Major League Baseball prospect fans and college baseball fans got to celebrate last year's College World Series Finals together when Paul Skenes and Dylan Crews of LSU faced off against Wyatt Langford of Florida. The three players would go on to be picked first, second and fourth in the 2023 MLB Draft, respectively.
The College World Series field has been finalized, and it has no shortage of big names in the 2024 MLB Draft class. Florida pulled off a stunning upset in the supers against Clemson, meaning Jac Caglianone will continue to compete in Omaha. Florida State's star duo of Cam Smith and James Tibbs slugged past UConn. North Carolina's Vance Honeycutt heated up against West Virginia to knock out top 10 prospect J.J. Wetherholt and the Mountaineers.
There were several top draft prospects that stopped short in the supers. Top two draft picks Charlie Condon and Travis Bazzana fell along with Georgia and Oregon State. Arkansas' Hagen Smith and Wake Forest's Nick Kurtz, Chase Burns and Seaver King are all expected to be first-round selections, and none advanced past the regionals.
But with star-studded teams like Tennessee, Texas A&M, Florida State and North Carolina still competing, there will still be plenty of star power competing in Omaha.
Ahead of the 2024 College World Series, Sporting News is taking a look at how the draft is shaping up. The class, much like last year, is top heavy with college stars, which means there will be plenty of opportunities for fans to get acquainted with several first-round selections on national TV before they reach professional baseball.
Here's a look at how Sporting News sees the draft shaping up.
MORE MLB DRAFT: Ranking top 10 prospects to watch in College World Series
MLB Mock Draft 2024
1. Guardians
- Travis Bazzana, 2B, Oregon State
It feels like Cleveland will be deciding between three choices: Travis Bazzana, Charlie Condon or save draft pool money with a high-schooler. This class doesn't have the depth of usual classes, so it makes sense to take the college bat of the Guardians' choosing, which in this case is Bazzana. The Oregon State second baseman is perhaps the most well-rounded profile in the class with an advanced hit tool, above-average power and speed and solid defense at second. He might be on the Opening Day roster by next year. Yes, Cleveland already has Andres Gimenez at second, but it will find a way to get both in the lineup, even if it means moving Gimenez back to shortstop or Bazzana to the outfield.
2. Reds
- Charlie Condon, 3B/OF, Georgia
The Reds went college pitching at the top of last year's draft. This year, they seem poised to take the best college bat left after Cleveland's pick. In this mock, that's Condon. Much like Bazzana, Condon could be on the fast track to the big leagues with the advancement in his hit tool this season. The calling card is his power from the right side, and he has added some defensive versatility with the ability to play first, third or any outfield spot, though center field could be a bit of a stretch in the pros. In Cincinnati, he'd fit right in the middle of a young lineup with a bright future.
3. Rockies
- Chase Burns, RHP, Wake Forest
It has been a struggle for the Rockies to find pitchers suited for pitching in Coors Field, and, in the rare case where they've drafted talented players, development has been a significant issue. They've found success in Chase Dollander, so why not take his former Tennessee teammate? Chase Burns made himself the clear best pitching prospect in this class with a year honing his craft at Wake Forest's pitching lab. He has a diverse arsenal highlighted by an upper-90s fastball and the best slider in the class. Colorado has to keep throwing darts at the board until something on the pitching side hits. Taking the best pitching prospect in this class feels like a worthy throw.
4. Athletics
- Jac Caglianone, 1B/LHP, Florida
The A's are in the midst of a move to Las Vegas, so why not bring perhaps the draft's biggest showstopper. Jac Caglianone has been at the center of the college baseball world for two seasons for his two-way abilities. He has the most raw power in the draft, and while on the mound, he hits triple-digits on the fastball. Everything about Caglianone can best be described as raw. He still swings and misses more than some would like, even if there have been improvements in that area, and his command on the hill is a bit lacking, leading to high walk rates. The A's might want Caglianone to focus on hitting to get him to the big leagues faster, but perhaps they might toy with the idea of letting him try to be the last two-way phenom in the majors.
