2024 MLB Mock Draft 3.0 - Next Year in Cleveland

Next Year in Cleveland Mock Draft 3.0

1.1 CLEVELAND GUARDIANS: INF JJ Wetherholt, West Virginia

(Last pick - Travis Bazzana, 2B, Oregon State)

Willie Hood: Every indication is Cleveland is looking to cut a deal and spread the wealth here. JJ Wetherholt has emerged as the prime candidate to cut a deal (savings of $1.5M-$2M). There are similar attributes and the potential he's drafted as a shortstop. Considering the club model-driven approach positional value will inflate “JJW's” value if he's viewed as a shortstop by the organization. 

Don't rule out Travis Bazzana on a significant discount, but just above Skenes’ $9.2M of a year ago. It seems that's a possibility albeit a declining one. Jac Caglianone, Charlie Condon, Chase Burns and Konnor Griffin could be possibilities with Griffin most likely to receive the smallest bonus potentially saving Cleveland above $2M.

Justin Lada: Given what we know about Cleveland’s proclivity to reach an underslot deal here, trying to find something close to $2M in savings, this feels like the pick. There are indications that they are leaning this way. That being said, it feels slightly unlikely any agent will allow their client to take anything less than $9M given that this is the highest slot value for the #1 overall pick ever. It doesn’t seem like whoever goes here will break Paul Skenes’ slot value record of $9.2 last year. There’s still a good chance this is Travis Bazzana. I would almost call it 50/50, or as close as it can be. I don’t think Wetherholt interest is a smoke screen but there is incentive to misdirect. I’m not completely ruling out Charlie Condon. They’ve taken big swings that are sort of out of their norm in round one and nobody had them on Ralphy Velazquez last year, so Condon could be an option, I just think it’s unlikely. Don’t rule out Chase Burns and maybe to a lesser extent Konnor Griffin. I think that’s the order, too. It will come down to who meets their number. Odds there favor Wetherholt or Burns, but if all things are equal with money, my bet here is Bazzana over Wetherholt. Just depends on the money. 

1.2 Cincinnati Reds: Charlie Condon, OF, Georgia

(2.0 Pick) Willie- Charlie Condon, OF, Georgia

Comment: There is chatter the Reds are going with any number of college options here. They have been tied to Condon, Bazzana, Caglianone, and righty Chase Burns. Like Cleveland the Reds were big winners in the lottery anything they do here is icing on the cake.

1.3 Colorado Rockies: Chase Burns, RHP, Wake Forest

(2.0 Pick) - Braden Montgomery, OF, Texas A&M)

Comment: There’s some talk that Charlie Condon could get to them with this pick. If he did, I would think the Rockies would pounce. That’s because there’s talk that Burns or Jac Caglianone could even go at 1.2 to the Reds. But Burns makes sense for the Rockies because they’ve been in on good college pitching and he’s got the best upside of any college arm in the draft, an area they can’t go out and get on the open market. Montgomery ends up falling due to the ankle surgery, but not too far.

1.4 Oakland Athletics: Travis Bazzana, 2B, Oregon State

Willie- Hagen Smith, LHSP, Arkansas

Comment: The native Australians' floor happens to be the dumpster fire of an organization baseball fans call the Athletics or whatever they eventually become in Las Vegas, Sacramento or Piedmont, whatever. Unfortunately, for “Bazz” it could be a reality. 

1.5 Chicago White Sox: Jac Caglianone, 1B, Florida

(2.0 Pick) - Bryce Rainer, SS, Harvard Westlake, CA (HS)

Comment: The White Sox have been connected to either Konnor Griffin, Bryce Rainer (or the top prep player of choice), Hagen Smith and now Jac Caglianone. The buzz here is that if Caglianone makes it here, he’ll be the pick. If not, then Griffin seems to be the bet. Here we have Caglianone getting to their pick.

1.6 Kansas City Royals: Hagen Smith, LHP, Arkansas

(Pick 2.0)- Nick Kurtz, 1B Wake Forest

Comment: The Royals are in a prime position to take a collegiate performer that could fast track to the big leagues. Smith could be a frontline lefty with his fastball/slider combo. Keep a watch for Konnor Griffin or any of the top tier college bats. 

