A new board means a new mock draft and here we are. Two months are in the books in college baseball and conference play is in full swing. A few guys are separating from the pack.
This mock comes with some intel but it is still almost exclusively conjecture and hypotheticals. It does, however, lend some light into how the draft board may play out as you work later into the first round.
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
Nick Kurtz, 1B — Wake Forest
HOMETOWN: Lancaster, PA
HEIGHT: 6-6
WEIGHT: 230
BAT/THROW: L-L
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There’s some smoke here… We’re at the point in the 2024 draft cycle where bonus figures and hypothetical negotiations should be baked into the narrative. Realistically, there’s probably four guys that make sense for Cleveland here. Kurtz, Travis Bazzana, Charlie Condon, Jac Caglianone and Braden Montgomery. Someone is almost certainly going to be strong-handed into an under-slot deal.
But what does that look like? Assuming Bazzana and Condon both expect their floor to be Colorado at 3, they should expect ~$9 million to be their base case take-home. The slot value of the No 1 overall pick is ~$10.6 million. Would Bazzana or Condon take $9.8 million to be the first overall pick? That saves Cleveland ~$800,000. If Caglianone thinks his floor is pick 4 (slot value of ~$8.4 million) would he take $9.2 million and save Cleveland $1.4 million of pool dollars? Would Montgomery take ~$8.8 million and save Cleveland ~$1.75 million? Kurtz is largely thought to be a guy who goes 4, 5 or 6. Would he take $8 million and save Cleveland ~$2.6 million to spend elsewhere? There’s some whispers that’s a possibility.
This pick could come down to which player gives the Guardians the best haircut and allows them to stretch their pool. Kurtz entered the year clearly one of the three-best players in the country, and he’s playing as such once again. Don’t be surprised if his name is called here in July with a boatload of savings.
2. Cincinnati Reds
Charlie Condon, OF — Georgia
HOMETOWN: Marietta, GA
HEIGHT: 6-6
WEIGHT: 218
BAT/THROW: R-R
DRAFT SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW: Watch Video
Assuming Kurtz goes No. 1 overall, it’d be hard to imagine both Condon and Bazzana slipping past the No. 2 pick to Cincinnati. That’s by no means a guarantee, but for much of the spring they’ve separated themselves a half-tier above the rest of the field at this point. Again, money comes into play this high in the draft.
Unlike the Guardians, the Reds do not have Competitive Balance A selection in this draft. They could choose to get creative with their money to pull down a high-profile prep to pick 51 or 71. Would Caglianone take $9.2 million to go No. 2 overall saving the Reds $500k to play with later in the draft? Is the value difference between Condon/Bazzana and Caglianone worth the $500k in savings? As mentioned on Over-Slot, the Reds have a thing for prospects out of Florida.
And how about Montgomery? Would he accept $8.7 million to go No. 2 overall saving the Reds $1 million in their bonus pool? Hard to know at this early stage.
The Reds have sent plenty of brass in to see Konnor Griffin, but that seems like less of a play, at least currently. For the sake of this mock draft, the Reds end up with the top-ranked prospect on the FSS Plus Top 400 Board and skate away happy paying full slot.
3. Colorado Rockies
Jac Caglianone, 1B/LHP — Florida
HOMETOWN: Tampa, FL
HEIGHT: 6-5
WEIGHT: 210
BAT/THROW: L-L
DRAFT SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW: Watch Video
The Rockies lay in wait-and-see mode here. Colorado does seem to like Griffin quite a bit, and he could be an intriguing option at 3, especially if the organization believes he has the chance to play shortstop at the next level. Bazzana being available at 3 is a bit of a surprise, and a positive one considering the state of their outfield-rich farm system. Colorado also seems rather enamored by Montgomery, but given the glut of outfield prospects making their way through the farm in Colorado it may behoove the Rockies to supplement elsewhere.
It’s hard to argue with the numbers Caglianone has put up this season. He is an aggressive hitter and strikeouts may eventually materialize in his game at the pro level. To this point he’s shown borderline elite bat-to-ball skills and picturing 500-foot homers leaving Coors Field would surely invigorate a fan base looking for more narratives to get behind. Chase Burns and Hagen Smith are undoubtedly the elephants in the room with this pick.
Colorado has gone heavy on the pitching front in recent drafts and Burns and Smith are two arms with generational pedigrees not getting enough attention after that narrative was beaten to death by Paul Skenes in 2023. They’re both potential frontline starters with ace upside.
