Cleveland Guardians MLB Draft Coverage
Cleveland Guardians MLB Draft Coverage
The 2024 college and high school baseball seasons are here and it’s a big year for the Cleveland Guardians as they have the #1 overall pick in the draft. It’s not just about the #1 overall pick though. They’ll have a significantly higher draft bonus pool to spend because of the extra slot money they’re allotted to spend without penalty due to picking higher, so they’ll be able to spread that money around with their other picks lower in the draft.
As those 2024 seasons get underway, there is no clear-cut #1 overall pick, but there are several good college bats at the top that Cleveland should be interested in, as it’s a strong college bat class.
Here we will link all the 2024 draft coverage from Willie Hood, Jared Sziber and Justin Lada. Below you will see the ‘watch list’ where we will talk about players Cleveland may be interested in, along with some notes about them and why. We may also include players we like as well that may not specifically Cleveland-adjacent, but we think maybe they should be. We will also link to Mock Drafts, other coverage, as well as the draft tracker when July comes around. Below you can also find links to last year’s draft coverage as well.
Cleveland Guardians picks in the 2024 MLB Draft
1 (1), Comp A (36), 2 (48), 3-20 (10th each round)
Enjoy and thanks for reading!
2024 MLB Draft Watch List
(Cleveland Guardians and personal favorites)
College hitters
INF JJ Wetherholt (University of West Virginia): Might have the best pure hit tool in the class. He pairs high contact rates (89.5% in 2023) with good exit velocities (105 90th percentile), and a low chase rate (18.4%). He’s good at finding putting the barrel on the ball and has success on the Team USA circuit to back his talent. He’ll get the chance to play shortstop this year at West Virigina to prove he can do more than play second base, a position that hasn never been chosen #1 overall, and it won’t happen this year. He could be drafted as a shortstop and move to second, but he’s either going to prove he can play short and put himself in the lead of the 1-1 conversation or as a second baseman only he might fall a bit despite his offensive talents. - JL
https://twitter.com/Data_prospects/status/1696499747706610046
INF Travis Banzzana (Oregon State University): A similar situation to Weatherholt, Bazzana has only really played second base, though some think he could handle short or could move to cetnerfield. But he has a special bat (.374/.500/.622) in college last year, and won the Cape Cod League MVP. His contact rate is better than Weatherlholt’s (90.7%), a better chase rate (15.5%) and similar exit velos (104.5 90th percentile). 80 grade makeup here with work ethic and character. He went to try to improve his attack angle over the offseason to pull the ball more in the air. The question is really about the position, at least for Cleveland. You’re taking the bat either way, but to go 1-1, he’ll need to convince Cleveland he can play short or outfield, possibly without playing it this year at the college level. Right now there hasn’t been any news of a plan to regularly play off of second base yet. Stay tuned. -JL
https://twitter.com/PeterGFlaherty/status/1711892379601445140
1B Nick Kurtz (Wake Forest): The 6’5 left-handed hitting first baseman for the Demon Deacons has 39 homers over his first two colleague seasons, and pairs that with an elite eye a the plate, walking more than he strikes out, and carries a patient approach, chasing out of the zone under 15% of the time. The knocks are that college (or any) first baseman in the draft don’t have the best track records, and Wake’s home ballpark is hitter-friendly. But Kurtz is an explosive hitter who shows power to all fields and should still be one of the first college bats off the board, hopefully, 1-1. - JL
https://x.com/nicholasmilo/status/1616215177136947200?s=20
DH/1B Jac Caglianone (Florida): Throws 97 on the mound and hits missiles, and makes a lot of contact. Doesn’t take a lot of walks, but makes contact, and hard contact at that. Cleveland has been interested in guys with two-way experience in college (Will Brennan, Logan Allen, and Davis Sharpe) though none had this much skill on both sides of the ball.
https://twitter.com/GatorsBB/status/1627383555126071296
3B Cade McGee (Gonzaga): Makes a good amount of contact. Has raked in the WAC.
https://twitter.com/JoeDoyleMiLB/status/1626670214170693632
INF Griff O’Ferrall (University of Virginia): O’Ferrall fits what the Guardians have taken in the past. Bat over power tool, who will stick in the dirt. 80 grade grit.
