HOMETOWN: St. Pete Beach, FL HEIGHT: 6-2 WEIGHT: 238 BAT/THROW: R-R DRAFT SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW: Watch video White burst onto the scene as a true freshman at NC State slugging homer after homer, igniting the nation, earning the moniker "Tommy Tanks" along the way. That nickname does ring true as perhaps nobody in the 2024 class hits the ball as hard and with as much consistency than does White. He's a slugger in every way. But he's also a promising pure hitter with contact rates that continue to improve. Scouts do want to see the swing rates, aggressiveness, and willingness to stay inside the strike zone move in a more polished direction in 2024. Even still, White posts gaudy contact rates on pitches outside of the strike zone, a testament to his elite bat-to-ball skills. It's top-of-the-class hand speed and elite barrel awareness. There's still development ahead in terms of becoming a more refined hitter if he's to reach his Pete Alonso comparisons at the next level, but all the building blocks are present, if not crude in current nature. This is what 80-grade raw power looks like. Defensively, White is likely destined for first base where his limited range and first step won't be tested like they would be at third base. It's a large frame that he'll need to keep in check as he ages to ensure he doesn't lose the athleticism and quick hands at the plate that make him great. White has a chance to bat in the middle of a big league lineup for a very long time. |
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HOMETOWN: Yukon, OK HEIGHT: 6-2 WEIGHT: 184 BAT/THROW: L-R DRAFT SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW: Watch video Benge is an accomplished two-way player with a lean, wiry frame and twitchy, explosive actions in every part of his game. There's a ton of bat speed with whip and strength in his hands and wrists. There's considerable projection remaining here, but the present impact exists with loud exit velocities at the plate, including over-the-fence juice to the opposite field. He's also far more polished than many of his peers having posted chase rates south of 20 percent and contact rates near 80 percent. He projects to hit. Scouts want to see Benge clean up what was an extraordinarily high ground ball rate in years prior to help showcase and leverage his bat speed. Throw in his plus throwing arm in the field and Benge presents a lot of avenues toward impacting the game. On the mound it's mostly 93-95, up to 97, with deception. It's rather generic shape, and because of it Benge doesn't get a ton of value out of his fastball despite his arm talent. A low-80s curveball has flashed real upside and is likely his best pitch with above average grades from scouts. There's also a nascent changeup that needs further reps for polish. Benge missed his true freshman campaign in 2022 recovering from Tommy John surgery, but returned in 2023 like a bat out of hell pummelling baseballs and providing value all over the field. He's got the tools to become a first round pick if the refinement follows his natural ability as we trend toward July 2024. |
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HOMETOWN: Ankeny, IA HEIGHT: 6-4 WEIGHT: 205 BAT/THROW: R-R DRAFT SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW: Watch video If you were to build a Mount Rushmore for the best pure stuff college baseball has ever seen, there's a very real argument that Brecht would deserve to be on it. Most would agree Brecht has the most electric fastball in the 2024 class; at least at this early stage. He's been up to 101, sitting 97-99 in starts. It's a metric-monster and is only reinforced by the elite whiff rates he generates off the pitch. He'll mix in an absolutely disgusting slider with immense depth, inducing gaudy swing-and-miss numbers. He'll also throw a traditional curveball extremely hard in the mid-80s. Brecht has a chance to possess an elite fastball and two plus-or-better breaking balls. That said, the control and command right now are below average. Brecht gave up football for the Hawkeyes in the spring of 2023 and scouts are excited to see if his game explodes because of it. If Brecht takes the next step in his development and develops even average command on the hill, there's a very real chance he's the first college arm off the board in 2024. |
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HOMETOWN: Bullard, TX HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 224 BAT/THROW: L-L DRAFT SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW: Watch video Smith famously threw six no-hitters his senior year of high school, completely dominating the competition. That's continued at Arkansas over his collegiate career, slicing and dicing up the competition with flashes of brilliance. The book on Smith is deception and loud stuff. His delivery makes it extremely difficult to pick up his pitches out of the hand. It's a herky-jerky, full-limbed delivery with moving parts, but that's not to say it's full of effort or that it isn't repeatable. It is. It's just unconventional with uncomfortable angles for the opposition. Smith throws the kitchen sink. A four-seam fastball, a sinker, a slider, a split-finger and a very nascent curve. He's primarily a fastball-slider-split guy, though there's pitchability here and a willingness to mix it up when the opportunity calls for it. His fastball has brushed 100 mph in side sessions, however he more comfortably lives in the 93-95 range and will grab the upper-90s in games on occasion. The real weapon is the splitter, a massive fading parachute that's tormented hitters for the better part of three years. It flashes plus and is consistently an above average weapon. Smith doesn't spin the ball particularly well, so improving that may be a developmental goal, but he does know how to shape a slider and that pitch too will sit above average and flash plus consistently in starts. Smith projects a potential mid-rotation lefty if he can get his control and command of the ball up to more consistent levels. There's a lot of Josh Hader in the overall profile here, and whoever drafts him may elect to throw him out of the bullpen quickly in his career and get him to the big leagues sooner rather than later. Should that be the case, Smith could live 96-98 with two real weapons capable of getting both lefties and righties out. |
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HOMETOWN: Summerville, SC HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 205 BAT/THROW: L-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: South Carolina DRAFT SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW: Watch video Morlando might be the most polished high school bat in the 2024 class with budding bat speed and high contact rates regardless of pitch type. Morlando has long had the bat speed to out-slug his peers, but it's his mature approach and willingness to take the walk that has scouts raising eyebrows. The raw power here is already huge and should comfortably sit in the plus category at the highest level. His bat-to-ball skills and discerning eye make the possibility of a future 6 hit/6 power bat feasible. He should hit for a reasonably high average at the next level and is likely to slug toward the middle of a lineup as a pro. Defensively, Morlando projects a fringy corner outfielder or first baseman where his fringy speed and solid average throwing arm fit nicely. Morlando has worked hard over the last twelve months to re-shape his physique and add explosiveness to his defensive capabilities. He's played centerfield for his high school team, and has reportedly looked comfortable enough in the grass to warrant legitimate consideration in a corner in professional ball. This is a high-level, impact bat that teams will likely covet the early. |
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HOMETOWN: Madison, MS HEIGHT: 6-2 WEIGHT: 201 BAT/THROW: S-R DRAFT SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW: Watch video Braden Montgomery is an absolute tool-shed with physical abilities very few in the 2024 class can match. He's been a stud prospect since his high school days, but signing a player away from a Stanford commitment always proves difficult. He's now at Texas A&M. A two-way guy, Montgomery likely best projects as a prototype right fielder with easy plus power and above average athleticism both on the base paths and in the field. He's shown tremendous barrel control, as well as a refined eye at the plate. He's cut down his swing-and-miss every year since arriving to Palo Alto and A&M and that's important as scouts would like to see the hit tool take off in 2024. Montgomery might have the best outfield arm in the class, a truly elite cannon with pinpoint accuracy. On the mound, Montgomery has struggled to command the fastball, but he's been up to 97 with a formidable cutter and a swing-and-miss breaking ball when he's in the zone. |
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HOMETOWN: Leominster, MA HEIGHT: 6-2 WEIGHT: 195 BAT/THROW: L-L DRAFT SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW: Watch video Santucci is an impressive southpaw for the Blue Devils with a real shot to stick on to start at the next level. That said, he has struggled to stay healthy at times in his Duke career, something evaluators are monitoring closely as July approaches. Most scouts, however, love what they see from him on the mound. The fastball features good riding shape up to 96, sitting 91-93 later in outings. His slider shows good depth and can be tough for hitters to read off his fastball with late, deep break. It projects an above average weapon at the next level and should perform on any stage thanks to the effectiveness of his fastball. The changeup is also promising with fading action away from righty bats, though he's still ironing out feel for the pitch. It generally lives in a firm upper-80s bucket. That said, Santucci has a conviction and willingness to throw the pitch whenever he wants. There's a fringier curveball in there too, but for now he's primarily a three-pitch lefty with more projection ahead of him and a track record of pitching big innings in the ACC. |
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HOMETOWN: Boyertown, PA HEIGHT: 6-4 WEIGHT: 230 BAT/THROW: R-R Yesavage is an extremely physical righty with a barrel-chest and high, rounded shoulders. The fastball can touch 96, sitting 92-94 on most nights. He has two breaking balls, though they melt together, each sitting 83-86 with two-plane tilt. There's a changeup in there too, though it's hardly ever used and its effectiveness hasn't been there. Yesavage will need to throw strikes with more consistency as a pro to leverage his starting pitcher frame. |
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HOMETOWN: Scottsdale, AZ HEIGHT: 6-2 WEIGHT: 205 BAT/THROW: L-L COLLEGE COMMITMENT: LSU Caminiti reclassified from the 2025 class into 2024, and will still be just 17 years old on draft day. Models will love it. Some believe Cam Caminiti should play on the two-way game thanks to his significant raw power, but his pure ability on the mound will almost certainly trump what he's capable of with a bat. Caminiti was already touching 97 as a 16-year-old with a firm, low-80s slider that he commands well. He's usually more 91-94 over starts. He'll mix in a curveball and can kill spin on a changeup too, the latter projecting out as a future solid-average weapon. Caminiti's feel for the mound, his operation, his athleticism and his bloodlines point to a future impact starter at the next level. He's got the high waist, the long, lean levers and the loose arm scouts like to see. If there's one gripe, Caminiti struggles to spin the ball on his entire arsenal, and scouts would like to see a firmer breaking ball take shape. Still, as they draw it up, this is precisely "what they look like". Ultimately, this looks like a Patrick Corbin mid-rotation type of arm that, while he may not blow hitters away with pure stuff, his feel for shaping the baseball and mixing it up should help develop Caminiti into a solid big league starter. |
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HOMETOWN: King, NC HEIGHT: 6-4 WEIGHT: 195 BAT/THROW: L-L Josh Hartle had a lot of money offered his way in the 2022 MLB Draft, but wanted the opportunity to grow and develop inside the Wake Forest Pitching Lab. That appears to have been a good idea. Hartle is a tall, lean, projectable lefty with a prospect pedigree and the ability to pound the zone. He's a five-pitch guy with a sinker-slider-changeup arsenal, working in a curveball and cutter that are usable. Hartle lives in the low-90s but projects to throw harder with added strength. His slider is a sweeper with huge depth and the changeup really fades back off the slider tunnel. Those two offerings have produced immense whiff rates in the ACC. Hartle has a good frame and can really mix it up. If his stuff ticks up, he has first round qualities. |
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HOMETOWN: Jonesboro, AR HEIGHT: 5-6 WEIGHT: 183 BAT/THROW: L-L COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Ole Miss DRAFT SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW: Watch video While Caldwell may lack the tangible physicality from his frame that some of his peers have, what he lacks in size he more than makes up for with dynamic athleticism and explosiveness in every part of his game. Already a double-plus runner, Caldwell is a headache on the bases and can really go get it in the field. In the box, Caldwell has a lightning-quick left-handed swing with an ideal gap approach and sneaky thump if a mistake is served up. He creates stretch, dragging the barrel through the zone with compact violence. Don't let the physique fool you, he can mash. Pound for pound, one of the more impressive bats in the class and some of the sneakiest bat speed in the class too. It's also one of the most polished approaches in the draft with a discerning eye and fantastic feel for the strike zone. He's an on-base machine and should be required to pay rent at first base. While Caldwell doesn't have a great arm, he's the prototype profile for left field and could play a solid average centerfield too. He's got a lot of fans in the scouting community, and is one of the most well-liked players by his peers in every dugout he finds himself. There's something of a Drew Gilbert/Corbin Carroll quality to his game that has scouts buzzing. This is a prototype table-setter with a reasonably high floor albeit lacking upside in the power department. |
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HOMETOWN: Oxford, AL HEIGHT: 6-2 WEIGHT: 180 BAT/THROW: L-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Alabama Johnson is a smooth, rhythmic infielder who can really, really hit. It's a sweet left-handed stroke that's designed to do damage, pummeling baseballs into gaps. He features loose hands, a consistent bat path and loads the barrel with conviction and repeatable timing triggers. The bat speed is strong despite an overall lack of twitch in his broader game. Johnson does a tremendous job of taking his hands and the barrel to the ball, staying inside and extending through the hitting zone. He's got significant offensive upside. Defensively, Johnson has a strong brand with the glove, an above average shortstop that should be able to stay at the position as he continues to grow into his physical frame. Johnson is already a barrel-chested player with broad, sloping shoulders. He figures to get stronger too. Johnson is just a smooth player who doesn't have any carrying tool, but shows a smattering of solid average traits and has a shot to stick at the shortstop. Those bullish on the profile argue it's one of the more projectable swings and hit tools in the class, one that could get to plus with continued reps. |
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HOMETOWN: Murfreesboro, TN HEIGHT: 6-4 WEIGHT: 200 BAT/THROW: R-R DRAFT SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW: Watch video Beam is as prototype as they come. He's a big, tall, strong righty with a physical delivery and huge stuff. Beam has been up into the upper-90s, living 92-95 with late hop. Beam has a promising curveball with two-plane tilt, though it's shape wavers later in outings, something that should come with age. He's also got a solid average changeup that gets its value primarily off conviction and arm speed, presently lacking dynamic shape. The pitch has come a long ways in the last twelve months. He's got a shot to develop into a horse at the top of a rotation with added consistency. It's one of the highest floors in the class and he could conceivably be in the big leagues in 2025. |
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HOMETOWN: Virginia Beach, VA HEIGHT: 6-2 WEIGHT: 210 BAT/THROW: B-R Anderson is a tweener backstop-corner infielder who can really hit and, when he's on-time, can put a real charge into the baseball. Held back from catching for a majority of his Cavalier career, Anderson hasn't had the chance to truly showcase his skills behind the plate, but private workouts suggest a kid with a solid average throwing arm and solid athleticism considering his size. Scouting catchers is difficult, but we wouldn't give Anderson a non-zero chance to catch at the big league level. The hit tool immediately stands out here with a quiet load featuring a moderate leg kick, followed by an all-fields swing and a willingness to handle all four quadrants of the zone. His swing can get a little long on off-speed stuff, but he throws the barrel through the zone for a long time and gets the most out of his plane. Anderson has a chance to be a bat-first platoon catcher with a the versatility to slide around should a team want to leverage his athleticism. |
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HOMETOWN: Okemos, MI HEIGHT: 6-1 WEIGHT: 195 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Virginia DRAFT SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW: Watch video Bonemer is a muscled-up shortstop, but works with fluidity on the dirt showcasing strong footwork, a mature internal clock and the ability to make every throw from every angle. The glove is solid, though the body may ultimately push the profile to third base. He's got a shot to play the "6" so long as he doesn't grow off the position. Should he move to third base, it could be plus. Despite his size, Bonemer has also posted plus run times in showcase settings, though scouts expect he'll end up more an above-average to plus runner at the next level. The bat blew scouts away over the last twelve months featuring in-game power and over-the-fence showings in tournament settings. The power to the pull-side is significant. He's quick to the ball lacking any stride whatsoever, short, and compact. He can deliver a blow to any ball in any quadrant and has shown power to all-fields with the ability to manipulate the barrel when he's beat. Bonemer adjusts well to spin, spitting on tumbling off-speed offerings with frequency. There are some similarities to Brady House from 2021, though Bonemer may be more athletic and fluid in just about every aspect of his game. |
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HOMETOWN: Los Angeles, CA HEIGHT: 6-4 WEIGHT: 195 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Texas Sterling possesses a long-levered, lanky frame that projects to add significant strength in the coming years. We currently like him more on the mound, though some in the industry remain curious on the offensive upside. He's been up to 95 with a low launch, high-spin heater featuring bat-missing carry and arm-side life. He flashes a low-80s slider and feel for a splitter-like off-speed secondary. He's also begun to work in a mid-80s cutter that has shown teeth. The athleticism and uniqueness of what he can do on the bump really stand out. He's a tremendous athlete with a looseness through his release suggesting he could grow into above average command. Limiting free passes as the draft approaches will likely dictate his draft stock. He's already striking out the world in high school league play. Sterling won't turn 18 until shortly after draft day, generally a good indication of elevated draft stock as models tend to value younger players. |
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HOMETOWN: Simi Valley, CA HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 195 BAT/THROW: L-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Texas Rainer is a highly-decorated two-way player with a well-leveraged left-handed swing and legitimate game power. When he's out in front of spin, the pull-side juice is considerable. Rainer's swing can corkscrew a bit when he over-swings, but the offensive upside here is quite high. In terms of the overall hit tool, it's been streaky on the tournament and showcase circuit, but the impact is undeniable when he gets ahold of one with power to all fields. Rainer can get passive at times, and falling behind has made things more difficult on his offensive game. Scouts would like to see him a bit more assertive in the box, punishing mistake fastballs with more consistency and eagerness, green-lighting himself more often in hitters' counts. On the dirt, Rainer may ultimately grow off the shortstop position to third base, but his physical tools on the dirt stand out. It's a 70-grade arm with a gliding nature and soft, deliberate hands, as well as an impressive internal clock. Regardless of his eventual position, the frame is long, the bat speed is big, and the overall ceiling is significant. He's also a plus runner underway. The tools are quite big if he hits. At time of publish, it seems as though more teams seem to prefer Rainer a potential pitcher where he's been up to 96 with an upper-70s breaking ball he's shown feel for landing in the zone. There's also a changeup that has conviction and arm speed while lacking execution. The frame, operation and pure arm strength has some believing there's triple-digit upside with starter traits. If he elects to go primary on the bump, he could be the first prep selected out of the state of California in 2024 and has very real first round buzz. |
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HOMETOWN: Honolulu, HI HEIGHT: 5-11 WEIGHT: 200 BAT/THROW: R-R Lomavita is an impressive hitter with strong bat-to-ball skills and a willingness to use all fields to attack the opposition. He's shown fringe-average power, though scouts believe he may grow into average game power with his present bat speed. Lomavita may be a bit positionless at the next level as he's a bit of a tweener in terms of catcher, first base and the outfield. Chances are the bat will have to carry his profile, but it's a good one and he's got scouts' attention very early. |
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HOMETOWN: Tulane, LA HEIGHT: 6-5 WEIGHT: 245 BAT/THROW: R-R Massey is a big, physical imposing arm with a big fastball up to 97 and some carry through the zone. There's a ton of deception on all his pitches and batters have had a horribly difficult time put bat on ball against all of his stuff. The slider is a really nasty weapon. It's a mid-80s breaker that's been up to 87 with massive whiff rates on two-plane tilt. It's mostly a two-pitch mix right now, but there is a nascent changeup. Massey could start at the next level and has a high-leverage floor. He has the body and operation that can play in a rotation at the next level. |
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HOMETOWN: Charleston, IL HEIGHT: 6-5 WEIGHT: 225 BAT/THROW: R-R A decorated starter for the Crimson Tide as a true freshman, Hess features a unique high-spin fastball with both impressive ride through the zone and arm-side bore. As a freshman he threw it close to 50 percent of the time, a metric that should tick back as he develops. Either way, it's a potential plus pitch as a pro, already brushing 98 in-game. Hess is comfortable throwing an average slider, though most believe it's his big, banger curveball that will ultimately be his true weapon. A big, slurvy bender, Hess throws the curve 83-85 mph with intent and snap. As he learns to command and pitch backwards with the pitch, it projects plus as a swing-and-miss offering. The changeup is probably his third-best pitch with significant fading action into righties. Hess may elect to ditch the slider as he develops, or work to craft it into a solid average fourth offering. This is an arm with the potential for three plus pitches if it all breaks right. Top of the rotation upside. |
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HOMETOWN: Pleasanton, CA HEIGHT: 6-5 WEIGHT: 210 BAT/THROW: R-R At 6-foot-5, Ager has tons of projection remaining in his 210-pound frame. He's already showing big stuff on the mound too. Up to 96 with high spin, carry and arm-side run, Ager should throw pretty hard in due time. His low-to-mid-80s sweeper really projects well with solid depth and sweeping action. There's also a more average curveball that's usable, even if it's not a weapon. Ager has great command of the pitch and can generally land it low glove-side consistently. It's been a pitch that has given righty bats fits. He possesses some of the best "starter traits" of the class. |
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HOMETOWN: Sacramento, CA HEIGHT: 6-1 WEIGHT: 205 BAT/THROW: L-R Moore was a big get for Stanford in 2022. He's got plenty of power, with a smooth and condensed load to go with it. Very good hitter and solid behind the dish, as well. Most believe, because of the bat specifically, He'll be extremely young for the 2024 draft and may elect to continue his education at Stanford, but scouts love the makeup and upside with the bat. |
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HOMETOWN: High Point, NC HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 218 BAT/THROW: L-R A decorated defender with an above average arm, Cozart handles a pitching staff well and curbs the running game. He's widely regarded as one of the best pitch-framers in college baseball, and should develop into an above average defender as he matures into pro ball. The bat took a big step forward in 2023 featuring more punch and a better approach too. He's shown flashes of solid average power. His long, projectable frame should continue to add more impact as he gets older. Cozart can get overwhelmed by spin at times, especially from right-handed pitchers, but his approach is strong and generally stays inside the zone at a healthy clip. The overall offensive profile has improved each year on campus, and now projects at least an average bat for his position at the next level, maybe more with added strength. |
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HOMETOWN: Bradenton, FL HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 204 BAT/THROW: L-L COLLEGE COMMITMENT: TCU Franco re-classified from the 2025 class into the 2024 class. He'll be young for the class, but his physicality is already as imposing as most of his peers. A legitimate two-way guy, we like Franco more as a bat for the time being. His bat speed and athleticism at first base really stand out. Franco has demonstrated the ability to stay in the box and hit tough lefty-lefty matchups, showcasing ferocious bat speed and intent for damage. He's a well-above average athlete at first base, and it shows up in balls hit to his right and circumstances where his twitch and explosivity are tested. From this chair, Franco has a chance at developing into a special bat and glove with average run times too. Franco is also a super-talented lefty with tons of athleticism on the mound. He's broad shoulders and long frame admittedly work better in theory as a pitcher. He'll work up to 93, though most expect he could sit in the mid-90s by the time July rolls around. He can really spin the baseball too featuring well-above average rpm readings on both his heater and slider. The slider rests in the low-80s and will approach 2800 rpm. He's got some feel for a fading changeup too. Franco is one of the few players in this class with upside on both sides of the ball. |
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HOMETOWN: Lake Worth, FL HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 222 BAT/THROW: R-R There's a lot of tools here and he's extremely physical. Bat speed and game power is present and the bat-to-ball skills against advance competition is solid. Smith's bat will be the calling card as he develops. A solid runner for his size, Smith is likely a third baseman long-term where his athleticism and huge throwing arm, as well as his hands should serve him well. Others believe the athlete is special enough to handle shortstop, but he's already been packing on muscle on campus. There's a good bit of aggression in Smith's approach at the plate, and he's been known to chase a bit, and that has led to some strikeout woes. Smith can really fill up a scouting report and has a chance to be one of the premier college sluggers available in the 2024 class. |
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HOMETOWN: San Antonio, TX HEIGHT: 6-2 WEIGHT: 200 BAT/THROW: R-R Silva is a pure shortstop with quiet, fluid actions on the dirt and an absolute cannon across the diamond. He's a good hitter with strong bat-to-ball skills who works up the middle of the field. He'll continue growing into his pro body and will begin hitting the ball harder in due time. As for now, he's a good defensive prospect with a strong ability to hit. |
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HOMETOWN: Canton, MS HEIGHT: 6-0 WEIGHT: 215 BAT/THROW: R-R Ultra-physical right-handed bat. Does a phenomenal job keeping his hands inside and using his core strength to create unreal bat speed. Jordan uses the whole field really well and rarely sells out for pullside power. It's a line-drive oriented swing, gap-to-gap with authority. Jordan is a plus runner with an average arm from the outfield. He's had a big freshman fall at Mississippi State for the Bulldogs and has a chance to develop into an impact bat over two seasons in the SEC. |
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HOMETOWN: Manhattan Beach, CA HEIGHT: 6-4 WEIGHT: 205 BAT/THROW: R-R Hurd has the makings of a potential number one overall pick with a strong mixture of size, athleticism and pure stuff on the mound. He battled a back injury during his freshman campaign at UCLA, but a now-healthy Hurd has his sights set high on a big junior year at LSU. Still reasonably green on the mound, Hurd can rush it up to 96, sitting 92-94 over most extended innings. His best pitch is the slider, and it's a banger. Hurd can induce north of 3000 rpm on his breaking ball, featuring strong depth and some sweep as well. He's more than willing to throw it too, posting rates around 30% thus far. Hurd also throws a deeper curveball in the upper-70s with tremendous depth and a ton of sweep. It projects a true plus curveball. If Hurd can stay healthy and the velocity continues to tick up like many expect it will, it's top-of-the-rotation upside. He's battled command and control woes over the course of his collegiate career as well, so there's work to be done. But it's hard not to like the clay. |
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HOMETOWN: Ankeny, IA HEIGHT: 6-2 WEIGHT: 195 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Iowa Oakie is a hometown Iowa commit with big, projection stuff and two-way potential. Most feel his future lays on the mound where his fastball really plays. He'll sit 94-96 in early innings, settling in 92-93 out of a low launch with tremendous spin and life at the top rail with bat-missing traits. Oakie projects to throw a lot harder due to fairly elite scapular load during his arm action, as well as top-of-his-class explosive athleticism. The slider here could end up plus too. It's a sweeper that'll approach 3000 rpm coming out of the exact same tunnel as the heater. Oakie throws his sweeper in the mid-80s with tremendous arm speed and conviction. As he learns to add a fading changeup that can live off the fastball, he'll be an extremely tough look on both lefty and righty bats. He's loose and repeatable, staying in the strike zone on most occasions. This is one of the best arms in the class. |
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HOMETOWN: Elmhurst, IL HEIGHT: 6-4 WEIGHT: 220 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Wake Forest Sloan, a Wake Forest commit, has a live arm. He'll work up into the mid-90s and settle in 92-93 over longer outings. His fastball has a ton of arm-side run. He's been known to create firewood. Sloan's sweeping low-80s slider tunnels perfectly off the heat, and it's been a whiff magnet featuring solid depth. There's a mid-80s changeup here too, though he's only used it against LHH and he's been primarily a two-pitch artist. Sloan and his 6-foot-4-inch, 220-pound frame figure to add considerably more velocity as he matures. This is what a premium high school arm looks like. |
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HOMETOWN: Irmo, SC HEIGHT: 6-0 WEIGHT: 180 BAT/THROW: R-R Taylor was a bluechip draft prospect in 2021, but as a two-sport guy, turned down a ton of money from MLB teams in the pursuit of time on the gridiron at Clemson. After a knee injury ended his freshman year, Taylor has come back and performed well in the ACC. A pure centerfielder, Taylor can really go get it, though he's slowed down a tick from the injury. Still an above-average runner. At the plate, the pound-for-pound bat speed is without question, but a bit of rust around his offensive game has slowed his production and consistency at times at Clemson. Having now given up football for good, the tools have begun really showing out. Taylor was a scout-favorite on the Cape in 2023 where he showed off his full offensive potential. He's got the athletic tools to project a regular at the next level, but will need to refine parts of his game to maximize his abilities in-game. |
