A final board means one final (seriously) mock draft and here we are.
This mock comes with some intel, however Draft day has always proven unpredictable and unhinged.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The following rankings and evaluations by FSS PLUS are based on subjective analysis and industry sources, and do not influence, are not influenced by, or are affiliated with the opinions and reports of Future Stars Series scouting and development staff.
1. Cleveland Guardians
JJ Wetherholt, 2B/3B — West Virginia
HOMETOWN: Mars, PA
HEIGHT: 5-11
WEIGHT: 190
BAT/THROW: L-R
DRAFT SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW: Watch Video
It’s difficult to find a landing spot for JJ Wetherholt until pick five if he doesn’t go No. 1 overall. The slot value for the fifth pick is $7.7 million. Wetherholt and The Ballengee Group could agree to a deal with the Guardians at $8 million and save Cleveland more than $2.5 million to spend on later picks. The tricky part? Who do they save that money for? Look no further than who else Ballengee Group represents.
They also have PJ Morlando and Griffin Burkholder, two highly-regarded prep outfielders. So is that the skinny? Wetherholt at 1, Morlando at 36 and Burkholder at 45?
If we’re having fun with it why not surmise a scenario where Travis Bazzana goes No. 1 overall? Bazzana is represented by Excel. They also represent Theodore Gillen. Could a combination of Bazzana at $9.2 million and Theodore Gillen at $4 million make sense? Something to watch for.
2. Cincinnati Reds
Chase Burns, RHP — Wake Forest
HOMETOWN: Gallatin, TN
HEIGHT: 6-4
WEIGHT: 215
BAT/THROW: R-R
While the Reds do outwardly and publicly like Florida 1B Jac Caglianone quite a bit, it sounds like this pick may be down to Condon and Burns with the clubhouse leader being the latter.
… it only takes one audible at pick no. 1 to blow this whole thing up, however.
3. Colorado Rockies
Charlie Condon, OF — Georgia
HOMETOWN: Marietta, GA
HEIGHT: 6-6
WEIGHT: 218
BAT/THROW: R-R
DRAFT SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW: Watch Video
This is the floor for Condon and the Rockies would be over the moon to land the best slugger in college baseball.
4. Oakland Athletics
Travis Bazzana, 2B — Oregon State
HOMETOWN: Sydney, Australia
HEIGHT: 6-0
WEIGHT: 199
BAT/THROW: L-R
DRAFT SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW: Watch Video
This is Bazzana’s floor. Enough said.
The Athletics were heavy on Wake Forest 1B Nick Kurtz for the longest time with this pick but seem to have pivoted. Montgomery is the buzziest name here. In any case, if Bazzana is not available expect one of Montgomery or Kurtz.
5. Chicago White Sox
Jac Caglianone, 1B/LHP — Florida
HOMETOWN: Tampa, FL
HEIGHT: 6-5
WEIGHT: 210
BAT/THROW: L-L
DRAFT SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW: Watch Video
From this chair, this pick feels like a total toss-up. On one hand, Caglianone may offer the White Sox an under-slot deal at this spot with the threat of him falling to pick 9 if he doesn’t go here. On the other hand, the exact same argument could be made for Konnor Griffin. He too doesn’t seem to have a landing spot at 6, 7, or 8.
6. Kansas City Royals
Bryce Rainer, SS/RHP — Harvard-Westlake
HOMETOWN: Simi Valley, CA
HEIGHT: 6-3
WEIGHT: 199
BAT/THROW: L-R
There continues to be a ton of buzz surrounding the Royals and high school blue chips at pick No. 6. Their top eyes have been in to see Rainer on multiple occasions.
The Royals are also heavy on Hagen Smith.
7. St. Louis Cardinals
Hagen Smith, LHP — Arkansas
HOMETOWN: King, NC
HEIGHT: 6-3
WEIGHT: 222
BAT/THROW: L-L
St. Louis is certainly on Smith and Rainer. They seem to like Griffin more as an arm than they do a bat. He doesn’t seem like a fit.
8. Los Angeles Angels
James Tibbs III, OF — Florida State
HOMETOWN: Marietta, GA
HEIGHT: 6-0
WEIGHT: 195
BAT/THROW: L-R
Late Tibbs-to-LAA rumors have been swirling tonight according to a couple of teams, agents not included. It would make sense as an under-slot option and the type of quick-moving bat the Angels have targeted of late.
The Angels are purportedly sticking to the big college names. There’s been whispers of an under-slot deal here with one of Ryan Waldschmidt and Christian Moore.