https://twitter.com/USABaseballCNT/status/1678920509449281537
OF Jared Thomas (University Texas): Contact rate sat at 85% in 2023, but has a 90th percentile exit velocity of just 102. Doesn’t chase and can drive mistakes. He has mostly played first base for Texas up until now but looks like he can and will play some outfield this year.If he can play good defense in center, that’ll make his bat look even better and put him into the range of being a first day pick. - JL
https://twitter.com/PeterGFlaherty/status/1668077704787230722
https://x.com/NashTalksTexas/status/1753913282300145914?s=20
INF Kyle Debarge (Louisiana- Lafayette): Undersized shortstop that makes a ton of contact (87.2%) but doesn’t pair it with a particularly high exit velos. Most think he has the fundamentals to play short, but might be a better defender at the keystone. This sounds a bit like the Tyler Freeman profile, though Freeman has more size. - JL
https://twitter.com/PeterGFlaherty/status/1722769172390621406
INF Cole Mathis (College of Charleston): Pairs a promising contact rate (83%) with a strong chase rate (17.4%) and a 90th percentcile exit velocity (108.4). Had a breakthrough season in 2023 at school and then hit even better in the Cape, making the All-Star team and actually hit more homers there. He’s a pretty good athlete that plays two ways (pitched for his school in 2023 and on the Cape), but is likely going to just play first base this year at school. Has enough arm for third (mid-90s fastball) and could even use that arm in right field.There’s a path here as a two way player in the pros, but he could take off more with the bat now focusing on hitting and playing the field. But the drafting team here is likely banking on the bat for the most part and hoping to find the right defensive fit. If he’s a 1B only as a right handed hitters, there’s a risk there. But plenty of upside here to be a fit somewhere as high as a comp round pick or second round. - JL
https://x.com/GeoffPontesBA/status/1672658345361125376?s=20
INF/C Kevin Bazzell (Texas Tech): Fantastic numbers transferring to Texas Tech in 2023 (45BB/32K), .348/.453/.572 playing third base. He’s had some run at catcher. Had very meager Cape numbers, so that’s a potential red flag with Big 12 pitching quality, but makes a ton of contact and the bat is his driver of value. As of early 2024, he looks like a surefire pick within the top three rounds. - JL
https://x.com/PeterGFlaherty/status/1719506338043310472?s=20
OF Dylan Dreiling (Tennessee): Waked more than he struck out as a freshman and was a regular force in the Vols lineup, hitting .295/.433/.621 with seven dingers. He’s a draft eligible sophomore, which is always a bit dicey. He also has no other league data to back him up and he’s mostly a left fielder right now, which is also a red flag. That puts him with some lower end value defensively. Reports say he struggled vs. left handed pitching as well as a freshman, but his bat is potentially exciting and if he can improve vs. LHP in his sophomore year and maybe move more into center field, the profile gets more exciting. His bat ultimately probably takes him as far as he’ll go, which makes him an early day two pick but wouldn’t be shocking to see him improve his stock this spring. - JL
https://x.com/PeterGFlaherty/status/1741977359329136916?s=20
1B Blake Burke (Tennessee): Let’s throw both Vols hitters here. Burke is Kurtz minus the approach. Burke only struck out 17% of the time as a sophomore but only walked 9.2%, but both of those were major improvements from his sophomore season, though his power dipped too maybe due to change in approach. It could be tough to get him to combine both, but if he can, it’s middle of the order bat profile because there is light tower raw power here to match Kurtz. He did play some outfield last year but most think he ends up being first base only. Based off his 2023 data, he’s something like a fourth/fifth round guy. Not a bad spot for a guy with 70 grade power, and a better spot for the risky profile. Less of a Cleveland guy and more of a personally intriguing candidate. - JL
https://x.com/discussbaseball/status/1754326783149715514?s=20