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HOMETOWN: Virginia Beach, VA HEIGHT: 6-0 WEIGHT: 190 BAT/THROW: L-R DeMartini has a thunderous bat and middle-of-the-lineup juice. He's a strong infielder with versatility. DeMartini has some swing and miss in his game, though he doesn't expand the zone as much as the prototype thumper generally does. Developing his in-zone bat-to-ball skills will be important as he ages, but there's the makings of a power-corner infielder here. |
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HOMETOWN: Los Angeles, CA HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 195 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Wake Forest Marsten was formerly a Stanford commit but flipped to Wake Forest in the fall of 2023. Not that it makes him any more signable in the draft, but it's next to impossible to poach players away from Palo Alto. He's finally back on the mound having missed close to 18 months recovering from Tommy John surgery and some other minor injuries, but the stuff has really come back and then some. Marsten is working up into the mid-90s and has tickled 100 mph in side sessions. He'll sits 96-98 in one- and two-inning outings. There's a slider and a curveball that really project going forward as well, the former comfortably grading out above average with sweeping shape. Marsten has one of the more put-together operations in the class and has a real chance to start and throw long outings at the next level. Teams will have to decide how they weigh the elbow injury and his overall durability in their evaluations. Marsten will be 19 on draft day, but the upside and present stuff here are unrivaled in a lot of ways in this class. It's a complicated draft profile, but arm talent that can be challenged by few. He's got a shot to be the first or second high school pitcher off the mound if he has a healthy spring leading up to July. |
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HOMETOWN: Memphis, TN HEIGHT: 6-0 WEIGHT: 185 BAT/THROW: R-R Culpepper has been a staple in the Kansas State lineup providing thump and run production for two years now. He had a breakout 2023 campaign that earned him an invite to Team USA. He's gained good weight on campus and is now a super-physical third baseman with impact at the plate. He'll get the opportunity to play shortstop in extended looks for scouts in 2024, a move that should only help sell his versatility and value on the diamond. His above average throwing arm will be an asset in either role. While Culpepper may not have a specific carrying tool, he does a lot of things average or tick above. He boasts above average exit velocities and has a chance to hit for some power as an average defender up the middle of the field. Scouts would like to see his chase rates trend down, as well as show a greater ability to cover velocity at or above the letters as the draft approaches. If that happens, he's got a shot to go in round one. |
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HOMETOWN: Auburn, AL HEIGHT: 6-2 WEIGHT: 190 BAT/THROW: L-L Turner is a table-setting outfielder with a quick first step out of the box and a slasher swing. He distributes the ball to all-fields brilliantly, though he does have a good bit of thump in his bat to the pull-side. He extends well and crushes mistakes. Turner makes fairly tight turns on the baseball, though when he's fooled his swing can get long and can expose him a bit on breaking balls. Turner makes plenty of contact and has projection left in his 6-foot-2 inch frame. When you look at the athlete, the trajectory of the player, and the athletic tools, there's a lot to like here. |
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HOMETOWN: Palo Alto, CA HEIGHT: 6-1 WEIGHT: 180 BAT/THROW: L-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Stanford Bates is a smooth operator on the dirt with loose hands, athletic actions and the ability to make every play in all directions. He projects a shortstop moving forward thanks to his fluidity, internal clock, and rhythm that can be tough to find. Offensively, it's a smooth, left-handed strong with a gap-to-gap approach, some loft and a patient approach, taking the barrel to the zone and going with pitches instead of forcing pull-side. That said, when Bates cheats and/or ambushes in batting practice, he's shown solid average raw power and he'll get pitchers over the right-field fence. Scouts want to see the body get bigger and stronger as the draft approaches to help ease questions surrounding the direction of the frame. They want to see what the player looks like a bit closer to final physical form. There's projection in the bat as Bates has the lean, wiry body evaluators look for. A Stanford commit, Bates might be a tough sign, as many Cardinal commits in the past have been. Still, teams searching for up-the-middle upside in this class may be willing to pay a pretty penny. |
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HOMETOWN: Frankfort, IL HEIGHT: 6-1 WEIGHT: 190 BAT/THROW: B-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Kentucky Bell will be on the older side for this class turning 19 years old just a month before the draft, but he's been one of the more consistent bats and gloves across this class for a couple years now. He's a masher with an opposite field approach. The swing can get a bit long through the zone and there's steepness from the left side, a concern from scouts on how the overall hit tool will take to professional baseball. It's top of the class bat speed in showcase settings. Bell is also a patient hitter who draws his walks. It's above average power projection with at least 45-grade grade game power right now. Bell's physicality has really ticked up over the last calendar year with added strength and mass, particularly in his lower half. His profile is buoyed by strong defensive actions, above average arm strength and a mature IQ on the field that should help him on the dirt at the next level. |
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HOMETOWN: Iowa City, IA HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 205 BAT/THROW: R-R Marcus Morgan has some of the most obscene traits you can find in a college pitcher. He features an extremely low launch arm slot and still maintains vertical shape on his fastball. That flat approach angle is certainly en vogue right now in baseball. Morgan can rush it up to 97, but more commonly sits 92-94, but that plays up with the deception and shape. He's got two high-spin breaking balls and both move a metric mile. The slider possesses huge sweep. The curveball has significant depth and similar sweep to the slider. He'll offer a fringier changeup too. Morgan has been working to clean up the mechanics of his operation and let his athleticism take over. Throwing strikes consistently has been an issue for him and it will certainly limit his upside and ability to start if he can't smooth things out. If he does, however, the argument can be made it's the best pure stuff in the class. An extremely model-friendly arm. |
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HOMETOWN: Waxahachie, TX HEIGHT: 6-2 WEIGHT: 185 BAT/THROW: L-L Thomas has played mostly first base for the Longhorns and has built the reputation of a punisher of mistakes. He finished extremely strong over the last couple months of his true freshman campaign and put his name on the map. Thomas is a hitter first who doesn't strike out much and hits for some power, more in-game impact is on the way. His BP features emerging juice with natural loft and some flashes of big pull-side exit velos. He's been particularly effective in crushing breaking balls that are left in the strikezone. Scouts believe he's athletic enough to move to the outfield where his loose, rangy gait and average arm will play. Takes aggressive routes in i/o and brief game looks. He's an above average runner who's a high-IQ player and played centerfield in high school. That said, he receives above-average defensive grades at first base, and some consider his fielding an asset at the position. He's a run-saver. Thomas has been clocked in the 4.2 range home-to-first and could be deployed in a number of different roles as a pro, but the bat carries the load. |
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HOMETOWN: Berkeley, CA HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 190 BAT/THROW: L-L The physical tools Green Jr. possesses are inarguable. Aesthetically, he looks the part of a premium prospect. He hits left-handed and plays a fantastic centerfield. Those point being made, he checks a lot of boxes. It's above average raw power, solid average-or-better speed and impressive instincts and route running in the field. Green will need to improve upon his swing-and-miss rates in the coming year if he's to reach his full potential, but it's hard not to like the ceiling here. |
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HOMETOWN: Baton Rouge, LA HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 180 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: LSU Schmidt and the Catholic HS baseball team are awfully loaded. Schmidt is the dominant ace on the mound with a fastball that has reportedly tickled 96 with some late life. Scouts would like to see him get a bit more value out of the fastball and specifically miss a few more bats, but it's his second-best pitch anyways. He's got a high-spin 12-6 curveball that comfortably grabs plus projections from scouts. It's a two-plane banger that's been a knockout weapon featuring considerable depth and disgusting tunnel off his fastball. Schmidt will also work in a changeup that lags a bit, the two-pitch combo doing the heavy lifting right now. Schmidt does have some effort at release and can overthrow his arsenal at times. He's a strike-thrower, though the quality in command of those pitches can be streaky. His arm is loose and whippy and looks as though it can sustain the rigors of pitching long innings with some added weight on his frame. Schmidt certainly looks the part with the high-waist frame and long arms to project more velocity on the way. He's one of the more gifted arms available in the 2024 class with the potential for two 60-grade pitches if the fastball continues it's upwards trajectory. |
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HOMETOWN: Edmond, OK HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 195 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Vanderbilt Hall, a Vanderbilt commit, is already one of the hardest throwers in the class with explosive athleticism that shows through on the mound. Hall's future will be pitching where his over-the-top delivery and hellish fastball figure to play immediately at the next level. Hall has already been up to 97 and lives 93-95 with significant carry through the zone and effectiveness at the top rail. He'll hold that velocity into the middle innings and his command for the fastball seemingly improves as he works a lather. He's also been working to mix in a low-90s sinker to get hitters off the barrel a bit at the bottom of the zone. His mid-80s slider has deep two-plane tilt and it projects a legitimate above average breaking ball, maybe better, at the next level. This is one of the better two-pitch mixes in the class. He's flashed an upper-80s changeup, though his feel for the pitch and downright willingness to throw it marks it mostly a below average option for the time being. Hall checks a lot of boxes in terms of future potential to start. Given his delivery, his strong frame, feel for finishing out in front of his body, his ability to hold velocity, and how loose his arm works, Hall has a chance to be the first high school arm off the board in July. |
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HOMETOWN: Murrells Inlet, SC HEIGHT: 6-1 WEIGHT: 210 BAT/THROW: R-R Bender burst onto the scene in 2023 as an immediate spark plug for the Chanticleers handling time behind the plate and at first base. He's a bat-first slugger who hit 18 homers as a sophomore and struckouts less than 15 percent of the time. He makes his money punishing breaking balls left in the strikezone. Bender is largely fringy behind the plate, and his future may ultimately be at first base or in left field, but it's the bat that has scouts talking. There's a lot of swing and miss currently in Bender's game, but if he can temper the trigger-happy feet and become a bit more selective, there's reason to buy into the offensive profile. There's something of a Mike Napoli quality to Bender's game. |
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HOMETOWN: Rockwall, TX HEIGHT: 6-1 WEIGHT: 220 BAT/THROW: R-R Neighbors is primarily a two-pitch guy; a fastball-slider combination that shows solid upside. The fastball can touch 95, though Neighbors is primarily 91-93 with tons of carry through the zone. He doesn't yet command the pitch well, a prerequisite he'll need to improve upon if the pitch is going to perform at the top of the zone like it could. Ironically, Neighbors commands his slider with precision low-and-away to righty bats. It's a pitch that's generated huge chase and whiff rates. It's a mid-80s breaking ball with far more depth than sweep. Neighbors has a quiet, sound mechanical operation that some believe could play in a multi-inning or even a rotation profile. If he can find a changeup or split-finger to get lefties off his fastball, the future role alters considerably. For now, he's a solid multi-inning relief projection with two solid offerings, including a breaking ball that may be plus. |
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HOMETOWN: Colorado Springs, CO HEIGHT: 6-5 WEIGHT: 235 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Virginia The state of Colorado has become a quiet hotbed for draft talent over recent years and Gregory-Alford may be the next best-kept secret out of the upper-Four Corners. "TGA" is an ultra-physical righty with a mid-90s fastball touching 97 that really bores in on righty knuckles. He's touched 101 mph in side sessions too. The fastball features arm-side run and a bit of carry, though he'll mix in multiple shapes on the heater depending on the batter and his level of fatigue. The inconsistencies in shape have reduced the effectiveness in games of the pure velocity as he's struggled to get whiffs at times on the pitch in showcase settings. "TGA" has the full assortment of pitches at his disposal including a mid-to-upper 80s slider with hard two-plane break, a curveball with downer action in the low-80s, and a fading changeup that features good shape, though he broadcasts it a bit due to decelerating arm-speed. There's some tempo and effort at release, but Gregory-Alford possesses good body control and looks like the type of frame that can withstand the rigors of long innings. Pitching as a whole has continued to look easier and easier for the Colorado product over the last 18 months. Continued improvement commanding the baseball and ironing out some of the inconsistencies in his tempo will push his stock higher. TGA has a big up arrow next to his name in the draft. Gregory-Alford will turn 18 years old just weeks before the draft, a trait you cannot teach and one teams do seem to covet come draft day. |
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HOMETOWN: Gettysburg, PA HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 179 BAT/THROW: S-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Tennessee Kuhns has now-stuff with a fastball up to 95. He features a lean, slender build with plenty of room for muscle and budding velocity. His strong lower-half and drop-and-drive lower-half point toward a guy who could continue to add velocity as he matures further. Kuhns is a bit of a spin magician with a low-80s curveball occasionally exceeding 3000 rpm. He can also flip over an average changeup at times. The story here is projectable upside and feel for spin, and that's a great blueprint for future success. Kuhns will turn 19 years old a couple months before the draft, something model teams will weigh into their draft-day value equation here. |
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HOMETOWN: Phoenixville, PA HEIGHT: 6-7 WEIGHT: 230 BAT/THROW: R-R Oschell was a dynamic long-reliever for the Blue Devils in 2023, pitching several multi-inning outings and dominating the opposition with a fastball that missed a ton of bats, peaking at north of 98 mph. Oschell will sits 94-96 in shorter outings and the fastball has a ton of life at the of the zone. His secondaries are still a work in progress, but this is a pro body and a good athlete. It's without question an impact arm at the next level. Determining the role will be the key. |
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HOMETOWN: Hays, KS HEIGHT: 6-0 WEIGHT: 190 BAT/THROW: L-L Dreilling has been a lineup regular in left field since his true freshman campaign and has shown promise with the bat. He's a left-handed hitter with an all-fields approach and solid bat-to-ball skills. There's pull-side juice too. Dreilling is a solid average runner with an athletic gait and figures to stick in left field as a pro. |
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HOMETOWN: Hamilton, GA HEIGHT: 6-1 WEIGHT: 210 BAT/THROW: R-R Mathis was a wrecking ball for the College of Charleston in 2023 posting huge exit velo figures and walking four more times than he struck out. Some of that can be attributed to a near-elite contact-rate on swings outside of the strikezone. He battles at the plate and is generally paid off when the pitcher lets go a mistake. Mathis got a cup of coffee with Cotuit on the Cape in 2023 as well posting a decent showing against more premier competition. He was just 19 years old though facing not only better competition, but older competition as well. The bat is intriguing, but scouts will have to sift through his ability to handle more premium stuff at the next level due to an exaggerated barrel lag and late hitch. Mathis is destined for first base at the next level. |
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HOMETOWN: Murrieta, CA HEIGHT: 6-1 WEIGHT: 195 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Oklahoma State Doughty was arguably the biggest winner at Area Code Games in 2023, flashing massive stuff en route to a dominant performance. He'll reach back for 96, holding 94-95 over multiple innings and settling in 93-94 after the fourth inning. Doughty produces above average spin rates on his fastball, though it's a bit of a dead-zone shape and can get hit a bit when not commanded on the black or top rail. The breaking ball here is the real headline grabber, a 3000 rpm hammer that's been up to 87, consistently 84-85 with bat-missing shape. It's comfortably a 60-grade curveball, and could track up into the double-plus range with polish and further refinement in shape and consistency. Doughty isn't just a "stuff" guy either. He fills up the zone and loves varying his delivery using stutters, pauses and multiple leg lifts to throw off a batter's timing. It's quite advanced and effective considering his feel for pounding the strike zone. Doughty has a strong, workhorse frame with squared-off, broad shoulders and strength in his lower half. He's an animal of a pitching prospect and could figure into the equation on day one of the draft. |
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HOMETOWN: Iowa City, IA HEIGHT: 5-11 WEIGHT: 175 BAT/THROW: L-R Obermueller is smaller in stature, but his athleticism on the bump is incredible. The ease of which he operates has scouts awfully interested. There's definitive starter traits here with a buttery delivery and the ability to throw three pitches for strikes. The fastball sits in the low 90s, though he's been able to work a bit higher than that in shorter side sessions, up to 97 on the Cape. The slider is a haymaker, routinely registering spin rates north of 3000, even topping 3200 on its best nights. Obermueller also offers a changeup that's a work in progress. It's a low, three-quarters delivery with some hop in the zone, a trait pro teams will likely covet. |
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HOMETOWN: Guyton, GA HEIGHT: 5-11 WEIGHT: 195 BAT/THROW: L-L Holton has been a metric-darling since high school and he's performed at just about every level. A smaller-framed southpaw, Holton has been up to 95 but lives in the low-90s with a hopping fastball that misses a lot of bats. He also uses deception well, hiding the ball late into his delivery. Holton features a power-curveball in the low-80s with tremendous depth, as well as a cutter and a changeup, though they lag behind the 1-2 punch. Holton isn't a big guy, so projection isn't on his side, but this is a big league arm. The role is yet to be determined. |
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HOMETOWN: Sinking Spring, PA HEIGHT: 6-4 WEIGHT: 190 BAT/THROW: R-R Holman has a good arm with a big fastball up to 95 mph and a high-release that lends well to generating swing-and-miss on his breaking ball. The heater possesses tremendous carry through the zone and has the potential to be a plus weapon at the next level. It's a legit curve with huge depth and tumbling tilt, thrown firm in the upper-70s. When Holman gets that pitch down and spiked, it's been especially effective, though he does have a tendency to hang it at times. The slider has been a work-in-progress, but flashed big shape for Team USA this past summer. It works well off the fastball, especially elevated. There's also a changeup, though it lags a bit behind his heat and spin. Holman has starter traits and more strength coming in his 6-foot-4-inch frame. His one-two tunneling punch, plus his slider, should lend well to the modern game at the next level. Aesthetically, the ball jumps out of Holman's hand and everything comes loose and easy for the lanky righty. He's "what they look like". |
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HOMETOWN: San Marcos, CA HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 205 BAT/THROW: R-R Forcucci is a premium body guy with a sound delivery and a bit of a longer arm action in the back. He's generally been a guy who pounds the zone. The selling point here is a unicorn-esque fastball that features close to 20 inches of carry, but also roughly nine inches of arm-side run. There are very few pitchers who can claim that amount of life in both directions on the heater. Forcucci has a budding slider with depth and a bit of sweep, as well as feel for executing the pitch. It mostly projects above average, though he does through it with velocity behind it so some continued refinement in shape could push the pitch toward plus over time. There's also a changeup here, and while Forcucci has shown feel for putting the pitch where it needs to be, he hardly throws it. It's a good changeup too with arm-side fading action and late separation off the fastball tunnel. This is a high-ceiling arm with starter traits. He'll likely be a priority guy on day two. |
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HOMETOWN: Jasper, IN HEIGHT: 6-5 WEIGHT: 225 BAT/THROW: R-R Foley burst onto the scene as a true freshman in 2023 for the Hoosiers shoving upper-90s heat and playing a key role down the stretch. As mentioned, Foley can grab 98 at his best, resting 93-96 with carry through the zone. The heater has performed extremely well at the collegiate level with elite whiff rates and chase rates that's grade out much better than most of his peer. It's a future plus pitch and then some. He works to live at the top of the zone, his fringy command limiting effectiveness at times. His best weapon is a low-80s slider and a mid-80s changeup, both of which flash solid average. |
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HOMETOWN: Corona, CA HEIGHT: 6-1 WEIGHT: 180 BAT/THROW: L-L COLLEGE COMMITMENT: UCLA Schiefelbein is your typical UCLA commit. He's got a whippy, projection arm with present stuff that should play immediately for the Bruins should he make it to campus. It's an incredibly polished, projectable profile with a buttery operation and strike-thrower mentality. Schiefelbein understands tempo and can play the ball to every quadrant. The southpaw has been clocked up to 94, though he's usually more 90-92. He's got two breaking balls, though they tend to melt together over longer outings. The harder slider is his better offering right now with two-plane tilt and some strong tunneling attributes off a deceptive fastball. He's been flirting with a low-80s changeup, but it's inconsistent, flashing fringy when executed. If there's on knock, he does have a tendency to audibly grunt on the fastball as he gets deeper into innings and outings. That effort generally doesn't show up in the form of lost command or a loss of velocity. He'll turn 18 years old just a couple months before the draft and has model traits teams tend to covet on day one. |
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HOMETOWN: Poughkeepsie, NY HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 205 BAT/THROW: L-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Ole Miss Paino is a lean, strong, left-handed hitter with present juice and a smooth stroke with an up-the-middle approach. He tends to work to the pull-side a bit more in game, but it's a mature batting practice session, unwilling to sell out for power. His feel for the barrel has been inconsistent over the last twelve months, but he flashes and it's plainly clear to see what it "could" become with reps and maturation. Paino has long arms and legs, but he glides on the dirt. The arm strength and hands will work well at either shortstop or third base. It's mostly only an average throwing arm, maybe solid average, but the whole operation could work at shortstop, at least in an average capacity. How he puts on weight in the coming years will dictate where he ends up. It's not totally dissimilar from Colson Montgomery from 2021, though for our money, Paino is a better glove at this same stage. He's also a strong enough runner and athlete to handle the outfield should the role come calling. |
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HOMETOWN: Santa Ana, CA HEIGHT: 6-0 WEIGHT: 175 BAT/THROW: L-R Extremely quick hands, easy firing mechanism and a total freak athlete. Double plus speed and pull-side juice is present. Super tooled up kid. |
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HOMETOWN: Lake Charles, LA HEIGHT: 5-9 WEIGHT: 185 BAT/THROW: R-R DeBarge burst onto the scene in 2023 in a big way anchoring a potent ULL lineup with thump, speed and a subliminal approach at the plate. DeBarge comes packed in an explosive, tightly-wound middle-infield profile. He's got extremely quick hands and shoots the ball to all fields making tons of contact. It's a super-balanced profile at the plate with potential impact at the next level, though he'll have to drastically lower his ground ball rate to take advantage of what he does well offensively. He's a solid average runner, maybe even a tick better than that with fantastic instincts on the basepaths. DeBarge may be forced to second or third base at the next level be a more premium defender, but for now he handles the position admirably. |
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HOMETOWN: Brentwood, CA HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 236 BAT/THROW: L-L When it comes to power in the 2024 draft class, Burke may hold the crown. Mammoth juice and mammoth bat speed from the left side, Burke hits some of the longest homers you'll see in Knoxville. He's a reasonably good hitter though, though he's susceptible to offspeed pitches at times. Burke is definitely a first baseman moving forward, lacking the throwing arm to stick behind the plate at the next level. But this is an impact stick that could anchor lineups for years. |
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HOMETOWN: Batesburg, SC HEIGHT: 6-1 WEIGHT: 220 BAT/THROW: R-R Amick came out roaring like a bat out of hell during the second half of the 2023 season and hasn't looked back. The catcher/first baseman posted a .390/.471/.791 slash as a sophomore with 12 homers. Amick's ability to stay behind the plate will impact his draft stock, but scouts are buying the bat, and it's a good one featuring mammoth exit velocities. Amick will need to polish up the pure bat-to-ball and his ability to avoid chasing outside of the zone, but it sure looks as though this is one of the more impactful bats available in 2024. |
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HOMETOWN: Pittsburgh, PA HEIGHT: 6-2 WEIGHT: 210 BAT/THROW: B-L COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Miami Shields re-classified from the 2025 class into 2024. He's a strong, polished lefty with a low-90s fastball, a deceptive, two-plane slider in the upper-70s, and a changeup that usually sits a tick or two above that. Shields is an impressive athlete with a two-way background; a distinguished hitter with a sweet left-handed swing. Everything about Shields is rhythmic and balanced. He has a calm about his game that some of his peers lack. Especially impressive considering he'll be a whole year younger than most of his contemporaries in the draft. Shields won't turn 18 years old until October 2024. He's one of the youngest players, if not the youngest, available to teams this summer. He's committed to play ball at Miami. |
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HOMETOWN: Huland, AL HEIGHT: 6-5 WEIGHT: 225 BAT/THROW: R-R Cunningham was super impressive on the Cape in 2022 and parlayed that into a bullpen role for the Commodores in 2023. He's been up to 96 this year with good feel for a dynamic breaking ball. The stuff is clearly there, as is a good, durable starter's body. Cunningham should take a rotation spot in 2024 and could see his stock jump into the top-two rounds. |
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HOMETOWN: Miami, FL HEIGHT: 6-6 WEIGHT: 230 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Miami A Miami product and a Miami commit, Collera is a high-profile righty with a big, long, physical frame and tons of velocity projection coming. Collera is already up to 97 with life through the zone. Collera pitches exclusively out of the stretch with a simple leg-lift and an over-the-top motion. There's some effort at release, but he repeats well and has held his velocity through multiple innings in past performances. Collera's best weapon is a big curveball with significant depth in the mid-70s, as well as a sweeping slider that has flashed. He maintains his arm speed beautifully on all three pitches and can be tough to pick up out of the hand. |
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HOMETOWN: Bradenton, FL HEIGHT: 6-1 WEIGHT: 195 BAT/THROW: R-R Waldschmidt began his college career at Charleston Southern where he immediately made a name for himself, but transferred to Kentucky in 2023 where his game really took off. Waldschmidt is a strong runner who takes solid routes to the ball in the field and has at least an outside shot of sticking in centerfield at the next level, so long as a more premium defender doesn't shift him to left. At the plate, there's sneaky raw power here and Waldschmidt makes a lot of contact. He's a good blend of polish and punch at the dish. He's also a threat on the basepaths. This is a well-rounded player who could stick up the middle and be an asset while on base. He's got a shot at becoming a top-three round guy. Unfortunately, Waldschmidt got a little banged up on the Cape in 2023 and it'll force him to miss a good chunk of time in 2024. Still, the track record and the baseball card could push Waldschmidt up boards as a Top 100 pick, especially with a late surge when he's able to return for the Wildcats this spring. |
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HOMETOWN: Richmond, VA HEIGHT: 5-11 WEIGHT: 172 BAT/THROW: R-R O'Ferrall is a scrappy middle infielder with really impressive hands and the twitch to turn a quick doubleplay. He doesn't possess much juice, but he's a solid hitter and can be a menace on the basepaths with a high IQ and a willingness to take chances when given the opportunity. He's likely not more than a utility man at the next level with the versatility to handle left field or shortstop and second base and could represent a strong late-inning substitution. He's an average runner who probably won't add a ton of extra value on the bases. |
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HOMETOWN: Palo Alto, CA HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 205 BAT/THROW: L-R Darby's profile is buoyed by high contact rates against just about all pitches and well-above average chase rates. He's a polished hitter with a smooth left-handed stroke, and he's flashed above average power to all fields at his peaks, though most scouts do not believe he'll morph into a slugger. There's the potential here for an above average hit tool and budding impact at the plate, though Darby is mostly a fringy runner with an broadening frame that figures not to add excess value on the basepaths as a pro. He's played all over the dirt for the Gauchos, as well as for Corvallis in the WCL and Yarmouth-Dennis on the Cape. Most see a future at third base, though he's could be serviceable at second base and could ultimately end up at first if he continues to add strength and size. Darby has a strong internal clock, though his footwork needs polish on the dirt. He's got solid average arm strength, though it plays down at times due to technique. He may ultimately be able to tap into that arm strength with more reps and subsequent comfortability in his defensive game. Ultimately, this looks like a potential average bat at the next level with enough defensive value to keep him away from first base early in his career. It's day-two upside. |