1.7 St. Louis Cardinals: 1B, Nick Kurtz, Wake Forest

(2.0 Pick) - Jac Caglianone, 1B/LHP, Florida

Comment: Kurtz could fall further than this, depending on how things shake out. The Cardinals would love one of Burns or Smith here, and there’s been some ties to JJ Wetherholt too, which is where his market starts if Cleveland passes. Trey Yesevage could even make sense here, but I think the Cardinals want to add a corner bat here to the system and Kurtz is too good to ignore.

1.8 Los Angeles Angels: Trey Yesavage, RHP, East Carolina

(Pick 2.0)- Chase Burns, RHSP Wake Forest

Comment: The soon-to-be former ECU Pirates righty put up impressive numbers second only to those of Smith and Burns. He's reportedly in play anywhere from 7 to 14 (his floor). The Halos could go with a college bat like James Tibbs or pounce if another bat slides to them.

1.9 Pittsburgh Pirates: Konnor Griffin, OF, Jackson Prep, MS (HS)

(2.0 Pick) - Konnor Griffin, OF, Jackson Prep, MS (HS)

Comment: If Caglianone is off the board and Griffin goes to the White Sox at 1.5, this pick gets really dicey. Perhaps they’d go Rainer. But honestly hard to peg where the Pirates go here if Griffin doesn’t fall. They’re kind of all over the map. Perhaps this wouldn’t be too high for James Tibbs for them, who makes a lot of sense as a fallback option. 

1.10 Washington Nationals: Bryce Rainer, SS, Harvard Westlake, CA (HS)

(Pick 2.0) - JJ Wetherholt, 2B/SS West Virginia

Comment: The Nationals were penalized as part of the anti-tanking incentive implemented in the most recent CBA. Washington sits in a prime position to grab a top tier talent at a value. 

1.11 Detroit Tigers: Cam Caminiti, LHP, Saguaro HS, AZ (HS)

(2.0 Pick) - Cam Caminiti, LHP, Saguaro HS, AZ (HS)

Comment: It sounds like Caminit is moving up some boards late here in the cycle. I actually wouldn’t be shocked if the National pop him, but he’s been connected to the Tigers and the Giants it seems like. He won’t last long in this range.

1.12 Boston Red Sox: James Tibbs, 1B/OF, Florida State

(2.0 Pick) - Trey Yesavage, RHP, ECU

Comment: Tibbs to the Pirates could happen if Griffin is off the board, but I’ve read a lot about the Red Sox being interested in college bats. I think they would like Yesavage here too if he got there.

1.13 San Francisco Giants: Braden Montgomery, OF, Texas A&M

(2.0 Pick) - Seaver King, SS/OF, Wake Forest 

Comment: The Giants have been all over a bit with their first pick and they have a new scouting director, so who knows where they will go. Montgomery falling here seems like a great value for talent and King still makes sense.

1.14 Chicago Cubs: Ryan Sloan, RHSP, York Community, IL (HS)

(Pick 2.0) - Cam Smith, 3B, Florida State

Comment: We saw the cross town White Sox pullout a hometown discount with Noah Schultz a year ago. There's a chance the Cubs pull off something similar here. Keep an eye on Malcolm Moore, James Tibbs, Cam Smith, Cam Caminiti, and William Schmidt among others.

1.15 Seattle Mariners: Christian Moore, 2B Tennessee

(Pick 2.0) - Slade Cladwell, OF, Valley View HS

Comment: Seattle drafted heavily up the middle a season ago. Moore lands here in this mock but he could go as high as Boston at 12. There's real premium power here, rare from a middle infielder. 

1.16 Miami Marlins: Seaver King, SS/OF, Wake Forest 

(Pick 2.0) - Tommy White, 3B, LSU

Comment: King can play shortstop or center field. Positional value will keep his stock high paired with contact skills and speed. Miami is a team that could go any number of directions. Malcolm Moore, James Tibbs, Christian Moore, William Schmidt, and Cam Caminiti make a lot sense here too.

