MLB Draft: 2024 Mock Draft 6.0

A new board means a new mock draft and here we are.

This mock comes with some intel. It’s about that time of year…

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

Chase Burns, RHP — Wake Forest
HOMETOWN: Gallatin, TN
HEIGHT: 6-4
WEIGHT: 215
BAT/THROW: R-R

It’s haircut season, ladies and gentlemen. Deals are the narrative surrounding this pick and rumors floating around the industry seem to change on a weekly basis.

For much of the season Bazzana has been that guy. Two months ago it was Nick Kurtz on a deal. A month ago rumors of James Tibbs III on a massive under-slot was en vogue. Over the course of the last three or four weeks the overwhelming narrative inside the industry has been who will take the under-slot deal at one that satisfies the Guardians. At this stage, the two names shoved consistently to me in conversations have been Burns and West Virginia shortstop JJ Wetherholt.

It’s unlikely Burns falls past pick No. 5 and it’s unlikely Wetherholt falls much further than that. If Burns has a suitor lined up in Colorado at pick No. 3 that may cap Cleveland’s leverage at about $9.5 million woth the slot value for the top pick at $10,570,000. Wetherholt may be swayed with a number under $9 million. The Ballengee Group advises Wetherholt while VaynerSports advises Burns.

Both agencies have worked under-slot deals near the top of drafts in the past, VaynerSports famously striking a deal with Houston for Carlos Correa to go No. 1 overall in 2012.

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 Burns 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. Again, money comes into play this high in the draft. If Wetherholt goes no. 1 overall, Burns has serious traction here.

With Burns and Condon both being represented by the same agency, they could leverage the situation and swing deals for both players at 1 and 2 ensuring the greatest return possible.

But what if Wetherholt is on the board here and Burns does, indeed, go No. 1 overall? At this stage, there have been no signs to suggest the Reds would go after Wetherholt.

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 Burns quite a bit, and he could be an intriguing option here, especially if the organization believes he has a chance to headline their rotation of the future.

Bazzana being available is a bit of a surprise, and a positive one considering the state of their outfield-rich farm system. At this stage it sounds like they are down to five names. The best guess from this chair would be Condon, Bazzana, Burns, Hagen Smith and Jac Caglianone.

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. 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.

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 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, and that’s how this mock plays out. Burns going No. 1 overall throws a wrench into the perceived order of operations. It speaks toward the value of the college bats at the top of this class.

The Athletics’ infatuation with Kurtz appears real as multiple front office members have been spotted at several Wake Forest games late this spring. That said, Burns is also appointment television so the Athletics may be doing their diligence on two of the best players in the class.

5. Chicago White Sox

Konnor Griffin, SS/OF — Jackson Prep HS
HOMETOWN: Florence, MS
HEIGHT: 6-4
WEIGHT: 205
BAT/THROW: R-R

I think in a perfect world the White Sox are hoping Caglianone drops to them here. There continues to be a ton of buzz surrounding Chicago and high school blue chips. Plenty of brass have been in to see Griffin on multiple occasions, and they seem to like him a good deal. Rainer continues to hear his name surge into this spot, too.

Griffin’s camp seems convinced they are a fairly safe bet to go inside the top eight or nine picks. He is arguably the most tooled-up player in this class and he’s had a massive spring in league play. There are several of names in play here.

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.

Kurtz gets quite a bit of run here as well, as does Wetherholt in the event he is still in play. Keep an eye on Blackfoot, Idaho right-hander Dax Whitney as the draft moves along, too.

7. St. Louis Cardinals

Hagen Smith, LHP — Arkansas
HOMETOWN: King, NC
HEIGHT: 6-3
WEIGHT: 222
BAT/THROW: L-L

Smith isn’t expected to last long in this draft and the Cardinals have been mentioned consistently as looking for pitching. Wetherholt, who is on the board in this scenario, does make some sense, and St. Louis has done well with left-handed hitters.

If Griffin is on the board he has been mentioned as a serious option too, though it sounds like the Cardinals top execs prefer the talented bluechip two-way talent as a pitcher.

8. Los Angeles Angels

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

Wetherholt could go off the board eight picks before this spot, but if he’s available he’ll be the selection. If he’s gone, Tibbs III gets a ton of run here. The Pirates need bats and ideally those bats would be fast-movers with the chance to supplement a burgeoning rotation that has kicked open a competitive window.

