Dodgers grab big HS bat, target a slew of college prospects on Day 2
Juan Toribio
@juanctoribioOver the last couple of years, the Dodgers¡¯ first selection of the MLB Draft has varied between a highly ranked high school prospect or a seasoned college player.
In 2022, the Dodgers drafted catcher Dalton Rushing out of Louisville with their first selection. The last two Drafts, however, the Dodgers have gone with high school seniors in outfielder Kendall George and highly touted shortstop Kellon Lindsey, who was selected with the No. 23 overall pick on Sunday.
As the Draft progresses into the middle rounds, however, the Dodgers have developed a little bit of a trend. If there¡¯s a college player on the board who they like, they¡¯ll jump at the opportunity to draft him.
Two years ago, seven of the Dodgers¡¯ first nine draftees were college prospects. A year ago, eight of the first 12 selections were college players. The 2024 Draft is off to a similar start for the Dodgers as the organization selected a college player with five of their seven picks in Day 2 of the Draft on Monday.
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While the Dodgers pounced on a lot of college players on Monday, their second day of the Draft did start with the selection of high school third baseman Chase Harlan. The 18-year-old, who is committed to Clemson, is a physical third baseman at 6-foot-3, 205 pounds. Harlan has already shown the ability to hit for power, hitting .389 with five homers and 21 RBIs in just 23 games as a senior with Central Bucks East High School in Doylestown, Pa.
That power was on full display at the MLB Combine in Arizona as Harlan smashed a 453-foot blast on Day 1. Harlan has expressed his interest in going to Clemson, but is open to signing depending on the slotted money. The 98th pick has a slot value of $745,000, though the Dodgers can use more depending on where they settle with other picks.
After the Dodgers secured Harlan, they then started focusing on college players. With the No. 128 pick, the Dodgers took left-hander Jakob Wright from Cal Poly. The 21-year-old became Cal Poly¡¯s Friday night starter in 2024 and went 9-3 with a 2.97 ERA in 15 starts this season.
At No. 190, the Dodgers took right-hander Brooks Auger from Mississippi State. The four-year senior has experience as a starter and reliever, making five starts and 15 relief appearances this season for the Bulldogs.
The Dodgers then added another shortstop prospect in Oregon State¡¯s Elijah Hainline. In his lone year at Oregon State, Hainline played in 59 games, hitting 11 homers and posting a .939 OPS. His power has really impressed scouts over the last few seasons.
With the No. 250 pick in the eighth round, the Dodgers went back to the high school pool of players, selecting outfielder Brendan Tunink from Newman Central Catholic High School in Illinois.
To wrap up Day 2 of the Draft, the Dodgers selected outfielder Kole Myers from Troy University and right-hander Seamus Barrett from nearby Loyola Marymount. Barrett, who is listed at 6-foot-7, started his career at Louisville and has a power arm. As a senior with Loyola Marymount, Barrett punched out 58 batters over 43 1/3 innings of work.