9. Pittsburgh Pirates
Braden Montgomery, OF/RHP — Texas A&M
HOMETOWN: Madison, MS
HEIGHT: 6-2
WEIGHT: 220
BAT/THROW: B-R
DRAFT SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW: Watch Video
I think the Pirates are on Montgomery and all the college hitters that are in the mix in this spot. Kurtz would certainly be in play too. I don’t get the impression Griffin is a fit in this spot.
It sure feels like this is where things can get a little weird. Pittsburgh has been pretty quiet all things considered. By default we’ll say they’re in lay-and-wait mode. Not a lot of confidence in this pick. There’s been rumblings of under-slot deals pretty rampant in this range.
10. Washington Nationals
Konnor Griffin, SS/OF — Jackson Prep HS
HOMETOWN: Florence, MS
HEIGHT: 6-4
WEIGHT: 205
BAT/THROW: R-R
This is where things could go totally sideways. The Nationals having acquired an additional $2.4 million in bonus pool dollars from the Royals for Hunter Harvey muddies things. Could it be as simple as Washington working to secure funding to pull a name down to pick 39? I doubt it. I’m sure those funds will come into play in some form at this spot. There’s some chatter of Jurrangelo Cijntje here too.
11. Detroit Tigers
Cam Caminiti, LHP — Saguaro HS
HOMETOWN: Scottsdale, AZ
HEIGHT: 6-2
WEIGHT: 205
BAT/THROW: L-L
There are those in the industry who steadfastly believe Cam Caminiti is not only the best high school pitching prospect in this class, but rather the best pitching prospect overall. While the connection between Caminiti and the Tigers has been one of the strongest in the industry the last few weeks, this seems to be a spot popular in front offices in the belief an under-slot deal could be in the works. Keep an eye on Cal catcher Caleb Lomavita.
12. Boston Red Sox
Christian Moore, IF — Tennessee
HOMETOWN: Brooklyn, NY
HEIGHT: 6-1
WEIGHT: 216
BAT/THROW: R-R
Kurtz being on the board in this spot would certainly garner consideration. But I also don’t think the Red Sox have conviction in selecting a first baseman after the lack of value Tristan Casas has provided over the last couple of years. There are probably two or three other college performers that fit this spot too. Christian Moore has been buzz though Trey Yesavage continues to be a polarizing name in this spot. Still don’t feel complete conviction he’s the preference.
13. San Francisco Giants
Nick Kurtz, 1B — Wake Forest
HOMETOWN: Lancaster, PA
HEIGHT: 6-6
WEIGHT: 230
BAT/THROW: L-L
DRAFT SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW: Watch Video
I doubt Kurtz gets past this point. Trey Yesavage and a glut of college bats have been rumored here as well.
14. Chicago Cubs
Cam Smith, 3B — Florida State
HOMETOWN: Lake Worth, FL
HEIGHT: 6-3
WEIGHT: 222
BAT/THROW: R-R
There’s been quite a bit of buzz here at the final hour suggesting Smith has a home in the top 14 picks. He also has landing spots at 9 and 10.
15. Seattle Mariners
Trey Yesavage, RHP — East Carolina
HOMETOWN: Boyertown, PA
HEIGHT: 6-4
WEIGHT: 230
BAT/THROW: R-R
This really, really feels like a coin flip between Yesavage and Mississippi State righty Jurrangelo Cijntje barring unexpected fallers.
16. Miami Marlins
Seaver King, SS/OF — Wake Forest
HOMETOWN: Athens, GA
HEIGHT: 6-0
WEIGHT: 190
BAT/THROW: R-R
DRAFT SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW: Watch Video
Rumor has it the Marlins are big fans of King and this is purportedly his ceiling in the draft.
17. Milwaukee Brewers
Ryan Waldschmidt, OF — Kentucky
HOMETOWN: Bradenton, FL
HEIGHT: 6-1
WEIGHT: 195
BAT/THROW: R-R
I think Waldschmidt could go off the board as early as pick No. 8, but I don’t have a whole lot of conviction in it. There’s also chatter of Vance Honeycutt in this spot.
18. Tampa Bay Rays
Theodore Gillen, INF/OF — Westlake HS
HOMETOWN: Austin, TX
HEIGHT: 6-3
WEIGHT: 200
BAT/THROW: L-R
Someone reasonably high up the draft is going to have to draft Gillen or he’s likely to be bought down to the Comp A round by a team like the Guardians. Cleveland, quite frankly, can get quite aggressive with their buydowns. The Rays like Gillen, as do the Orioles, Mariners, Nationals, Astros and a host of others.
