These 2024 Draft picks could become their team's No. 1 prospect

July 16th, 2024

This story was excerpted from MLB Pipeline's newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

Day 1 of the 2024 MLB Draft was held Sunday at the Cowtown Coliseum in the Fort Worth Stockyards. A lot was up in the air headed into the first round, including who would go No. 1 overall to the Guardians (spoiler: it was Oregon State second baseman Travis Bazzana), but there seemed to be even more surprises in store than is typical for the average Draft.

Cincinnati went with Wake Forest right-hander Chase Burns instead of Georgia slugger and Golden Spikes Award winner Charlie Condon at No. 2. Florida two-way star Jac Caglianone fell to the Royals at No. 6, and West Virginia middle infielder JJ Wetherholt (a No. 1 overall candidate) slid to the Cardinals at No. 7.

Top 15 Draft picks:
1. Bazzana | 2. Burns | 3. Condon | 4. Kurtz | 5. Smith | 6. Caglianone | 7. Wetherholt | 8. Moore | 9. Griffin | 10. King | 11. Rainer | 12. Montgomery | 13. Tibbs | 14. Smith | 15. Cijntje

As some of those shocks have begun to wear off through the later rounds of the Draft, we can pivot to what these players will bring to their new organizations. MLB Pipeline won¡¯t officially add 2024 picks to the Top 100 overall and Top 30 team lists until we revamp all the lists after the signing deadline in August, but we can give a little preview on what could happen (with the caveat that these guys still have to sign).

Here are prospects who are likely to be their club¡¯s new top prospect once they officially go pro:

Travis Bazzana, 2B, Guardians (No. 1 overall pick)
Bazzana¡¯s combination of pure hitting ability, power and speed as a left-handed-hitting middle infielder pushed him to the No. 1 spot on the MLB Pipeline Top 250 Draft list ahead of Sunday and earned him the top pick in the class as well. He hit .407/.568/.911 with 28 homers, 76 walks and only 37 strikeouts in 60 games for the Beavers this spring. Cleveland¡¯s current top prospect is outfielder Chase DeLauter, the 16th overall pick in 2022 who has shown five-tool potential and impressive results in reaching Double-A. He¡¯s also been limited to 74 games due to multiple foot injuries. Bazzana vs. DeLauter would be a fun debate if health weren¡¯t an issue -- Bazzana is the better hitter, DeLauter may provide more defensive value and has a pro resume -- but it is, and that gives the new guy the advantage.

Chase Burns, RHP, Reds (No. 2 overall)
Cincinnati selected a Wake Forest pitcher with the seventh overall pick last year in Rhett Lowder and went back to the Demon Deacons' rotation to snag Burns second this time around. This might depend on your flavor of pitching prospect. Lowder has three quality pitches in his fastball, slider and changeup but stands out most for his special control (17 walks in 73 2/3 innings this season). Burns has the louder arsenal with a fastball he can run up to 102 and a killer plus-plus slider that generates a ton of whiffs. His up-tempo, high-arm-slot delivery leads to some command questions, but the pure stuff can be mouth-watering. It¡¯s why he led Division I with 191 strikeouts in 100 innings, and it¡¯s why he¡¯d nudge past Lowder on the Cincy list.

Charlie Condon, OF/3B, Rockies (third overall)
The casual fan and the most intense Draft sicko can agree on this -- the concept of Condon playing at Coors Field is incredibly fun. The Georgia superstar led Division I with a .433 average, 1.009 slugging percentage, 1.565 OPS, 37 homers, 58 extra-base hits and 233 total bases. Evaluators believe he could have plus-plus power in the end, regardless of altitude, and his plus hit tool from the right side only ups his offensive potential. Last year¡¯s first-rounder Chase Dollander is off to a strong start in his first full season (and should be in Double-A by now), but Condon has superstar upside. He might just be Colorado¡¯s most powerful prospect since Nolan Arenado graduated.

More from MLB Pipeline:
? Top 100 prospects | Stats | Video | Podcast | Complete coverage

Jac Caglianone, 1B/LHP, Royals (sixth overall)
Caglianone¡¯s hitting abilities seemed enough to get him in the top five picks. He crushed 68 homers over his final two seasons at Florida and drastically cut his strikeout total from 58 to 26 between his sophomore and junior years, despite running high chase rates. But the Royals seem willing to let him continue pitching as well to see if his upper-90s fastball, 90 mph cutter and above-average changeup can make him even more valuable on the pro side. Last year¡¯s top pick Blake Mitchell is on his way to beating the odds as a first-round prep catcher, but even he, with his good pop and strong throwing arm, lacks Caglianone¡¯s ceiling. Getting the Gator¡¯s bat into the lineup alongside Bobby Witt Jr. -- which could happen quickly if he eventually focuses on hitting alone -- could be huge for Kansas City¡¯s contention window.

