure athleticism as much as any organization, so he fits their philosophy, but in a bubble this was a bit of a reach. Keep an eye out for an above-slot move at No. 39 overall now, as King might save them some money.

Balance Round A (No. 39 Overall): X

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Grade: X

Second Round (No. 44 Overall): X

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Grade: X