5. White Sox
- JJ Wetherholt, 2B/SS, West Virginia
Injuries have derailed the stock of West Virginia's JJ Wetherholt, who was once considered a 1-1 candidate in this year's draft. That's no longer the case, but that could mean the White Sox at No. 5 could get a steal. Wetherholt has an advanced hit tool with remarkable contact rates and patience at the plate. He accompanies that with some pop and plenty of speed on the bases. Defensively, he could play either middle infield position, and the White Sox could determine that aspect of his game based on the spot of Colson Montgomery. Chicago's farm system is a bit desolate, so getting a high floor, high upside player could be just what it needs to right the ship.
6. Royals
- Nick Kurtz, 1B, Wake Forest
Like Wetherholt, Nick Kurtz appeared to be a 1-1 candidate before early season injuries slowed him down. But a torrid mid-game stretch helped get him back on track when he returned from injuries, and he's fully solidified himself as a top-10 pick. Kurtz is a first-base-only prospect, which limits his draft value, but everything else about his profile stands out. He's an incredibly patient hitter capable of hitting the ball to all fields against righties and lefties. Oh yeah, and his power is up there with the best prospects in the class. Even if he is limited to first base, he provides standout defense at the spot. Kurtz batting behind Bobby Witt Jr. would make for an exciting punch for years to come in Kansas City.
7. Cardinals
- Hagen Smith, LHP, Arkansas
Hagen Smith has battled Burns all season for the title of best pitcher, as each has held the Division I record for strikeouts-per-nine innings. With both pitchers eliminated, it's Smith, at 17.25, who has the new DI record. The Cardinals have dipped into the college ranks plenty for pitchers in recent years, but they haven't picked high enough to get a shot at a guy like Smith, whose high-octane fastball and slider combination is one of the best in the college ranks. His delivery could lead to some control issues down the line, but the overpowering arsenal gives him true ace upside at the big-league level. St. Louis, which has had few hard-throwers in recent years, could really use a pitcher like Smith in its system.
8. Angels
- Braden Montgomery, OF, Texas A&M
There was a time it looked like Braden Montgomery could also be a two-way prospect before he reached college, but he developed better as a bat at Stanford and abandoned pitching altogether when he transferred to Texas A&M. The result has been a star season at the plate, which ended early due to an injury in the super regional. The switch-hitting outfielder has middle-of-the-order upside with plus power and a patient approach, while offering solid corner outfield defense and a rocket arm. The Angels have loved taking college bats in the first round and moving them quickly through the minors as both Zach Neto and Nolan Schanuel, the team's last two first-rounders, have debuted less than a year after being drafted. Montgomery might need a bit more development time, but he also has more upside than either Neto or Schanuel.
9. Pirates
- James Tibbs, OF, Florida State
Pittsburgh has picked No. 1 overall in two of the past three drafts. That isn't the case this year, and based on this mock, the Pirates will watch the clear top eight players in the draft go off the board before they pick. In the last four drafts, Pittsburgh has gone the college route three times with its first pick. Torn between a hit-first college bat and high-upside prep players, we've got Pittsburgh going college again. The Pirates' window is opening, and James Tibbs, a high-floor Florida State outfielder, could reach the big leagues before long. The Pirates have had more success developing college players in recent years than prepsters. There's some upside for more power in his bat to accompany a well-rounded hit tool already, which should be enticing to add to a core that could benefit from more consistent bats.
10. Nationals
- Bryce Rainer, SS, Harvard-Westlake (Ca)
Two of Washington's past three first-round selections have been high-upside, high-school hitters. Elijah Green has struggled a bit, but Brady House has shown that lofty offensive upside early in his pro career. Here, the Nationals opt for a potential five-tool shortstop in Bryce Rainer, who has wowed scouts with his raw power, improving contact rates and plate discipline, all of which have accompanied solid defensive play at shortstop. There is risk with drafting any high-school hitter, but Rainer's hit tool is more refined at this stage than that of Green or House, giving Rainer a higher floor than Washington's other recent prep selections. Washington should be in best player available mode, and there's a case to be made that Rainer offers the best combination of floor and ceiling of the prep hitters.