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
The hypothetical scenario in which Travis Bazzana is available at 4 for the Oakland Athletics would have to excite them. He and Condon have been the two most valuable college bats all spring and landing his middle-of-the-diamond profile outside of the top three picks would be a huge boon. That’s how this mock plays out though. Kurtz going No. 1 overall throws a huge wrench into the perceived order of operations. It speaks toward the value of the college bats at the top of this class.
There are four or five bats at the top that have a conceivable argument to go No. 1 overall. Bazzana almost certainly requires a full-slot here unless Oakland makes a play to try and pin Montgomery and Bazzana against one another in a bidding war.
Bazzana left Tuesday’s game after being hit on the hand by a pitch. Him landing at the No. 4 pick has nothing to do with that event. There’s next to nothing he could do to see his stock slip at this point. The resume is too broad and robust.
5. Chicago White Sox
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 Chicago White Sox and high school blue chips at pick No. 5. Plenty of brass have been in to see Griffin on multiple occasions, and they seem to like him a good deal, but it’s Rainer who continues to hear his name surge into this spot.
It’s been a resurgent spring with an improved hit tool, more assertiveness, and physicality in the box, all whilst maintaining his impressive defensive and athletic chops. He’s got a shot to be the first prep off the board and Chicago seems smitten with the high schooler some insist on throwing Colson Montgomery comparisons.
6. Kansas City Royals
Braden Montgomery, OF/RHP — Texas A&M
HOMETOWN: Madison, MS
HEIGHT: 6-2
WEIGHT: 220
BAT/THROW: B-R
DRAFT SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW: Watch Video
There seems to be a considerable amount of buzz surrounding Kurtz and Rainer at pick no. 6, but in this simulation, neither is available for Kansas City to select. Montgomery falling to this pick should be considered a luxury in its own right. He’s had No. 1 pick chatter, at least in social circles, and his toolset falling here would be a boon for the Royals.
His speed and throwing arm in right field in Kauffman would be a tremendous asset. There also isn’t a stadium in Major League Baseball that could contain his raw power.
7. St. Louis Cardinals
Hagen Smith, LHP — Arkansas
HOMETOWN: King, NC
HEIGHT: 6-3
WEIGHT: 222
BAT/THROW: L-L
DRAFT SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW: Watch Video
The Cardinals find themselves with a tremendous problem to have here with Smith, Burns, Griffin, and West Virginia infielder JJ Wetherholt still on the board. Smith represents the most interesting and unique arm on the board, a position the organization lacks both in depth and upside. Griffin is going to get huge consideration here too. Word on the street is St. Louis may fancy Griffin a pitcher with a chance to develop into a frontline guy a la Jack Flaherty.
8. Los Angeles Angels
Chase Burns, RHP — Wake Forest
HOMETOWN: Gallatin, TN
HEIGHT: 6-4
WEIGHT: 215
BAT/THROW: R-R
Assuming the Angels once again target fast-moving college performers, Burns legitimately has a chance to make the Angels’ opening-day roster in 2025 the stuff is so damn good. He’s a stuff-over-command pitcher who gets by blowing his arsenal through hitters. This assumes the Angels are on the same path they’ve been the last few years.
With Shohei Ohtani gone, maybe the club looks to target high-ceiling preps once again. Angels brass have been in to see Griffin a ton this spring and he seems to be of considerable interest to the organization.
9. Pittsburgh Pirates
JJ Wetherholt, 2B/3B — West Virginia
HOMETOWN: Mars, PA
HEIGHT: 5-11
WEIGHT: 190
BAT/THROW: L-R
DRAFT SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW: Watch Video
This has got to feel like a pretty big victory for the Pirates with the No. 9 overall pick considering where Wetherholt’s name was just a couple of months ago. A hamstring has slowed his ability to get on the field to this point, but most scouts and front-office folks don’t see a scenario where he falls far. Considering his athleticism and impact in the box, he’s a rare breed in what is a down year for up-the-middle talents.
The Pirates will likely look to target bats at the top of drafts for the foreseeable future and it’s hard to imagine one as talented as Wetherholt slipping past the Buccos at this point, assuming they feel comfortable with his hamstring woes that have plagued the talented infielder for the better part of a year. It might require an under-slot deal to get this done. A player once regarded as a surefire Top-5 selection, Wetherholt’s floor is now looking more in the Top 15 range if he experiences another prolonged absence.
