Top 3 Big 12 college baseball players who could get selected in Round 2 of MLB Draft 2024
The 2024 MLB Draft is just six days away and every team is looking to add some of the best college baseball prospects to their rosters in the 20-round event that will last three days beginning from July 14th. While all eyes will be on first round picks, the second round is nearly as important given that some of the best players in the 2024 NCAA baseball season will still be available to all 30 teams.
Although the field of eight in the College World Series comprised only SEC and ACC teams, the Big 12 conference saw incredible efforts from a few players. Here are three players from the conference who are likely to be picked in the second round.
Three Big 12 players likely to be picked in the second round of MLB Draft 2024
1. Kaelen Culpepper, SS
Culpepper enjoyed a strong junior season with the Kansas State Wildcats this year. He recorded 11 home runs and 59 RBI with an average of .328 while taking part in all 61 games of the Wildcats' season. He also walked 35 times, more than his walks in the previous two seasons combined.
Culpepper helped the Wildcats pull off a stunning upset in the Fayetteville Regional, where they scored an upset win over the No. 5 national seed, the Arkansas Razorbacks en route to winning the Regional. He currently ranks 31st in the top prospects for the draft and is most likely to go in the second round.
2. Kevin Bazzell, C
Bazzell burst onto the season in his freshman season last year, recording 10 home runs and 62 RBI with an average of .348. While he missed nine games this season because of illness in March, he still posted solid numbers for the Texas Tech Red Raiders.
Bazzell recorded 6 home runs and 32 RBI with an average of .306 this season. He currently ranks 55th in the top prospects for the draft.
3. Tyson Neighbors, RHP
Neighbors is one of the top bullpen prospects in the class following three strong seasons as a relief pitcher for the Kansas State Wildcats. He enjoyed a successful sophomore season last year, finishing with a 5-1 record while recording 86 strikeouts with an ERA of just 1.85 in 48.2 innings pitched.
This season, he finished 1-2 while recording 61 strikeouts with an ERA of 3.96. He currently ranks 95th in the top prospects for the draft and presents a good option for MLB teams looking to strengthen their bullpens through the draft.