3B Zander Darby (UC Santa Barbara): Contact over power corner profile right now, but a good approach at the plate from the left side. Had a strong Cape in 2023 with high contact rates in school and in the wood bat circuit. Doesn’t chase and has shown pull side pop. Most reports suggest the glove isn’t strong at third, which means he either needs to improve the glove to raise his stock to offset the lack of power, or take a step forward offensively. He has a 6’3 frame that suggests he could add strength and power to profile as a more traditional corner bat. That’s probably what you’re buying if you like Darby, who right now sounds like a mid-round, day two bat. - JL
https://x.com/OfficialCCBL/status/1688660788452458496?s=20
SS Antony Silva (TCU): A strong freshman season has Silva as a back half of the first round/comp round selection as a sophomore this year. Some real flash and wizardy at shortstop. He’s got all the tools to be a plus glove at shortstop at the next level. His .330/.416/.471 line as a freshman suggest the bat is strong and could get better. Had a 22% chase rate he could improve with a strong 86% contact rate. Needs to add some more juice to the bat (102 90th percentile exit velo), which some think he can do. I’ve heard some darkhorse hype for him to move up much higher in the first round if the bat takes a leap this year like some think. - JL
https://x.com/JustBB_Media/status/1669787124692930561?s=20
https://x.com/TylerJennings24/status/1674424447829422083?s=20
https://x.com/JustBB_Media/status/1671617876644581376?s=20
INF/OF Seaver King (Wake Forest): King is a transfer to Wake Forest from D2 Wingate who has played all the non-1B infield spots and may get a shot in center at Wake, or at least some think he can play there long term. He crushed the ball in D2 and only had a short stint on the Cape in ‘23 (16 games) but hit .424/.479/.542, which suggests the move to big time D1 baseball won’t be overwhelming for a twitchy, plus athlete like King. Other draft reports do point out some potential aggressiveness and chase rate issues that need to be watched. But everything and everyone points to a top 10 pick here and could put himself into sleeper territory at 1.1. - JL
https://x.com/PeterGFlaherty/status/1662207157411155968?s=20
https://x.com/TylerJennings24/status/1716145372760789064?s=20
OF Carson Benge (Oklahoma State): Left handed hitting outfielder that throws right, and has above average power, maybe enough to profile in the corner now, but he could grow into even more. Fringe-chase rates now (18.9%) and good in-zone contact (84%). Somewhat noisy hands in his swing in the box that could get cleaned up. Walked more than he struck out as a sophomore, after missing his freshman year with Tommy John. Has a mid-90s fastball on the mound and could be scouted as a pitcher, so that gives him plenty of arm for right field, and it looks more like his future is at the plate. Second-to-fourth round range maybe now going into 2024. - JL
https://x.com/PeterGFlaherty/status/1716601214136095035?s=20
OF Paxton Kling (LSU): Set to take over in center for LSU, following Dylan Crews won’t be an easy task. Physical outfielder with dynamic power. Needs to improve swing decisions and make more contact, but makes a decent amount of contact in-zone (85%). Draft eligible sophomore whose bat bears watching. Probably not a Guardians type due to approach unless that improves, but the exit velos give him some fun upside to watch, even with the risk of being more of a Hunter Refnroe type. - JL
https://x.com/Draft_Analyst_/status/1739816429325815854?s=20
C/OF Ryan Campos (Arizona State): Campos is an undersized (5’9) backstop that has played some outfield in his college career. Incredibly approach focused profile (17.59 BB%/8.5 K%) and has done nothing but hit in his college career so far. He played in the Cape as a rising sophomore and held his own but struggled in a very small sample size this past summer (6 games). Beware of Arizona State hitters with that environment but the approach is worth watching. Needs to add arm strength though because the bat probably profiles better behind the plate and the arm looks to be fringe-average at best right now. Probably a day two guy, somewhere in fifth or sixth round perhaps.