10. Washington Nationals
Cam Smith, 3B — Florida State
HOMETOWN: Lake Worth, FL
HEIGHT: 6-3
WEIGHT: 222
BAT/THROW: R-R
The Washington Nationals hiring Brad Ciolek away from the Baltimore Orioles should not be ignored. The Birds under Mike Elias and Ciolek have selected bats at the top of the draft with every opportunity provided to them. A bat should be expected in this spot. Smith is having a tremendous year with the stick and arguably represents the most complete college hitter on the board at 10.
This is probably the starting point for discussions on Florida State outfielder James Tibbs III as well. It’s also not out of the question Washington takes a stab at a high school bat here with guys like Griffin and Theodore Gillen checking a lot of boxes.
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11. Detroit Tigers
Konnor Griffin, SS/OF — Jackson Prep HS
HOMETOWN: Florence, MS
HEIGHT: 6-4
WEIGHT: 205
BAT/THROW: R-R
The Tigers drafted prep phenom Max Clark in the first draft under the Scott Harris era. But with the Giants, Harris helped select right-handed pitcher Will Bednar in the first round in 2021 and left-handed pitcher Reggie Crawford in 2022. Crawford, for what it’s worth, was selected as a two-way player. Griffin has some elements similar to the Crawford selection, and certainly some similar athletic gifts of Clark.
Another interesting wrinkle? Harris hired Mark Conner away from the Padres to be the Tigers new scouting director following the 2022 season. In Conners’ time with the Padres he helped select Robert Hassell, CJ Abrams, Ryan Weathers, and MacKenzie Gore — all preps. There’s a lot of angles to this selection that really work, assuming of course Griffin is even available at 11.
12. Boston Red Sox
Trey Yesavage, RHP — East Carolina
HOMETOWN: Boyertown, PA
HEIGHT: 6-4
WEIGHT: 230
BAT/THROW: R-R
This would be a bit of a departure for a scouting department that has gone out of its way in recent drafts to stay up the middle of the field and focus on athletes. Yesavage is clearly the third-best arm in this class and isn’t so far off from Burns and Smith that teams in the top ten aren’t excited about him. He’s getting plenty of buzz ahead of this pick. Boston’s system needs an infusion of talent on the mound and Yesavage could become a Red Sox workhorse as early as 2026.
Should they stay the course of recent years, guys like Gillen, Slade Caldwell, and Kellon Lindsey should get some love here.
13. San Francisco Giants
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 at all. His name has been brought up as high as the top five in conversations and there’s fairly strong conviction he’ll be off the board in front-half of the first round. Should he fall into the Giants’ lap at 13 it’d be hard to walk away. This is also likely the absolute floor for Yesavage.
14. Chicago Cubs
Seaver King, SS/OF — Wake Forest
HOMETOWN: Athens, GA
HEIGHT: 6-0
WEIGHT: 190
BAT/THROW: R-R
DRAFT SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW: Watch Video
King would be exceptional value at this spot as a player who presently has an ‘up’ arrow next to his name. Considering how dynamic the profile is, should King keep hitting and showcasing his versatility at shortstop, he could climb as high as the Top 5 picks.
King has ironically received Javier Baez comparisons from some in the industry, although that isn’t entirely fair 1-to-1.
15. Seattle Mariners
Theodore Gillen, INF/OF — Westlake HS
HOMETOWN: Austin, TX
HEIGHT: 6-3
WEIGHT: 200
BAT/THROW: L-R
While Gillen had an inconsistent summer, he still managed to put up some of the best data on the high school side of anyone in the class. His 90-percent overall contact rate, 87-percent contact rate against fastballs north of 92 mph, and 84-percent contact rate against spin all ranked at or near the top of the class. Couple those figures with a chase rate under 18 percent and a strikeout rate under 15 percent and it’s easy to understand why his stock has surged this spring.
Seattle would almost certainly prefer a guy like Yesavage fall down the board to this spot, but that seems unlikely considering his dominance this spring. The Mariners have been bullish on high school players up the middle of the diamond for the last handful of years and each of those selections has paid off. Considering Gillen’s feel to hit and up-the-middle pedigree, it should surprise no one he’s on Seattle’s radar.
16. Miami Marlins
Slade Caldwell, OF — Valley View HS
HOMETOWN: Jonesboro, AR
HEIGHT: 5-6
WEIGHT: 183
BAT/THROW: L-L
New scouting director Frankie Piliere is likely to change the philosophy for how the farm is built in Miami. Looking back at his time with the Seattle Mariners, so long as his philosophy doesn’t veer too far from that philosophy, it’s unlikely high school pitching will be on the table. Caldwell has a shot to shoot up boards as July approaches thanks to his twitchy athleticism, bat speed, and athleticism. Other prep bats like Gillen and Caleb Bonemer would also make sense here.