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HOMETOWN: Portland, TX HEIGHT: 6-0 WEIGHT: 180 BAT/THROW: R-R After being scouted hard by about a third of the league as a prepster, Janek really burst onto the scene in 2023 for Sam Houston playing a couple different roles defensively. He's a strong defensive catcher and a capable third baseman, though scouts are split on where his future home will be at the next level, though most seem to lean behind the plate. It's a good blend of pure hit-ability and glove work that should keep his floor quite high. He's a good athlete with a projectable body, so he could shift to a number of different roles between now and July. The bat features a short, compact stroke with power and bat-to-ball skills. Scouts are familiar and comfortable with the player and Janek's character. A lot of paths toward a productive big league career here. |
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HOMETOWN: Cypress, CA HEIGHT: 6-4 WEIGHT: 215 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Arizona State You'd be hard-pressed to find many guys more physical in stature than Montgomery in the 2024 prep class. At 6-foot-4, 220 pounds, he's an imposing figure in the box with the accompanying power you'd expect from a kid his size. He's shown off his game power in tournament and showcase settings. There's no doubting how his strength plays. He handles velocity better than almost all of his peer with large samples facing premium pitching and driving the ball to all fields with authority -- hardly ever swinging through low-90s stuff. Montgomery has shown the ability to handle the bottom of the strike zone with conviction, and catching up to velocity at the top of the zone has taken strides forward in the last calendar year. Power is the calling card here, though the hit tool is budding with more and more barrels and longer at-bats showing up of late. Montgomery has done a nice job of simplifying and shortening his swing since last summer, a major reason for his ascent on draft boards. Montgomery is a catcher for now, though he may ultimately outgrow the position and end up at first base or in the outfield. He's got more than enough arm strength to handle the outfield. Most scouts like him out in the grass. |
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HOMETOWN: Tomball, TX HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 190 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Florida Arrambide has huge physical tools and the trajectory of a guy who could surge into the first round. Behind the plate, he's an explosive mover with considerable lateral mobility, though consistency with blocking the ball and keeping everything in front of him remains a point of emphasis in his development. He's got a plus throwing arm and shows good burst out of the crouch posting gaudy showcase pop times. There's some polish necessary to stay behind the plate at the next level, but the arm strength is so impressive it'll almost certainly work at the next level, especially if robo-umps eventually command the game. Offensively, Arrambide has a lofty swing that's built for damage, and he's been one of the most prodigious sluggers on the high school side during this cycle. He's got plenty of bat speed, and has showcased over-the-fence power in games across the country. There's a good bit of chase in his game, so refining the approach will be critical in seeing his offensive tools translate. Arrambide has the archetype of a strong-arm backstop with big power at the plate so long as the hit tool allows him to get to it in games at the next level. Arrambide has some similarities to Jared Jones, the second-year slugger at LSU. They're both big-bodied backstops who may ultimately move out from behind the plate, but it's prodigious raw power. When everything is said and done, Arrambide turning into a Hunter Renfroe esque right fielder may certainly be in the cards. Or potentially a Mike Napoli bat-first catcher. Time will tell. |
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HOMETOWN: Austin, TX HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 200 BAT/THROW: L-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Texas Gillen is a fascinating player. Early in counts he features a loose, upright stance with a ton of bat speed and present loft. Gillen can do a lot of damage out of this setup and he's shown juice with it to all-fields, though he's a bit more reserved in how he attacks pitching, instead opting for a high-contact approach over exercising his physicality in the box. With two strikes, Gillen gets into a squat with a wider setup. He still works to all fields, but his shrinking of the strike zone does allow him to fend off strikeouts against high velocity and spin. The entire offensive package is packed full of projection and the physical tools with the bat are beginning to show. He was one of the better performers in 2023 in terms of pure contact rate and chase rate, so scouts would like to see him lean into his natural strength more as the draft approaches. Gillen has smooth actions on the dirt, though scouts are split on where he eventually land on the infield. He's played a great deal of time at second base over the last 12 months in tournament settings recovering from minor ailments. He'll slide over to third base at times too. Gillen has a ton of natural gifts and physicality that he can tap into. When he does, his draft stock will jump. |
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HOMETOWN: Aliso, CA HEIGHT: 6-0 WEIGHT: 195 BAT/THROW: L-L Gage Jump battled through nagging injuries as a true freshman in 2022, but showed flashes of real potential for the Bruins. Unfortunately, he missed 2023 after going through Tommy John. He's not a big guy, but the metrics behind his pitches are loud. The fastball really jumps over bats at the top of the zone and is complimented by a fantastic curveball with deep bite and significant spin. Jump is what you'd call a tunneling savant. There's also a cutter and a changeup in there, the latter showing promise in terms of shape and execution. He'll need to stay healthy and add strength as we move deeper into 2024, but he's a big time weapon and a data-darling and that will enthuse analysts and pro scouts alike. He has day one upside. |
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HOMETOWN: Missouri City, TX HEIGHT: 6-1 WEIGHT: 180 BAT/THROW: L-L COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Houston Payne is a burner with double-plus speed and a whippy, gap-to-gap approach at the plate. He's started adding weight of late and has showcased some very real pull-side power too. He can get a little over-anxious in the box and has a tendency to work himself into pitcher's counts, but that should be ironed out over time. Scouts would like to see the repeatability of his swing become more consistent as we approach the draft -- his timing triggers can vary in different counts. His best tools are on the basepaths and in the field. Payne is a well put together athlete who should stay in centerfield long-term so long as the crispness of his routes continue to improve. In a class where there's so many question marks about guys staying up the middle of the field, Payne is as good a bet to stay in center as anyone on this board. There's considerable upside here. |
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HOMETOWN: Pittsburg, CA HEIGHT: 6-0 WEIGHT: 180 BAT/THROW: R-R Diaz was a highly-recruited prospect with a good hit tool and the athleticism to play anywhere on the field. He's likely a second baseman long term where his fringy arm won't be tested so much. Diaz will likely always be a hit-over-power guy with enough power to sneak a handful out to his pull-side, but his average-or-better tools everywhere else on the field really elevate his profile. He's the type of guy who plays a decade at the next level, improving the team in some capacity each night. |
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HOMETOWN: Frisco, TX HEIGHT: 6-1 WEIGHT: 175 BAT/THROW: L-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Texas A&M Sanford is still growing and has a considerable amount of projection left in his frame. He's a slasher type of bat right now who's begun growing into a bit more thunder at the plate, though it's not a big part of his game. Sanford has a wiry frame and athletic actions on the dirt, all of which point to a future staying up the middle of the field. This is one of the prettier left-handed swings in the class, and while performance and production has been streaky, he looks the part of a guy who could really hit with more reps. It's quick hands, loose wrists and a quiet upper-body through the point of impact. The aforementioned added strength could unlock production and consistency not yet seen, sending his draft stock on a rocket ship. Sanford has all the makings of a future Comp A pick. |
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HOMETOWN: Jacksonville, FL HEIGHT: 6-0 WEIGHT: 195 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Florida State Carns is one of the more impressive high school catchers coming out of the state of Florida in 2024 thanks to a well-rounded game and some projection with the bat. The hit tool is solid here. It's a short, compact stroke with a line-drive focus and an awfully quiet load. There's a real feel for the barrel. Carns has enormous bat speed with considerable stretch in his load and should hit for big power as he continues to develop. He's presently a plus runner, a rare trait for a catcher at any level. It's an athletic frame too, and should hold some twitch as he matures. He's a strong blocker behind the plate and has showcased soft hands and above average arm projection at showcase tournaments throughout the last calendar year. Carns is an aggressive hitter with a well-balanced game and athletic traits on every tool. He's a high-follow approaching the draft, though he'll turn 19 a few months before the event, so models may knock his profile down a peg. A Florida State commit. |
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HOMETOWN: Rochester, NY HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 198 BAT/THROW: R-R Saucke burst onto the scene for the Cavaliers as a true freshman, and obtained first team freshman honors. From his time as a prep to his freshman year at Virginia, he has transformed his body and is well built through his entire frame. Recruited as an infielder, he primarily played right field for the Hoos, and figures to eventually transition to third base as the depth ahead of him graduates. Saucke's carrying tool is his bat, as his swing path is designed to elevate and do damage. This is reflective in his batted ball data and in-game performance as he drives the ball to all fields with regularity. Potential to be future plus power as he matures. |
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HOMETOWN: Montgomery, TX HEIGHT: 6-1 WEIGHT: 190 BAT/THROW: L-L COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Texas A&M There may not be another arm in the 2024 class with better breaking ball upside than Navarre. The slider and curveball combo is truly dynamic with spin rates in excess of 3200 rpm at times. His slider is a true sweeper featuring north of 20" of sweep at peak. He throws that pitch in the 77-80. The curveball comes in at 74-75 with significant depth and horizontal action as well. Both pitches project plus, the slider could jump into the double-plus category if he learns to throw it a bit more firm. Navarre's fastball is fringy for the time being, resting 88-90 on most nights grabbing 92, though he's shown solid average command of the pitch and it does play up as he hides the ball exceptionally well. He naturally cuts his fastball, and generates moderate amounts of carry on the pitch as well. It's a unique pitch and has a shot to get into the above average category in time. Navarre has a tendency to rush down the mound at times when throwing the heater, something scouts expect should clean up over time. There's also low-80s changeup, though it comes in at 2100 rpm and doesn't currently possess consistent shape or execution. Navarre does things you cannot teach, and does so as a southpaw. If a team believes he'll eventually sit in the 93-94 bucket, he's got a good shot at becoming a Top 100 pick. |
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HOMETOWN: Doylestown, PA HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 205 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Clemson Harlan turned heads during the summer in 2023 with thunderous bat speed and a compact stroke at the plate. It's easy plus power projection from an already-physical frame. Harlan has a chance to play third base at the next level, though some are already projecting him into the outfield where strong throwing arm and physical frame will be best utilized. He can be a bit stiff and mechanical on the dirt, but it works at this stage and he's effective and efficient in making outs. He's an average runner who projects fringy underway moving forward. A Clemson commit, there's huge offensive potential on this kid and he'll be a high follow leading up to the draft itself. There's something of a Josh Jung comp here. |
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HOMETOWN: Fort Worth, TX HEIGHT: 6-4 WEIGHT: 192 BAT/THROW: B-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Texas A&M Farr has a startling amount of projection left in his frame with long levers and a high waist. His best baseball is certainly in front of him. Farr is hitter-ish now, lacking much game power, but that's to be expected from a prospect with his current frame. He's showcased considerable raw power in batting practice, and scouts think he could grow into 20 homer upside at the next level. He's got tremendous zone-coverage and fights off or puts in play strikes he pulls the trigger on. There's some chase in his game, but it's not at alarming levels by any means. A switch hitter, Farr has more power from the left side and a longer swing from the right side. Scouts love what they've seen on the dirt where he's a glider and with quiet actions and a legitimate chance to stick at shortstop. It's hard not to think of Peyton Graham as a comparison here. |
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HOMETOWN: Forney, TX HEIGHT: 6-1 WEIGHT: 200 BAT/THROW: R-R Bazzell did not compete after transferring to Texas Tech in 2022, but scouts love what they see in the 6-foot-1 backstop. He raked during summer ball in 2022. Bazzell offers a good amount of athleticism for the position and has thunder in his bat. How he handles a pitching staff and develops defensively will dictate his positioning in the 2024 draft. |
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HOMETOWN: Enid, OK HEIGHT: 6-1 WEIGHT: 190 BAT/THROW: B-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Oklahoma State Shull is a bat-first, power-over-hit outfielder who can play a little second and third base in a pinch. He provides plenty of bat speed from both sides of the plate and impact from the left side. The hit tool continues to advance as he's aged, leading some to believe he's one of the more enticing offensive prospects in the class. Shull is a fringe average runner is likely destined for left field as a professional. He does have an above average arm. He will be 19 years old on draft day, so there will be added pressure to perform leading up to the event. |
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HOMETOWN: Lakeway, TX HEIGHT: 6-7 WEIGHT: 242 BAT/THROW: R-R George, a draft-eligible sophomore, is a big, tall, hard-throwing righty with a gnarly fastball and an imposing disposition on the mound. George has been up to 100 with significant carry on his heater, and he'll rest 94-95 over bullpen outings. He barely threw for the Longhorns in 2023, but is expected to take on a bigger role at Alabama in 2024 out of the bullpen or potentially out of the rotation if his secondary offerings take a step. George has huge upside and most expect he'll take a significant step forward and some point in his collegiate career. |
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HOMETOWN: Red Oak, TX HEIGHT: 6-6 WEIGHT: 205 BAT/THROW: S-R Johnson really surged hard approaching the 2021 MLB Draft but went unselected due to signability concerns and a strong commitment to the pitching factory that is Dallas Baptist. The fastball has already been up 100 mph, but more commonly floats a tick below that. It's a bit of a dead-zone fastball, though at its best there's arm-side dart and some sinking action into the right-handed batters box. Johnson has struggled to induce whiffs with the fastball to this point, and that's a bit concerning considering the level of competition and velocity he possesses. Defining an approach with the pitch and commanding it away from the heart of the plate going forward will be a critical piece in squeezing out more value from his heater. Again, more often than not it's dead-zone shape, so while it's high-90s velocity, it might only be an average pitch. The sweeper is a sharp, late biting breaking ball that's been up to 90 and will rest in the mid-80s. It's produced huge whiff and chase rates, and some scouts believe it to be a plus offering already. His changeup has been seldom deployed but flashes strong shape with considerable depth and fading action. Growing more comfortable with that pitch to left-handed hitters will further elevate his floor to the starting pitcher profile he projects into. There's some refinement necessary in terms of tempo and timing on the mound, though he's a good athlete and has really taken major strides in his mechanics since arriving on campus. Johnson throws a ton of strikes and has the intrinsic traits necessary to start at the next level. Generating more value from the fastball and showing a willingness to throw the changeup in any count will be the keys toward him reaching his potential No. 3 or No.4 starting pitcher ceiling. |
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HOMETOWN: Northville, MI HEIGHT: 5-11 WEIGHT: 190 BAT/THROW: L-L COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Mississippi State It's not often you find an elite 80-grade runner who can also impact the baseball. Nori could be the fastest player in the class. At the plate, it's a quiet load and noise-less mechanics, stroking the ball gap-to-gap with some power coming too. Nori is still working on the routes in the field, but most project a centerfielder long-term with an average to above average arm as well. Nori has next to no projection left in his frame. He's already an incredibly strong, compact, physical player with lumberjack forearms and a barrel-chested, broad, powder-keg physique. One thing going against Nori is his age. He'll be 19 on draft day, and will actually turn 20 years old before the turn of the new year. Because of that, scouts will want to see more of a finished product than much of his peers. Still, the tools are evident and teams do like the unteachable traits. Nori will be an interesting case study in leverage in the draft. If he were to end up at Mississippi State, he'd be draft-eligible once again in 2026, but would turn 22 before the end of that season too. It places a great emphasis on his ability to carve out an immediate role in Starkville should he end up at school. He's one of the more fascinating profiles from a process and modeling standpoint in this class. |
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HOMETOWN: Hendersonville, TN HEIGHT: 6-8 WEIGHT: 230 BAT/THROW: R-R Sinnard is a monster of a man measuring in at 6-foot-8-inches. He's an imposing righty with an extremely high arm slot. The result is a fastball with considerable hop in the zone, though the benefits of that shape are a bit diluted since the vertical approach angle steepens the path of the ball. Sinnard will grab 95 on occasion, though he's more commonly 91-92. The slider gets good results, though its shape would be characterized as fairly generic at the next level. Sinnard's best weapon is a low-80s curveball that possesses significant depth, a pitch that plays well off his heater, especially when buried in the dirt. Sinnard checks a lot of interesting metric boxes. With his three-pitch arsenal and pitch-mirroring characteristics, he's got a chance to start at the next level. Sinnard will miss the entire 2024 campaign after undergoing elbow surgery in August of 2023. |
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HOMETOWN: Melbourne, FL HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 190 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Florida State You won't find much more electricity in the 2024 class than what Dylan Jordan brings to the mound. He's a fantastic athlete with immense projection. Already grabbing 96 here and there, Jordan will sit 92-94 with immense arm-side run and some sink. He'll tunnel that with a sweeping slider in the mid-80s that comfortably projects plus. It might be the best two-pitch combination available in the 2024 prep class. There's also an upper-70s changeup in there with some fade and solid velocity separation. Jordan has a longer arm action and will have to prove he can throw strikes consistently if teams are to buy the prospect of starting at the next level, but this is one of the most unique and electric arms you can find in 2024. |
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HOMETOWN: Gunnison, UT HEIGHT: 6-4 WEIGHT: 185 BAT/THROW: L-R Keisel has one of the most unique fastballs in the class with an extremely low-launch and late hop at the top of the zone. It's rare you find metrics like that with velocity, but Keisel can bring it. Up to 97, Keisel usually site 92-94. All of those figures are difficult to emulate given his unique release traits. There's a seldom-used slider and curveball here too, the latter being the better offering with sweep and deception. Keisel will need to establish a true secondary weapon if he's to continue starting moving forward. There's something of a Paul Sewald type of profile here. |
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HOMETOWN: Haughton, LA HEIGHT: 5-11 WEIGHT: 190 BAT/THROW: L-R Stovall arrived at Arkansas with huge acclaim as potentially the best freshman to make it to campus. He struggled early, but found his stride late in the season. At his best, Stovall has pull-side power and an all-fields approach at the plate with a patient eye. Where he gets in trouble is when he specifically tries to lift and pull the ball. Stovall's best position in second base where he projects a potential average hitter with average power and a fringy glove. Stovall is an average runner. He returns in 2024 having suffered a torn labrum toward the end of the 2023 season, so eyes will be on him to see whether he's back to full strength. |
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HOMETOWN: West Covina, CA HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 185 BAT/THROW: L-L COLLEGE COMMITMENT: LSU Curiel has solid bat-to-ball skills and works as good an at-bat as anyone in the class. It's polished and composed in the box, with a hit tool that has really flashed at times over the last two showcase and tournament cycles. 2023 was a bit of an underwhelming campaign for Curiel, and it took some of the shine off his prospect pedigree, but there are still handfuls of folks in the industry who believe he'll hit, and hit at a high level going forward. The immediate thing that stands out is the calm, balanced rhythm about his game. He's got a sweet left-handed swing and never looks anxious or tense at the plate. He's advanced beyond his years with the bat and the body projects to add a bit more impact as he matures. Curiel is a composed player with some standout tools. A plus runner with long strides, he could stay in centerfield moving forward. Scouts think he's mostly hit right now and would like to see the LSU commit get into a little more power leading up to the draft to project more impact. While most scouts don't expect Curiel to develop into a slugger, he could ultimately bring fringe-average game power to the field. |
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HOMETOWN: Castle Rock, WA HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 190 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Oregon State Swanson is a projectable righty who's already flashing mid-90s heat with a dynamic breaking ball. Swanson will generally sit 90-93 over starts, but has touched 95 flashing a big curveball with late, diving bite and sharp break. He spins the ball well with rpm rates well-above average for his fastball, and a few ticks above average on his breaking ball as well. There's also a fringier changeup here that'll sit in the mid-80s, though Swanson struggles to kill spin, generally sitting in the 2100 range for his off-speed weapon. Swanson has the potential for two weapons in the FB-CB combo, but will need to continue honing in his control and command as he ages. An Oregon State commit, scouts like the frame and the upside here. He's got a shot to go in the top-three rounds in 2024. |
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HOMETOWN: Wakefield, MA HEIGHT: 6-0 WEIGHT: 185 BAT/THROW: L-R Penney is a special do-it-all player with a promising hit tool and athletic tools smattered about his profile that point toward a future big leaguer. Penney can run, he can field, and he's starting to run into some power as well. It's a well-balanced left-handed hit-first swing that drags the barrel through the zone a long time. He has a willingness to use all-fields and can really manipulate his swing to get to spin. He's posted ground ball rates that muzzle his power output, something scouts want to see cleaned up going forward. Penney doesn't expand the zone and is willing to work deep counts. Just a mature player. He profiles well at second base or third base moving forward, but as far as prototypes go, he's likely better suited for second base as a pro. |
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HOMETOWN: Overland Park, KS HEIGHT: 6-8 WEIGHT: 230 BAT/THROW: L-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Tennessee Following along the long line of Blue Valley SW arms to come through the draft the last few years, Siebert may be the best of the bunch. He's already up to 97, living 92-93 with a firm, mid-80s slider. A massive, imposing figure on the mound, Siebert works downhill with authority. The ease of his operation really stands out, and his ability to control all the moving parts of his frame at such a young age is fairly rare. It's early, but Siebert appears to have top-of-the-rotation upside. He's a good one. |
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HOMETOWN: Cumming, GA HEIGHT: 6-2 WEIGHT: 196 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Georgia Tech Hernandez is an amateur scout's dream. He throws four pitches, all of which are controlled into the zone and commanded well to both left-handed and right-handed hitters. His fastball rests 92-93 but will grab 94 at its peak. There's some darting action to his heat, dotted both glove-side and arm-side. The slider, changeup and curveball are all extremely effective offerings against his prep peers as Hernandez mixes it up and pitches backwards better than most arms in the class. He's a bulldog on the mound who works quickly and repeats very well. The starter traits are reasonably obvious here. It looks like the makings of an innings-eater who should be effective, a la Brady Singer. Hernandez is a Georgia Tech commit who will turn 19 shortly after the draft. There's also considerable upside offensively as Hernandez has shown feel to hit and already possesses above average raw power. He's smooth and consistent at third base as well. He's got plenty of suitors in the scouting community and it will likely come down to whether a team will fit his signing bonus ask. |
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HOMETOWN: Peachtree City, GA HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 210 BAT/THROW: L-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Auburn Fralick is an ultra-powerful left-handed hitter with juice to all fields and proven impact in tournament and game settings. He's got a strong approach and works the barrel in different ways through the zone, handling pitches even when he's beat. It's quick hands and adjustability in his swing. Fralick gets the barrel out in front and extends well on fastballs. He takes hard turns through the zone and generates bat speed many of his peers cannot. The offensive tools here are strong. Defensively, scouts are split on whether his physical frame and athleticism will stick behind the plate. Fralick has a strong arm and can deliver a seed, but needs to work on his explosion out of the crouch to get his pop times consistently lower. Fralick could be destined for third base or first base going forward, but there are plenty of folks in the industry who are all-in on the player due to the bat anyways. He's got a good shot of going on day two if the number is right. |
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HOMETOWN: Plant City, FL HEIGHT: 6-5 WEIGHT: 190 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Florida State Mobley is a really athletic righty with long, lean limbs, plenty of projection and *now* stuff. The fastball has been clocked up to 93, his athleticism easily holding 90 mph over outings of at least 60 pitches. The heat has late hop and Mobley has shown feel for keeping his stuff in the zone, pounding the top of the zone with his fastball. He's got a curveball that flashes above average characteristics, as well as a changeup with solid separation off the fastball. Mobley has the arm speed, frame and athleticism to suggest he could throw really hard one day, and his present strike-throwing ability and pedigree in tournaments bode well for his future. |
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HOMETOWN: Roaring Springs, PA HEIGHT: 6-2 WEIGHT: 210 BAT/THROW: R-R Kling, a huge get for LSU in 2022, is a pure outfielder with a barrel-chest and the ability to handle any outfield spot. He's got a history of hitting, making loud contact by way of his heavy rotational swing. That swing has scouts thinking more power is coming. He's a plus runner, though some believe he's slowing down a tick as he's added muscle on campus, and the arm strength really stands out too. Supreme physical tools across the board. |
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HOMETOWN: Weatherford, TX HEIGHT: 6-2 WEIGHT: 185 BAT/THROW: L-L COLLEGE COMMITMENT: TCU Strosnider is a gamer who has talent at the plate and on the mound. He's grown into pull-side power of late and gets to it from a swing that creates big stretch and extension out in front of the plate. He's a twitchy athlete with strong hands and quick hips offensively; the bat really projects among his peers. Strosnider is short to the ball too, and can adjust to pitches high and low. His profile has really blossomed of late and now represents one of the more intriguing outfield prospects in the class. Defensively, his average speed and average speed will likely place him in a corner at the next level, but the arm has ticked up the last twelve months and could have a place in right field. |
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HOMETOWN: Phoenix, AZ HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 200 BAT/THROW: R-R Avitia is a bit of a unicorn in that he has an extremely low launch and still induces a good bit of hop on his fastball. It's still considered in the dead-zone category, but the carry he can create out of a 56" launch is reasonably difficult to find in the game. Avitia lives in the upper 80s and low 90s, but misses a ton of bats and forces a lot of poor swings due to his metrics. He's got tremendous control and walks hardly anyone, making him a high-floor, metric darling. He'll work in an above average changeup and a promising slider. It's mostly fringe-average spin right now, though shape for the pitch does flash upside. Avitia is mostly a two-pitch guy for the time being, though scouts are paying close attention to the breaking ball this spring. There's something of a Noe Ramirez comparison here. |
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HOMETOWN: Phoenix, AZ HEIGHT: 6-0 WEIGHT: 175 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Arizona State McGary's hit tool catches the headlines, and it's a pretty good one. He'll spray the ball all over the yard with budding impact and pull-side pop. McGary is a plus runner with a long, wild gait and projects to hold his speed deep into his career. He's a twitchy, bouncy, jackrabbit type of player who can ignite the lineup with his hair-on-fire playstyle and table-setter mentality. He's played all over the field and represents a potential future utility player if he doesn't settle in at second base full-time. He's a tremendous athlete. McGary is committed to play ball at Arizona State. |