19. New York Mets
Carson Benge, OF — Oklahoma State
HOMETOWN: Yukon, OK
HEIGHT: 6-2
WEIGHT: 185
BAT/THROW: L-R
This feels like the high-water mark for Kellon Lindsey. North Carolina OF Vance Honeycutt gets mentioned here at times too. As does Kash Mayfield. There’s been admiration for Benge from model teams, including New York, for quite some time now and he’s a fit.
20. Toronto Blue Jays
Malcolm Moore, C — Stanford
HOMETOWN: Sacramento, CA
HEIGHT: 6-1
WEIGHT: 205
BAT/THROW: L-R
It is still believed the Blue Jays are working their way through the college catching class at pick no. 20. Moore and Sam Houston catcher Walker Janek get the most run here, though the Janek-to-Toronto buzz has dissipated a bit since the Combine.
21. Minnesota Twins
Jurrangelo Cijntje, RHP — Mississippi State
HOMETOWN: Pembroke Pines, FL
HEIGHT: 5-11
WEIGHT: 200
BAT/THROW: B-B
Have heard pitching in this spot in the last 24 hours with Brecht and Cijntje getting the most run. They’re also interested in some of the high school pitching including David Shields.
22. Baltimore Orioles
Vance Honeycutt, OF — North Carolina
HOMETOWN: Salisbury, NC
HEIGHT: 6-3
WEIGHT: 185
BAT/THROW: R-R
DRAFT SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW: Watch Video
I’m almost exclusively hearing college bats in this spot with Benge and Honeycutt being options 1 and 2. Kaelen Culpepper gets mentioned too.
23. Los Angeles Dodgers
Kash Mayfield, LHP — Elk City
HOMETOWN: Elk City, OK
HEIGHT: 6-4
WEIGHT: 200
BAT/THROW: L-L
The Dodgers like Kash Mayfield, but they’re also a pretty big wildcard for the 2024 Draft. The buzz is high school pitching with Dax Whitney being a serious consideration in this spot too.
24. Atlanta Braves
Dax Whitney, RHP — Blackfoot
HOMETOWN: Blackfoot, Idaho
HEIGHT: 6-4
WEIGHT: 190
BAT/THROW: R-R
It certainly sounds like the Braves are going to go the route of a high school pitcher with their first pick. The question is who can they pull in this spot for a reasonable number? They love Whitney and Doughty. Several high-profile preps are purportedly being bought down to the Comp A round. According to different sources, Whitney is one of three or four high school arms in play here.
25. San Diego Padres
Brody Brecht, RHP — Iowa
HOMETOWN: Ankeny, IA
HEIGHT: 6-4
WEIGHT: 235
BAT/THROW: R-R
Brecht has a whole bunch of suitors from 17-25 but in this scenario he falls to the tail-end of that. Not a whole ton of conviction in this pick, but alas.
26. New York Yankees
Tyson Lewis, SS — Millard West
HOMETOWN: Yutan, NE
HEIGHT: 6-2
WEIGHT: 205
BAT/THROW: L-R
Nobody really knows what New York wants to accomplish with this pick. Alabama righty Ben Hess is a buzzy name in New York of late. Luke Dickerson is a popular name too, however he seems more fitting of a second round pick. Would the Yankees really go back-to-back prep infielders? Kentucky second baseman Emilien Pitre is also brought up quite a bit.
27. Philadelphia Phillies
Braylon Doughty, RHP — Chaparral
HOMETOWN: Murrieta, CA
HEIGHT: 6-1
WEIGHT: 195
BAT/THROW: R-R
This feels like a suitable landing spot for Doughty though he has suitors from 21-27. Maybe there’s some room for a haircut here too. I think this is probably where the chatter starts for Brody Brecht and Tommy White too. Malcolm Moore is also talked about here some.
28. Houston Astros
Walker Janek, C — Sam Houston State
HOMETOWN: Portland, TX
HEIGHT: 6-0
WEIGHT: 190
BAT/THROW: R-R
This is likely the floor for Janek unless a very real surprise player is still available at this spot. Gillen continues to get run in this spot too, though he’s a prime candidate to go way before this pick or to be bought down into Comp A. Other options include Millard West (Ne.) shortstop Tyson Lewis and under-slot deals.
29. Arizona Diamondbacks
Slade Caldwell, OF — Valley View HS
HOMETOWN: Jonesboro, AR
HEIGHT: 5-6
WEIGHT: 183
BAT/THROW: L-L
Caldwell is a heavy favorite to go to Arizona and this is their first opportunity to land him. It stands to reason they could try and go with a college bat in this spot and drive Caldwell and other preps down to their next two picks (31 & 35) but either way, Arizona has plenty of money and they’re going to flex it.