10. Washington Nationals

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 Tennessee second baseman Christian Moore at pick No. 10, but in this simulation it is Montgomery who falls down the board a bit and lands in Washington’s lap. He’s had No. 1 pick chatter, at least in social circles, and his toolset falling here would be a boon for a Nationals organization never shy to draft loud traits.

There isn’t a stadium in Major League Baseball that can contain his raw power and his throwing arm would be a huge asset in the nation’s capital.

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. 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 round. This is about where his chatter begins and it’s hard to see him getting past Tampa Bay at 18.

12. Boston Red Sox

Christian Moore, IF — Tennessee
HOMETOWN: Brooklyn, NY
HEIGHT: 6-1
WEIGHT: 216
BAT/THROW: R-R

The Red Sox have coveted batted-ball metrics and performers for a long time and Moore fits that bill. He can play second base or left field at the next level, and swing to third base in a pinch. It’s legitimate impact with a chance to hit 30 homers at his peak. East Carolina righty Trey Yesavage would be in in play here, as would Caminiti.

Don’t underscore the importance of Craig Breslow being in charge in Boston these days. He may hold the keys to the car and he’s a pitching guru at heart. If not Moore in this spot, it’s unlikely he gets past the Cubs.

13. San Francisco Giants

Trey Yesavage, RHP — East Carolina
HOMETOWN: Boyertown, PA
HEIGHT: 6-4
WEIGHT: 230
BAT/THROW: R-R

I think this is the floor for Caminiti and the beginning of conversations for prep lefty Kash Mayfield. Yesavage is along those same lines as a mid-rotation starter with some love inside the industry — and inside Giants’ circles. If the Giants’ preferred arms have already come off the board, look for an athletic college performer like Cam Smith here.

14. Chicago Cubs

James Tibbs III, OF — Florida State
HOMETOWN: Marietta, GA
HEIGHT: 6-0
WEIGHT: 195
BAT/THROW: L-R

At this stage, it almost seems unlikely Tibbs could be available to the Cubs with the No. 14 overall pick, but we have heard they love the player and the bat. He’s mentioned so often above this pick that he could be off the board 10 spots prior. Hell, we’ve heard his name attached to the Guardians at the top.

But the Cubs like him, and here he is. Chicago seems to be operating under the assumption Tibbs will not be available at this spot, in which case Moore is getting plenty of play.

15. Seattle Mariners

Theodore Gillen, INF/OF — Westlake HS
HOMETOWN: Austin, TX
HEIGHT: 6-3
WEIGHT: 200
BAT/THROW: L-R

Seattle seems to prefer college performers at this spot with names like Yesavage and Tibbs coming up more and more. They like Kurtz too, and it’s not out of the question he’s the name at 15 with a tumble. Someone has to fall, right?

Seattle also kicked the tires on North Carolina outfielder Vance Honeycutt and Wake Forest IF/OF Seaver King, though the track record for high-strikeout college bats transitioning to the pro game may ultimately push them down or off the board — especially in Honeycutt’s case.

Gillen has proven one of the most advanced high school bats in the 2024 class and the Mariners have done extremely well with these types the last three drafts. Value is value no matter the timeline to debut. If not a college performer or Gillen, keep an eye on prep righties Braylon Doughty and Ryan Sloan. There seems to be a decent bit of momentum in that department. Doughty in particular may provide some under-slot opportunity here.

16. Miami Marlins

Ryan Waldschmidt, OF — Kentucky
HOMETOWN: Bradenton, FL
HEIGHT: 6-1
WEIGHT: 195
BAT/THROW: R-R

Waldschmidt is a buzzy name in the middle of the first round and all signs point toward the Marlins going with a college bat. King, Moore, Honeycutt and Benge all get play in this spot.

Waldschmidt’s hot finish to the spring and enticing metrics should push him above some of the other names here. Miami reportedly loves Yutan, Nebraska shortstop Tyson Lewis at a later pick — if he makes it that far. Miami’s next pick is at No. 56.

17. Milwaukee Brewers

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 has all the tools in the world. Considering how dynamic the profile is and the Brewers’ affinity for college bats in the first round, this feels like a great fit. Oklahoma State outfielder Carson Benge is certainly cut from the cloth Milwaukee has gone after in recent years, too.