https://x.com/FarmToFame_/status/1495214656746663938?s=20
https://x.com/fridaystarters/status/1638889754988249089?s=20
OF Mike Sirota (Northeastern): Sirota might be from a small school, but the production and tools are real. Might be a five tool centerfielder. He could make a bit more contact (81.9% zone contact rate) but also has pop (.678 SLG last year) and can play center, and stole 19 bases. He has Cape success (.339/.442/.532 in 2022). He should be a top 10 pick this year and could have been a very likely Cleveland target if they fell into the 6-10 range, but probably isn’t going to offer enough to be 1.1. Someone should be getting a good player wherever they get him though. Watch for his early season performance in warm weather states against bigger schools. - JL
https://x.com/PeterGFlaherty/status/1656074836525961218?s=20
https://x.com/jabmia_/status/1755071837141160320?s=20
https://x.com/NCAABaseball/status/1499943194045423617?s=20
INF/OF Jo Oyama (UC Irvine): A native of Japan, Oyama is an undersized (5’6) infielder with a really nice, balanced swing and makes plenty of contact. Doesn’t strikeout and walks almost as much (37K/31BB in school in 2023). He hit .360/.456/.613 on the Cape last year, so the bat could be real. He might be undersized and is probably going to have to land at second or left field, but he kinda seems like he could be a high motor leadoff hitter or a nice bench bat. Senior sign with low pop and likely not a shortstop o he’s probably a day two pick. - JL
https://x.com/CoachPags775/status/1633483905583181824?s=20
https://x.com/FerronRyan/status/1712186971953778711?s=20
C/1B/OF Derek Bender (Coastal Carolina): Aggressive type profile with the bat, hitting .341/.399/.635 at school last year, but he showed a better approach on the Cape last summer (15K/12BB) in 31 games (.374/.446/.557) and even stole 18 bases. Most don’t think he’s a future catcher, where the bat would play best. But there’s maybe enough bat for an interesting 1B/LF type. Could he be a David Fry type playing some corners and a third catcher? It’s an intriguing shot to think about and take. Maybe a third rounder depending on how someone feels about the future position. - JL
https://x.com/mlb_pc/status/1674113283941335068?s=20
https://x.com/OfficialCCBL/status/1690886583547817985?s=20
OF Will Turner (South Alabama): MId-major centerfielder with athleticism to play in center. Walked more than he struck out on the Cape last summer (22BB/19K) in 33 games and hit .295/.437/.379. Not much pop but he can turn on balls on the inner half, reminds me a little of what Steven Kwan started to show in the minors during his breakout that just hasn’t shown at the big league level quite yet. He’s got a great eye for the zone. Many think he can stick in CF and if that’s the case, there’s probably good reason to think he’s a second or third rounder. - JL
https://x.com/GeoffPontesBA/status/1685284846883438592?s=20
https://x.com/PeterGFlaherty/status/1713693981169602655?s=20
INF Davis Diaz (Vanderbilt): Davis was a somewhat big name in the 2021 draft and even taken by Arizona in the 12th round but decided to play for Vanderbilt. He has a very contact over power type profile. He had a solid summer on the Cape (.284/.417/.422). Make a ton of contact in the zone and has an OK chase rate, but coud be better. The question with Davis is, if there’s not enough power at 3B/2B, he has to stick at short. He could be a nice infielder that plays all over with a solid approach, even if he’s only OK at short and better at second and doesn’t enough power to start. Maybe 3rd-5th rounder depending on the glove at short? The recent track record from Vandy isn’t great in the pros though. - JL
https://x.com/PeterGFlaherty/status/1737989347712925765?s=20
https://x.com/GeoffPontesBA/status/1685296620806791169?s=20
OF Zach Ehrhard (Oklahoma State): Might get some looks with the attention Carson Benge in Stillwater. Ehrhard was drafted by the Red Sox in 2021 (13th round) but didn’t sign. Didn’t hit for a high average in college last year but upped that on the Cape ironically enough (.297/.396/.364). Not much juice in the bat but has some pull side pop in there. Seems like a gritty end of day 2 type with some speed to impact on the bases and play center. - JL
https://x.com/nicholasmilo/status/1622323762350723075?s=20
OF Nick McLain (Arizona State): The switch hitting McLain is the youngest of the three McLain brothers (Matt, Sean). He makes a lot of contact and really only profiles defensively on the corners, but does have the arm for RF. He had a strong summer on the Cape (.283/.378/.424). He probably lacks the thump to be an everyday guy and beware of those Arizona State numbers, but the ability to switch hit, his arm, and the bloodlines should make him a day two pick. - JL
https://x.com/HackMuff/status/1659767468855033856?s=20
https://x.com/OfficialCCBL/status/1676774642814525443?s=20
College pitchers
Here's a pre-season list of college pitchers we think are fits and some personal favorites. This will be posted on our 2024 MLB Draft page and this will be updated throughout the season with new names and observations. (We know twitter and substack don’t play well together but we included the links from player clips from there that you can open on another tab for reference).