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HOMETOWN: Brooklyn, NY HEIGHT: 6-1 WEIGHT: 210 BAT/THROW: R-R Moore is a super-physical infielder with broad shoulders, a barrel-chest and physicality spread throughout his frame. Those physical traits really play offensively as Moore hits the ball with authority and features average to solid average power, plenty of juice to hit the ball out of the ballpark. The bat has been streaky, better on campus than in summer ball, but at his best Moore projects an average pure hitter with an aggressive approach and some swing and miss that he'll have to work around. Defensively, Moore features best at second base due to a limited throwing arm, albeit good lateral burst. |
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HOMETOWN: Yutan, NE HEIGHT: 6-2 WEIGHT: 205 BAT/THROW: L-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Arkansas Lewis is a do-it-all prospect with a slick glove, a quick bat and the legs to be valuable in all other parts of his game. He's worked to put on considerable muscle over the last 12 months and has added close to 20 pounds of strength following the showcase circuit last summer. Offensively, he's shown an aptness to cover all four quadrants with a line-drive swing and some pull-side power. The swing can get flat on pitches above the belt, though he feasts in the lefty-loop zone low-and-inside. Lewis deploys a high, deep hand-set but is short through the zone, occasionally pulling off the ball with a pull-side emphasis. He's performed across multiple tournaments, showcases, and league play and has a good chance to hit at the next level. Lewis is light on his feet in the field and moves well to his right. He's got a solid average arm that plays well. He's got a reasonably good shot to stick at shortstop, though may be a better fit at second base or third base with more weight. Lewis projects a solid average runner who can steal some bases moving forward. He is an Arkansas commit. |
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HOMETOWN: Henderson, NV HEIGHT: 5-8 WEIGHT: 170 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Tennessee Southisene is a smaller-framed infielder with all the twitch and explosion you could ask for from a guy of his package. Fantastic hands at the plate and on the dirt are the story here. Southisene has tremendous feel for manipulating the barrel and driving the ball to every gap, occasionally spraying a backspinner over the fence to his pull-side. He's got a great first step in either direction and could develop into a plus defender at second base. While he's twitchy with a ton of burst, he's not necessarily a straight line sprinter, likely just an above average runner at best at his peak. Despite his smaller stature, Southisene gets bang for his buck at the plate and can do a lot of things well in all areas of the game. He's what folks in the industry call a "dirt bag" of the game, and that's a good thing. |
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HOMETOWN: Greensboro, NC HEIGHT: 6-6 WEIGHT: 216 BAT/THROW: L-R Jenkins-Cowart is a massively imposing lefty stick with significant raw power. There's some swing and miss in the whole package but, considering his age and size, it's to be expected at this stage. Jenkins-Cowart is a bit limited in the field and likely ends up at first base or DH at the next level, but it's one of the better 2024 bats on the east coast. |
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HOMETOWN: Mobile, AL HEIGHT: 6-5 WEIGHT: 195 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Auburn Gatwood is built like a pro pitcher packed into a 6-foot-5 inch frame with good weight spread out through his lanky frame. Gatwood has a starter delivery with repeatable mechanics, though his arm-slot will change from time to time. Most often, Gatwood sits 92-94 with a sinking fastball that he's run up to 97 mph. His shorter slider has two-plane tilt and late bite. There's also a changeup in here with solid fading action, though his command for the pitch can be sporadic. Gatwood has top-of-the-scale arm talent and has the making of a potential top 100 pick in 2024 if his feel for the strike zone continues to mature. |
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HOMETOWN: Litha, FL HEIGHT: 6-0 WEIGHT: 185 BAT/THROW: L-R Shelton has a quiet swing from the left side with very little moving parts and a line-drive approach. He's a bigger-bodied infielder with bat speed in the tank, but he generally saves it for BP and takes a more hitterish approach in game. He's one of the best hitters in the country in terms of creating backspin on the baseball as is evidenced by his gaudy 21 percent groundball rate in 2023. Scouts want to see Shelton close what appears to be a hole in his swing in terms of velocity at the top of the strikezone to gain confidence he'll be able to hit at the next level. An average runner with an average arm, Shelton's range may force him to second base or third base at the next level, though like most prospects, his value will be dictated by how much he hits. |
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HOMETOWN: Hudson, FL HEIGHT: 6-2 WEIGHT: 203 BAT/THROW: L-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Florida Whritenour is a name to watch as we approach the 2024 draft. He's got the metrically appealing fastball that possesses huge carry through the zone, and it misses bats like you'd expect. He's been up to 97 and will sit 93-94 over multiple innings. There's some command concerns here, but the innate feel to get above the barrel is rare. Most of Whritenour's secondaries lag behind the sheer upside of the fastball, but he can spin a slider close to 2800 rpm in the mid-80s. There's also a mid-80s changeup that he's often reluctant to throw. Whritenour is a fast mover with obvious athleticism. He'll be 18.6 years old for the draft. |
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HOMETOWN: Vienna, VA HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 210 BAT/THROW: R-R Robinson has a live arm up to 95 as a freshman, sitting 91-93 during most outings. His best pitch is a low-80s sliders that misses a ton of bats. He'll mix in a seldom changeup of which, when deployed, has been tough on hitters too. Robinson won't yet be 21 years old during the 2024 draft and considering his size and stature, could be throwing very hard by the time his name is called. |
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HOMETOWN: Arlington, VA HEIGHT: 6-1 WEIGHT: 185 BAT/THROW: L-R Friend has been a barrel magnet in his looks at Davidson; an athletic left-handed hitting catcher/outfielder with impressive bat speed for his size. Friend has a tantalizing frame in the eyes of scouts. There's plenty of projection ahead, and it's a physique that could continue to grow into the catcher position if a team wants to continue trying his hand behind the plate. Ultimately, wherever he lines up on defense likely won't be what gets him drafted. Friend has an elite eye at the plate with prolific chase rates, especially for a player with his game power. He's certainly pull-happy in the box, but Friend has found success extended and lifting the ball to right field. He boasts some of the best pure barrel rates in the 2024 class, and has mid-day-two pick upside if he continues his torrid ways through the end of the season. There's certainly some swing and miss in this profile, and that'll need to be cleaned up as he moves up the ladder toward more daunting competition. When considering the swing, the frame, the raw power and the eye at the plate, there's a lot of clay here that teams will grade out kindly -- now comes time for polish. Friend is also an average runner. |
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HOMETOWN: Yukon, OK HEIGHT: 6-6 WEIGHT: 225 BAT/THROW: L-L Tolle has been a massive performer for the better part of two years for the Shockers; the kid can really fill up a data-table. Tolle boasts some of the most obscene exit velocities the spot has seen in two seasons on campus, though he's still learning how to most effectively lift the ball to induce more damage. Tolle is an above average hitter with a super-physical, imposing frame. He's quite limited on defense and may ultimately be a first baseman at the next level, but the bat should carry the profile. Tolle has also been a super-effective pitcher, and some see two-way upside at the next level. |
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HOMETOWN: Parker, TX HEIGHT: 6-2 WEIGHT: 200 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Baylor A mid-framed, broad-shoulder righty, Bergman has considerable arm talent with a fastball that'll flirt with 98 mph consistently in short-inning stints. He'll rest 92-94 with some effort out in front at release. He throws a lot of mid-80s changeup with depth off the fastball tunnel, and will mix in a mid-to-upper 70s curveball with get-me-over traits, spiking it in front of the plate for whiffs. Bergman throws enough strikes and projects a back-end of the rotation type of arm if his command improves. He could end up a dynamic reliever who flirts with triple digits if his starter traits don't advance. |
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HOMETOWN: Lincoln, NE HEIGHT: 6-5 WEIGHT: 230 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: LSU You'd be hard-pressed to find a more physical third baseman in the 2024 class than that of Fountain. At 6-foot-5, 225-pounds the potential for future impact here is plainly evident. Fountain has a ton of bat speed and does a great job leveraging his back hip and turning hard on his backheel. It's a swing built to do serious damage, and his record-breaking home run track record in Nebraska is evidence of such. Fountain's feet work well on the dirt and he's got serious arm strength. If he doesn't outgrow the position, he's got the tools necessary to stick at the hot corner. He's also an average runner. Fountain will represent one of the most imposing high school bats in this class and has easy first round upside. An LSU commit, Fountain is considered one of the more premium players in the country. |
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HOMETOWN: Macedon, NY HEIGHT: 6-0 WEIGHT: 215 BAT/THROW: R-R Ziehl is a fastball-slider guy whose stuff has been ticking up since arriving on campus. The fastball sits in the low-to-mid 90s, touching 96 with big hop and some armside run. Ziehl mixes in a hellish slider in the mid 80s with massive spin rates and ton of tilt. He'll mix in a changeup, though it lags behind his two primary weapons. Ziehl is a big, barrel-chested hurler whose future role is to-be-determined, but the arm talent is undeniable. |
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HOMETOWN: Marietta, GA HEIGHT: 6-0 WEIGHT: 180 BAT/THROW: L-R Tibbs made his presence known with authority as a true freshman, starting 45 games and hitting the ball harder than just about anyone on the Seminoles roster. His batted-ball data was big, especially for a teenager. Tibbs is still a work in progress in terms of identifying and hitting spin, but he ranked among the best in the country in terms of turning around high-velocity fastballs. A great building block. Tibbs is a smaller-framed outfielder who lacks frontline speed, but does possess an above average arm in the field. He projects into left field, or potentially a smaller right field in the right organization. He's a power-over-hit slugger for the time being. |
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HOMETOWN: Elk City, OK HEIGHT: 6-4 WEIGHT: 200 BAT/THROW: L-L COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Oklahoma State Mayfield is a long, lanky lefty with deceptive angle and an ease and fluidity about his operation. He makes pitching look like an art form. The body, delivery and pitching mechanics are super projectable. He's been up to 94, missing bats with his heater, hiding the ball well. The slider is his best secondary and it's taken a jump in recent months now brushing the low 80s and sitting 76-78. He's refined feel for the pitch and it now receives above average projection from scouts. Mayfield works in the occasional changeup to righties, though it's inconsistent and its shape will vary. He's been one of the strongest performers on the tournament and showcase circuit. A strike-thrower who misses a ton of bats, Mayfield has an arsenal that really performs despite not yet possessing some of the octane of his peers. Considering the frame, handedness and production, Mayfield is the highest level follow thanks to his athleticism and fluidity on the mound. He will be 19.5 on draft day so leverage will not be on his side. |
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HOMETOWN: Marietta, GA HEIGHT: 6-0 WEIGHT: 205 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Tennessee It can be difficult to find legitimate catching prospects in any class, but Clark has some of the tools necessary to stay behind the plate long-term. It's a strong arm and explosiveness out of a low crouch. That checks a lot of boxes for scouts. Offensively, it's a quiet setup with a hit-tool approach and there should be some power coming down the line. Clark will barely be 18 years old on draft day and teams may be willing to take a chance on the projection backstop on day two. |
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HOMETOWN: Kearney, MO HEIGHT: 6-2 WEIGHT: 200 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Tennessee Snyder is a well-rounded player with offensive tools and the potential to stick up the middle on defense. At the plate, Snyder employs a rounded leg-kick that can get him in trouble with timing, but when he's locked in Snyder absolutely pummels the ball to all-fields, producing some truly impressive shots to his pull-side. He's a fantastic athlete and it shows in his load, swing and follow-through at the plate. On the dirt, Snyder again showcases big athleticism, getting low to the ground and receiving ground balls out in front. He's got exceptional hands with a quick transfer and an above average arm as well. Depending on where his physical development goes, Snyder could end up at second base or third base, but for now, the athlete and actions suggest a shortstop long-term. |
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HOMETOWN: Lawrence Park, Ontario, Canada HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 185 BAT/THROW: L-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Florida Lawson is one of the more premium Canadian prospects to become available in recent draft classes. He's an extremely dangerous hitter with a smooth, controlled, violent left-handed swing featuring exceptional torque and ground force. Lawson presents organic loft in his swing and is already showcasing over-the-fence power. He's got a premium, long, athletic bluechip frame that may cost him the ability to ultimately move off the shortstop position, but the bat is the carrying tool here as-is. If Lawson moves over to third base, his average speed and average arm will play just fine. Scouts do think he could slow down a tick as he adds more size, but that may also come with a slight uptick in his arm strength. |
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HOMETOWN: Midlothian, VA HEIGHT: 6-4 WEIGHT: 220 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Virginia Harris certainly looks the part of the bluechip quarterback, 5-star third base prospect. A massive, physically imposing presence on both sides of the ball, Harris has punished his peers for years now. The bat is the calling card with loud barrels to all-fields and comfortably double-plus raw power putting on jaw-dropping displays of bat speed in showcase settings. Harris is still learning how to lift the baseball with authority consistently, but if it all clicks as he gets older and more athletic, he could be an offensive force. The power will undoubtedly play, now comes determining just how the hit tool will come along. There was quite a bit of swing and miss in tournament settings in 2023, but when it was clicking, Harris was easily the loudest bat on the field. Some in the industry are rather bullish. Defensively, Harris has a slow heartbeat and gets low to the ground with soft hands and deliberate actions. He has enough arm strength to handle third base, though his throws can get inconsistent as his release can vary depending on the momentum of his frame. One final feather in Harris' cap? He'll be just 17.9 years old on the day of the draft and will finish his first full season in professional baseball (should he go that direction) as an 18 year old. Draft models will absolutely love him. There's something of a Tommy White trajectory here if he ends up at school. The bat could really explode with further seasoning. |
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HOMETOWN: Walton, KY HEIGHT: 6-4 WEIGHT: 200 BAT/THROW: R-R Smith was a heavily recruited arm in 2021 and was highly regarded as one of the better pitching prospects in the country as a prep. He was sidelined for the 2022 season recovering from surgery, but pitched during the summer and his stuff was right back where scouts remembered it. Smith touched 96 with a sweeping curveball in the mid 70s. His command of the zone is streaky but he's looked more physical and athletic than he had in high school. If he can stay healthy and the stuff continues to tick up, Smith has early upside. |
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HOMETOWN: Summerville, SC HEIGHT: 6-0 WEIGHT: 230 BAT/THROW: R-R Highly regarded leader of men. Messina is incredibly well-regarded in the clubhouse and by his teammates for his competitive fire and relentless motor. He's a good hitter with a reliable glove and significant raw power. Body is just about topped out in regards to projectability and there are some questions as to whether or not the skillset can stick behind the plate at the next level. The raw power and intangibles carry his value, while the hit tool has by ticking up since arriving to campus. He'll be coaching in a dugout immediately upon hanging up the cleats. |
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HOMETOWN: Winter Garden, FL HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 192 BAT/THROW: L-L COLLEGE COMMITMENT: NC State Head is a wiry, athletic outfielder with a smooth lefty stroke at the plate and a quick first step. Head has fast hands and quick wrists, turning on heat on the inner third for impact consistently. Head is an above average runner who may ultimately grow into average power. His continued emphasis on adding strength and bat speed going forward will define his ceiling, but the approach and pure bat-to-ball skills are quite strong at present. He's still polishing up his footwork and technique in the field, but the bat has taken major strides forward in the last calendar year and has seen his stock jump because of it. The hit tool here is quite refined. Last summer, Head posted some of the healthiest chase and whiff rates of anybody in the country. In terms of models, that'll go a long way in pushing his profile up boards. Head is on the older side beings he'll be 19 at the draft, so he'll be expected to produce consistently, as well as impact the ball more than his peers as we approach July. There's a good bit of projection remaining in Head's lean, long-levered 6-foot-3-inch profile. |
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HOMETOWN: Madison, MS HEIGHT: 6-4 WEIGHT: 205 BAT/THROW: L-R Hines has big, big power, though he lacks the defensive value for some scouts to consider him a future third baseman at the next level. Still, you're talking about plus, maybe even plus-plus power here and a track record of parking the ball in the seats. So long as the hit tool keeps up with the power and teams can rely on him to put the ball in play at the next level, Hines should be a popular name with teams seeking big carrying tools. Scouts want to see Hines close what appears to be a hole in his swing in terms of velocity at the top of the strikezone to gain confidence he'll be able to hit at the next level. He projects a reasonably average first base defender moving forward. |
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HOMETOWN: Holmdel, NJ HEIGHT: 6-2 WEIGHT: 175 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Wake Forest Lovanas is one of the more dynamic movers in the 2024 class with super-athletic actions on the bump. A Wake Forest commit, Levonas will grab 97 when he's hot, sitting 92-93 over multi-inning spots with some carry through the zone. The spin rates on his heater register far north of average. He's a guy that really understands pitch design too. There's a low-80s curveball here that stays on the heater tunnel late with sharp downer bite. It's a pitch that's registered north of 3100 rpm at times. Levonas keeps hitters off the barrel by mixing in an upper-80s cutter with short life. There's also a fringy changeup. Levonas has a tendency to see his velocity drop a bit after his first couple innings, and there's still a bit of effort at release, but it's an extremely quick arm with real feel for shaping the baseball. He's also only 175 pounds at this stage with plenty of projection in his frame. Despite the loud stuff, his performances in tournament and showcase settings have been scattered and inconsistent. There's very little doubt teams will see the frame, the athlete and the pitch mix and dream on what the future could look like. It'll come down to whether he can be paid away from his strong committment to Wake Forest. There's a little bit of Matt Brash here. |
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HOMETOWN: Somerset, NJ HEIGHT: 6-0 WEIGHT: 190 BAT/THROW: R-R Kuroda-Grauer has been a force for Rutgers in his two years with the program hitting for average, a bit of power, and displaying one of the most impressive eyes at the plate in college baseball. Kuroda-Grauer has almost a 1 to 1 walk-to-strikeout ratio for his career. He's performed well with the wood bat for Bourne in the Cape Cod League as well. "JKG" has positional versatility and has handled plenty of time in the outfield, as well as time at second base and shortstop. The narrative here is a polished pure hitter with fringy tools in terms of power and speed, but a reliable glove that can be deployed anywhere on the field. |
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HOMETOWN: Fuquay Varina, NC HEIGHT: 6-5 WEIGHT: 195 BAT/THROW: L-L Serrano is a bonafide slugger with massive projection in the bat speed department and a polished hit tool for a player of his age and size. Serrano has been mostly hit-over-power to this point, but his long 6-foot-5-inch frame points toward more game power on the horizon. He's a solid average athlete too with long levers and an athletic stride as he runs the bases. His reads in the outfield are a work in progress, and Serrano doesn't possess a great throwing arm, so he may be limited to first base as a pro, but some see a future left fielder with added strength and experience working in the grass. He's gotten plenty of run in centerfield for the Wolfpack in 2024, and there's at least a chance he sticks there if the wheels don't regress. |
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HOMETOWN: Queen Creek, AZ HEIGHT: 6-2 WEIGHT: 185 BAT/THROW: B-L COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Arizona Russell, an Arizona commit, is one of the more impressive metrics arms in the 2024 class. He features a big riding fastball up to 93 with big spin rates. Breaking ball has really come on in the last calendar year with late bite and more solid spin rates. There's also a changeup that flashes upside and feel, but is nascent in development. He's an impressive mover and has a shot to go high in the draft if he continues to throw strikes and add velocity. There aren't many high school arms in the 2024 class that showcase the starting pitcher upside that Russell does. |
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HOMETOWN: Ball Ground, GA HEIGHT: 6-1 WEIGHT: 180 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Georgia Tech Shouse is a two-way player with upside on both sides of the ball, and scouts are split on what side of the ball his future lays. That said, of late, it seems the growing sentiment is favoring the Georgia Tech bluechip on the mound. Shouse is an extremely impressive athlete on the mound with sublime body control coming out of a longer arm action, attacking hitters. The fastball works up to 98 and is commanded well. There's real deception here. The ball jumps on hitters with late carry. While it's not presently exceptional command, Shouse has shown flashes of dominance in the zone and there are plenty of scouts who like the upside as a starter. He's worked to develop more depth on a low-80s slider, and that's seen real progress over the last year. There's also a changeup that he'll offer to left-handed hitters. Offensively, it's twitchy raw power with a double-plus throwing arm on the dirt and athletic, gliding actions all over the infield. He's got the chops to stay on the left side of the field. Scouts will need to see more refinement on the pure hit tool, but everything about the player flashes upside. |
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HOMETOWN: Fort Wayne, IN HEIGHT: 6-1 WEIGHT: 210 BAT/THROW: L-R Mathisen has bludgeoned the Big 10 since arriving in 2022. He hit 19 homers as a freshman and immediately became one of the more feared sluggers in the midwest seemingly overnight. There's some swing and miss in his game, but it's not alarmingly detrimental. Mathisen is a fringy pure hitter who can get pull-happy when he slumps. In the field, he's a physical, average runner who most believe may settle in a tick below that at the next level. He can handle any of the three outfield spots, though a corner without question seems his ultimate landing spot. |
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HOMETOWN: Kennesaw, GA HEIGHT: 5-10 WEIGHT: 165 BAT/THROW: L-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Tennessee Abernathy, a Tennessee commit, is a real spark plug and a terror for the opposition once on the bases. He's got a smaller frame, and likely won't hit for too much power moving forward, but this is the type of player you throw at the top of the lineup and watch things happen. He's smooth as hell on the dirt with twitch and flash at shortstop, a highlight reel defender. His above average throwing arm gives him a shot to stay at the position too. Abernathy has top-two round potential and has a bit of a Dee Gordon archetype about him, though admittedly there's a decent bit more bat speed here. |
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HOMETOWN: Aledo, TX HEIGHT: 6-5 WEIGHT: 215 BAT/THROW: L-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Texas Tech Burns is a big, tall, well-built righty with a physical build. It's a big, fast side-step release with a higher leg kick. His motion has caused issues with strike-throwing ability, but his polish and stuff have both taken considerable steps forward over the last 9 months. Burns is a real good mover with a loose arm and an athletic delivery. He rides the mound well and creates big extension out front. He's a natural supinator with a fastball that will get up into the mid-90s with natural cut. He also spins the hell out of it. He can get in trouble when he tries to over-throw his heater, but further maturity and pitchability will come. Burns has a put-away slider with sharp sweeping action as well as a bigger curveball that provides some depth to his arsenal. Burns moves well, has a physical frame and has real feel for spin. If he throws more strikes leading up to July, it's Top-100 pick tools. |
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HOMETOWN: Naples, FL HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 185 BAT/THROW: L-L COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Miami King is a super-projectable lefty that has yet to see his stuff really take flight, but scouts believe that day is soon to come. The lower-half has added considerable strength and the shoulders continue to broaden out. He generally rests in the 90-91 range with tail and sink, but has been a tick or two higher than that. There's a banger 12-6 curveball and a swing-and-miss slider in here too. King's has been working on playing a changeup off his fastball shape and it's come along over the last 9 months. It'll flash and projects to be a weapon at the next level as he continues to find feel. King will be one of the rare 17-year-old prospects available in the 2024 draft, and that always goes a long ways in model evaluations. |
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HOMETOWN: Fort Lauderdale, FL HEIGHT: 6-2 WEIGHT: 180 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Tennessee Marin is one of of the more accomplished defenders in the class with fluidity and rhythm to his game on the dirt. He has smooth actions both with his feet and hands, as well as an athletic throwing arm. He's as good a bet as you'll find to stick at the "6" in this class so long as he doesn't outgrow the position. Marin is an average runner but his instincts do allow his tools to play up a bit on both sides of the ball. For now, he's a line-to-line hitter who lacks impact punch at the plate, though he does have the frame to project some future juice. Marin has a swing that's quick to the ball, but he's battled issues with chasing pitches out of the zone with far too much frequency. Becoming more selective at the plate will be a key in his development going forward. |
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HOMETOWN: Overland Park, KS HEIGHT: 6-6 WEIGHT: 240 BAT/THROW: R-R There may not be a more imposing batter in the box that Ivan Brethowr in this entire class. Standing at 6-6, 245 pounds, the Overland Park product boasts mammoth raw power and he's shown it in spades in games this season. The approach still has some roughness around its edges, but when he gets ahead in the count and hunts his pitch, the impact here is truly significant. Brethowr projects a right fielder at the next level thanks to a strong throwing arm and burgeoning athleticism for his size. He's a strong runner who should have no issue staying in the field despite his intimidating size. He'll need to cut down the swing and miss, but if he can leading up to the draft, he's a potential early day-two thumper. His Head Coach Andrew Checketts has expressed "It's hard not to give him the Aaron Judge comparisons. He's fast. He's got bat speed. Everybody in the ballpark flinches when he swings. He can run... he's got a really big arm. He's a difference maker." |
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HOMETOWN: South Riding, VA HEIGHT: 6-2 WEIGHT: 195 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: West Virginia Burkholder is a physical specimen with loud tools in every area of the game. A double-plus runner with a remarkably quick first step out of the box, he figures to be a headache on the bases for years to come. Burkholder has loose, rhythmic hands at the dish with a simple path to the baseball, delivering a heavy load. It's a really quick stroke with a repeatable operation and tight bat speed. It's an above average arm that should stick in centerfield, though his tools fit in any outfield spot. Burkholder has a strong lower half with twitchy hips and creates plenty of ground force offensively. A West Virginia commit, Burkholder figures to be a popular name as we approach July. |
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HOMETOWN: Fort Worth, TX HEIGHT: 5-11 WEIGHT: 195 BAT/THROW: R-R White is a decorated defensive backstop with a strong arm and a reputation for handling a staff. He's got solid bat-to-ball skills and is willing to take his walks as well. There's some raw power here, likely no more than fringe average, and enough speed to be of some value on the basepaths as a pro. White will need to continue adding impact at the plate should he hope to exceed his platoon ceiling. |
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HOMETOWN: Snellville, GA HEIGHT: 6-4 WEIGHT: 193 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Florida Barberi has so many components to his game and profile that teams will like in the draft, it's hard to envision he doesn't get money thrown his way. It's an extremely projectable frame with broad shoulders and a high waist with good weight in his lower half. The fastball has been up to 95 with some arm-side run and carry. Slider has late sweeping action and some late depth and it performs exceptionally well. Barberi does have a tendency to lower his arm-slot on the breaking ball at times, something he'll need to iron out at the next level. He also has a changeup that has performed well when it's on, though he's been more reluctant to throw that pitch in tournaments. There's a bit of effort at release, but it's not prohibitive or so egregious that injury risk comes to mind. In fact, as he ages it may polish out naturally. Barberi will be just 17 years old on draft day and will scream up boards run by models. He's expected to be a tough sign away from Florida. |