1.17 Milwaukee Brewers: Carson Benge, OF, Oklahoma State

(Pick 2.0)- James Tibbs, OF/1B, Florida State

Comment: The Brewers have had some of my favorite drafts the last few years and have had good success with college hitters. Benge seems to fit their molds and I have a high degree of confidence in their ability to help Benge make some needed swing adjustments to pull the ball more. Furthermore if he needed to fall back on pitchin, I think he has the traits that Milwaukee can also develop should hitting not work out. Hard to fathom the Brewers not taking a college hitters

1.18 Tampa Bay Rays: Ryan Waldschmidt, OF, Kentucky

(Pick 2.0) - Carson Benge, OF, Oklahoma State

Comment: The Rays also have college hitters but they could be all over here. It wouldn't be a shock to see them pop a prep shortstop or pitcher here. I think Waldschmidt could go higher than this anyway and he should have some offensive traits they really like.

1.19 New York Mets: Cam Smith, 3B, Florida State

(2.0)  William Schmidt, RHP, Catholics HS, LA (HS)

Comment: Smith could go a lot higher than this as his arrow is pointing up. There's some thought here that the Mets want a college bat and Smith here makes sense because the college hitters are the strength. Perhaps a prep pitcher here could be in play. Maybe even Slade Caldwell as he has some traits they seemed to like in Jett Williams

1.20 Toronto Blue Jays: William Schmidt, RHP, Catholics HS, LA (HS)

(Pick 2.0) - Caleb Bonemar, SS, HS, MI

Comment: The Jays are one of those teams that can be opportunistic with a sliding prep arm or a college bat that slips. Schmidt is an older prep arm with a commitment to LSU. It will take a large bonus to land him, but he could be a future 1 or 2

1.21 Minnesota Twins: Vance Honeycutt, OF, North Carolina

(Pick 2.0) - Vance Honeycutt, OF, North Carolina 

Comment: Another team that could be opportunistic. Honeycutt is a very young for class college junior with excellent defense and power. There's some concerns with the hit tool but he would make a lot of sense here.

1.22 Baltimore Orioles: Brody Brecht, RHP, Iowa

(Pick 2.0) - Dakota Jordan, OF, Mississippi State

Comment: Baltimore has drafted outfielders early heavily. There's a few options that make sense. However, the need and scarcity of pitching could cause the club to pursue a big upside talent in the athletic right-hander.

1.23 Los Angeles Dodgers: Theo Gillen, SS, Westlake, TX (HS)

(2.0 Pick)- PJ Morlando, 1B/OF, Summerville, SC (HS)

Comment: There's a number of picks in play for the Dodgers. Again, prep pitching could make sense here. Gillen has some helium though. But maybe Kash Mayfield, William Schmidt and even Dakota Jordan fit here too. 

1.24 Atlanta Braves: Jurrangelo Cintje, RHP/LHP, Mississippi State

(Pick 2.0) - Brody Brecht, RHP, Iowa

Comment: Cintje has suitors higher than this and this could be his floor unless there's someone trying to buy him down. But hard to imagine teams in this range wouldn't match that. Despite his size, he has good metrics from the right side and of course has the option of throwing from the left side too.

1.25 San Diego Padres: Kash Mayfield, LHP, Elk City, OK (HS)

(2.0 Pick) - Theo Gillen, SS, Westlake HS, CA (HS) 

Comment: Mayfield also has suitors higher than this and the Padres would also probably go for a prep bat here. They're never afraid of risk and like ceiling. Mayfield is older but also has some traits they've liked in prep pitchers before maybe minus the age.

1.26 New York Yankees: Carter Johnson, SS, Oxford, AL (HS)

(Pick 2.0)  - Kaelan Culpepper, SS/3B, Kansas State

Comment: The Yankees have spent recent first rounders on shortstop. There's a good chance the organization pops one here like Johnson, Sanford, Gillen, and Lindsay. Others like Janek, Lomavita, and Culpepper make sense here.

