Top 3 Big Ten college baseball players who could go high in Round 2 of MLB Draft 2024 ft. Brody Brecht
The Big Ten is home to some of the more underrated programs in college baseball. The conference is famous for producing its fair share of under-the-radar players during MLS draft cycles.
As we count down to the 2024 MLB Draft, let's examine three Big Ten players that could go high in the coming days.
Three Big Ten players who could go high in Round 2 of the 2024 MLB Draft
#3. Connor Foley, Pitcher, Indiana
Connor Foley enjoyed a decent collegiate baseball career, and he should have a decent shout of going high in that second round. The right-handed pitcher has the tools to be an average to good prospect for an MLB franchise.
Connor Foley worked at around 93-95 mph and reached 99 with his fastball. He has the stamina to maintain his velocity deep in baseball games, and his physicality at 6 feet 5 inches and 235 pounds is a major part of his player profile.
2. Josh Kuroda-Grauer, Shortstop, Rutgers
Josh Kuroda-Grauer was a starter from Day 1 at Rutgers, and his performance at shortstop was a regular highlight of the Big Ten program. Kuroda-Grauer has a strong, athletic frame and can do major damage from the right side of the plate.
Josh Kuroda-Grauer is measured in his batting approach and rarely strikes out. His contact skills are top-notch, and he projects to be an above-average MLB hitter in the not-too-distant future.
Kuroda-Grauer could be selected high in the second round by a team looking for a young shortstop with potential 15-homer power. He could build on his current skill set and stay in and around the league for the foreseeable future.
1. Brody Brecht, Pitcher, Iowa
Brady Brecht is a right-handed pitcher at Iowa and arguably the best pitcher in the Big Ten. His fastball and slider make him difficult to play against.
The Iowa product's fastball and slider have earned comparisons to 2024 MLB all-star Paul Skenes. Brecht's fastball is 96-99 mph, and his slider touches 101 mph, a decent skill to have entering the big leagues.
One reason why Brady Brecht might go early in Round 2 rather than late one is his below-average command of fastballs. Once he improves that, he could live up to the potential that he showcased in college.