11. Tigers
- Trey Yesavage, RHP, East Carolina
There's little doubt over the top three college pitchers in the draft, with Trey Yesavage following Burns and Smith. Yesavage has a diverse arsenal of pitches with a mid-90s fastball, filthy splitter and impressive slider, as well as a decent curveball to give him four quality offerings. The control has shown improvement, giving him a higher floor than plenty of other arms in this class. Detroit has taken only one college pitcher in the first round since drafting Casey Mize first overall in 2018, but pitching has been a developmental area of strength for Detroit, with Mize, Matt Manning and Alex Faedo all going from recent first-round Detroit picks to the big leagues — Jackson Jobe is probably not far behind. Yesavage could continue to add to the Tigers' line of pitching successes.
12. Red Sox
- Konnor Griffin, SS/OF, Jackson Prep (MS)
The Red Sox have been a bit all over the place with recent draft picks, though they've tended to lean more high school over the past four drafts, with three of the past four picks coming from the high-school ranks. Here, they'll likely just be delighted to see Konnor Griffin still on the board. Griffin's tools are explosive with a ton of raw power, plenty of speed and a rocket arm. He also adds solid defense that should see him stick it at shortstop or shift to center. There are some raw aspects with his hit tool that make him slightly riskier than the players taken above him, but the upside will elicit plenty of dreams by anyone that selects him.
13. Giants
- Cam Caminiti, LHP, Saguaro (AZ)
Perhaps the only demographic riskier than right-handed prep pitchers? Left-handed prep pitchers. That's why it's rare to see a high-school lefty go off the board first among prep arms. But Cam Caminiti, one of the youngest players in the 2024 draft class after reclassifying, is that special. He offers a balanced repertoire of pitches, headlined by a fastball that can reach the upper-90s. Scouts see the upside of a pitcher that can control his arsenal well due to his easy delivery. The Giants took the two-way talent Bryce Eldridge last year, but have selected college players in each of the previous five drafts. San Francisco should like the idea of getting a pitcher with his considerable potential at this price.
14. Cubs
- Cam Smith, 3B, Florida State
The Cubs have found a lot of success going the college route in recent years. Five of the team's past six first-round selections have been college players, two of who, Nico Hoerner and Jordan Wicks, have already reached the majors. Cam Smith would make it two Florida State players going in the top 15, and he would be a solid fit for Chicago's style of picks. He possesses a balanced approach to the plate with the potential for more power development. Smith also has more than enough defensive prowess to stick at the hot corner — and be a standout defender there to boot. That combination of floor and upside should be plenty enticing for Chicago at No. 14.
15. Mariners
- Theo Gillen, 2B/SS, Westlake (TX)
Seattle has made five first-round picks since 2021. Every pick has been a high school player. Why not keep that run going in 2024? Theo Gillen has a similar profile to last year's pick, Colt Emerson, in that he's a hit-first shortstop. Where the two depart is the rest of the package: Emerson was a better defender and a more likely bet to stick at short, while Gillen might need a positional change. Gillen offers more offensive upside, however, as he has a bit of raw power and he's a burner on the bases. Those five prep picks have all developed into standout prospects in the Mariners' system, and keeping that run going could make sense with Gillen's offensive upside.
16. Marlins
- Seaver King, 3B/OF, Wake Forest
The Marlins have had a rough string of first-round selections. Miami's picks lately have largely either struggled with injuries or underperformed. Since 2018, only two of those first-round players have reached the majors — Max Meyer and JJ Bleday — and Bleday plays for the A's. Taking a safer college bat like Seaver King could make a lot of sense for the Marlins. As many expected, King shined after transferring from Wingate to Wake Forest, showing off an advanced hit tool and the ability to play defense at just about any position. He's not going to be a big slugger, but he's a burner with the speed needed to field just about any position and wreak havoc on the bases. King's contact-oriented approach screams future leadoff hitter, and the polish in his profile gives him considerably less risk than other past picks for Miami.
