2024 MLB Draft: Sneak peek into top 30 candidates as Guardians, Reds and Rockies take top 3 spots
The 2024 MLB draft is shaping up to be an exciting one. This class is full of players who can change the tune of an organization with the level of talent scattered throughout these prospects.
The draft is set to kick off during MLB's All-Star weekend. The Cleveland Guardians will get things started on July 14 as they were given this year's No. 1 overall pick.
While mock drafts have been turning up left and right, many agree that Cleveland is expected to take Travis Bazzana with the No. 1 pick. He is an infielder from Oregon State University who already looks like a professional hitter.
Bazzana is coming off a season where he hit .407/.568/.911 with 28 home runs and 66 RBIs. Typically, second basemen are not expected to be taken this high, but that goes to show the special player that he is.
MLB Pipeline then predicts the Cincinnati Reds will select University of Georgia OF/3B Charlie Condon with the No. 2 pick. Condon led all NCAA hitters in multiple categories this year and is one of the more versatile players in the class.
To round out the top three, MLB Pipeline likes Jac Caglianone with the No. 3 pick, going to the Colorado Rockies. Caglianone is considered the best two-way player in the nation, giving him comparisons to Shohei Ohtani.
Which other players could be taken in the first round of 2024 MLB draft?
While a lot of attention is stuck on the top three picks, other players should immensely excite baseball fans. One of these players includes University of Arkansas pitcher Hagen Smith.
MLB Pipeline predicts he will be selected with the No. 7 pick, going to the St. Louis Cardinals. He has a funky delivery coming from the left side and can touch 100 mph with his fastball, making for difficult at-bats.
Another player that should excite baseball fans is Jackson Prep's Konnor Griffin. He is listed as a shortstop/OF but also has spent time on the mound. Some believe he can be taken in the top 10, but MLB Pipeline sees him going No. 11 to the Detroit Tigers.
While some fans may want to see their team go in a certain direction, the level of talent in the 2024 MLB draft is insane. It would be hard to make a bad pick with the list of players the front offices are looking at.