RHP Chase Burns (Wake Forest) A Tennessee transfer Burns, has a lengthy track record of performing at a high level, dating back to his time as a prep arm. Although he was moved to the bullpen as last year at Tennessee. With a fastball that has touched 102 in the fall and possibly the best slider in this class, Burns has a chance to shoot up draft boards, even more so than he currently is setting. Reports are that he is working on his curveball and splitter. If he puts it all together and maintains his performance he could be a darkhorse option for the Guardians at 1-1
https://twitter.com/BaseballAmerica/status/1731035001951523171
RHP Trey Yesavge (East Carolina) Yesavage made the transition from the bullpen last season and had great results. Which led him to make the team USA roster in the summer. His fastball stats in the mid-90s with an amazing slider to go with it. He does offer a curveball in a change-up, but they are behind the other two options, if he can repeat what he did last year, he could be a mid-first-round pick.
https://twitter.com/PGCollegeBall/status/1673052065327661057
LHP Gage Jump (LSU): The UCLA transfer has a fastball that sits in the low to mid 90’s with great metrics, to go along with a hammer curve. Coming off TJ surgery during his last season at UCLA. Looks to be a weekend starter for the Tigers.
https://twitter.com/mason_mcrae/status/1510746393023066118
RHP Ben Hess (Alabama) Hess is a big-body presence on the mound. He was hurt early in the 2023 season but showed a great deal of impressive stuff before being hurt. His fastball sets in the mid-90s and hammers this down with it he throws a curveball as his best secondary pitch, which has a very high spin rate that generates a ton of swing and miss. He throws a slider and a change-up as well, which have shown flashes of being average patches. If he shows that he is healthy and stays on the path, he was on before the injury, he could shoot up draft boards quickly.
https://x.com/petergflaherty/status/1720587122913186170?s=46&t=l_kyAxpsV_UfZKpcu3KojQ
RHP Tyson Neighbors (Kansas State): Neighbors is possibly the best reliever in this class. struck out 86 batters in just 48 ⅔ innings pitched last season. His fastball sits in the upper 90s with great spin behind it. He follows that with an upper 80s slider that has a very good life and late break. Some in the industry think could be a starter but will likely stay as a reliever and could be in the majors very quickly.
https://x.com/petergflaherty/status/1718026099404505460?s=46&t=l_kyAxpsV_UfZKpcu3KojQ
RHP Matt Ager (UC Santa Barbara) The UCSB ace has a great frame and easy delivery. His fastball sets in the low 90s has been reported up to 96. He is primarily a two-pitch pitcher with a slider that goes with his fastball. So much so that he used these two pitches 90% of the time last season, he throws a ton of strikes but needs to work on a third offering to reach his potential.
https://x.com/joedoylemilb/status/1719495039771165076?s=46&t=l_kyAxpsV_UfZKpcu3KojQ
LHP Jac Caglianone (Florida): Left-hander who can run it up to 97. He may not have ideal control but is on this list because he is a two-way starter at Florida and the Guardians popped three Florida arms in the 2021 draft (Tommy Mace, Jack Leftwich and Franco Aleman).
https://twitter.com/HardballSide/status/1628595095401275395
RHP Ryan Forucci (UC San Diego) Forucci basketball. It sits in the mid-90s with a ton of ride and carry in the upper part of this out. He throws a ton of strikes and has a good slider to go with his fastball. He has shown feel for the change-up in the past but does not utilize it that much. If he can bring that pitch along, he fits the bill for Guardians type.
https://x.com/joedoylemilb/status/1675582959481683969?s=46&t=l_kyAxpsV_UfZKpcu3KojQ
LHP Andrew Healy (Duke): Healy is a 6’6 draft-eligible sophomore. Scouts in the industry rave about his makeup and body. His fastball sits in the low 90s and has shown great command in the past. His best secondary pitch is this changeup which shows a lot of fade and drop at the end. He needs to develop his slider more so, but could be a steal as a draft-eligible sophomore in the second-round range.