17. Brewers
- Vance Honeycutt, OF, North Carolina
The Brewers love going the college route. Dating back to 2019, six of seven first-round selections have come from college. It has typically worked out for Milwaukee, with four of the players already having reached the big leagues. Vance Honeycutt is a polarizing prospect due to his strikeouts, but his explosive power, flying speed and incredible defense at one point had him considered as a 1-1 candidate. Milwaukee gambled on a strikeout-prone batter in Brock Wilken last year, and could opt to go down that route again, hoping it can hone in his chase rates enough for him to maximize the explosive tools.
18. Rays
- Kellon Lindsey, SS, Hardee (FL)
Few teams have found as much success developing speedster prospects. Vidal Brujan, Xavier Edwards, Greg Jones and Adrian Santana have all developed into top prospects in recent years. Tampa Bay could keep its recent trend of taking high-school players in the first round and pair it with a developmental strength by drafting Kellon Lindsey. The right-handed-hitting shortstop has a contact-oriented approach at the plate and is one of the fastest players in the class. He still needs more development defensively and he doesn't have as much raw power as one might expect in his 6-2 frame, but he brings athleticism and a bit of a blank slate the Rays could harness.
19. Mets
- Kaelen Culpepper, SS, Kansas State
There are some ups and downs in Kaelen Culpepper's profile that make him a hard player to slot. He is a disciplined hitter, but he swings and misses enough to deter some teams. He also struggled to hit for power in the Cape Cod League. But others will see Culpepper as a solid defender at short with a lightning fast bat and plenty of room for development. The Mets have largely gone prep players in recent years, but this might be the year to look back at a stronger college class.
20. Blue Jays
- Tommy White, 3B, LSU
The Blue Jays have not had a first-round pick hit multiple home runs in their career since David Cooper in 2008. Tommy Tanks could change that in a heartbeat. Tommy White is a middle-of-the-order slugger who combines massive power with the ability to make consistent contact. Defensive issues have White slipping below other slugging college prospects as he's a right-handed batter likely limited to first base or even DH as a pro. But his bat will get him drafted, and it could get him to the big leagues in a hurry.
21. Twins
- Ryan Waldschmidt, OF, Kentucky
Not many players have rocketed up draft boards quite like Ryan Waldschmidt. He tore his ACL in 2023, but he's mashed his way into first-round consideration. The Wildcat batter makes consistent contact and drives the ball with authority, showing the ability to hit for power. He's also an above-average runner, though his defense in the outfield remains shaky. The Twins have taken only two first-round college players since the 2019 draft, but his toolset stands out as the type Minnesota has thrived in developing in recent years.
22. Orioles
- Carson Benge, OF, Oklahoma State
Baltimore has struck gold nearly any time it's drafted in recent years. Adley Rutschman, Jordan Westburg, Heston Kjerstad, Colton Cowser, Dylan Beavers, Jackson Holliday and Enrique Bradfield have each developed into at least standout prospects, and several are budding stars. The Orioles might as well keep it going by taking the Oklahoma State slugger coached by Holliday's uncle. Carson Benge has an advanced approach at the plate with plus power from the left field. He's a solid defender with a cannon arm who should profile as an above-average right fielder at the next level. The former two-way player could be a quick riser in a system that has been a machine for producing standout hitting prospects.
23. Dodgers
- Brody Brecht, RHP, Iowa
This feels like it could be a perfect pairing. The Dodgers have developed pitchers as well as anyone. Brody Brecht is a high-octane hurler with top-of-the-draft stuff that has struggled mightily to harness it in recent years. The fastball hits triple digits and his slider is a ferocious offering that might be the best breaking ball in the draft. He adds a splitter that has potential. In 2020, Bobby Miller was a Louisville pitcher with a wicked fastball/slider combination and command issues. By 2023, he was a dominant rookie hurler with a 6.3 percent walk rate. It would not be a surprise to see the Dodgers attempt the same development with Brecht.