1.27 Philadelphia Phillies: Walker Janek, C, Sam Houston

(Pick 2.0)  - Carter Johnson, SS, Oxford, AL (HS)

Comment: Philadelphia is an opportunistic club that spends on upside with little risk of fear involved. Janek represented value and upside at a position that's scarce in this mock. Watch for a prep shortstop or prep arm that slides.

1.28 Houston Astros: Caleb Lomavita, C, Cal

(Pick 2.0)  - Caleb Lomavita, C, Cal

Comment: Lomavita is an intriguing defender with a strong arm and some power. There are some chase concerns but his value lies in his power, defense, and position. Houston seems likely to grab a college hitter like Janek, Lomavita, or Culpepper if one is there. Traditionally, they'll play it safe.

1.29 Arizona Diamondbacks: Tommy White, 3B, LSU

(2.0 Pick) -  Wyatt Sanford, SS, Independence TX (HS)

Comment: I'm personally not a fan of White's approach even though he's succeeded in the best college conference. Still it seems like this would be a floor for him unless teams are scared more by his shoulder surgery than we think. Plus Arizona seems to want to grab a variety of types since they have multiple picks in this range.

1.30 Texas Rangers: Malcolm Moore, C, Stanford

(Pick 2.0) - Jacob Cozart, C, NC State

Comment: Moore still seems to be in consideration of being the top college catcher in the class. Janek could surpass that but teams still think there's reason for Moore’s drop-off this year and he should stick behind the plate. 

PPI

1.31 Arizona Diamondbacks: Kellon Lindsey, SS, Hardee FL (HS)

(Pick 2.0) - Levi Sterling, RHP, Notre Dame HS, CA (HS)

1.32 Baltimore Orioles: Dakota Jordan, OF, Mississippi State

(Pick 2.0) - Mike Sirota, OF, Northeastern

FA COMP

1.33 Minnesota Twins: Kaelan Culpepper, SS/3B, Kansas State

(Pick 2.0) - Malcolm Moore, C/1B, Stanford

COMP A

1.34 Milwaukee Brewers: Braylon Doughty, RHP, Chaparral, CA

(Pick 2.0) - Joey Oakie, RHSP, Ankeny Centennial, IA (HS)

1.35 Arizona Diamondbacks: Jacob Cozart, C, NC State

(Pick 2.0) - Walker Janek, C, Sam Houston

1.36 CLEVELAND GUARDIANS: Slade Caldwell, OF, Valley View HS

(Pick 2.0) Luke Holman, RHP, LSU 

Justin Comment: If Cleveland is going to take Wetherholt at 1.1, they'd better get an underslot deal and have a deal like this up their sleeve like this. Caldwell has suitors maybe as high as the teens but that depends on how confident teams are in his game despite his size and Arkansas doesn't have a huge track record of great talent. 

Willie comment: There are rumors Caldwell won't make it here and some rankings reflect the same thing. He's a smaller talented outfielder with excellent contact skills. Others to watch: Braylon Doughty, Joey Oakie, David Shields, Carter Johnson, Wyatt Sanford, Tyson Lewis, Ryan Prager, Jacob Cozart. There's an outside shot the organization can move one of Caminiti, Sloan, and Schmidt.

1.37 Pittsburgh Pirates: Luke Holman, RHP, LSU 

(Pick 2.0) - Jonathan Santucci, LHP, Duke

1.38 Colorado Rockies: Bryce Cunningham, RHP, Vanderbilt

(Pick 2.0) - Ben Hess,  RHSP, Alabama

1.39 Kansas City Royals: Wyatt Sanford, SS, Frisco, TX (HS)

(Pick 2.0) - Drew Beam, RHSP, Tennessee

SECOND ROUND

2.40 Oakland Athletics: Billy Amick, 3b/1b Tennessee

(Pick 2.0)- Billy Amick, 3b/1b, Clemson

2.41 Kansas City Royals: Ben Hess, RHP, Alabama

(Pick 2.0) - Braylon Doughty, RHP, Chaparral, CA (HS)