17. Milwaukee Brewers
Carson Benge, OF — Oklahoma State
HOMETOWN: Yukon, OK
HEIGHT: 6-2
WEIGHT: 185
BAT/THROW: L-R
The Brewers have placed such an exorbitant emphasis on polished college bats over the past several years that it’d be a fools errand to suggest anything otherwise. But this is a unique draft year in Milwaukee. They hold the 9th-largest bonus pool after moving Corbin Burnes to Baltimore for a Competitive Balance A draft pick among a larger package of players.
The very interesting wrinkle with this spot is rumors the team could possibly work to buy Griffin down to 17. If he makes it to pick 11 as he has in this scenario, Milwaukee would likely need to go $1.5 million over-slot here to make that possible. Seems farfetched.
We’ll stay safe with a polished, toolsy college bat in Benge here and guess the BrewCrew™ splurge on preps with pick 34 and 57. If not Benge, it’s hard to ignore the fit of Tibbs III for Milwaukee as well.
18. Tampa Bay Rays
Malcolm Moore, C — Stanford
HOMETOWN: Sacramento, CA
HEIGHT: 6-1
WEIGHT: 205
BAT/THROW: L-R
Moore is the most polished hitter of the college catching crop and Tampa generally leans toward the analytic types. This feels like a perfect spot for another prep to come off the board, but nothing is screaming off the page and there’s no real intel to suggest any one direction. The Rays don’t have a lot of options behind the plate in their farm. Dom Keegan is the best option they have in the near future and some still believe he’s destined for first base. This would be a good get and a solid value for Tampa at 18.
19. New York Mets
Kash Mayfield, LHP — Elk City
HOMETOWN: Elk City, OK
HEIGHT: 6-4
WEIGHT: 200
BAT/THROW: L-L
The Mets like Kash Mayfield, but they’re also a pretty big wildcard for the 2024 Draft. The organization has undergone an enormous transformation in the scouting department in the last couple of years, now headed by former Houston Astros Scouting Director Kris Gross. He’ll oversee Drew Toussaint (as well as a huge pool of scouts) who took over as the organization’s scouting director for the 2023 season.
It’s difficult to get a feel for how Gross will attack this draft considering two of his drafts with the Astros — 2020 and 2021 — he didn’t have a first-round pick.
20. Toronto Blue Jays
Brody Brecht, RHP — Iowa
HOMETOWN: Ankeny, IA
HEIGHT: 6-4
WEIGHT: 205
BAT/THROW: R-R
DRAFT SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW: Watch Video
The Blue Jays have been all over the map in the first round under the guidance of Shane Farrell going back to 2020. They’ve taken the college performer in Austin Martin, the “stuff-y” college pitcher in Gunnar Hoglund, the dynamic left-handed prep arm in Brandon Barriera, and in 2023 they went the model route selecting a young, power-hitting shortstop in Arjun Nimmala.
Brecht seems like a good value with the 20th pick in this draft. It’s clearly the floor of a dominant closer who could shut down games as early as 2025, but Brecht still has top-of-the-rotation upside if Toronto can straighten out the strikes. This is really a crapshoot guess as there are plenty of exciting players still on the board here.
21. Minnesota Twins
Jacob Cozart, C — NC State
HOMETOWN: High Point, NC
HEIGHT: 6-3
WEIGHT: 218
BAT/THROW: L-R
Cozart is one of the more polarizing players in the 2024 class. Some believe he can catch at the next level, some don’t. Some believe he’ll hit for considerable power and average, some are skeptical. Some believe it’s an above-average throwing arm, and some question the mechanics and ability to hold the run game. Either way, the athlete behind the dish and the bat speed at the plate will likely get the NC State catcher selected in the first round. The Twins are in desperate need of catching help in the near future and Cozart could become the heir apparent to Ryan Jeffers when the time comes.
22. Baltimore Orioles
James Tibbs III, OF — Florida State
HOMETOWN: Marietta, GA
HEIGHT: 6-0
WEIGHT: 195
BAT/THROW: L-R
Find me a player more model-appropriate to Baltimore than Tibbs III. The Orioles’ rich history of selecting bats is well-documented. Tibbs III is a pretty good value in this spot considering some believe he’s a top-three college bat in the class. He’s been a metric darling to this point in the season and has plenty of folks believing he could end up a Top-15 pick.