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HOMETOWN: Mason, OH HEIGHT: 6-6 WEIGHT: 225 BAT/THROW: L-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Indiana Hanley came into the summer of 2023 a pitching prospect, but as more and more got their eyes on him at the plate, that narrative camp is more split these days. Offensively, Hanley delivers a heavy barrel with big exit velocity readings and the potential for plus power and impact in the middle of a lineup. Left-handed, no less. That power plays to all fields, and he's hit good arms. On the mound, he's been up to 95 with a high-spin heater, snapping over mid-80s breaking balls and flashing a changeup. The arm action is as loose and easy as some of his peers and reliever risk is present. Hanley has a premium frame with a ton of strength well distributed about his physique. He's likely a two-way player in college (Indiana), but should he go pro, for our money, his future is at the plate. |
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HOMETOWN: Las Vegas, NV HEIGHT: 6-1 WEIGHT: 190 BAT/THROW: R-R Cortez has sensational arm talent with a fastball touching 99 mph and a slider that, when right, can miss bats, though it lacks spin. Cortez has been working to improve the shape of his fastball and stay consistent in the zone, leaning more toward showcasing a slider shape and getting a lot of soft contact. There's some reliever risk here if the breaking ball never clicks, but his arm talent alone should get him selected on day two in July. |
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HOMETOWN: Sunrise, FL HEIGHT: 6-5 WEIGHT: 200 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: South Florida Quigley is certainly one of the more physically imposing players in the box. It's a long, strong frame with serious bat speed. Staying consistent with his timing triggers has been a battle for Quigley over the last 12 months, though some of that can be attributed to the mammoth growth spurt he's seen of late. Quigley is short to the ball and presents organic loft through the zone. Some scouts see the potential for plus game power as he matures into the game. Quigley has tinkered with his swing, varying between a more upright, athletic stance and a more leveraged back-heel focus, the former generally like the more comfortable setup. The latter has led to better results in the approach and swing-decision department. Quigley is a right field prospect with a solid average arm and fringy speed. He features long strides, though he's unlikely to be a threat stealing bases. The short-form here is scouts really like the bat and the physically imposing frame. The offensive upside is tantalizing. |
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HOMETOWN: Disputanta, VA HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 210 BAT/THROW: R-L An athletic, explosive mover on the mound, Eaton has tremendous arm talent, up to 97 from the left side. The slider has taken strides since arriving to campus too, now touching 85 with considerable depth and proven performance metrics including gaudy chase and whiff rates. He'll flash a changeup with late teeth and strong tunneling characteristics off the fastball. That said, Eaton struggles to command the baseball at times and will need to rein that in to elevate his profile moving toward the 2024 draft. It's Top-100 pick traits with a patina from unrefined execution holding back the upside. |
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HOMETOWN: Pennington, NJ HEIGHT: 6-4 WEIGHT: 190 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Virginia Meccage is a projectable right-handed pitcher with a fantastic frame an explosive traits in his delivery. There's big arm speed here and it comes out of a reasonably clean and free delivery featuring a ton of scap load with a bit of inversion in the back. There's some effort out in front, but his athleticism and feel to repeat helps suggest that could iron itself out over time. He can at times be a tick late in his release on breaking balls, though it should polish up with added strength. Meccage has been up to 96, sitting 90-92 with high spin rates and varying shape. His slider projects well with well-above average spin rates and big depth. There's also a changeup and a curveball in there, though both lag behind his two primary weapons and he's hardly needed to throw them. Meccage has dominated his competition in showcase and tournament settings with enormous whiff and miss rates. He's a strike-thrower with bat-missing stuff. Meccage is committed to Virginia. He will be on the younger side for this draft turning 18 just a few months prior to the draft. |
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HOMETOWN: Hernando, MS HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 195 BAT/THROW: R-R Tygart, put quite simply, has some of the most insane stuff the 2024 class has to offer. Blessed with an absolute hammer slider with immense sweep and a mid-90s heater that bores in on righties, Tygart is a huge weapon out of the bullpen. There's considerable effort in his delivery and just about everyone is convinced he's destined for high-leverage roles at the next level. That said, the pure stuff here is unmatched and Tygart represents the type of talent that could force his way onto a competing big league bullpen in September 2024 after he's selected. |
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HOMETOWN: Metter, GA HEIGHT: 6-0 WEIGHT: 185 BAT/THROW: B-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Vanderbilt Rigdon has long been a premium prospect in the 2024 class with a strong combination of hit tool, approach and IQ at second base. Rigdon doesn't project to hit for a ton of power moving forward, but he's the perfect table-setter and a guy who the defense can really rally around up the middle of the diamond. It's one of the stronger defensive middle infielders in the class. |
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HOMETOWN: Mantua, NJ HEIGHT: 6-0 WEIGHT: 190 BAT/THROW: L-L Petrutz burst onto the scene as a true freshman flashing a ton of ability at the plate and budding potential in the field. A pure hitter with a pull-side approach, Petrutz has significant bat speed for his frame and projects an average power hitter moving forward. He has a discerning eye at the plate and is more than willing to take his walks, punishing mistakes left over the heart. Petrutz doesn't strikeout much either. His development in the field, likely left field, will be paramount in determining his draft stock. A fringy runner with a fringy arm, the bat will have to carry most of his helium. But it's a good one. |
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HOMETOWN: Indian Trail, NC HEIGHT: 6-4 WEIGHT: 200 BAT/THROW: R-R Vartanian transferred into Campbell for the 2024 season after two years at Gason College. It's all gas all the time on this one featuring a fastball with carry through the zone up to 98 mph. He'll pair two different breaking balls including a high-80s. slider and an upper-70s curveball into the arsenal. Vartanian needs to miss more bats with his arsenal, though he's a strike-thrower and looks the type of profile who can work in any number of roles. He's one of the better bets to start at the next level when being compared to his peers in this class. For that reason, he's likely go by off the board at or before the middle of day two. |
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HOMETOWN: Tallahassee, FL HEIGHT: 6-4 WEIGHT: 225 BAT/THROW: L-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Florida State A tremendously intimidating athlete in the box, Bailey might possess more raw power than anyone in the 2024 prep class. It's exceptional bat speed from the left side with a bat path built to do damage to all fields; his pull-side power being mammoth. There's some natural loft built into his attack angle, but Bailey lets the ball travel and can blister baseballs into the left-center field gap with authority. He's shown a considerable amount of swing and miss in tournament play in his younger years, but as the bat speed has elevated and the swing has shortened up, Bailey has shown more consistency against premium arms and scouts now believe he's got a real chance to hit too. He'll have to continue to refine his ability against spin, specifically spin in the zone, but it's ticking up. The 6-foot-4-inch Bailey can play a little bit of third base but scouts like the profile at first base long term. Bailey is a below-average runner and most of his value will come by of the bat. |
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HOMETOWN: Verona, WI HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 175 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Xavier DeTienne was a bit of a pop-up name in the scouting community toward the tail-end of last summer impressing at a couple different events, shining at Area Code Games. He's got an extremely quick arm with a loose, over-the-top delivery featuring a full arm-swing and longer action. It's an over-hand power delivery, free and easy with good downhill plane. DeTienne can be scattered in his control and command at times as he'll pull his head off the target through release, but he's been up to 96 with carry, and will rest 92-94 over multiple innings, his command seemingly improving as he works a lather. His low-80s breaker has promise with big, late vertical bite, tunneling well off the heater, though commanding the pitch is still a work in progress. This is a power arm with high-octane upside who could eventually flirt with triple digits. He's a name to watch as he adds strength and polish to his operation. There's something of a Jordan Romano comparison here. |
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HOMETOWN: Bartow, FL HEIGHT: 5-11 WEIGHT: 170 BAT/THROW: L-R Vastine has long been revered for his hit tool going back to his high school days. The only reason he ended up at Vanderbilt was his signing bonus demands in the draft. There were plenty of teams interested in buying the talented infielder in the second round, but he bet on himself. Blessed with an elite approach and a willingness to take his walks, Vastine is always going to sport high on-base numbers and should put the ball in play better than most. There's not a ton of power in the stick, but he could grow into double-digit power as a pro. Vastine is a bit of a tweener profile for scouts as most expect he fits best at second base at the next level, though he can handle shortstop (where he's played at Vanderbilt) in a pinch. His bat doesn't fit the prototype of a third baseman, but he's certainly got the hands to play there too. |
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HOMETOWN: Norcross, GA HEIGHT: 6-2 WEIGHT: 190 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Mississippi State Cason is pure projection with explosive actions both on the mound and in the field. He's been flirting with the mid-90s on the mound and it'll definitely come soon with his arm speed. As a position prospect, Cason has the chops to stick at shortstop with good lateral mobility and a cannon for an arm. He's a solid average runner and can get to most plays in either direction. Cason has seen his skills at the plate tick up of late, but finding consistent success with the bat will be a key development for him moving forward. Cason will be just 17 years old on draft day and will be heavily favored by model teams. |
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HOMETOWN: Caledon, Ontario, Canada HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 190 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Florida State Romeo is an interesting prospect in that he's from Canada and has a complicated eligibility status. He's eligible for the 2024 MLB Draft, but college-eligible in 2025. It's as buttery an operation as you'll find in the high school class with low effort, a short, quick, electric arm action and a fastball already up to 96. He's loose, the arm works easy, and it's all supplemented by premium confidence and pitch-ability on the bump. Romeo pounds the strike zone with 2-seam fastball, though he'll mix in a more traditional four-seamer that he likes to exclusively deploy at the top rail. Both pitches live in the 91-93 bucket over longer outings, holding velocity well. Romeo bullies hitters, comfortably working inside, sawing off bats. He's a power arm, though not in the traditional strikeout sense. His best secondary is a deeper low-80s slider with solid average spin rates and considerable sweep out of the zone. It features strong tunneling attributes off the fastball, especially when commanded off the outer rail when Romeo is landing his 2-seamer on the inside corner to righties. Commanding the breaking ball has been an emphasis over the last twelve months, and it's shown considerable signs of improvement. He'll mix in the occasional spiked changeup against lefty bats, but is primarily a two-pitch artist for the time being. Everything about Romeo is clean on the bump. He projects to work into the mid-90s as he matures, and has obvious starter traits. Romeo will be 18.5 years old on draft day and represents one of the safer bets to start at the next level in this class. |
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HOMETOWN: Richmond, VA HEIGHT: 6-0 WEIGHT: 200 BAT/THROW: R-R Woolfolk is a two-sport star with a potential future on the football field if baseball doesn't work out. But the arm talent is pretty sensational. Woolfolk can work up in to the upper-90s, sitting 93-95 in multi-inning outings. He throws a hard, short slider that can be a dynamic weapon if he can throw enough strikes to get to it. Woolfolk is your prototype power arm with control and command concerns and unlimited upside. |
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HOMETOWN: Mesa, AZ HEIGHT: 5-9 WEIGHT: 184 BAT/THROW: L-R Campos has been a productive offensive force for the Sun Devils since arriving on campus, his defensive chops improving along the way. Campos makes a lot of contact and always seems to post mature at-bats with a sound process and discerning eye. He hardly ever strikes out and does draw a fair amount of walks. Campos isn't necessarily a power hitter, and is unlikely to develop into much more given his smaller frame, but he has a bat path geared toward lifting the baseball in that low-and-inside "go zone". He'll pummel mistakes from righties and has a shot at developing into an above average hitter at the next level with a smattering of fringe-average to average tools across his profile. |
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HOMETOWN: Lee's Summit, MO HEIGHT: 6-4 WEIGHT: 210 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Missouri Dickerson is an imposing high school infielder with a long, athletic frame, broad shoulder and tons of projection. He moves well on the dirt, though most scouts see a move to third base or the outfield as his body continues to fill out. Already an average runner, Dickerson could get stronger and maintain that speed. His throwing arm is largely average as well. That said, the potential and upside for damage offensively certainly exists. Dickerson works to the pull-side, but he peppers balls into the RCF gap in BP. There's considerable bat speed here, and the raw power is fairly obvious. There's a bit of an arm-bar out in front for Dickerson, so cleaning that up and extending through the ball could really unlock what his frame is capable of. |
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HOMETOWN: Upper Saddle River, NJ, FL HEIGHT: 6-5 WEIGHT: 205 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Duke Modugno is a big, physical third baseman with a ton of bat speed and very present over-the-fence power to all-fields. He's more physically advanced than just about all of his peers, punishing underdeveloped arms with authority over the past few seasons on the tournament circuit. Modugno has a strong throwing arm too, and the hands to suggest a future at third base could be possible. Already reasonably maxed in terms of strength, Modugno will need to continue to stay athletic and explosive on the field if his baseball tools are to keep up with the competition. Some scouts prefer the profile on the mound where he's been up to 97 with a power breaking ball and fringy command. Still, it's some of the most imposing sheer power you can find in the 2024 class on both sides of the ball. |
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HOMETOWN: Louisville, CO HEIGHT: 6-4 WEIGHT: 220 BAT/THROW: R-R Carter saw his fastball velocity explode entering the 2022 season. Carter has been up to 101 mph, though it is an effortful delivery and almost certainly projects into a bullpen role at the next level if he doesn't dial back the violence. Carter's best secondary is a curveball into the low-80s with big depth and swing-and-miss traits. For now, he's really only a two-pitch guy. Carter's control of the strikezone also has a ways to go as he's struggled with walks in his collegiate career. The upside of Carter is fairly obvious if he can iron some things out between now and draft day. |
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HOMETOWN: Roland, OK HEIGHT: 6-5 WEIGHT: 210 BAT/THROW: B-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Arkansas Wiggins, an Arkansas commit and brother of fellow Razorback pitchers Jaxon Wiggins, saw a meteoric jump in stuff in the summer of 2023, grabbing 98 and resting 94-96 over multiple innings. The arm strength is without question and the fastball value will carry his profile, but the breaking ball has taken steps forward of late as well. There's late tilt and some considerable bite when he gets around it. He's also an impressive basketball player for Roland. Wiggins will be one of the hardest throwing righties available in the 2024 class and has a shot to go earlier than his brother did in the 2023 Draft. Wiggins will be 19 years old on draft day. |
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HOMETOWN: Fayetteville, GA HEIGHT: 6-6 WEIGHT: 220 BAT/THROW: L-L Hill is a big, imposing, projectable lefty with budding velocity and a four-pitch mix. He'll run the fastball into the low-90s with some carry, though his shape has been inconsistent early in his career. Hill features a slider, curve and changeup, the latter being the most effective weapon right now. As Hill continues to add strength and polish, he could feature as a future backend of the rotation type of prospect. |
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HOMETOWN: Camarillo, CA HEIGHT: 6-8 WEIGHT: 240 BAT/THROW: R-L COLLEGE COMMITMENT: LSU Another massive pitching prospect, Bateman has now stuff and the buttery operation to suggest more is to come. There are times when he loses his release point with the fastball, but that should iron itself out over time. Bateman touches 96 now, sitting in the low 90s with a big, banger breaking ball that comes off the heater late featuring depth. Bateman gets plenty of whiffs on curveballs in the dirt. Bateman will need to throw more strikes as he works into the next level of baseball, and getting more production from his fastball will be important too. Still, it's a workhorse body with a good secondary and that can be awfully hard to find from the left side. He'll need to watch his physique as he matures, but the stuff right now is loud. He's a bulldog on the bump with an imposing attitude and an innings-eater demeanor. |
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HOMETOWN: Grapevine, TX HEIGHT: 6-4 WEIGHT: 182 BAT/THROW: L-L COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Dallas Baptist Hill is an explosive mover with huge arm speed from the left side and the accompanying arsenal to get hitters out in a myriad of ways. It's a high waist and long levers generating a fastball that's been up to 95, consistently sitting 90-92 with a tight spinning slider and bigger curveball. Hill's entire repertoire is high spin. As he continues learning how to command the zone and pitch backwards, Hill's ceiling should continue to rise. There's some effort at release and some whack in his follow-through, so continuing an emphasis in getting stronger will be a priority. If Hill doesn't get drafted, he has the looks of an arm who could dominate the college ranks for the foreseeable future. |
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HOMETOWN: Houston, TX HEIGHT: 6-4 WEIGHT: 230 BAT/THROW: R-R Smith has been 92-94, up to 96 mph with considerable carry through the zone. He works in a solid slider with two plane tilt and a firm changeup with arm-side fading action. |
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HOMETOWN: Northville, MI HEIGHT: 6-2 WEIGHT: 200 BAT/THROW: R-L COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Pittsburgh Broughton is a twitchy, stretchy southpaw with big athletic traits and physical upside coming. He's got a strong core and sturdy strength in his legs. It's a frame that looks ready for long innings. He generates tremendous hip-shoulder separation, and could add more velocity as he develops in a more professional setting. Already up to 94 with huge carry through the zone, Broughton has pitch metrics that teams seek in the draft. It's a high-spin arsenal with slurvy curveball featuring huge depth when it's right; generally 78-80. He'll use it to steal strikes and/or bury at the back foot of right-handed hitters to put them away. The changeup has made strides over the last nine months and now features considerable arm-side fading action when he gets around on it. Continued emphasis on commanding that pitch in games and selling the arm speed on it are continued points of his development. Broughton can do things many other arms simply cannot, and from the left side no less. Skeptics of the profile point to an arm action that can be a touch late at times, though he's shown no cause for durability concern. He's an interesting metric day-two sleeper who could surge up into the first few rounds of the draft if his velocity and control improve as July approaches. |
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HOMETOWN: Alvin, TX HEIGHT: 6-5 WEIGHT: 180 BAT/THROW: L-L COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Texas A&M Williams is a long-levered, lean southpaw who produces massive extension down the mound with a loose, longer arm action in the back, but he still fills up the zone. Williams really knows how to pitch. He has feel for spin and commanding the baseball to both sides of the plate. He'll mix it up with three pitches, all of which he's comfortable throwing to both lefties and righties. The fastball is a 2-seamer with some arm-side run and the occasional sink when he gets through the pitch. It'll sit 90-94, but the frame screams more velocity on the way. Williams' secondaries get the headlines with scouts. His mid-80s changeup features fantastic tunneling off the heat, with late dart away from righty bats. He really turns the pitch over and induces tumble late. A low-80s slider features below average spin rates, but his feel for the pitch and shaping his arsenal more than make up for it. It's a two-plane sweeper that he'll front door or back door to both sides of the plate. It's been a chase pitch for Williams, and projects a potential above average weapon with further refinement. Presently, Williams has a fringy fastball, an above average changeup and a solid average breaking ball. His long, lean frame is something to dream on, and more "stuff" could be on the way. |
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HOMETOWN: Davie, FL HEIGHT: 6-6 WEIGHT: 205 BAT/THROW: S-R Tejeda possesses a lanky frame with tons of projection remaining. Tejeda has always been a good athlete with two-way potential, but most believe his future is on the mound. Up to 97, Tejeda has a ton of extension and the ball jumps out of his hand. His best secondary is the changeup with solid conviction with some fade and a bit of tumble. Tejeda's curveball has taken massive strides at Florida, flashing average to solid average at time with solid depth. The slider has been a work in progress, thrown in the 83-86 bucket with two plane tilt, if not inconsistent in shape and execution. Tejeda's upside is limitless considering the athlete, size and lack of experience on the bump. |
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HOMETOWN: Palm Beach, FL HEIGHT: 6-0 WEIGHT: 185 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Ole Miss Miller, a re-class out of 2025, is a plus runner with a quick first step out of the box with a frame that suggests he should hold that athleticism into professional ball. He features a sturdy built frame with present strength evenly distributed throughout. It's a bit of a bulldog, powderkeg body that doesn't possess too much more physical upside, though Miller is already impacting the baseball when he chooses to sell out for slug. He boasts average exit velocity figures for his age and could get to solid average raw power thanks to his dense, athletic frame. Miller tends to emphasize the bat-to-ball in his swing rather than tap into his natural raw power more often than not, especially against more premium pitching. Miller has active hands, rhythm, and some unconventional wiggle in his load, all of which act as timing triggers for his swing. It's a shorter swing that finishes cut-off out in front in an attempt to extend and lift the ball, stroking line drives usually to the opposite field gap. While Miller has yet to hit for much power on the showcase and tournament circuit, he's been one of the better bat-to-ball hitters in the prep ranks and does a nice job staying inside the zone. His 93% in-zone contact rate in 2022 and 2023 is indicative of the type of "put the game in motion" type of hitter than Miller currently is. Ultimately, he's still rather green in terms of seeing high-level pitching, but the tools are there for a potentially strong contact hitter who could develop into some power as he ages. Miller could become an above average hit tool, average game-power guy if it all clicks. It's an above average throwing arm that should be an asset in either center or right field. Technically, his footwork is more advanced than most of his peers and he's got a shot to stick in centerfield if his routes and instincts are up to par. |
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HOMETOWN: Santa Cruz, CA HEIGHT: 6-2 WEIGHT: 215 BAT/THROW: L-R Hipwell was a steady offensive force for Santa Clara in 2023 blasting 14 homers and leading the charge down the stretch. He had a 17-RBI performance in a one-week span against Pacific, Cal Poly and BYU that really caught scouts' attention. Hipwell is revered for his barrel consistency -- a guy who always seems to sting the ball when he gets wood (or metal) on it. He does a nice job of narrowing the strike zone, spitting on pitchers' pitches and pulls the trigger on offerings he likes. There's still some swing and miss in the game, but there might be a strong enough approach here to warrant a future 45 hit tool grade. Defensively, Hipwell is destined for first or third base. At third base, he has a strong arm and a good internal clock, though his hands are a work in progress as he's been susceptible to the occasional ball off the heel of the palm. There's upside here for an average hot corner defender. |
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HOMETOWN: Coto de Caza, CA HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 200 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: UCLA de Groot is a long, physical right-handed outfielder with a high waist and projection remaining in his lower half and levers. He features a strong frame with broad shoulders and a barrel chest. de Groot has a short, compact path through the zone with a short, low, two-handed finish. For now, de Groot seems to sell-out for bat-to-ball rather than flex his physical frame and bat speed in games. He utilizes an opposite-field approach against more premium competition, but shows easy plus raw power in batting practice to the pull-side. Presently, he has a tendency to hit the ball on the ground with more frequency than in the air, but scouts believe as he gets more comfortable with top-shelf pitching, he'll be able to let his offensive tools rip a bit more and the results will bore out a bit louder in games. de Groot has clocked 4.2 home-to-first; a plus runner underway, as well as in 60-yard dash testing. It's also an above average arm in the field. de Groot is a tool shed with a ton of upside in every aspect of his game. In-game production against premium arms should continue to tick up as he grows more and more comfortable in those situations. |
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HOMETOWN: Peachland, NC HEIGHT: 6-1 WEIGHT: 190 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: North Carolina A double-plus runner with plus tools all over the diamond, Hargett should have no issue whatsoever finding a defensive home. He's a decorated athlete with a propensity to put on a show in games. Offensively there's some swing and miss concerns, but Hargett has impact in the barrel that he's shown live in competition. The pure tools are here for a day one selection in 2024, he'll just need to polish up the approach, footwork and little areas of his game to see his profile jump into that next tier. |
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HOMETOWN: Wylie, TX HEIGHT: 6-2 WEIGHT: 210 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Texas In a year lacking top-end right-handed prep arms, Flores really stands out for his present velocity, operation and three-pitch arsenal. He'll grab 96, sitting 92-93 over multi-inning shows with carry and some arm-side run. To this date, he hasn't missed a ton of bats with the heater as its shape might be a bit dead-zone in nature. Still, it's hard to argue with the velocity and projection for more on the way. Flores can really snap over an upper-70s, high-spin curveball with 11-5 shape and big depth. He sells the pitch with big arm speed and conviction. There's also a naiscent changeup that he's struggled to command. Flores is an explosive athlete with fantastic coil and drive down the bump with more strength on the way. His broad shoulders, durable frame and ability to hold velocity point to a future starter at the next level. He turns 18 years old just a few months before the draft and has the youthfulness card in his back pocket for model teams. He's got day one upside. |
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HOMETOWN: Zionsville, IN HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 215 BAT/THROW: R-R Dohm burst onto the scene in 2023 for the Bulldogs chucking upper-90s heat and mixing in a mid-to-upper 80s slider with serious tilt. He's primarily worked in relief, but some see a potential future in a rotation at the next level. The pure arm talent here is substantial, and if his sequencing and secondaries continue to polish up, he could go early in 2024. |
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HOMETOWN: Verona, NJ HEIGHT: 6-8 WEIGHT: 215 BAT/THROW: L-L A mammoth 6-foot-8-inch southpaw, Coppola has immense upside on the mound with a long, lanky frame and an extremely tough angle for opposing hitters to square up. He's really coming downhill hard on guys in the box and it's tough to pick up out of the hand. An imposing lefty, Coppola has touched upper-90s heat, more comfortably resting in the 93-94 range over multiple innings. He's got a dynamic, sweeping breaking ball that has a ton of bat-missing potential, as well as a changeup he can flip over and fade away from righty bats. The best is yet to come with Coppola as he fully recovers from injury and potentially positions himself as one of the premier arms in the SEC. Coppola has a lot to prove with constant injuries sidelining his career, but the ceiling is just so high. |
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HOMETOWN: Centreville, MI HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 185 BAT/THROW: L-L Spencer is an intimidating lefty with a fastball up to 98 mph and mid-80s slider that has wreaked havoc on the opposition. This is a high-octane arm with a dynamic two-pitch mix not seen from the left side too often. Spencer can lose his control and command at times, and walks can get streaky, but you won't find many other arms in the country capable of boasting the arm talent Spencer possesses. |
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HOMETOWN: Odenton, MD HEIGHT: 6-4 WEIGHT: 195 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Maryland Yeager is a strapping right-handed pitcher with broad, sloping shoulder, a high waist and long levers. It's a fastball that's already grabbing 96 mph. The breaking ball projects well with high spin and slurving shape, tight break with late bite when it's right. Changeup lags, but has flashed potential at different stops, but more commonly in side sessions. This is a big scap-load guy who projects to throw very hard as he ages into professional ball. For now, his arm can be late at times causing some command woes, and there's some violence in his delivery that'll need to be calmed if he hopes to throw enough strikes to start. Yeager is a tremendous athlete with two-way upside include plus raw power, but just about everyone sees his future on the bump. |
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HOMETOWN: Morris, IL HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 193 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Tennessee Hayse, a Tennessee commit, has a super-quick arm and is a fantastic athlete on the bump with projection in his game and explosiveness in his operation. The arm works really well, and while he has a tendency to overthrow his arsenal at times, he generally settles in over longer outings and works into a more rhythmic lather. Hayse will touch 94, but more commonly ends up 89-90 after the first couple innings with big time arm-side run and occasional carry. The changeup is his best pitch, and it's a doozy. There's close to 10 mph of separation off the fastball with heavy parachute and withering action at the tail-end. It's a pitch with plenty of conviction and arm speed behind it. Hayse's slider has taken huge strides over the last 9 months, adding 8 mph of velocity and considerably more depth. It's a 2900 gyro-frisbee. While Hayse does tend to over-throw the pitch and fall off glove-side, it's a pitch whose shape should perform at the next level. Repeating his delivery will be a point of emphasis as July approaches, but the athletic tools and feel for pitching are quite obvious here. Hayse will be 18.5 on draft day. |