2.42 Colorado Rockies: Kyle DeBarge, SS, Louisiana

(Pick 2.0) - Kash Mayfield, LHP, Elk City, OK (HS)

2.43 Chicago White Sox: Jonathan Santucci, LHP, Duke

(Pick 2.0) - Bryce Cunningham, RHP, Vanderbilt 

2.44 Washington Nationals: Ryan Johnson, RHSP, Dallas Baptist

(Pick 2.0) - Ryan Johnson, RHSP, Dallas Baptist

2.45 Los Angeles Angels: Drew Beam, RHSP, Tennessee 

(Pick 2.0) - Gage Jump, LHSP LSU

2.46 New York Mets: Joey Oakie, RHSP, Ankeny Centennial, IA (HS)

(Pick 2.0) - Tyson Lewis, SS Millard West NE (HS): 

2.47 Pittsburgh Pirates: Griff O’Ferrall, SS, Virginia

(Pick 2.0) - Jared Thomas, OF/1B, Texas 

2.48 CLEVELAND GUARDIANS:  Justin - David Shields, LHP, Mt. Lebanon, PA (HS)

Pick 2.0- David Shields, LHP, Mt. Lebanon, PA (HS)

Justin Comment: This is also an area where Cleveland should spend its money on savings from Wetherholt. However this is about normal range for Shields perhaps, so maybe they wouldn't need to go too far over here. But Shields is a good athlete from a cold weather area and is younger for the class, all things Cleveland has valued in the past.

2.49 Detroit Tigers: Blake Burke, 1B, Tennessee

(Pick 2.0) - Josh Hartle, LHP, Wake Forest

2.50 Boston Red Sox: Tyson Lewis, SS Millard West NE

(Pick 2.0) - Kyle DeBarge, SS, Louisiana-Lafayette

2.51 Cincinnati Reds: Ryan Prager, LHSP, Texas A&M

(Pick 2.0) - Ryan Prager, LHSP, Texas A&M

2.52 San Diego Padres: JD Dix, SS, HS, WI

(Pick 2.0) - Braylon Payne, OF, Elkins HS, TX

2.53 New York Yankee: Justin - Griffin Burkholder, OF, Freedom HS, VA (HS)

(Pick 2.0) - Griffin Burkholder, OF, Freedom HS, VA (HS)

2.54 Chicago Cubs: Dasan Hill, LHP, Grapevine, TX (HS)

(Pick 2.0) - Dasan Hill, LHP, Grapevine, TX (HS)

2.55 Seattle Mariners: Jared Thomas, 1B/OF, Texas

(Pick 2.0) - Ethan Anderson, C/1B, Virginia

2.56 Miami Marlins: Chris Levonas, RHP, Christian Brothers , NJ (HS)

(Pick 2.0) - Duncan Marsten, RHSP, Harvard Westlake, CA (HS)

2.57 Milwaukee Brewers: Mike Sirota, OF, Northeastern

(Pick 2.0) - Carson DeMartini, 3B, Virginia Tech

2.58 Tampa Bay Rays: Chase Mobley, RHP, Plant City, FL (HS)

(Pick 2.0) - Ryan Sloan, RHSP, York Community, IL (HS)

2.59 Toronto Blue Jays: Kevin Bazzell, C, Texas Tech

(Pick 2.0) - Ryan Forcucci, RHP, UC San Diego

2.60 Minnesota Twins: Levi Sterling, Notre Dame, CA (HS)

(Pick 2.0) - Chris Levonas, RHP, Christian Brothers , NJ (HS) 