23. Los Angeles Dodgers
Vance Honeycutt, OF — North Carolina
HOMETOWN: Salisbury, NC
HEIGHT: 6-3
WEIGHT: 185
BAT/THROW: R-R
DRAFT SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW: Watch Video
The Dodgers seem like the perfect organization to get the most out of Honeycutt’s raw, unpolished tools. It’s plus raw power, double-plus defense in centerfield, plus speed, and a solid average arm. Honeycutt struggles to make consistent contact and that has resulted in a strikeout rate that might be unsavory to most organizations. But the Dodgers have done wonders turning tools into production and Honeycutt seems like an ideal project for the best player development program in the sport.
24. Atlanta Braves
William Schmidt, RHP — Catholic HS
HOMETOWN: Baton Rouge, LA
HEIGHT: 6-3
WEIGHT: 185
BAT/THROW: R-R
It would be a surprise, frankly, if Schmidt lasted to the 24th pick, but the Braves would hardly complain. They’ve consistently targeted pitching for the better part of a decade and Schmidt is as good as any arm they’ve landed. If he’s gone, look for Atlanta to take a stab at guys like Braylon Doughty, Ryan Sloan, Payton Tolle, or others with high-performing four-seam fastballs.
25. San Diego Padres
Kellon Lindsey, SS — Hardee HS
HOMETOWN: Wauchula, FL
HEIGHT: 6-0
WEIGHT: 175
BAT/THROW: R-R
The temperature around the game is someone is going to take a shot on Lindsey inside the first round and take a shot on his tools and upside. Lindsey has a star-level ceiling if the bat comes along at the next level. He’s a reasonably raw prospect with extremely loud athletic tools. He’s an elite runner who will undoubtedly find a way to carve out a big-league role in one form or another. It’s the Padres… they’re taking a prep.
26. New York Yankees
PJ Morlando, OF/1B — Summerville HS
HOMETOWN: Summerville, SC
HEIGHT: 6-3
WEIGHT: 204
BAT/THROW: L-R
This would be a pretty solid value for the Yankees at 26. A left-handed bat with legitimate 60/60 upside. Morlando also has a chance to play left field in New York with range that isn’t as tested as other parks. Morlando might be the best pure high school bat in the draft and landing him this late should be viewed as quite a win.
27. Philadelphia Phillies
Wyatt Sanford, SS — Independence
HOMETOWN: Frisco, TX
HEIGHT: 6-1
WEIGHT: 185
BAT/THROW: L-R
The Phillies have been opportunistic of late targeting high-ceiling preps with their first-round selections. Sanford is receiving buzz inside the Top 15 picks of this draft and it’s possible he doesn’t get here. He’s a guy who projects to any of the three infield spots and might have more raw power than anyone else in his bucket of high school shortstops.
28. Houston Astros
Dakota Jordan, OF — Mississippi State
HOMETOWN: Boyertown, PA
HEIGHT: 6-4
WEIGHT: 230
BAT/THROW: R-R
29. Arizona Diamondbacks
Ryan Sloan, RHP — York Comm
HOMETOWN: Elmhurst, IL
HEIGHT: 6-4
WEIGHT: 220
BAT/THROW: R-R
Despite holding the 29th pick in this class, the NL-champion DBacks hold the 10th-largest bonus pool this year and will likely spend accordingly. Sloan has come out looking fantastic this spring touching 98 mph and holding mid-90s heat into later innings. He’d be a fun gamble at this spot for a team that’s had some success developing high school arms of late.
30. Texas Rangers
Caleb Bonemer, SS/3B — Okemos
HS HOMETOWN: Okemos, MI
HEIGHT: 6-1
WEIGHT: 200
BAT/THROW: R-R
DRAFT SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW: Watch Video
The Rangers are likely in a wait-and-see mode at pick No. 30. Bonemer is as good a guess as we’ve got at this stage. Texas has the luxury with the state of their organization to take some chances in the draft. LSU slugger Tommy White may also make some sense here.
31. Arizona Diamondbacks
Braylon Doughty, RHP — Chaparral
HOMETOWN: Murrieta, CA
HEIGHT: 6-1
WEIGHT: 195
BAT/THROW: R-R
The DBacks are primed to take some chances in this class and doubling up on high school pitching isn’t the worst approach. Doughty has been one of the more dominant high school pitchers in the country this spring with a 3000-rpm breaker and a fastball up to 97. Other preps such as Johnson, as well as Tyson Lewis and Tyler Bell will likely get consideration here.