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HOMETOWN: Beaumont, TX HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 215 BAT/THROW: L-R Kash has provided the thump and the mash for Texas, and this year for Texas Tech, a college slugger for a couple years now. Kash has a keen eye at the plate and does a ton of damage to the pullside. He's hits the ball hard, takes his walks and pummels velocity. He's really got a forward trajectory heading into his draft year and is one of the most decorated hitters in college baseball right now. He is destined for first base at the next level, so pressure will continue to be applied to the bat up through July. |
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HOMETOWN: San Clemente, CA HEIGHT: 6-1 WEIGHT: 195 BAT/THROW: R-R Schrier was a big ticket item in 2021 as a prep, but went unselected amid high signing bonus demands. That said, he had plenty of suitors calling for his services. Schrier is a bit of a do-it-all infielder. He's posts healthy contact rates, healthy exit velocities and covers every pitch type all whilst refusing to expand the zone. He handles breaking balls particularly well compared to his peers. Scouts want to see Schrier close what appears to be a hole in his swing in terms of velocity at the top of the strikezone to gain confidence he'll be able to hit at the next level. Schrier likely figures to be a second or third baseman at the next level where his bigger body, average speed and average throwing arm will play best. If he continues on his current path, Schrier could be an above average, maybe even a plus hitter with solid average power at the next level. It's not easy to find second basemen who can mash 18-20 home runs a year, and that's what Schrier could bring to the table. |
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HOMETOWN: Arlington, TX HEIGHT: 6-2 WEIGHT: 190 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: LSU Hogg is a toolsy player with steady leather on the dirt and fundamental actions in all his game. He's an above average runner with burgeoning bat speed, growing past his gap-to-gap profile of his younger years. Hogg is more of a gap-hitter at the plate with a quick, flat attacking plane, using the gaps to his advantage. When he wants to get into ambush mode, he can get a bit more aggressive with his launch angles and bat speed, though Hogg tends to focus on putting together a mature at-bat and not selling out. He's got a long, decorated history of handling velocity, and handling it well, so transitioning to the pro game should be rather smooth, at least in terms of seeing arms that throw hard on a regular basis. Hogg is a shortstop for now, though his speed and actions could force him into the outfield. In any case, his steadfast approach toward the game will serve him well anywhere on the diamond. Hogg is 19 at the time of the 2024 draft, so he'll be eligible again in 2026 if he makes it to LSU. |
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HOMETOWN: Medford, OR HEIGHT: 5-10 WEIGHT: 198 BAT/THROW: R-R After rotating through a multitude of positions during his first two years with the Ducks, Thompson firmly cemented the starting catcher role toward the latter stages of the 2023 season. He's lauded for his offensive approach with low chase rates, lower whiff rates and in-zone swing metrics that point to a guy who should post strong slash lines at the next level. It's a potential above average hit tool, maybe more if he adds strength. Raw power isn't a calling card for Thompson. It's below average power, though his feel for the barrel is efficient leading to extra-base hits. He's mostly a pull-side hitter who likes to ambush pitches elevated in the zone. The only hole in his swing, if you can call it that, appears to be spin located low and away. Thompson gets strong reports from scouts, and grades out well metrically in terms of his ability to frame the baseball behind the plate. He's largely middle of the pack in terms of blocking balls in the dirt and avoiding wild pitches, though his lack of reps entering the 2024 season can be largely to blame. This area of his game should improve. He's also middle of the pack in terms of holding runners at first base, though added reps could improve his catch-and-throw ability as he's demonstrated arm strength in the past. Thompson is a sum of his parts type of player who keeps the game in motion offensively and delivers mature plate appearances for his team. He's unlikely to ever develop into an impact stick, but his chops for catching, physical tools and polish could lead to a long, productive career at the next level. |
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HOMETOWN: Whitefish Bay, WI HEIGHT: 6-2 WEIGHT: 170 BAT/THROW: S-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Alabama Wisconsin has produced some truly impressive infielders over the past half-decade, but Dix may be the best of the bunch. A switch-hitter with real ability from both sides, Dix features more loft and bat speed from the left side. From the right, it's a bit more hitterish with an opposite field gap approach with ringing doubles bat-speed. He has a real chance to switch-hit moving forward. Performing on the showcase and tournament circuit has been streaky, but those who have seen him at his best swear by the offensive tools. On the dirt, he uses his wiry frame well with a whippy arm and solid range to his left and enough arm to make most plays into the hole. Dix may end up at second base or third base as a pro. This is a high-level athlete with a ton of twitch and torque in how he plays with plenty of projection on the tools ahead of him. |
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HOMETOWN: Suwanee, GA HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 185 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: South Carolina Parker can really, really pick it in the field. He's got fantastic hands and all the actions you would ever require for a shortstop. Offensively, there's a lot of moving parts and triggers that'll need to be ironed out to become a consistent force against advanced stuff. Parker has plenty of bat speed and the athleticism is readily apparent at the plate. As we work toward the July draft, scouts would like to see Parker quiet it down a bit at the plate and develop a routine. When he does, his stock could soar. |
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HOMETOWN: Longwood, FL HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 200 BAT/THROW: R-R One of the better catchers in the 2022 class, Heyman landing in Gainesville was a big win for the Gators. Big power potential thanks to a strong feel for optimizing lift and getting to the ball out in front. Really gets into his legs well at the plate. Body may force him out from behind the plate, but that bat will carry the profile. Significant power. |
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HOMETOWN: Indianapolis, IN HEIGHT: 6-2 WEIGHT: 200 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Notre Dame Sullivan saw a monumental jump in stuff this spring. He's flashed 97 in showcase settings, up from the upper-80s fastball he showed in 2023. His low-80s slider of yesteryear is now an upper-80s slider with sharp, short tilt. While command for the breaker is still reportedly fringy, scouts like how the pitch projects. There's also an upper-80s changeup that is firm and lacks depth. The fastball has a chance to be a plus pitch thanks to it's carry and Sullivan's average feel for commanding it. He's shown good tempo on the mound featuring a higher leg kick and a loose arm. The ball comes out of Sullivan's hand free and easy with fluidity. There's some recoil through release, but it's moslty redundant in his strike-throwing ability. The pitchability is streaky and Sullivan tends to miss spots, leading to elevated pitch counts and increased walk rates. Sullivan possesses intriguing arm talent. Refining his control and command, as well as continued development of a third pitch will be key going forward. He's got an up arrow next to his name as July approaches. |
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HOMETOWN: Mill Hall, PA HEIGHT: 6-0 WEIGHT: 200 BAT/THROW: R-R Major has worked a number of roles across the Cape and for West Virginia, but most foresee a future in a multi-inning stretch capacity where he brings mid-90s just and a ton of strikes at the opposition. Major has been up to 97 with carry through the top rail out of a shorter slot. He generally lives 92-94, complimenting the heat with a low-to-mid 80s slider featuring high spin and depth. Against lefties, Major will throw a mid-80s changeup with depth and a bit of tail. If scouts deem Major has a shot to start at the next level, he's certainly got the arm talent to go on day one. Otherwise, he's likely going to be off the board early in the first couple rounds on day two, and he could move quickly. |
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HOMETOWN: Southlake, TX HEIGHT: 6-2 WEIGHT: 195 BAT/THROW: L-L Herring is primarily a two-pitch southpaw with two versions of a fastball and a slider that has taken major strides in the last 12 months. The heat will get up to 96 with some carry and arm-side run. It's been an effective pitch both in creating whiffs and chase from the opposition, aided by some natural deception in Herring's delivery. The two-seamer melts into the four-seamer a bit as it lacks distinct shape and differentiation from the four-seamer. It's also been a less effective offering to this point. Herring's slider is a dynamic weapon that's been up to 88 mph and will generally bucket in the 83-85 range. There's significant depth on the pitch and his chase and whiff rates on the pitch are exceptional. It's a gyro bullet slider and it plays beautifully off his four-seam fastball. While there is a changeup that's a work in progress, to this point it's hardly been deployed. Herring won't have too many opportunities in a loaded LSU stable to show he can pitch extended innings, instead coming out of the bullpen on most occasions. There's some herk and jerk in his delivery, specifically out of the stretch, but he's a fluid mover in the windup and scouts believe there's at least a chance he could start at the next level. There's some Andrew Abbott to this profile and Herring has a chance to go early on day two with impressive looks down the stretch. |
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HOMETOWN: Oviedo, FL HEIGHT: 6-0 WEIGHT: 170 BAT/THROW: L-L COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Clemson Bell is a very real two-way prospect with hitterish tendencies in the box and pitchability on the bump. He'll live 91-93 and will mix in a changeup, a curveball and a tough cutter/slider. Bell is lauded for his ability to pound the zone, mix things up and keep hitters off their feet. Likely an outfielder with the bat, Bell has a big arm with athleticism to handle balls in the gaps. He's a fringy runner, but has the frame and athleticism to suggest he could grow into a bit more straight-line speed. In the box, it's a sweet, smooth stroke that plays to all-fields, blistering line drives into gaps. |
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HOMETOWN: Rancho Santa Margarita, CA HEIGHT: 6-2 WEIGHT: 200 BAT/THROW: R-L Molina is a bulldog on the mound, a barrel-chested southpaw with a fantastic three-pitch mix and a attacker mindset. The fastball only tickles the low-90s right now, but gets enormous hop late, jumping over barrels with authority. The changeup shows fantastic shape, though Molina continues to refine his feel for the pitch. It flashes above average at times. Molina flashes two separate breaking balls, the curveball being the better offering featuring tunnel off the fastball with significant depth and conviction. Molina has the chance to be a solid back-end of the rotation starter with four pitches, maybe more if his stuff ticks up. |
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HOMETOWN: Flower Mound, TX HEIGHT: 6-0 WEIGHT: 215 BAT/THROW: R-L COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Texas A&M Erickson was one of the big winners on the showcase circuit in 2023, posting gaudy run times and impressive exit velocities across several events in front of scouts. A primary outfielder, Erickson projects a plus runner with a corner profile, likely left field thanks to an average throwing arm. Erickson packs a punch at that plate with extra base-hit juice and plenty of power to his pull-side. He's demonstrated opposite-field ringing gap power as well. Erickson operates from an open stance with high hands and whippy barrel speed through the zone. His bat path can vary from event to event, so finding consistent triggers and hand work will be an emphasis moving forward. Erickson is one of the better performers in the class and has the physical tools to get drafted relatively high. |
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HOMETOWN: St. Augustine, FL HEIGHT: 6-6 WEIGHT: 210 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Florida Sandford certainly looks the part of a future ace for the Florida Gators. The 6-foot-6-inch righty comes action-packed with a 96 mph fastball, immense extension down the mound and elite fastball shape featuring tons of carry through the zone. His best secondary is a sweeping slider with above average spin in the low-80s, though it plays up at this stage thanks to Sandford's feel for commanding the pitch away from righties. There's also a project-changeup in his arsenal, though it's a ways away from being at the level of his top-two offerings. There's a great deal of effort and head whack in Sandford's delivery at the time of publish, something he'll need to iron out if scouts are to trust he can hold up and survive the rigors of pitching in a rotation. |
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HOMETOWN: New Hartford, NY HEIGHT: 5-11 WEIGHT: 175 BAT/THROW: R-R Roman Kimball is another guy who benefits greatly from big data and interesting metrics that can play at the next level right away. Kimball features an unusually low release and a riding fastball. It's a pitch that's been meta in Major League Baseball for a while now. Kimball sits in the low-90s, working up to 95 at his best with a big, banger breaking ball. Changeup shape really flashes, though feel for the pitch comes and goes. He's also worked to fold in an average cutter that keeps hitters' barrel off the fastball. He's not too dissimilar from a guy like Devereaux Harrison from the 2023 class. Kimball will need to throw more strikes if he's got a chance at starting at the next level, but he's a unique talent with a future role. He missed almost all of the 2023 season recovering from Tommy John, but is back fully healthy. |
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HOMETOWN: Loudon, TN HEIGHT: 5-11 WEIGHT: 182 BAT/THROW: L-L COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Tennessee Walker is a slasher at the plate, but that works with his top-of-the-scale speed and burner mentality down the line. There's bat speed present, though his bat path isn't conducive of over-the-fence power. Walker's speed projects well in centerfield, though some believe he could grow off the role and shift to his right into left field. |
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HOMETOWN: Jerome, OH HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 190 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Tennessee Krenzel is an intriguing righty to follow through this draft as he's got one of the looser, fuller operations on the mound that presents natural deception and funk to hitters. It's a longer arm action, though he is on time in most cases and throws strikes. The fastball generally sits in the low-90s with arm-side run and some sink. He'll mix in an upper-70s slider with sweeping action, as well as a much fringier changeup that falls hard to the plate when he gets around it. There's some polish to be had here, but the end product could be awfully unique. |
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HOMETOWN: Kernersville, NC HEIGHT: 6-2 WEIGHT: 185 BAT/THROW: L-L Horn is a hard-throwing lefty who has been heavy, heavy, heavy on the four-seamer during his early collegiate career. He sits 93-95 but can rush it up there to 97 with a little late hop. He features above average spin rates on the heater and can miss bats aplenty with it. He's got a nasty slider with significant depth, though he's struggled to command it at times. Horn's upside is immense. So long as he stays in the zone and develops a tertiary offering, he's got the stuff to go really early in 2024. |
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HOMETOWN: Pembroke Pines, FL HEIGHT: 5-11 WEIGHT: 180 BAT/THROW: S-B Extreme athlete that's a switch-hitter at the plate and a both-handed pitcher on the mound. Up to the mid-90s w/ a hammer curveball from the right, upper-80s from the left side Cijntje has seen his stuff continually tick up on campus and has now bumped 97 on radar guns. The heat, coupled with the body and budding breaking ball has evaluators drooling on the trajectory and upside. He's one of the more unique athletes available in the 2024 class, most believing his future is that of a right-handed pitcher. |
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HOMETOWN: Seville, FL HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 205 BAT/THROW: R-R Neely has been a steady force for the Gators over his brief collegiate career. He's got a strong frame and projects to see his stuff tick up as he ages. Neely lives in the low 90s, but features a big, sweeping curveball and a deceptive changeup that really plays well off the heater. He'll have every chance to start for the Gators for three years before he's draft eligible, and could live in the mid-90s by the time his name is called in 2024. |
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HOMETOWN: Saddle River, NJ HEIGHT: 6-2 WEIGHT: 190 BAT/THROW: L-L COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Virginia Kirk's entire arsenal really sneaks up on hitters with strong deception, hiding the ball well. He's got long levers and projects to add more strength as he matures. Kirk will work up to 92, more commonly settling in 88-90 with arm-side run. His low-to-mid 70s changeup flashes above average at times, throwing on the breaks and separating considerably off the fastball. An upper-70s curveball is a viable weapon right now, flashing solid average with real feel for commanding the pitch to both sides of the plate, utilizing it as a get-me-over strike-stealer or spiked for chase. Kirk has fantastic pitchability and is one of the more polished arms in the class. |
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HOMETOWN: Xavier, MN HEIGHT: 6-4 WEIGHT: 220 BAT/THROW: L-L Loer is a really tough look on hitters with a super-wide delivery from the left side presenting lots of angles for the opposition. He'll live in the low-90s, but it's his low-80s slider that gets most of the outs. He has starter potential, but most foresee a dynamic lefty reliever moving forward. |
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HOMETOWN: Houston, TX HEIGHT: 6-1 WEIGHT: 180 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Texas Luna simply looks the part of a future big leaguer. He's got good size, broad shoulders and has athleticism melted about his entire profile. He's got quick feet on the dirt, is a long-strider and moves well laterally rounding through the baseball. He features a higher slot across the diamond and his throws possess good carry, above average arm strength as a whole. Luna has one of the sweeter swings from the right side in the 2024 class. He's direct to the ball with a consistent attack angle, generating backspin on ringing extra-base hits peppered into both gaps. He's shown over-the-fence power with firm hands and strong wrists through the hitting zone. Luna is quick into the zone and long through it, a good trait in projecting future polished hitters. He is an average runner that could gain half a tick in the foot speed department with proper training and physical development. He's got 10 to 15 good pounds ahead of him and represents one of the more enticing middle infield prospects coming out of the south in 2024. There's something of a Marcus Semien comp here. |
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HOMETOWN: Indianapolis, IN HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 205 BAT/THROW: R-R Dutkanych, arguably the most revered freshman to make it to campus in 2022, presents an ideal starting pitcher frame with broad shoulders and tons of projection remaining. He's got an extremely quick arm and the athleticism on the mound is absolutely incredible. Fastball will get up to 97 with serious deception and life. He's got a bulldog mentality and has shown an affinity for pitching on the inner-third of the plate. Dutkanych has a firm slider into the upper 80s, as well as a loopier curveball in the mid-70s. One of the more prototype arms in the class. Dutkanych has the talent and upside to become the first arm off the board. |
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HOMETOWN: Tijeras, NM HEIGHT: 6-2 WEIGHT: 185 BAT/THROW: R-R May is a fantastic athlete on the mound with a really quick arm and the stuff to support it. The fastball has been up into the high 90s and he throws a big, sweeping slider as his go-to secondary. There's a changeup in there too, though his feel for the pitch comes and goes. May is two years removed from Tommy John Surgery and just starting to get back all the velo he had in high school. He's got the makings of a high-leverage reliever with an upper-90s fastball and a firm, future upper-80s slider. |
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HOMETOWN: Corona, CA HEIGHT: 6-2 WEIGHT: 205 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Oregon Springer is a natural hitter with a quiet, compact swing featuring heavy hands and huge rotational torque. He covers every quadrant in the zone, and has the maneuverability to battle off tough pitches. For now, it's mostly fringe-average power, but this is a good frame and scouts think he could change his approach a tick and lean into potentially solid power at the next level, maybe more. He possesses the hand and barrel speed necessary to get there. He's a much twitchier athlete than his exit velocity figures suggest, so as he ages and matures into his game process, Springer should see his output jump considerably. Springer is a strong athlete who's willing to dive onto balls in the dirt and sacrifice the body. He's a fringy catch-and-throw guy who relies on anticipation out of the crouch to post pop times. His arm strength will need to improve, though he'll barely be 18 years old on draft day. A real model darling. Teams will want to see whether he is capable of handling third base or the outfield as we approach the draft. If anyone is convinced of his athleticism on the infield, he's got a shot at going in the Top 3 rounds. |
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HOMETOWN: Pearland, TX HEIGHT: 6-4 WEIGHT: 185 BAT/THROW: L-L COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Rice Blaine Brown was reasonably unknown until this spring when he began flashing big stuff. He's got the frame scouts looks for in a projectable high school pitcher featuring a lean, lanky frame with a ton of weight to come. His sloping shoulders and narrow core suggests he'll always be a leaner cut, but there's 15 good pounds still to come in his lower half. The lanky lefty is up to 95 and will sit 90-92 over starts with sinking action. The control and command of the fastball have improved this year. There's an upper-70s slider with two planes, more depth than sweep. It's not yet an out pitch, but it projects. There's a lot of components here to like, including his two-way ability showcasing some athleticism with the bat and in the outfield. Brown will turn 18 just a few months before the draft. |
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HOMETOWN: New Albany, OH HEIGHT: 6-4 WEIGHT: 225 BAT/THROW: R-R Tibbetts is well-liked in the clubhouse and is revered for his ability to call a good game. The strength in his game is at the plate, however. He possesses an average hit tool with solid average raw power and a patient approach to the game. He'll use the whole field, though almost all of his power is to the pull-side. Tibbitts is well-known in scouting circles going back to his high school days and that pedigree should do him well in the evaluation process leading up to the 2024 draft. |
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HOMETOWN: San Diego, CA HEIGHT: 6-2 WEIGHT: 190 BAT/THROW: L-R Gourson is a mature hitter with a keen eye at the plate and an unwillingness to expand the zone against even the best pitching. He's still developing the pure bat-to-ball many expect he'll feature as a fully-mature prospect, but proponents of his profile see a future above average hitter with gap power. Gourson doesn't sting the ball terribly hard yet at this stage in his career, but he has a good frame and could add impact as he approaches July. He currently lacks the stride and arm strength to play shortstop, though evaluators like Gourson's chances of staying on the dirt at second base long-term. |
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HOMETOWN: Tustin, CA HEIGHT: 5-10 WEIGHT: 185 BAT/THROW: S-L The youngest of the McLain brothers (Matt, Sean), Nick is much of the same of what his brothers provide. He's a hit-over-power middle-of-the-diamond profile with a slasher approach, gap-to-gap. McLain has played a good bit of outfield at Arizona State, though his best position might be second base like his brothers. |
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HOMETOWN: Olive Branch, MO HEIGHT: 6-1 WEIGHT: 195 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Texas Richardson is among the most physical pound-for-pound athletes in the class features premium bat speed and real impact at the plate. He's an above average-to-plus runner with a strong arm at either third base or in the outfield. Most scouts believe his future is in the latter thanks to longer strides and strong route running ability. Richardson will need to continue refining his hit tool should he hope to see his stock take off before July. Too often would he expand the zone against better arms, and his contact rates suffered because of it. Still, the pure tools are among the best in the whole high school crop and if more polish comes at the plate, Richardson possesses some of the best star upside found in this prep class. Richardson is on the older side of the sliding scale. He'll turn 19 years old one month after the draft, so scouts want to see more polish as the draft approaches. |
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HOMETOWN: Hampton, GA HEIGHT: 6-0 WEIGHT: 185 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Georgia A decorated two-sport star, Clavon is a firecracker on the diamond with wicked hands and a really strong throwing arm. He's a plus runner who has snagged double-plus run times underway. Defensively, scouts are split on whether his actions will ultimately keep him at shortstop, or whether the entire package fits better in centerfield or at third base. Clavon possesses a quiet demeanor at the plate and a willingness to really work deep into a count to get a fastball. He projects to hit for a bit of power, but it's mostly a slashing gap approach for the time being. He's done wonders to alter his swing, staying more connected and opening up some upside at the plate. There's still a split on whether he'll hit enough or impact the game enough offensively to reach the obvious ceiling his physical tools present, but it's an up-arrow. There's bat speed here and he could turn a few over the fence in due time. Clavon will need to show improvement with the bat as we approach the draft to capture his day-one upside, but his inherent talent in many parts of the game is without question. |
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HOMETOWN: Chula Vista, CA HEIGHT: 6-1 WEIGHT: 175 BAT/THROW: R-R Camarillo is a twitchy, gamer infielder with a loose glove and loose, athletic actions on the dirt. He has the range to stick at shortstop full-time long-term, but he can handle a number of positions on the dirt in a pinch, especially with his solid average arm. Camarillo doesn't possess a ton of punch at the plate, but he's a line-drive gap hitter who puts the game in motion. There's a good bit of chase in his over-aggressive approach, but scouts believe that can be toned down a bit over time. |
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HOMETOWN: Lake Oswego, OR HEIGHT: 6-1 WEIGHT: 185 BAT/THROW: R-R Clayton, eligible for the second year in a row, will still be 21 years old for the 2024 draft. He historically hasn't hit the ball too hard, but after training at Driveline this past summer the exit velocities are ticking up. That new impact, to go along with his track record of solid contact, is a nice combination. He's a lean-bodied infielder with good balance and rhythm to his game. He's got enough athleticism to handle any infield spot, including the shortstop position as he matures into the next level. If teams believe they can unlock a bit more thump in Clayton's game, he's got a shot to go in the middle of day two of the draft, maybe a tick earlier. |
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HOMETOWN: Cary, NC HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 180 BAT/THROW: R-R Payton Green flashed real tools his freshman year at NC State. His hit tool was streaky, and the power was inconsistent, but at his best, Green was an impact bat with pull-side power. Green can handle shortstop or third base, but he's a leaner body who figures to add muscle and shift to third base permanently at the next level. He needs to put on weight and add strength. There's more than enough arm here to handle the position. Green will need to continue to develop the hit tool and the approach to dial down his swing-and-miss rates, but the tools are here to surge into the first round with added experience and strength. Now at Georgia Tech, a change of scenery could unlock more impact. |
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HOMETOWN: Houston, TX HEIGHT: 6-2 WEIGHT: 190 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: LSU Evans has starter traits with a smooth operation and the ability to hold velocity over multiple innings that has scouts excited. The fastball can tickle the low-90s, though he's primarily been a tick below that in extended outings. His best secondary is a curveball with consistent shape that projects to be an above average weapon as he matures. |
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HOMETOWN: Mansfield, NJ HEIGHT: 6-2 WEIGHT: 205 BAT/THROW: R-R Dromboski is a promising young righty with a hellish breaking ball that's given the opposition fits. It's a true sweeper with plus spin rates and plenty of velocity, commanded well low-and-away to righties. Dromboski posted a whiff rate with his slider north of 50% as a sophomore. Dromboski throws a 2-seam fastball and a 4-seam fastball, the latter being a better performer in games. Dromboski can grab 95, though he rests in the low-90s. He doesn't possess a bat-missing fastball shape, so for the time being he'll have to lean on the breaking ball to become a strikeout artist. It's also a fairly easy, repeatable motion that could stay in a rotation at the next level, though there isn't a ton of physical or athletic projection remaining. |
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HOMETOWN: Chesnee, SC HEIGHT: 6-2 WEIGHT: 200 BAT/THROW: L-L A massive get for Clemson in 2022, Smith was one of the top lefties in a loaded 2022 prep class. A strong 6-foot-2, 200 pound frame, Smith fits the profile of a future power pitcher with a rather effortless, crossbody delivery with plenty of deception. Smith's fastball has been clocked as high as 96 mph, usually sitting in the 90-94 MPH range. It's an explosive pitch that comes out of a tough angle with high spin rates. His primary secondary is a sweepy slider that has primarily sat in the high-70's that he commands well. Much like the fastball, his breaking ball has huge spin rates, reaching as high as 3000 RPM. He rounds out his arsenal with a change-up in the low-80's that he has good feel for. Smith has struggled with fastball command at times during his prep and college career, a developmental pillar moving forward. |
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HOMETOWN: Monroe, LA HEIGHT: 5-10 WEIGHT: 180 BAT/THROW: B-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Ole Miss Federico is a switch-hitter who puts the game in motion and plays the game line-to-line, his power mostly going gap-to-gap. He has a lot of versatility and has shown the aptness to handle all three infield positions. Scouts really like the bat-to-ball skills here and believe Federico has a real chance to hit. He's a sum-of-his-parts who has a number of avenues to a big league profile with a smattering of average tools. It's one of the more polished hit tools in the class, albeit lacking prototypical impact from the hot corner. |