24. Braves
- Jurrangelo Cijntje, RHP/LHP, Mississippi State
There has maybe never been a better switch-pitcher in baseball history. Pat Venditte was a solid reliever for a season in Oakland, but Jurrangelo Cijntje could be a legitimate right-handed starting pitcher with the option to throw left-handed when needed. He is considered a far better hurler from the right side with his mid-90s fastball and wipeout slider, while his left side features a low-90s fastball and more of a sweeping breaker. The Braves have taken a pitcher with each of their past four first picks, and the idea of working with Cijntje could be too alluring to pass up.
25. Padres
- William Schmidt, RHP, Catholic (LA)
There are trends and then there are Padres' first-round trends. San Diego has taken a high schooler with its first pick every year since 2017. If William Schmidt is still on the board at No. 25, that might be too tempting to turn down. Schmidt by some is the best prep pitcher in the class, with a roaring fastball and wicked curveball that is one of the best breakers in the high-school ranks. He has prototypical size at 6-4 with room to grow at only 180 pounds. Enhancing his control and refining the changeup could be the next steps, but the size and fastball/curveball combo give him ace upside.
26. Yankees
- Dakota Jordan, OF, Mississippi State
The Yankees have been a bit all over the place in recent years with the first-round picks, making it hard to nail down who New York will select with its first pick in the draft. Dakota Jordan is one of the most intriguing players in the draft. The Mississippi State outfielder has torrential bat speed which leads to plenty of raw power from the right side. He's also quick on the bases and in the outfield. There are strikeout concerns and his tools are a bit raw — he doesn't tap into his power as much and his speed hasn't translated to as many stolen bases expected — but New York might take a flier on his upside in the first round.
27. Phillies
- Slade Caldwell, OF, Valley View (AR)
Philadelphia has gone high school with each of the team's past four first-round picks, and this year could be more of the same with a run on college players taking talented older players off the board. Slade Caldwell is not the usual high-school player. His strike-zone awareness and quick, short bat helps him reach base at a high clip. There's not as much room for raw power in his 5-9 frame, but his lightning quick bat still gives him some thump. Caldwell is a burner who plays exceptional defense in center despite not having a strong arm. The bat and defense give Caldwell a high floor, while the power and speed give some room for dreaming in Philadelphia.
28. Astros
- Walker Janek, C, Sam Houston
The Astros have picked a college player with each of their past five selections. The past four have all been college bats. This year, it could make sense for the Astros to not travel too far from home for this pick. Walker Janek, a star catcher at Sam Houston just north of Houston, is a solid defensive catcher behind the plate who has few questions about his future at the position. He brings a steady bat with some power potential and improving discipline that gives him enough upside to be a starting catcher in a lineup. Janek's well-rounded profile should land him in the first round or early second, and Houston could make sure it keeps the Texas native in his home state.
29. Diamondbacks
- Carter Johnson, SS, Oxford (AL)
The Diamondbacks could look to go the college route at No. 29 to save some bonus pool money for other picks coming up, but with several key college names off the board, they're going back to the high-school ranks here. Carter Johnson, at 6-2, 180 pounds, looks the part of a prototypical shortstop with offensive upside. He's impressed evaluators with his discipline and contact-oriented approach. There's also some raw power in Johnson's frame that he could tap into as he continues to develop as a prospect. Arizona's last three first-round prep picks have been Druw Jones, Jordan Lawlar and Corbin Carroll. That's a promising track record to trust if the team decides to go high school again.
30. Rangers
- Wyatt Sanford, SS, Independence (TX)
The last Wyatt picked by the Rangers in the first round seemed to work. Why not try it again? Wyatt Sanford is not quite Wyatt Langford, and picking him would snap Texas' run of five straight first-round college players. Sanford, a Texas native, is one of the better defensive high-school shortstops in the 2024 class. His speed gives him plenty of range and he adds a powerful arm to boost the profile. His bat still has some room for development, particularly in the power department. But the defense and his bat speed give him a high floor and the chance to develop into a solid prospect in Texas' system.