30. Texas Rangers
Caleb Lomavita, C — California
HOMETOWN: Honolulu, Hawaii
HEIGHT: 5-11
WEIGHT: 200
BAT/THROW: R-R
The buzz is college catchers at this spot with Lomavita and Stanford catcher Malcolm Moore making the rounds. The Rangers were also fairly heavy on notable preps such as Mayfield and Lewis.
31. Arizona Diamondbacks (PPI)
Wyatt Sanford, SS — Independence
HOMETOWN: Frisco, TX
HEIGHT: 6-1
WEIGHT: 185
BAT/THROW: L-R
The DBacks have been mentioned quite a bit with some of the left-handed high school shortstops in this class. Understandably so beings they possess three Top-35 picks. Tommy White shouldn’t be discounted here either considering Arizona’s previous affinity for right-handed sluggers early. If the Diamondbacks don’t end up with Caldwell, Nori would be a priority.
32. Baltimore Orioles (PPI)
Carter Johnson, SS — Oxford
HOMETOWN: Oxford, AL
HEIGHT: 6-2
WEIGHT: 185
BAT/THROW: L-R
Johnson has love much higher than this, specifically in Detroit, but he falls to the Orioles in this scenario. Again, Nori gets brought up with Baltimore quite a bit as well.
33. Minnesota Twins (compensation for Sonny Gray)
Dante Nori, OF — Northville HS
HOMETOWN: Northville, Michigan
HEIGHT: 5-11
WEIGHT: 190
BAT/THROW: L-L
Nori gets brought up consistently as a sandwich pick, even a back of the first round pick, by some. The Twins have gone for punch left-handed outfielders in the past so why not? This could conceivably be a landing spot for Tommy White as well.
34. Milwaukee Brewers (Comp-A)
Kaelen Culpepper, SS — Kansas State
HOMETOWN: Memphis, TN
HEIGHT: 6-0
WEIGHT: 185
BAT/THROW: R-R
I think there’s real reason to believe Culpepper goes long before this spot but in this mock he’s available at 34.
35. Arizona Diamondbacks (Comp-A)
Ryan Sloan, RHP — York Comm
HOMETOWN: Elmhurst, IL
HEIGHT: 6-4
WEIGHT: 220
BAT/THROW: R-R
Sloan’s name is mentioned as high as pick No. 15 to Seattle, but in an unlikely turn of events he’s on the board here at 35, he goes to Arizona. They’ve got the money to pull him down to this spot. That is for sure.
I’d also watch for LSU 1B/3B Tommy White in this spot.
36. Cleveland Guardians (Comp-A)
PJ Morlando, OF/1B — Summerville HS
HOMETOWN: Summerville, SC
HEIGHT: 6-3
WEIGHT: 204
BAT/THROW: L-R
This would be solid value for the Guardians at 36. A left-handed bat with legitimate 60/60 upside. Cleveland drafted a lot of these sorts of profiles last year. It would also make some sense considering the assumption they save money with pick No. 1 and the agency connection.
Keep your eyes peeled on this pick. It could be explosive. Burkholder is also a very reasonable option. As is Gillen if the Bazzana goes no. 1.
37. Pittsburgh Pirates (Comp-A)
Joey Oakie, RHP — Ankeny
HOMETOWN: Ankeny, IA
HEIGHT: 6-2
WEIGHT: 195
BAT/THROW: R-R
Lots of high school pitching mentioned here with Oakie being one of three names tossed out by industry personnel. Tommy White shouldn’t be discounted here either considering Pittsburgh may not expect he still be on the board.
38. Colorado Rockies (Comp-A)
Ben Hess, RHP — Alabama
HOMETOWN: Charleston, Illinois
HEIGHT: 6-5
WEIGHT: 255
BAT/THROW: R-R
The Rockies are once again circling pitching in this class and seem to be the high-org on Hess. If he gets past this pick it’s unlikely he gets outside of the Top 60. Others connected to the Rockies at this pick include LSU righty Luke Holman and Vanderbilt righty Bryce Cunningham.
39. Washington Nationals (Comp-A)
Kellon Lindsey, SS — Hardee HS
HOMETOWN: Wauchula, FL
HEIGHT: 6-0
WEIGHT: 175
BAT/THROW: R-R
Take your pick on who the Nationals could be planning to pull down to this spot. Lindsey is our best guess, however some more outlandish ideas such as Cam Caminiti and Theodore Gillen pulled down here with the support of an under-slot deal at 10 makes sense too.
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