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HOMETOWN: Johnston, IA HEIGHT: 5-11 WEIGHT: 190 BAT/THROW: R-R Swansen earned a full-time gig with the Cornhuskers in 2023 and swatted 17 HR as a thank you for the opportunity. He's a low-ball hitter who makes plenty of contact, and plenty of extremely loud contact at that. He limits his chase and usually reserves those bad swings for changeups under the zone. Scouts want to see Swansen close what appears to be a hole in his swing in terms of velocity at the top of the strikezone to gain confidence he'll be able to hit at the next level. Swansen gets high marks for every exit velocity category, and also boasts favorable launch angles. Swansen is a primary left fielder who isn't particularly graceful in his routes or body control out there, but he can handle the position and makes all the routine plays. It's a fringy arm and fringy routes, with left field being his best role moving forward. Regardless, you're buying this for the bat. |
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HOMETOWN: Howell, NJ HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 215 BAT/THROW: L-L COLLEGE COMMITMENT: LSU Costello is a physically imposing hitter with considerable raw power and pull-side juice. Throughout his high school career, Costello has proven a mature hitter with a keen eye and solid bat-to-ball skills. He avoids the strikeouts and battles in the box, forcing long at-bats. Projectable and long, Costello has an athletic frame with broad, rounded shoulders suggesting more strength and raw power is on the way. Costello is a fringy runner. He's a solid first baseman who works well around the bag and is willing to make plays straying to his right and throwing back to the pillow. The calling card here, however, is the bat. He's one of the absolute premium high school first base prospects in the 2024 Draft. |
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HOMETOWN: Folsom, CA HEIGHT: 5-10 WEIGHT: 175 BAT/THROW: R-R Stafford, a freshman All-American in 2022 as a true freshman, possesses elite bat-to-ball skills and some pull-side power. His body doesn't project to add much more thump as he develops and moves up the ladder, but the present offensive tools are noteworthy, especially in terms of never sacrificing an at-bat. He's also an average runner and can provide some value running around the pillows. Stafford is an accomplished defender strong blocking abilities on balls in the dirt. He has an average throwing arm, but gets out of the crouch well. He threw out 35% of would-be base-stealers as a freshman. |
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HOMETOWN: Fuquay Varina, NC HEIGHT: 6-1 WEIGHT: 175 BAT/THROW: L-L Fritton is an impressive lefty with a low-90s fastball that he commands very well in the strikezone, inducing plenty of chase on the pitch at the top of the zone. Fritton isn't an overpowering guy, brushing just 93 at his best, but the life on his fastball has caught scouts' eyes. There's a curveball here too that he'll shove up there in the mid-70s, but it's largely an average offering right now and lags well behind the upside of his heater. |
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HOMETOWN: Miami, FL HEIGHT: 5-11 WEIGHT: 178 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Miami Torres is a massively talented two-way player with elite skills on both sides of the ball. A lefty on the bump, Torres works up to 91 with a biting slider and good strike throwing ability. Most believe his future is on the offensive end where he has impressive bat speed, especially for his size, as well as extremely twitchy, athletic actions. There's some actions to clean up in his overall game, including a hand hitch and barrel tipping in his load, but Torres is largely on-time against velocity and takes a fairly direct path to the ball. Torres is mostly a gap-to-gap hitter right now with a line drive approach. He uses his speed and quick step out of the box to his advantage. Most expect he'll grow into some in-game power. A re-class from the 2025 class, Torres will be reasonably young for this draft, just 18.5 on draft day. |
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HOMETOWN: Florence, AL HEIGHT: 6-7 WEIGHT: 225 BAT/THROW: R-R Holcombe has ordinarily sat in the lower-90s with his velo, but he has been able to reach back for 96-97 this spring at his best. He's got a long, angular frame with untapped velocity. His two breaking balls lag a bit behind the pure arm talent fastball, but he'll be young for this draft and should have plenty of bidders working to pry him away from Mississippi State. |
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HOMETOWN: Dothan, AL HEIGHT: 6-2 WEIGHT: 213 BAT/THROW: R-R Allsup might have one of the best fastballs in the 2024 class. He'll reach up into the upper-90s and sit 95 at his best. He's got the potential for a few above average offerings in the slider and changeup as well, the former morphing into a curveball at times. Allsup has primarily worked out of the bullpen to this point, but that could change as we approach 2024. |
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HOMETOWN: Bear, DE HEIGHT: 6-5 WEIGHT: 225 BAT/THROW: R-R Carrier is a physical freak of nature with a prototype frame and the tools to go along with it. He's a surefire right fielder with a plus throwing arm to compliment the assignment. Carrier has plus raw power, but he's still working to get to it in-game. He projects an average hitter with some swing-and-miss. Added reps in 2023 will go a long ways toward determining how high his ceiling is, but for now, the clay is awfully tantalizing. |
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HOMETOWN: Spring, TX HEIGHT: 6-0 WEIGHT: 180 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Texas A&M Tomlinson has a ton of arm talent and a fastball that's performed better than most in this class. He's been up to 97 in side sessions and has primarily been 92-93 in multi-inning showings. The fastball has big spin and teeth and will jump over barrels when Tomlinson has his best stuff. There's a bigger breaking ball that he'll show in the upper-70s and will splash some low-80s. It hasn't been a pitch he's shown tremendous command for, but his misses are wide glove-side and he does a nice job staying out of the fat part of the zone. He'll also show a mid-80s changeup that'll flash average but execution holds it back a tinge. Tomlinson has a loose, easy arm action with a delivery that features a big, athletic leg lift. He rides the mound well and the ball comes out of his hand with zip. There's some recoil in his delivery and he'll need to establish three pitches. Certainly some reliever risk here, but definitive starter characteristics are in this profile as well. Tomlinson will be 18.9 years old on draft day. |
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HOMETOWN: Helotes, TX HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 200 BAT/THROW: R-R Flores is a tall, high-waisted, long-levered infielder with present bat speed and all-fields juice. There's some noise in the loading phase of his swing, but he's often on-time to drive the ball with authority into the gaps. His over the fence power has begun to show itself at times since arriving to Texas as well. He's scratching the surface of what his final offensive form may be, evidenced by one of the lowest groundball rates in college baseball in 2023. Flores really hit a growth spurt upon arriving to Austin as well, some suggesting he's destined for third base, though there's been other who still appreciate the actions at shortstop. There's definitely an over-eager nature at the plate, and he's been known to expand the zone a bit, but if he can polish that side of his game up he has first round upside. |
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HOMETOWN: Miami, FL HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 210 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Miami de los Santos re-classified from the 2025 class into 2024 and will be more age-appropriate for his draft because of it. de los Santos turn 18 just a month prior to the draft. A big, barrel-chested, physical specimen, de los Santos possesses physical tools most of his peers do not. The selling traits here are unquestionably at the plate. It's comfortably 70-grade raw power with huge barrel speed. de los Santos leverages his backside very well in the box and possesses the innate ability to backspin the baseball. There's a good bit of chase in de los Santos' game at present, and his swing can get a little long and loopy on pitches outside of the black. Take a more consistent approach and operation into the box will be an important checkpoint in his developing. Still, you'd be hard-pressed to find many players in this class with the natural talent he has. An average runner who is quicker underway than he is out of the box, de los Santos figures to be able to cover the ground necessary in the field to avoid becoming a DH. He's primarily handled right field in tournament settings, though his average arm strength may ultimately profile best in left field. There's something of a Marcell Ozuna comparison here. |
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HOMETOWN: Houston, TX HEIGHT: 6-5 WEIGHT: 215 BAT/THROW: R-R Witt has the prototypical size scouts want to see, as well as the huge stuff to go along with it. After missing most of the 2023 season recovering from Tommy John surgery, Witt was selected by the Orioles in the 17th round in the draft, but he was always going to return to Austin. Witt's arsenal starts with the fastball that's been up to 96, though it sits in the low-to-mid 90s for now. It's a super-vertical four-seamer with top-of-the-scale riding characteristics, albeit the effectiveness diminished a bit by Witt's nearly 7-foot release height. He struggled to recapture his velocity coming back from injury and sat 90-92 for much of the last 12 months, but there are signs the velocity is returning. His 12-6 bender is his best secondary with big spin rates and above average velocity, though he's yet to show a strong feel for throwing the pitch for strikes and doesn't induce a whole bunch of swing-and-miss on it yet. Witt has a bit of a "show me" delivery with a double hand-break move that, if eliminated and brought into the body, could help produce more deception and whiffs on his FB/CB tunnel. |
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HOMETOWN: Mableton, GA HEIGHT: 6-2 WEIGHT: 195 BAT/THROW: R-R Braswell has all the tools a team might look for in a middle infielder, albeit without one carrying trait. Braswell has solid hands and the versatility to handle any of the three infield roles. It's huge arm strength and good lateral fluidity too. Braswell is a fringy runner who presently lacks the quickness and instincts on the basepaths, but it's something he may grow into. There's some bat speed here too, though it's yet to show fruitful in-game. Braswell can get handsy at the plate and it's effected his ability to cover the breaking ball in college. The swing mechanics have also led to a lot of groundballs. That must improve. He certainly has Top-100 upside if the raw tools begin to show at the plate. |
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HOMETOWN: Fargo, ND HEIGHT: 6-5 WEIGHT: 230 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Texas A&M A massively imposing righty, and rare find out of the great state of North Dakota, Rerick is a talented, burly righty with a big fastball and budding secondaries. Already up to 96, Rerick is a primary fastball guy who folds in the occasional 12-6 bender with huge depth. It lacks bite and sharpness, but flashes upside with spin and feel. Rerick has some inconsistencies in his delivery and a plunge in his lower half that can cause the fastball command to waver, but early in outings Rerick has shown the ability to spot pitches to both sides of the plate. He'll be young for the draft, barely 18 years old, and considering his frame and physical upside, will have suitors in the draft. |
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HOMETOWN: Canton, GA HEIGHT: 6-0 WEIGHT: 190 BAT/THROW: S-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Georgia Mullinax is a tool shed with a power/speed combination that is certainly tough to come by. The bat speed here is impressive with notable pull-side power as a left-handed hitter, but more hitterish from the right. Both swings present an arm bar that can on occasion lead to consistency of contact woes, but he's performed well in tournament and showcase settings. Mullinax has above-average to plus speed and projects to stay in centerfield. He features an average throwing arm that can play in any spot. A patient hitter that lacks much swing-and-miss in his game, scouts like the approach and his willingness to get on-base and use his wheels to create run-scoring opportunities. Mullinax really sinks into his hips and tends to drift into some swings, but it's a firm front side with twitchy hips and budding bat speed. Another five-tool potential guy. |
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HOMETOWN: Norfolk, VA HEIGHT: 6-1 WEIGHT: 215 BAT/THROW: R-R Jones was a spark plug for Greensboro before transferring for the 2024 campaign. He's a gamer with a solid hit tool, athleticism on the base paths and sneaky thump. He can handle any of the three outfield positions, though most scouts like him in a corner. Jones is a producer on the baseball field and gets the most out of his tools and personality, though it's the bat that will get him drafted him. |
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HOMETOWN: Glen Mills, PA HEIGHT: 6-6 WEIGHT: 180 BAT/THROW: L-R Healy is an arm and a frame to really dream on. It's a long, lanky body with long levers and whippy projection on the mound. Healy has a fairly optimized fastball with 11:15 spin direction that works well at the top of the zone. The fastball has touched 93, though he more comfortably sits in the 89-91 bucket most nights. Healy's changeup has good shape and he's shown plenty of feel for the pitch. It'll flash plus and generates a ton of whiffs against left-handed hitters. He's still developing a breaking ball, though there's innate feel for spin here and with time and development, projects to offer a breaking ball that can be a weapon. |
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HOMETOWN: Beaverton, OR HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 195 BAT/THROW: R-R The top-ranked recruit from the state of Oregon, Guerra had a big bonus ask in the 2021 draft and was more than willing to prove himself at Oregon State if no team met his demands. The Beavers lucked out. It's a prototype frame built for the left side of the infield with budding raw power present and the ability to really drive the ball with tremendous juice to the pull-side. That approach to the pull-side has gotten Guerra in trouble in the past, and that can get him out of whack against pitchers with good secondaries, but that'll be a point of development in Corvallis and the next level. Guerra has a huge arm and should find a transition over to third base a comfortable pivot. Guerra has big raw offensive tools and the pedigree that'll interest pro organizations. |
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HOMETOWN: New Bedford, NY HEIGHT: 6-4 WEIGHT: 190 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: St. John's Renz is a projection play with a strong, sturdy, prototype pitcher's frame and his best baseball ahead of him. He's been up to 93 in showcase settings, but sits a few ticks lower than that in game showings. He hides the ball well, and his fastball does possesses unique shape that allows it to play up, but scouts will want to see flashes of velocity as July approaches. Renz throws a tighter curveball with shorter break on both planes. He's reluctant to mix in a low-80s changeup, but he'll show it to left-handed hitters now and again. Renz is a model play as a guy who will not turn 18 until November. |
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HOMETOWN: Canton, GA HEIGHT: 6-4 WEIGHT: 215 BAT/THROW: R-R While control and command have held Aita's production back during his collegiate career, nobody can argue with the overall stuff. He'll grab 94 and will sit 89-91 with an extremely high-spin fastball featuring some carry and arm-side run. It's an average fastball that could tick up into above average territory with a flash more velocity. The slider is a true plus pitch featuring spin rates north of 3000 rpm. Thrown in the low-80s, Aita's sweeper features enormous horitzontal break. It's been quite effective inducing whiffs. There's also a mid-80s cutter to keep hitters off the barrel. Aita projects a reliever at the next level with 8th inning upside if he can squeeze a bit more velocity and/or value out of his fastball. He'll be awfully young for the class, just 21.1 on draft day. |
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HOMETOWN: Ripon, CA HEIGHT: 6-5 WEIGHT: 225 BAT/THROW: L-L COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Clemson Wentworth is a fantastic two-way prospect with a potential future on the mound of with the bat depending on which direction his development goes. On the mound, his 6-foot-5-inch left-handed frame has been up to 88 with deception and athleticism. He's got a slider and a curveball, both of which flash upside as he hides the ball well. In the field, Wentworth is a fringy runner and may ultimately end up at first base, but it's his sweet left-handed swing that scouts love. He doesn't possess massive bat speed despite his size, but his hitterish tendencies and all-fields approach are mature beyond his years. Scouts think he'll really hit moving forward. Given his size, the bat speed and raw power may come soon. He's got a shot to play outfield if the frontline speed ticks up. Wentworth is an extremely decorated quarterback in the 2024 class and may need to be bought away from the gridiron. |
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HOMETOWN: Fiskdale, MA HEIGHT: 6-8 WEIGHT: 235 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: LSU Rizy is a huge right-handed pitcher with an intimidating frame and stuff that has continued to tick up year or year dating back to his sophomore campaign at Worcester. For now, he sits 90-93, touching 94 with an upper-70s breaking ball featuring two-plane tilt. Rizy has a smooth operation and impressive body control considering his size and levers. If the stuff continues to surge leading up to draft day, he's got a shot to go in the first couple rounds of the draft. That said, he'll be roughly 19.5 years old on draft day and will turn 20 before opening day 2025. It's something model teams will weigh into the equation of draft-day value. |
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HOMETOWN: Battle Ground, WA HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 200 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Washington Hotchkiss is a physically imposing right-handed outfielder out of the Pacific Northwest who's seen his stock surge over the past 12 months. The raw power here really stands out, comfortably plus with more potentially on the way. He's flashed big exit velocities both to the pull side and ringing rockets into right-center field. He'll let it eat in batting practice with a full-stride, but will often eliminate the stride entirely in games to catch up with velocity and manipulate the barrel for spin. There's potential here for one of the more impactful bats from this class at the next level. Hotchkiss isn't a one-trick pony either. He's an above average runner with twitch and burst out of the box. He'll take the extra base. Hotchkiss takes decent routes in the outfield, and does have enough arm to handle left field, though scouts like his soft hands at first base and his work around the bag. If a team believes he can handle the outfield, he could go in the first few rounds of the draft. The bat is that good. If he's ultimately a first baseman, he likely fits somewhere in the middle of day two if he can be signed away from his commitment to the University of Washington. |
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HOMETOWN: Carlsbad, CA HEIGHT: 6-4 WEIGHT: 203 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: UC Santa Barbara Haferkamp is an ultra-physical outfielder with broad shoulders, a high waist and considerable strength projection ahead of an already strong frame. He's a bit raw in the field, but offensively there's tons of impact potential. Haferkamp presents big, crude bat speed and uses it to all-fields. His swing plane is repeatable, though he's working through eliminating a nagging arm bar in his swing that can sap some of his game power. This is fairly typical with young, lanky players. He's committed to UC Santa Barbara. |
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HOMETOWN: Lake Charles, LA HEIGHT: 6-2 WEIGHT: 195 BAT/THROW: R-R A huge prospect in his high school days, Guidry employs a wide base and really gets into his legs at the plate. He's shown a good feel for hit with some natural loft. Carries the baseball really well. Twitchy hips allow Guidry to really turn on the baseball and get the head out in front. Long story short, scouts really like the tools here, even if it's a pretty unrefined product right now. The hit tool is still a work in progress, but the potential for thunder in bat is obviously there. Comfortably an above runner right now with long levers and a projectable baseball frame. He could end up slowing down as he adds muscle. Likely destined for second or third base as he matures. All that said, most scouts seem to prefer Guidry on the mound these days where he's been a late-inning menace for the Tigers the last two seasons. The fastball has been up to 95 with absolutely enormous carry through the zone. Elite level hop. Guidry possesses an extremely high release point which diminishes the luxury of his fastball shape a bit, but it's still generated reasonably healthy whiff and chase rates to this point. It could become an above average weapon in time. The banger here however is the slider. Guidry throws his slider more than half the time and it's a hammer. Generally 82-84, Guidry's breaking ball has deception, depth, and a bit of sweep as well. It generated a 40 percent whiff rate in 2023. It's a pitch where that high release benefits it's tunnel. There's a bigger curveball here too, though it lags behind the slider quite a bit in terms of execution. Guidry is super-athletic on the mound and has a loose, whippy arm. There's some effort through release, and his ability to start at the next level is in doubt. But the upside here is a leverable reliever with a plus breaking ball and not a lot of tread on the tires. |
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HOMETOWN: Fresno, CA HEIGHT: 6-5 WEIGHT: 225 BAT/THROW: R-R Big strikeout numbers, up to 96 with legitimate hop. Control issues limit his role upside. |
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HOMETOWN: Luling, LA HEIGHT: 6-0 WEIGHT: 180 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: LSU Ryan is one of the more decorated defenders in the 2024 class with extremely smooth actions and footwork well beyond his years. He can make every throw from every angle and possesses above average arm strength. He's a very good bet to play shortstop at the next level if he doesn't eventually grow off of the position. Offensively, there's some swing-and-miss in Ryan's game, but he's got impact bat speed and plays gap-to-gap with ferocious intent. It's above average raw power from a tight, compact turn and lightning hands. Ryan can get pull-happy against lesser competition, but has shown well in showcase and tournament settings against more advanced arms. This is a high level player with upper-tier tools and a real shot to stick at one of the most demanding positions on the field. He's got Top-2 round upside. Ryan is committed to play baseball at LSU. |
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HOMETOWN: Myrtle Beach, SC HEIGHT: 6-5 WEIGHT: 190 BAT/THROW: R-R Gordon is built exactly how scouts like 'em. He's tall, lean and long on the mound with an athletic presence and the ability to manipulate the baseball to both sides of the plate. Gordon is fastball-heavy with high spin rates and carry through the zone, sitting in the low-90s, touching 95. He's still developing more shape on his slider, but he's shown feel for commanding it and it projects at least an average offering down the line. |
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HOMETOWN: Marietta, GA HEIGHT: 6-4 WEIGHT: 230 BAT/THROW: R-R You'd be hard-pressed to find anyone in the 2024 class with as much bat speed as Jones possesses. Going back to his HS days, Jones was always a prodigious home run hitter. Packed into an ultra-physical frame, he's almost certainly destined for first base of the outfield as a pro. Jones is a below average runner, though he does have an above average throwing arm. Should he end up in the outfield, work will need to be done to get the footwork in place to allow the other tools to play. Still, you're buying the bat here. |
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HOMETOWN: Alabaster, AL HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 215 BAT/THROW: L-L COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Northwest Florida State College Terrell certainly looks the part packed into a long, 6-foot-3-inch frame with plenty of muscle in his upper-half. Terrell has a bit of projection left in his lower-half, but the frame is already stacked and doing damage in games. It's plus raw power with a hit tool that flashes thanks to fast hands and a short, cut-off finish through the zone. Terrell will use the whole field and has stung ringing line-drives into the opposite field gap in tournament play. Terrell has a resume of attacking the fastball, though scouts want to see a cleaner approach against breaking balls. That'll be an emphasis in evaluating the player as July approaches. There's athletic tools to like here including above-average to plus run times and a solid average throwing arm that projects into a corner. Terrell certainly looks the part and fills out a uniform in a way scouts like. He will be 18.5 on draft day. |
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HOMETOWN: Lebanon, MO HEIGHT: 6-2 WEIGHT: 220 BAT/THROW: L-R Stewart has raw power that few can match in his class. The pull-side juice is enormous, though getting to it in-game against advanced competition will be the barometer for Stewart's future in the game. He can get a little over-anxious at the plate, but he's awfully young and that comes with time. Stewart is a big, barrel-chested outfielder, though he's had some run at third base where he's shown so-so actions on the dirt. He does have a strong throwing arm, but his footwork and technique at third base will have to improve. That said, the power-over-everything profile probably fits best in right field or first base. |
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HOMETOWN: Atlanta, GA HEIGHT: 6-0 WEIGHT: 180 BAT/THROW: B-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Texas A&M Kiel II has been seen a lot in 2022 and 2023 by evaluators. The twitchy middle infielder checks a lot of the boxes for a modern day leadoff hitter. He possesses plenty of bat speed with good attack angles from both sides of the plate, and is a plus runner that can terrorize defenses on the basepaths. Kiel has shown a grand willingness to expand the zone at times, posting chase rates north of his peers. Finding more polish and patience at the plate will be key as he begins to step into the box against more formidable arsenals. That said, he does a nice job of battling and fouling off pitches outside of the zone, so the pure bat-to-ball and athleticism in the box makes up for some over-anxious tendencies. The level of strength Kiel can add to his lean frame will determine whether or not he can stick at shortstop, but the bloodlines (son of former NFL cornerback Terrence Kiel) and offensive tools he's displayed at showcase events are big eye catchers. |
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HOMETOWN: Absecon, NJ HEIGHT: 5-11 WEIGHT: 185 BAT/THROW: R-R An aggressive hitter with an all fields, line drive stroke, Santa Maria packs a surprising punch in his undersized frame. He's added 20 pounds over the last two years recovering from a shoulder injury, but looks considerably stronger in 2024 and has shown flashes of the impact he's capable of going back to 2022. He covers the strike zone extremely well and rarely swings and misses on pitches over the plate. He's a reliable defender with very good range and infield actions. He has experience at third and shortstop but his arm may limit him to second at the next level, potentially third base as a pro. |
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HOMETOWN: Palmetto Bay, FL HEIGHT: 5-11 WEIGHT: 185 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Miami Puig has one of the longest track records in the 2024 class on the showcase and national scene. He's shown a tremendous hit tool with strong bat-to-ball skills and a willingness to use all-fields, though he does have some present juice to the pull-side which he's more than willing to show off in batting practice. A bit of a tweener defender, Puig may grow off of the third base position and could end up at first base or second base depending on his athletic trajectory. |
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HOMETOWN: Justice, IL HEIGHT: 6-0 WEIGHT: 185 BAT/THROW: L-R Antonacci is a scout-favorite in the JUCO community thanks to what has been described as a gritty playstyle and a max-effort approach to the game. Now at Coastal Carolina, he's a defensive standout with solid average arm strength and good lateral mobility to both his left and right. He's got a shot to stick at the position at the next level, if only profiling as a league average defender. There's some bat speed and bat-to-ball skills here too, and he'll sneak some out to the pull-side. Don't let the unsuspecting frame fool you, Antonacci can crush mistake cookies. |
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HOMETOWN: Pembroke Pines, FL HEIGHT: 6-5 WEIGHT: 200 BAT/THROW: L-L Futrell's fastball is his best pitch with late hop and bat-missing qualities up to 94, though he's not considered a strikeout artist by any means. Futrell mostly pitches to contact as is evidenced by his well-below average walk rates. There's not a lot of velocity or spin here, so commanding the baseball has been paramount to his success, and he's done just that for the most part on campus. The low-80s changeup and slurvier breaking ball are folded in to keep hitters off balance, but Futrell figures to be an arm that must pitch to contact and work backwards to find success at the next level. That said, the stuff could obviously tick up in the coming years. Futrell offers backend rotation upside. |
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HOMETOWN: Summerville, SC HEIGHT: 6-2 WEIGHT: 215 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: South Carolina Messina might have the best present arm talent in the 2024 class with a fastball up to 96, sitting 92-93 over multiple innings with life out of the hand. There's some effort in the delivery and Messina will continue to need to rein in his command and control of his stuff, but it's the most explosive stuff at present. Messina also throws a hard curveball with intent that comes off the fastball late at its best when buried in the dirt. |
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HOMETOWN: Blue Island, IL HEIGHT: 6-2 WEIGHT: 235 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Oklahoma State Jones is an ultra-physical force who plays the game hard and presents impact on both sides of the ball. His tools stand out on offense where he shows above average bat speed and a willingness to play to all fields. He's got explosive actions and should hit for more power as he matures into a more well-rounded hitter. Jones is a fringy runner with a bit of a stiff gait, not uncommon for catchers at this age. Jones has a strong arm, though his arm action has some scouts questioning if he'll ultimately end up at first base to allow the bat to move quickly. Teams will be buying the power here first and foremost. |
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HOMETOWN: Cabot, AR HEIGHT: 6-1 WEIGHT: 190 BAT/THROW: R-R Carmack has seen a meteoric rise in pure stuff since his high school days and now represents one of the hardest throwing college arms in the 2024 class, and he's got the secondaries to go along with it. Just 6-foot-1, 185 pounds, Carmack isn't the most imposing physical presence, but his arm speed and explosive athleticism on the mound really stands out. He'll throw the four-seamer about half the time and while it's a reasonably low-spin offering, he does generate a bit of carry on the pitch. It's an effective offering at the college level, but as presently shaped it likely projects a solid average heater at the next level. He has grabbed 96, but he's mostly 91-94. He does tend to overthrow the pitch, so repeating his delivery and trusting his stuff will be a priority in his development. His changeup is the go-to weapon with huge fade and enormous depth into righties, diving away from lefty bats. It's mostly 82-85 and represents a potential plus pitch moving forward. He'll throw it at-will to righties too, and they've whiffed on the pitch on more than half of their swings. Righties and lefties both chase the pitch at a highly effective mark. There's a slider and a curveball here too, though command is presently an issue. He does possess strong spin rates on both pitches, and there's a good deal of sweep on both as well, but he'll need to rein it in if they're to be put-away options moving forward. Still, this is a full repertoire of pitches and a track record of innings. He's got Top 100 pick upside. |