Of note, the Brewers have a lot of money to play with in this draft — $12,990,400, ninth most — so don’t be stunned if they get creative with their funds and picks.

18. Tampa Bay Rays

Cam Smith, 3B — Florida State
HOMETOWN: Lake Worth, FL
HEIGHT: 6-3
WEIGHT: 222
BAT/THROW: R-R

Your guess is as good as mine here. Not only does Tampa not have trends, they generally are one of the quietest teams in any given draft. Smith makes as much sense as anyone here. But maybe Tampa gets creative and takes a massive under-shot gamble on a guy like prep outfielder Griffin Burkholder. Or they fall in love with a high school arm like Mayfield here.

Throw a dart.

19. New York Mets

Vance Honeycutt, OF — North Carolina
HOMETOWN: Salisbury, NC
HEIGHT: 6-3
WEIGHT: 185
BAT/THROW: R-R
DRAFT SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW: Watch Video

The Mets seem like the perfect organization to get the most out of Honeycutt’s raw, unpolished tools, and they do like him. It’s plus raw power, double-plus defense in centerfield, plus speed, and a solid-average arm.

Honeycutt struggles to make consistent contact, resulting in a strikeout rate that might be unsavory to most organizations. But the Mets have been a solid revent history in terms of developing hitters. They’ve also added a lot of brain power to the front office in recent years and should have that ship firing on all cylinders soon.

There’s still plenty of love for Kash Mayfield here too. Keep an eye on that one.

20. Toronto Blue Jays

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. He’s destined to stick behind the plate and scouts like where the profile could go in pro ball. He’s been connected to Toronto pretty heavily in recent weeks with rumors they’re smitten by the whole package.

He can run, defend, and there’s bat speed with more coming. He feels like a good fit in Toronto.

21. Minnesota Twins

Wyatt Sanford, SS — Independence
HOMETOWN: Frisco, TX
HEIGHT: 6-1
WEIGHT: 185
BAT/THROW: L-R

The Twins have been mentioned quite a bit with some of the left-handed college sluggers in this class. Names like Benge and Stanford catcher Malcolm Moore are getting quite a bit of run, but it is Sanford under-slot that seems to be gaining a little recent traction.

22. Baltimore Orioles

Carson Benge, OF — Oklahoma State
HOMETOWN: Yukon, OK
HEIGHT: 6-2
WEIGHT: 185
BAT/THROW: L-R

The Orioles have placed such an exorbitant emphasis on polished bats the past several years that it’d be a fool’s errand to suggest anything otherwise. Benge is the metric darling Mike Elias & Co™ seems to lean toward year in and year out. He’s something of a Colton Cowser.

If not Benge, look for guys like Westlake blue chip Gillen, Hardee shortstop Kellon Lindsey, and Freedom outfielder Griffin Burkholder.

23. Los Angeles Dodgers

Kash Mayfield, LHP — Elk City
HOMETOWN: Elk City, OK
HEIGHT: 6-4
WEIGHT: 200
BAT/THROW: L-L

The Dodegers like Kash Mayfield, but they’re also a pretty big wildcard for the 2024 Draft. It seems to be pitching, pitching, pitching in this spot unless a noteworthy college bat falls.

High school standout Slade Caldwell gets considerable run here as well, though Mayfield’s testing and polish may push him over the top for the upside-driven Dodgers.

24. Atlanta Braves

Braylon Doughty, RHP — Chaparral
HOMETOWN: Murrieta, CA
HEIGHT: 6-1
WEIGHT: 195
BAT/THROW: R-R

Considering the traits and demographic, Doughty is cut precisely from the cloth the Braves have tried to attack in every draft going back to Spencer Strider‘s rookie season. Doughty has a special arm who has drawn comparisons to Lance McCullers in the past. This would be a great fit and there are legs to this.

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 value the tools and upside and take a shot on Lindsey inside the first round. 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.

Lindsey is 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. This is probably his floor for him with plenty of suitors in the 18-25 range.

26. New York Yankees

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 New York is presumed to lean toward the analytic types, as well as left-handed hitters.

Lewis gets a bit of run at this spot, as well as Burkholder. This is about the point in the draft where surprises seem to come more often.