2.61 Baltimore Orioles: Dylan Dreiling, OF, Tennessee 

(Pick 2.0) - Carter Holton, LHP, Vanderbilt

2.62 Atlanta Braves: Gage Jump, LHSP LSU

(Pick 2.0) - Thatcher Hurd, RHSP, LSU

2.63 Philadelphia Phillies: Kavares Tears, OF, Tennessee

(Pick 2.0) - Tyson Neighbors, RHRP, Kansas State

2.64 Arizona Diamondback: PJ Morlando, OF/1b Summerville, SC (HS)

(Pick 2.0) - Dylan Drieling, OF Tennessee

2.65 Texas Rangers: Boston Bateman, LHP, Camarillo, CA (HS)

(Pick 2.0) - Chase Mobley, RHP, Plant City, FL (HS)

COMP B

2.66 Tampa Bay Rays: Colby Shelton, 3B, Florida

(Pick 2.0) - Kevin Bazzell, C, Texas Tech

2.67 Milwaukee Brewers: Caleb Bonemer, SS, Okemos, MI (HS)

(Pick 2.0) - Anthony Silva, SS, TCU

2.68 Chicago White Sox: Braylon Payne, OF, Elkins HS, TX

(Pick 2.0) - Christian Moore- 2B Tennessee: 

2.69 Minnesota Twins: Josh Hartle- LHSP Wake Forest

(Pick 2.0) - Michael Massey, RHSP, Wake Forest

2.70 Miami Marlins: Chris Cortez- RHSP Texas A&M

(Pick 2.0) - Owen Hall, RHSP, Edmond North, OK (HS)

2.71 Cincinnati Reds: Owen Hall, RHSP, Edmond North, OK (HS)

(Pick 2.0) - Carson Wiggins RHP, Roland, OK (HS)

2.72 Detroit Tigers: Carter Holton, LHP, Vanderbilt

(Pick 2.0) - Blake Burke, 1B, Tennessee

2.73 Oakland Athletics: Peyton Stovall, 2B, Arkansas

(Pick 2.0) - Peyton Stovall, 2B, Arkansas

FA COMP

2.74 Los Angeles Angels: Michael Massey, RHSP, Wake Forest

(Pick 2.0) - Will Turner- OF South Alabama

THIRD ROUND

3.75 Oakland Athletics: Carson DeMartini, 3B, Virginia Tech

(Pick 2.0) - Rodney Green Jr- OF Cal

3.76 Kansas City Royals: Tyson Neighbors, RHRP Kansas State

(Pick 2.0) - Aidan Major- RHSP West Virginia

3.77 Colorado Rockies: Ethan Anderson, C/1B, Virginia 

(Pick 2.0) - Kavares Tears, OF, Tennessee 

3.78 Chicago White Sox: Luke Dickerson, SS, Morris Knolls, NJ (HS)

(Pick 2.0) - Anson Seibert, RHP, Blue Valley, KY (HS)

3.79 Washington Nationals: Carson Wiggins, RHP, Roland, OK (HS)

(Pick 2.0) - Connor Gatwood, RHP, Baker, AL (HS)

3.80 St. Louis Cardinals: Ryan Forcucci, RHP, UC San Diego

(Pick 2.0) - Brian Holiday, RHSP, Oklahoma State

3.81 Los Angeles Angels: Anthony Silva, SS, TCU

(Pick 2.0) - Will Taylor, OF, Clemson

3.82 New York Mets: Duncan Marsten, RHSP, Harvard Westlake, CA (HS)

(Pick 2.0) - Colby Shelton, 3B, Florida

3.83 Pittsburgh Pirates: Tegan Kuhns, RHP, Gettysburg, PA (HS)

(Pick 2.0) - Noah Franco, 1B/LHP, IMG Academy, Bradenton, FL

3.84 CLEVELAND GUARDIANS: Daniel Eagan, RHP, Presbyterian

(Pick 2.0)- Matt Ager, RHP, UC Santa Barbara

Justin Comment: If Cleveland spends over on Caldwell and at slot for Shields or a bit over, Eagan makes sense. Though I don't think he'll be underslot. Maybe at this pick he will be. There's strong velo here, good data on the fastball and great chase and miss on his slider. He did dominate a small conference. But if you're in a smaller conference and want to be picked this early, you better dominate. He was at that level. He could be more of a Rd 4-5 option but this might underslot him some to get more aggressive later day two.