JJ Wetherholt, SS/2B, Cardinals (seventh overall)
The West Virginia star went from No. 1 overall potential to the back half of the Top 10, perhaps in part due to concerns about a hamstring issue that limited him to 36 games this spring. He¡¯s still arguably the best pure hitter in the class with great pitch recognition and contact rates, and he showed he can make plays at the premium position of shortstop this spring, including during the Mountaineers¡¯ postseason run. Current top St. Louis prospect Tink Hence has impressive stuff but faces his own durability questions, having still yet to throw more than 96 innings in a season. Wetherholt¡¯s chances of being an everyday player give him the leg up, and the thought of him playing up the middle alongside Masyn Winn is an enticing one in St. Louis.

Two more players who could be close calls:

Christian Moore, 2B, Angels (eighth overall)
The Halos went with a player with championship pedigree in Moore, a riser up the Draft class ranks as he led Tennessee to a College World Series title. The 21-year-old second baseman can be aggressive on pitches he can drive, allowing his power to play, but he¡¯ll lay off enough pitches to work his walks, too. His running and defensive tools play closer to average, however, and he¡¯d be competing with right-hander Caden Dana -- a 20-year-old with 90 1/3 impressive innings of Double-A experience already -- for the top spot in the Angels' system. It might take some similar pro success for Moore to seize that particular throne.

James Tibbs III, OF, Giants (13th overall)
Ranked as MLB Pipeline¡¯s No. 12 Draft prospect, the ACC Player of the Year went right around where expected. His approach is excellent (37 strikeouts, 58 walks at Florida State in 2024), and his power could be at least above-average. He isn¡¯t a burner, however, and might have to head to first base in the pros. The Giants have a solid first-base prospect already in 19-year-old big bopper Bryce Eldridge, and left-hander Carson Whisenhunt and shortstop Marco Luciano have already seen the upper levels, so there¡¯s an interesting debate here.