32. Baltimore Orioles
Tommy White, 1B/3B — LSU
HOMETOWN: St. Pete Beach, FL
HEIGHT: 6-2
WEIGHT: 235
BAT/THROW: R-R
DRAFT SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW: Watch Video
Baltimore will continue to trust and follow their model selecting bats near the top of the draft as often as possible. White is a tremendous value here as a guy who will without question provide value with the bat. There’s a logjam everywhere you look in Baltimore and first base/designated hitter is no different. Ryan Mountcastle likely isn’t long for Baltimore, but Heston Kjerstad and Coby Mayo are right behind him waiting to gobble up at-bats.
You can never have enough options to lengthen a lineup and White could move quickly and help support an Orioles organization making a push for a ring.
33. Minnesota Twins
Mike Sirota, OF — Northeastern
HOMETOWN: Queens, NY
HEIGHT: 6-2
WEIGHT: 185
BAT/THROW: R-R
DRAFT SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW: Watch Video
It’s been a slow start to the season for Sirota but few doubt the athleticism and up-the-middle future of the Northeastern outfielder. Considering some believed Sirota to have top-five pick tools to begin the season, landing him at 33 is obviously quite a boon if the Twins can get his production back on par with what his athleticism says of him.
34. Milwaukee Brewers
Kaelen Culpepper, SS — Kansas State
HOMETOWN: Memphis, TN
HEIGHT: 6-0
WEIGHT: 185
BAT/THROW: R-R
The Brewers have been all about college bats in recent years and Culpepper represents one of the sneakier sticks in the 2024 class. It’s twitchy athleticism and up-the-middle tools, traits that have been tough to come by in this class. He can play anywhere on the diamond. Culpepper would join Garrett Mitchell, Sal Frelick, Tyler Black, Eric Brown, and Brock Wilken as players in the college bat bucket to get selected in round one and enroll with the BrewCrew™.
35. Arizona Diamondbacks
Carter Johnson, SS — Oxford HS
HOMETOWN: Oxford, AL
HEIGHT: 6-2
WEIGHT: 185
BAT/THROW: L-R
Arizona leaving this draft with Sloan, Doughty, and Johnson would be a huge win for the future of the organization. While all three are unlikely to see Chase Field until 2027 at the earliest, they’d all represent the next wave of talent coming for the Snakes. Johnson is a smooth defender with a beautiful left-handed swing. Again, guys like Tyson Lewis and Tyler Bell could be interchangeable with Johnson in this spot.
36. Cleveland Guardians
Payton Tolle, LHP — TCU
HOMETOWN: Yukon, OK
HEIGHT: 6-6
WEIGHT: 225
BAT/THROW: L-L
Tolle is a metric darling with a devastating fastball up to 97 featuring elite extension and a unicorn vertical approach angle. He’s precisely the type of arm that’s found success in Cleveland over the years; an organization that makes hay developing pitching. Tolle will need to continue developing a third pitch and reining in his control, but for now the fastball-slider combo gets hitters out at extreme clips. It’s middle-of-the-rotation upside.
37. Pittsburgh Pirates
Jonathan Santucci, LHP — Duke
HOMETOWN: Leominster, MA
HEIGHT: 6-2
WEIGHT: 199
BAT/THROW: L-L
The Pirates more than most teams have targeted pitching in their Top 100 picks of late. Santucci’s shine has dimmed a bit this spring as walks have mounted up at times, but it’s still three above-average or better pitches with an arsenal that misses bats. They’ve targeted that quite a bit in rounds two and three the last couple of years and landing the Duke standout at 37 would be a good get.
38. Colorado Rockies
Walker Janek, C — Sam Houston State
HOMETOWN: Portland, TX
HEIGHT: 6-0
WEIGHT: 190
BAT/THROW: R-R
Janek has been a nice story this year. At time of publish he’s running an average north of .400 featuring considerable raw power and some twitchiness in his overall game. He’s destined to stick behind the plate and scouts like the upside of where his profile could go in pro ball. He can run, he can defend, and there’s bat speed with more coming. Janek could come off the board ten spots higher than this mark, but he feels like a good fit in Colorado.
39. Kansas City Royals
Tyson Lewis, SS — Millard West
HOMETOWN: Yutan, NE
HEIGHT: 6-2
WEIGHT: 205
BAT/THROW: L-R
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