https://x.com/petergflaherty/status/1735095339173265778?s=46&t=l_kyAxpsV_UfZKpcu3KojQ
LHP Cameron Hill (Georgia Tech) Hill is a very interesting prospect. His command in college has been iffy at best, but He was absolutely dominant in the Cape Cod league last summer with an ERA of 1.09 and struck out 44 batters in 33 innings. Many attribute this to the increase of his changeup during this time. His fastball sits in the low 90’s but could see that increase.
https://x.com/officialccbl/status/1674490205686976513?s=46&t=l_kyAxpsV_UfZKpcu3KojQ
RHP Daniel Avitia (Grand Canyon) The Grand Canyon ace the last two seasons, Avitia has amazing command. His fastball sits in the 89–92 range but gets a ton of swing and miss off the pitch. He has a lower slot delivery which adds deception to his pictures. He added a sweeper and his sliders which are both above average pitches. He is a prime candidate for the Guardians in the 2nd-3rd round range.
https://x.com/petergflaherty/status/1732563071766544410?s=46&t=l_kyAxpsV_UfZKpcu3KojQ
RHP Brody Brecht (Iowa): Brecht has possibly the best stuff. A two-sport athlete at Iowa, it is exciting to see what he will look like while just focusing on baseball. Although the command has never been there, the ceiling is through the roof. With a fastball that has a ton of life and tops out at 102, he pairs it with a devastating slider that he throws a great deal. There are reports of him working on a sweeper as well as a splitter. It will be interesting to see if he can refine his command. If he’s able to put it all together, he will hear his name called very early.
https://x.com/petergflaherty/status/1634702418477821952?s=46&t=l_kyAxpsV_UfZKpcu3KojQ
LHP Hagen Smith (Arkansas) Smith has had a great deal of success ever since he stepped on campus. He has seen his fastball velocity increase every year ever since he started. The fastball has been reported to have hit triple digits this fall, and he looks to showcase that this spring. The command is something that he needs to improve on but the overall stuff is great. His best offering is a slider in the upper 80s. There are some reports that he has developed a split change. His delivery has some deception and makes for an uncomfortable at-bat for college hitters.
https://x.com/pgcollegeball/status/1644497159515930627?s=46&t=l_kyAxpsV_UfZKpcu3KojQ
RHP Drew Beam (Tennessee ) Beam is a big body workhorse at Tennessee. His fastball sits in the 92-95 range, but has topped 98 in the past. He throws a five-pitch mix, but relies heavily on his curveball as his go-to secondary. He has all the makings of a solid big-league middle-of-the-rotation arm, with the potential to be better as he refines his secondary stuff.
RHP Luke Holman (LSU) Holamn was kind of the forgotten man last year, not only in the SEC, but on the loaded LSU roster. He was second in the conference in terms of FIP with a 1.05, with only Skeens ahead of him. His fastball sits in the 92-94 range, but it has topped in the upper 90’s on occasion. He throws a slider and a change-up as well. He pitched for Team USA last year and racked up 15 k’s and only two walks in eight innings pitched.
https://twitter.com/PeterGFlaherty/status/1723867526872854720
RHP Michael Massey (Wake Forest): Massey was a reliever at Wake in the past, putting up great numbers in his role. He hides the ball extremely well in his delivery. His fastball sits in the mid-90s but due to its outlandish shape and delivery, he had a 41% miss rate on the pitch. He offers a great slider to pair with his fastball. He will finally get a shot at the rotation this year, and if he can garner the same success, he could see his stock rise more so than it is.
https://twitter.com/jnorris427/status/1674960457843482624
LHP Cade Obermuller (Iowa) A sidearm lefty, Obermuller has primarily been used as a reliever in the past, but he is looking to crack the starting rotation this year. He is primarily a two-pitch pitcher currently, with a bowling ball sinker, and a sweeping slider to pair with it. He is more than likely a reliever in pro ball, but that could change if he can show he can start, and add a third pitch to the mix.
High School Pitchers
RHP Joey Oakie
RHP Levi Sterling
LHP Ethan Schiefelbein
HIgh School Hitters
INF PJ Morlando
INF- Ty Southisene (Basic Nevada)