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HOMETOWN: Snohomish, WA HEIGHT: 6-2 WEIGHT: 190 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Oregon State Haight is an impressive two-way player out of the Evergreen State who boasts some loud tools on both sides of the ball. Most seem to like his upside on the mound where his fastball is already touching 94 mph with huge carry through the zone when he gets through it. Haight is more routinely 90-91 and will generate some arm-side run as he tires. It's a heater with well-above average spin rates and projects nicely going forward. Haight throws an upper-70s slider with depth and horizontal tilt, but it's his mid-80s changeup that most believe to be his best secondary. It features firmness and depth with a bit of fading action. Haight has shown a willingness to throw it to both righty and lefty bats. Offensively, Haight shows twitch and budding bat speed. He's got rhythmic waggle in his setup and is consistently on-time for the fastball. He'll shorten up with two strikes and eliminate the moving parts, instead electing to go with virtually no stride and a greater emphasis to use the opposite field. There's some spine tilt in his address that has some scouts questioning whether he'll be able to consistently get to velocity up in the zone, but to this point he's shown no warts in that regard. Ultimately, it's a simple swing with consistent triggers and Haight stays connected creating separation in the box. He's shown real ability with the barrel. Haight has a lengthy frame, a high waist and a really quick arm. His athleticism is apparent throughout his entire game. Haight is a below-average runner who is routinely 4.5 to 4.7-seconds from home to first. If he is to play the field, he likely fits best at third base. |
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HOMETOWN: Henderson, NV HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 215 BAT/THROW: B-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Oregon Mabeus is an impressive switch-hitting catcher with big catch-and-throw skills and considerable strength and bat speed from both sides of the plate. A 6-foot-4 mountain of a prospect, Mabeus has shown big game power from both sides of the plate, though there's more present loft from the left-side and a bit more blistering line drive doubles juice from the right. Either way, scouts like the hit-ability from both sides and think he's got a shot to hit and hit for power as both a left- and right-handed hitter. The arm strength and pop out of the crouch really stand out for Mabeus as well. His transfers are lightning quick. There's some technical work in terms of directional efficiency behind the plate, but most believe he's got a solid chance to stick back there at the next level; pretty impressive considering his size and physicality. A fringy runner now, Mabeus will draw most of his value out of the bat and up-the-middle role. Mabeus is lauded for his leadership qualities in the dugout and in handling his arms. He's assertive, confident, and drives the bus for his team. |
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HOMETOWN: Spokane, WA HEIGHT: 5-11 WEIGHT: 185 BAT/THROW: R-R Hainline has been an offensive force for the Cougs since arriving on campus in 2021, doing a little bit of everything, and doing most of it well. He can handle every infield role the team throws at him, but is best suited at second base or third base at the next level. Offensively, Hainline has showcased an average hit tool with a reasonably good eye at the plate, refusing to chase on most pitches out of the zone. He struggles a bit with better breaking balls, but has a strong track record against velocity and has posted some pretty gaudy peak exit velocity figures during his time in Pullman. As Hainline continues to mature and add strength, he projects a utility type of player at the next level with a smattering of average offensive tools and a high-production performer that should translate well into professional ball. |
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HOMETOWN: Powder Springs, GA HEIGHT: 6-2 WEIGHT: 175 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Tennessee Strickland has some of the most impressive pure arm talent in the 2024 high school class. He's already running the fastball up to 98 with mammoth spin rates and considerable arm-side bore and a bit of carry. Strickland mixes in a mid-to-upper 80s slider that flashes plus, but is often inconsistent both in terms of shape and execution. He's got a loose arm, a bit long in the back, with an explosive release and relative ease. Strickland is still learning to engage his lower half. The biggest critique from scouts here is what some interpret to be below-average command. Strickland has a tendency to fall behind in counts. If the two-pitch arsenal can buoy to even fringy command, he's got day one upside. You'd be hard-pressed to find easier stuff in the class than here. |
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HOMETOWN: Minooka, IL HEIGHT: 6-0 WEIGHT: 200 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Eastern Illinois George is a powder-keg built outfielder with tons of strength in his lower half and physicality in his upper-body and arms. He sinks into his legs and anchors his back-side at the plate in an effort to use ground force to create power. While he can at times drift into his front-side a bit early, overall there's very little wasted movement in his swings with hands that stay tight to the body and short through the ball especially on pitches down the middle or on the middle third. He can get a bit more disconnected on pitchers on the outer black, but has shown a nice ability to battle into longer counts. Continuing to improve his timing and triggers in the box should unlock a more consistent hit tool as he climbs the ladder and sees more advanced pitching. There's a little Evan Gattis in the operation, albeit in a much different athletic form factor. George is a tremendous athlete who posts plus to sometimes double-plus run times and tends to show off the burners in the field. His exceptionally strong frame creates an aggressive, violent running style that could force the run tool into a more comfortably graded above average to plus tool at the next level. While his route running and reads have steadily improved year over year, scouts consider the glove mostly average right now with a chance to trend up as time and reps increase. He's extremely young for the class; just 18.1 on draft day. |
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HOMETOWN: Charlotte, NC HEIGHT: 6-2 WEIGHT: 188 BAT/THROW: R-R A highly-touted high school arm, Jerzembeck is one of the more intriguing arms in this draft class. The fastball velocity has been primarily 92-94 mph, though he has touched 97 MPH this fall with added strength and a considerable velocity jump. And there's plenty of room to add strength to his frame. His best offering is a potential plus curveball with great depth and spin rates topping 2,900 RPM's in the high-70's. Has a good feel for a developing change-up, as well. Jerzembeck has a bit of effort to his delivery, though he projects an ultra-physical righty with starter traits. Jerzembeck had Tommy John surgery in late May of 2023 and will not pitch in 2024. |
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HOMETOWN: Indian River, FL HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 180 BAT/THROW: R-R Adams has a lean, long-levered frame with immense projection ahead of him. A fantastic athlete, he's already touching 97, living 93-94 with some carry through the zone. He's already throwing a mid-80s slider with tight shape that tunnels well off the fastball. He'll also mix in a changeup that he's shown feel for, though its shape needs refinement. Adams was a considerable prospect in the 2023 Draft, the Nationals selecting him in the 11th round. He went unsigned and is draft-eligible for the second time, still just 21 years old. |
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HOMETOWN: Miami, FL HEIGHT: 6-2 WEIGHT: 180 BAT/THROW: R-R Garcia-Chicano has good size and a strong swing with above average raw power and potentially more on the way. He's an above average runner with an above average arm on the dirt. The bat has also shown well in tournament settings where he's hardly ever struck out and produced some slug along the way. He's got twitchy hips and rotates hard through the zone with a barrel that can take the ball to all fields, the pull-side being extremely loud at times. There's a lot of tools to like in this package and he may be one of the bigger sleepers in the 2024 class. Garcia-Chicano will also be just 18.3 years old for the draft. |
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HOMETOWN: Ooltewah, TN HEIGHT: 6-2 WEIGHT: 195 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Vanderbilt There are few players in the 2024 class who play with the physicality and aggression that Johnston brings to the table. Offensively, it's massive bat speed and over-the-fence projection. Game power is already quite present. The frame and athleticism here point to a truly impactful bat at the next level. He's worked to iron down a small hitch in his hands in the loading mechanism, but it's hardly affected his ability to handle top-tier pitching over the last 18 months. Defensively, Johnston is a shortstop now, but may ultimately shift to third base where his massive arm strength and broad body is most efficient. Johnston is presently an average runner with an intentful gait. |
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HOMETOWN: Elkhorn, NE HEIGHT: 6-4 WEIGHT: 230 BAT/THROW: R-R Christo has been a premium prospect going back to his high school days. He's been up to 96 with an average slider and streaky command of both pitches. He can handle a multitude of roles at the next level, though he has a workhorse frame and a long track record of maintaining velocity through multiple innings. |
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HOMETOWN: Hartsville, SC HEIGHT: 5-10 WEIGHT: 180 BAT/THROW: L-L Prior to arriving at the College of Charleston, Pendergrass was a menace at Spartansburg Methodist where he ran a .403/.489/.546 clip over two seasons, walking 55 times and collecting just 27 strikeouts. He stole 75 bags in those two seasons as well. Pendergrass is a burner -- a wiry, twitchy, sparkplug table-setter with plus speed and a quick first step out of the box. There's some subtle pull-side juice, and he could ultimately turn into a guy that flirts with double-digit homers at the next level if he gets the at-bats to do it. He can really go get it in the outfield, though his routes and reads are still developing at this stage. There's the upside here of an above average defender with plus speed and menacing traits in the box. |
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HOMETOWN: Holly Springs, NC HEIGHT: 6-2 WEIGHT: 215 BAT/THROW: R-R Arendt is a standout defender behind the plate with a big throwing arm and a long track record of gunning down would-be base-stealers. Over the last two summers on the Cape, Arendt has thrown out 21 of the 37 runners who have tried to steal on him, good for a 36 percent caught-stealing rate. Offensively, it's largely fringy tools, though Arendt shows a strong, patient approach. He doesn't strikeout much, but he can get pull-happy and doesn't yet showcase much in-game power. There's some defensive value here, and tools at the plate are burgeoning. Still, he'll likely be drafted for his arm and maturity rather than what future impact he projects to add moving forward offensively. |
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HOMETOWN: Westminster, CA HEIGHT: 6-2 WEIGHT: 185 BAT/THROW: L-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Arkansas Fraser is a sum-of-his-parts, gritty infielder who has performed at every stop across his high school career. He's shown feel for the barrel at the plate, and has a frame to dream on more impact going forward. Defensively, he stands out at second base where scouts think he could be a plus defender with a solid average arm and stellar work around the bag. |
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HOMETOWN: Philadelphia, PA HEIGHT: 6-1 WEIGHT: 190 BAT/THROW: R-R Sprague-Lott does a lot of little things quite well on the field, first of which is making a ton of contact, staying in the zone at an elite level, putting the game in motion. There's some sneaky raw power in the profile too, though he struggles to get to it in games. Sprague-Lott plays shortstop now, though he's likely destined for left field or second base at the next level to allow a player with a little more range to play the 6 at the pro level. This kid is a gritty ballplayer with versatility and a good bat. For that reason, he certainly has a place at the next level. He's draft-eligible for the second year. |
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HOMETOWN: Denville, NJ HEIGHT: 6-0 WEIGHT: 185 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Virginia Dickerson really made his presence known over the last twelve months of showcase and tournament baseball posting roasted run times and performing in games in ways most of his peers did not. Dickerson features a compact right-handed swing with organic loft and a demonstrated all-fields approach. He's hit some of the better arms in the country over the last handful of months. Most of his over-the-fence power is to the pull-side, but he's produced some opposite field pokes that suggest solid average raw power could eventually be in the cards with added development. Dickerson is a gritty player who could end up at second base, although he's proven to be a fairly capable average defender at shortstop. His speed could eventually push him to the outfield as well. It's comfortably double-plus speed. |
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HOMETOWN: Aldie, VA HEIGHT: 6-1 WEIGHT: 185 BAT/THROW: L-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Virginia Nunnallee is a spark plug table-setter with above average speed who could grow into another half gear on the run scale with more strength. He's still growing into his frame, but the athleticism and twitch is present. Nunnallee has a flatter bath path and is more of a gap-slasher for the time being. He creates chaos on the base paths and scouts have said he plays with his hair on fire. There are definitive lead-off tools here and Nunnallee is the type of guy who can set a culture in a clubhouse. He's primarily played the outfield to this point, and he should be able to cover enough ground in centerfield to handle the "8". There's been seldom work at second base too. |
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HOMETOWN: Lynwood, IL HEIGHT: 6-2 WEIGHT: 190 BAT/THROW: R-R King Jr. struggled with injuries throughout his first two seasons with the Cardinals, but burst onto the scene in 2023 in a full-time role displaying legit power and a burgeoning hit tool that scouts believe could really soar as he gets his feet under him. King Jr. projects best into a corner where his mostly-average physical tool play best, though his throwing arm has been graded as high as plus by differing opinions. |
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HOMETOWN: Jonesboro, AK HEIGHT: 6-4 WEIGHT: 200 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Arkansas Davis is a large and imposing force on the mound with an athletic frame, rounded shoulders and a strong lower half. He'll work the fastball up to 93 with arm-side run to both sides of the plate. His slider is a real weapon, a gyroscopic bowling ball with considerable depth and swing-and-miss characteristics. Davis likes to throw a budding changeup to lefties too, and it's been effective in tournament settings as well. It's a good operation. He's consistently on time both with his hand break and getting the arm up. Davis has starter traits and should continue to improve his overall arsenal as he gains reps and matures. |
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HOMETOWN: Saint Cloud, FL HEIGHT: 6-1 WEIGHT: 210 BAT/THROW: R-R Ferrer split time between catcher and in the outfield as a freshman, though most scouts like his upside in the outfield at the next level. Ferrer is a barrel-chested physically matured prospect with significant bat speed and very real *now* power. Despite his size, Ferrer remains an average runner with a strong first step and could happen onto double-digit stolen bases at the next level if provided the opportunity. He best profiles into right field where his above average arm and speed will play best. Ferrer is your prototypical power-over-hit slugging corner outfielder, though optimists see a potential solid average hit tool. |
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HOMETOWN: Jonesboro, AR HEIGHT: 6-2 WEIGHT: 215 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Arkansas Crecelius is a physical, stout righty with a very good fastball/curveball one-two punch and a genuine feel for pounding the strikezone. The fastball will grab 93 at peak, resting 90-91 with carry through the zone, living on the top rail. The curveball is a firm breaker in the upper-70s with late bite and depth. Again, a well-commanded weapon. Crecelius should continue to get more athletic at the next level, and has a chance to pitch over multiple innings going forward. |
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HOMETOWN: Jacksonville, FL HEIGHT: 6-5 WEIGHT: 213 BAT/THROW: R-R Johnson is an extremely physical right-handed reliever with the huge stuff and upside to fit the prototype. The fastball can get up to 98, sitting 94-96 over one-inning outs with significant ride through the zone. Because of his outlandishly high release, scouts like the upside of his two-seam fastball situationally as he presents the steepest vertical approach angle of any arm available in the draft. It could be a real weapon. Johnson throws a hard slider in the upper-80s, touching 90. He's got the makings of a high-octane late-inning reliever if he can improve his strike-throwing ability and polish up the breaking ball, including upping its usage. The arm talent is undeniable. Johnson is eligible for the second time. |
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HOMETOWN: Tampa, FL HEIGHT: 6-1 WEIGHT: 205 BAT/THROW: R-R Boser barely missed the age cutoff for the 2023 draft, but in returning to South Florida provides some thunder and speed back to a vaunted USF lineup. There's certainly a good bit of swing-and-miss in Boser's game, but he's proven to be a menace on the basepaths, and he'll poke one over the fence here and there. It's average raw power and solid average speed, though it plays up due to Boser's instincts. He'll need to cut down on the strikeouts if he's to vault into the Top 100 range that is his ceiling, but there's some tools here for scouts to be excited about. |
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HOMETOWN: Pearland, TX HEIGHT: 5-10 WEIGHT: 190 BAT/THROW: L-L COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Oklahoma What Barfield lacks in traditional prototype physicality, he more than makes up for in polish and strike-throwing ability. Barfield will live in the upper-80s and low-90s, though scouts expect that to jump in the not-too-distant future. His bread and butter is a big, hammer curveball that he's willing to throw to both sides of the plate and either-handed hitter. Barfield attacks the zone, gets ahead of hitters, and puts batters away with sequencing and pitchability. There's a changeup here too, and it's been particularly tough on RHH. Scouts expect Barfield to get stronger and more athletic as he grows at the next level. His innate feel for pitching should lend well toward future success in Norman or in professional baseball. |
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HOMETOWN: Mission Viejo, CA HEIGHT: 6-1 WEIGHT: 200 BAT/THROW: L-R Kasper had to patiently wait his turn in Corvallis while the upperclassmen had their fun, but he burst onto the scene in 2023 showcasing loud left-handed power and a keen ability to handle any of the three outfield roles. Kasper now projects a fringy defender in a corner with below average speed. Most believe he's destined for right field. The bat is what teams are split on. The raw power is definitely in there, and proponents of Kasper believe it's 25-homer upside at the next level. He posts close to elite-level chase rates and clearly has a mature approach at the plate. But his fringe-average bat-to-ball skills lead some to believe he'll have a difficult time getting to his power at the next level as he sees more advanced pitching. Kasper is draft-eligible for the second time in 2024 as a 22 year old and is regarded as one of the more intriguing upperclass options in the draft. |
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HOMETOWN: Mokena, IL HEIGHT: 6-1 WEIGHT: 205 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Louisville Mowry has been a steady performer on the tournament scene providing power and impact to whichever lineup he's in. A primary catcher, Mowry will shift between first base and DH in an attempt to get his bat in the lineup at whatever cost. He's maxed out physically with a ton of strength in his broad, powerful upper-half. Mowry produces a ton of bat speed with a steep, uphill attack angle and a slugging intent. He consistently takes big swings, generating over-the-fence power and huge rotational force of which has been proven and on display at a number of stops. There are certainly some swing and miss concerns here, but they generally don't rear their head until he falls behind in the count and starts to anxiously protect. Still, it's an impactful bat with at least an outside shot to catch as a platoon option at the next level. There's some Dominic Keegan in the overall package here, however Mowry is committed to Louisville. |
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HOMETOWN: Short Hills, NJ HEIGHT: 6-1 WEIGHT: 190 BAT/THROW: R-R Maldonado was highly regarded coming out of high school, but went unselected, in part due to his commitment to Vanderbilt, notoriously difficult to steal players from. A barrel-chested infielder with broad shoulders, Maldonado is sophomore-eligible in this class and many expect he'll get more and more physical in pro ball. He's got a flat, physical swing with ringing extra-base hit potential. He's learning to lift the ball, but that's not explicitly his game yet. Maldonado can play any of the three infield spots, but he's got a huge arm and third base may be his eventual calling. |
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HOMETOWN: Waynesville, GA HEIGHT: 6-6 WEIGHT: 195 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Georgia Tech Royer is a long, lanky, projectable right-hander with a really fast arm. Considering his size, Royer controls his body well and showcases impressive core strength and torque working down the mound through an aggressive finish. It's reasonably controlled aggression with some effort at release and some whack, but nothing looks terribly difficult or over-done. Royer's fastball has been up to 95 with carry through the zone and some natural cut, though he'll vary the shape of the pitch depending on the heater. He'll generally rest 91-93 over multi-inning appearances. Royer features a tilted slider with depth in the upper-70s, occasionally tickling the low-80s bucket. His delivery and tempo provide some natural deception, the fastball being especially difficult for hitters to pick up. Scouts would like to see the effort continue to tick down as he adds weight and strength approaching the draft, but there are few pitchers in the class that can match the projection, athleticism and present stuff that Royer possesses. There's certainly some reliever risk here, but the upside could be significant. |
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HOMETOWN: Buchanen, CA HEIGHT: 6-2 WEIGHT: 205 BAT/THROW: R-R Smith is a big-bodied infielder with power to all fields and a budding hit tool. He may be forced off third base as he ages, but scouts like the bat. Smith is a solid average runner who can pick it at third base if his athleticism stays on the dirt. He'll need to improve his approach and pure bat-to-ball skills, but the underlying tools are there for a full-time regular at the next level if the polish comes. |
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HOMETOWN: Kansas City, MO HEIGHT: 6-3 WEIGHT: 185 BAT/THROW: R-L While Wansing has struggled to command the baseball in College Station, the stuff has never been in question. He's a strikeout artist. Wansing throws a heavy fastball with darting arm-side run and sink. It's been especially effective against left-handed hitters, but righties have had little trouble putting the pitch in play. His best pitch is without question a low-80s slider with tremendous depth, high spin and sweeping action. He's induced a ton of swing and miss on the pitch, as well as heavy chase rates regardless of the handedness of the hitter. There's also a curveball here, though he struggles to command the pitch with consistency. Wansing's slider is plus, and he projects to get up into the mid-90s. At worst, he's a leverageable reliever at the next level, but if the command steps forward he could start. |
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HOMETOWN: Bluffton, SC HEIGHT: 6-4 WEIGHT: 190 BAT/THROW: R-R Horn can do things to a baseball next to nobody else can. He is a metric darling with a hellish sinker that'll flirt with the mid-90s, generating north of 20 inches of arm-side run and tremendous sink. His slider will sit 82-84 eclipsing 3000 rpms and, at his best, will register north of 15 inches of sweep. Horn has approached 3500 rpm with the breaking ball, something you'll only see from the most elite arms in the game. Horn presents plenty of angles for hitters with a wide release point and a long arm swing that can make it tough to track the ball. His operation is unconventional and a tad inefficient, something that has led to the walks. Horn generates huge torque and hip-shoulder separation with a whippy, rotational front leg and inconsistent landing spot; both of which lead to those aforementioned scattershot woes at times. There may be some low-hanging fruit here to get Horn throwing harder and scouts hope the control and walks come down this spring. This is what high leverage upside looks like if it all clicks. |
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HOMETOWN: Odessa, TX HEIGHT: 6-2 WEIGHT: 195 BAT/THROW: R-R Banks is a lean, wiry outfielder with considerable bat speed and projection coming to his frame. He's an aggressive hitter who can get a little swing-happy at times, but does impact the baseball with huge exit velocity peaks and premium launch angles. Banks absolutely murders the low ball, but has shown a hole in his swing at the top of the zone, something he'll need to clean up at the next level where command improves rapidly. For now, Banks is a power-corner bat with slugging upside and some question marks in the overall hit tool. He is a fringy runner, though his athleticism suggests that could improve with proper training. Banks currently possesses fringy arm strength. |
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HOMETOWN: Dayton, OH HEIGHT: 6-4 WEIGHT: 185 BAT/THROW: R-R Patrick provided some stability to the Wright State lineup that was decimated by injuries in 2023. He makes plenty of contact and does a good job of staying inside his zone. He's not a guy that is going to blow the doors off any stadium with massive exit velocity figures, but he uses the whole field and has shown some thump to the pull-side. There's some positional versatility here with the ability to handle third base or either corner outfield spot. Considering Patrick's massive 6-foot-4-inch, 190-pound frame, it's easy to dream on more projection and bat speed developing here. If that happens and the batted-ball events grow a little louder, he has Top 100 pick upside. |
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HOMETOWN: Margate, FL HEIGHT: 5-10 WEIGHT: 170 BAT/THROW: B-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: NC State Despite his unassuming size, Fitz-Gerald is one of the more complete hitters in the country with tools scattered about the diamond. There's impact to the pull-side and an average run tool with high-level instincts here that allow the NC State commit to take the extra base when afforded the opportunity. Fitz-Gerald has some swing and miss in his game, and that'll need to be cleaned up as he moves into the next level of his baseball career, but there's a chance for some power, some speed, and a solid glove here. He projects at both second base or shortstop moving forward. |
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HOMETOWN: Flowery Branch, GA HEIGHT: 6-2 WEIGHT: 205 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Georgia Taylor is a barrel-chested righty with a physical frame and a bulldog mentality on the mound. The fastball carries tremendous life through the zone, up to 96. He throws a slurvy breaking ball in the upper-70s that presently has some hump, but shapes well to miss bats. There's also a changeup that's been effective against left-handed hitters, but lacks consistency and feel from time to time. Taylor has a quick arm and an athletic, physical frame. He could start moving forward with the arsenal and repeatability. |
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HOMETOWN: Wimington, DE HEIGHT: 6-2 WEIGHT: 210 BAT/THROW: L-R After spending three seasons at George Washington, Micheletti transferred to Virginia Tech for the 2024 campaign. He's played a multitude of positions throughout his career including catcher, first base and the outfield, but most foresee a future at first base as the most comfortable home. Micheletti is a distinguished bat-to-ball hitter with low strikeout rates, aiming to put the ball in play and make things happen. It's only average raw power, and he's not quite getting to all of it in games yet. Micheletti was a standout performer for Orleans last summer with a wood bat, growing confidence with front office executives that his game will translate to the next level. Ultimately, this is likely a solid-average or better hitter who posts strong walk rates with below-to-fringy game power and a first base profile. |
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HOMETOWN: Bellevue, NE HEIGHT: 6-5 WEIGHT: 180 BAT/THROW: R-R Jelkin is about as projectable a body as you'll find in this draft, and the stuff and athleticism really continues to traject upwards. He's always been an explosive mover, but everything is much more under control these days, and he's throwing more strikes because of it. He'll work up to 95 with late run and some carry. It's a deceptive fastball that really sneaks up on hitters. His low-80s slider tunnels quite well and induces quite a bit of swing and miss. Jelkin has better baseball ahead of him and is a good bet to get selected in this draft. |
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HOMETOWN: Ridgeland, MI HEIGHT: 5-10 WEIGHT: 185 BAT/THROW: R-R High contact, high exit velocities, might be positionless. Performer. Gritty. |
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HOMETOWN: Blackfoot, ID HEIGHT: 6-4 WEIGHT: 190 BAT/THROW: R-R COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Oregon State Whitney is a tremendous mover with a high leg kick through his wind up, a clean hand break and ultra-repeatable operation considering his age. He's a long, tall righty with projection remaining in his upper-half and an already sturdy, well-built lower half. He's got broad, squared-off shoulders and a high waist; two signs of a guy who figures to continue to add velocity as he matures. He extends well down the bump and lands consistently out in front with above-average extension and lower-half drive. He uses his legs quite well and should jump into the mid-90s in due time. Whitney has special fastball. Not only is it deceptive, his over-the-top delivery produces considerable carry through the zone, aided by above-average spin rates, up to 94 mph. It's a menacing pitch on the top rail, and Whitney commands it well. His breaking ball is a deep, slurvy slider thrown in the upper-70s, grabbing some 8-handles here and there, also featuring above-average spin. There's also a changeup in the same velocity bucket, though it lags behind his two primary weapons both in execution and conviction for now. The operation is short, compact, and quick with loose actions working downhill with authority. Whitney was a primary shortstop early in his high school career and has grown into a legitimate pitching prospect. As he continues to grown and develop his craft, the stuff could really take off. He is an Oregon State commit. |