seductrice.net
universo-virtual.com
buytrendz.net
thisforall.net
benchpressgains.com
qthzb.com
mindhunter9.com
dwjqp1.com
secure-signup.net
ahaayy.com
tressesindia.com
puresybian.com
krpano-chs.com
cre8workshop.com
hdkino.org
peixun021.com
qz786.com
utahperformingartscenter.org
worldqrmconference.com
shangyuwh.com
eejssdfsdfdfjsd.com
playminecraftfreeonline.com
trekvietnamtour.com
your-business-articles.com
essaywritingservice10.com
hindusamaaj.com
joggingvideo.com
wandercoups.com
wormblaster.net
tongchengchuyange0004.com
internetknowing.com
breachurch.com
peachesnginburlesque.com
dataarchitectoo.com
clientfunnelformula.com
30pps.com
cherylroll.com
ks2252.com
prowp.net
webmanicura.com
sofietsshotel.com
facetorch.com
nylawyerreview.com
apapromotions.com
shareparelli.com
goeaglepointe.com
thegreenmanpubphuket.com
karotorossian.com
publicsensor.com
taiwandefence.com
epcsur.com
southstills.com
tvtv98.com
thewellington-hotel.com
bccaipiao.com
colectoresindustrialesgs.com
shenanddcg.com
capriartfilmfestival.com
replicabreitlingsale.com
thaiamarinnewtoncorner.com
gkmcww.com
mbnkbj.com
andrewbrennandesign.com
cod54.com
luobinzhang.com
faithfirst.net
zjyc28.com
tongchengjinyeyouyue0004.com
nhuan6.com
kftz5k.com
oldgardensflowers.com
lightupthefloor.com
bahamamamas-stjohns.com
ly2818.com
905onthebay.com
fonemenu.com
notanothermovie.com
ukrainehighclassescort.com
meincmagazine.com
av-5858.com
yallerdawg.com
donkeythemovie.com
corporatehospitalitygroup.com
boboyy88.com
miteinander-lernen.com
dannayconsulting.com
officialtomsshoesoutletstore.com
forsale-amoxil-amoxicillin.net
generictadalafil-canada.net
guitarlessonseastlondon.com
lesliesrestaurants.com
mattyno9.com
nri-homeloans.com
rtgvisas-qatar.com
salbutamolventolinonline.net
sportsinjuries.info
wedsna.com
rgkntk.com
bkkmarketplace.com
zxqcwx.com
breakupprogram.com
boxcardc.com
unblockyoutubeindonesia.com
fabulousbookmark.com
beat-the.com
guatemala-sailfishing-vacations-charters.com
magie-marketing.com
kingstonliteracy.com
guitaraffinity.com
eurelookinggoodapparel.com
howtolosecheekfat.net
marioncma.org
oliviadavismusic.com
shantelcampbellrealestate.com
shopleborn13.com
topindiafree.com
v-visitors.net
djjky.com
053hh.com
originbluei.com
baucishotel.com
33kkn.com
intrinsiqresearch.com
mariaescort-kiev.com
mymaguk.com
sponsored4u.com
crimsonclass.com
bataillenavale.com
searchtile.com
ze-stribrnych-struh.com
zenithalhype.com
modalpkv.com
bouisset-lafforgue.com
useupload.com
37r.net
autoankauf-muenster.com
bantinbongda.net
bilgius.com
brabustermagazine.com
indigrow.org
miicrosofts.net
mysmiletravel.com
selinasims.com
spellcubesapp.com
usa-faction.com
hypoallergenicdogsnames.com
dailyupdatez.com
foodphotographyreviews.com
cricutcom-setup.com
chprowebdesign.com
katyrealty-kanepa.com
tasramar.com
bilgipinari.org
four-am.com
indiarepublicday.com
inquick-enbooks.com
iracmpi.com
kakaschoenen.com
lsm99flash.com
nana1255.com
ngen-niagara.com
technwzs.com
virtualonlinecasino1345.com
wallpapertop.net
casino-natali.com
iprofit-internet.com
denochemexicana.com
eventhalfkg.com
medcon-taiwan.com
life-himawari.com
myriamshomes.com
nightmarevue.com
healthandfitnesslives.com
androidnews-jp.com
allstarsru.com
bestofthebuckeyestate.com
bestofthefirststate.com
bestwireless7.com
britsmile.com
declarationintermittent.com
findhereall.com
jingyou888.com
lsm99deal.com
lsm99galaxy.com
moozatech.com
nuagh.com
patliyo.com
philomenamagikz.net
rckouba.net
saturnunipessoallda.com
tallahasseefrolics.com
thematurehardcore.net
totalenvironment-inthatquietearth.com
velislavakaymakanova.com
vermontenergetic.com
kakakpintar.com
begorgeouslady.com
1800birks4u.com
2wheelstogo.com
6strip4you.com
bigdata-world.net
emailandco.net
gacapal.com
jharpost.com
krishnaastro.com
lsm99credit.com
mascalzonicampani.com
sitemapxml.org
thecityslums.net
topagh.com
flairnetwebdesign.com
rajasthancarservices.com
bangkaeair.com
beneventocoupon.com
noternet.org
oqtive.com
smilebrightrx.com
decollage-etiquette.com
1millionbestdownloads.com
7658.info
bidbass.com
devlopworldtech.com
digitalmarketingrajkot.com
fluginfo.net
naqlafshk.com
passion-decouverte.com
playsirius.com
spacceleratorintl.com
stikyballs.com
top10way.com
yokidsyogurt.com
zszyhl.com
16firthcrescent.com
abogadolaboralistamd.com
apk2wap.com
aromacremeria.com
banparacard.com
bosmanraws.com
businessproviderblog.com
caltonosa.com
calvaryrevivalchurch.org
chastenedsoulwithabrokenheart.com
cheminotsgardcevennes.com
cooksspot.com
cqxzpt.com
deesywig.com
deltacartoonmaps.com
despixelsetdeshommes.com
duocoracaobrasileiro.com
fareshopbd.com
goodpainspills.com
hemendekor.com
kobisitecdn.com
makaigoods.com
mgs1454.com
piccadillyresidences.com
radiolaondafresca.com
rubendorf.com
searchengineimprov.com
sellmyhrvahome.com
shugahouseessentials.com
sonihullquad.com
subtractkilos.com
valeriekelmansky.com
vipasdigitalmarketing.com
voolivrerj.com
zeelonggroup.com
1015southrockhill.com
10x10b.com
111-online-casinos.com
191cb.com
3665arpentunitd.com
aitesonics.com
bag-shokunin.com
brightotech.com
communication-digitale-services.com
covoakland.org
dariaprimapack.com
freefortniteaccountss.com
gatebizglobal.com
global1entertainmentnews.com
greatytene.com
hiroshiwakita.com
iktodaypk.com
jahatsakong.com
meadowbrookgolfgroup.com
newsbharati.net
platinumstudiosdesign.com
slotxogamesplay.com
strikestaruk.com
trucosdefortnite.com
ufabetrune.com
weddedtowhitmore.com
12940brycecanyonunitb.com
1311dietrichoaks.com
2monarchtraceunit303.com
601legendhill.com
850elaine.com
adieusolasomade.com
andora-ke.com
bestslotxogames.com
cannagomcallen.com
endlesslyhot.com
iestpjva.com
ouqprint.com
pwmaplefest.com
qtylmr.com
rb88betting.com
buscadogues.com
1007macfm.com
born-wild.com
growthinvests.com
promocode-casino.com
proyectogalgoargentina.com
wbthompson-art.com
whitemountainwheels.com
7thavehvl.com
developmethis.com
funkydogbowties.com
travelodgegrandjunction.com
gao-town.com
globalmarketsuite.com
blogshippo.com
hdbka.com
proboards67.com
outletonline-michaelkors.com
kalkis-research.com
thuthuatit.net
buckcash.com
hollistercanada.com
docterror.com
asadart.com
vmayke.org
erwincomputers.com
dirimart.org
okkii.com
loteriasdecehegin.com
mountanalog.com
healingtaobritain.com
ttxmonitor.com
nwordpress.com
11bolabonanza.com