27. Philadelphia Phillies

Jurrangelo Cijntje, RHP — Mississippi State
HOMETOWN: Pembroke Pines, FL
HEIGHT: 5-11
WEIGHT: 200
BAT/THROW: B-B

Cijntje gets mentioned here in talks with folks inside the industry and it seems Philly is back on the pitching bandwagon after going ahigh-profile prep (Aidan Miller) in 2024. Brody Brecht, William Schmidt and other prep arms are fits, too.

28. Houston Astros

Tyson Lewis, SS — Millard West
HOMETOWN: Yutan, NE
HEIGHT: 6-2
WEIGHT: 205
BAT/THROW: L-R

29. Arizona Diamondbacks

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 29, he goes to Arizona.

The Diamondbacks seem all over the board here in terms of how they may want to spend their bonus pool. It could go in any number of directions.

Sloan being available is a surprise, but it’s a surprise Arizona would welcome.

30. Texas Rangers

Brody Brecht, RHP — Iowa
HOMETOWN: Ankeny, IA
HEIGHT: 6-4
WEIGHT: 205
BAT/THROW: R-R
DRAFT SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW: Watch Video

Firstly, I think Texas would prefer one of Lewis or Sanford at this spot, but alas.

Brecht is a touch name to pin down in this draft. Toronto seems to like him and he’s been mentioned at No. 20. But in this scenario, he falls to the Rangers, an organization never too shy about selecting pitching.

Brecht seems like a good value at No. 30, carrying 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 his pro club can straighten out the strikes. Texas does like plenty of the high school shortstops in this class, so watch for that.

31. Arizona Diamondbacks (PPI)

William Schmidt, RHP — Catholic HS
HOMETOWN: Baton Rouge, LA
HEIGHT: 6-3
WEIGHT: 185
BAT/THROW: R-R

A lot of teams really like Schmidt, but it’s also difficult to find a more specific landing spot considering the grocery list of players a lot of scouting departments are sinking their time into right now.

The Diamondacks have also been connected to a lot of high schoolers in this class — shortstops in particular — a sensible option considering they start the draft with $12.7 million in pool to spend.

Watch out for Burkholder in this spot as well. He’s got landing spots from 26 through 32 and could be an under-slot darling if his market doesn’t materialize.

32. Baltimore Orioles (PPI)

Carter Johnson, SS — Oxford
HOMETOWN: Oxford, AL
HEIGHT: 6-2
WEIGHT: 185
BAT/THROW: L-R

Johnson has a lot of love in Texas, but they pass on him for Brecht in this scenario leaving him to fall two spots to the Orioles.

Baltimore leaving this draft with Benge and Johnson would be a huge win for the future of the organization. It’s the same type of approach the O’s used when landing Gunnar Henderson in 2019.

Johnson is a smooth defender with a beautiful left-handed swing. Again, guys like Lewis and Tyler Bell could be interchangeable with Johnson in this spot.

33. Minnesota Twins (comp — Sony Gray)

Slade Caldwell, OF — Valley View HS
HOMETOWN: Jonesboro, AR
HEIGHT: 5-6
WEIGHT: 183
BAT/THROW: L-L

The Dodgers like Caldwell a whole bunch and several teams in the back-half of the first round paid plenty of attention to him at the Combine. He also interviewed quite well.

Caldwell lands here to the Twins, who value left-handed bats in the first round.

34. Milwaukee Brewers (Comp-A)

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 tough to come by in this class, and 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 (Comp-A)

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.

Morlando also has a chance to play left field in Cleveland with range that isn’t as tested as other parks. A combo of Burns and Morlando would have to excite the Guardians with even more money to play with after this pick.

37. Pittsburgh Pirates (Comp-A)

38. Colorado Rockies (Comp-A)

Tommy White, 1B/3B — LSU
HOMETOWN: St. Pete Beach, FL
HEIGHT: 6-2
WEIGHT: 235
BAT/THROW: R-R
DRAFT SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW: Watch Video

Could the Rockies go for Tommy White? Would he be here? The Rockies have had a hell of a time getting production from first base of late. White could move extremely quick as a mostly-finished product. He could be in Coors as soon as late 2025.

39. Kansas City Royals (Comp-A)

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Joe Doyle

Joe Doyle is a senior analyst at FSS PLUS, leading coverage efforts in scouting, player development, and the MLB Draft. He previously was Director of Scouting at Prospects Live. Joe is the host of Over-Slot, a podcast centered on scouting and analytics.

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