Top 5 ACC baseball players selected on Day 2 of 2024 MLB draft ft. Josh Hartle
The Atlantic Coast Conference, or the ACC, had 29 players selected on Day 2 of the 2024 MLB draft on Monday at Cowtown Coliseum in Fort Worth, Texas. These players will be hoping to crack into the teams' rosters for a chance to make it to the MLB.
Here's a look at the profiles of the top five ACC players selected on the second day of the draft.
Top 5 ACC players selected on Day 2 of 2024 MLB draft
#5. Austin Gordon, Clemson, Round 4, No. 110 overall
Austin Gordon bounced from starter to closer in his three-year stint with Clemson. Gordon appeared in 55 games (21 starts) for the Tigers and went 5-6 with a 4.64 ERA. The right-hander shifted to the closer's role in March and recorded 11 saves this past season.
The 6-foot-5 pitcher out of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina accumulated 160 strikeouts and surrendered 49 walks in three seasons with the Tigers. The Los Angeles Angels can use Gordon as a relief pitcher or a starter if it opts for a bullpen game.
#4. Casey Saucke, Virginia, Round 4, No. 107 overall
Casey Saucke played for three seasons in Virginia, where he appeared in 180 games with the Cavaliers. Saucke had a .332/.410/.524 slash line and scored 150 runs with 25 home runs and 159 RBIs. He stole 25 bases in 31 opportunities in three seasons.
Saucke had a fielding percentage of .982 on 323 putouts and seven assists in three seasons with Virginia. The Chicago White Sox picked the outfielder in the fourth round for his above-average outfield defense, solid running and hitting accuracy.
#3. Blake Wright, Clemson, Round 4, No. 106 overall
Blake Wright had a banner 2024 season with Clemson, hitting .340 with 22 home runs and 75 RBIs. The 6-foot third baseman scored 68 runs and recorded 167 total bases last season, with an on-base percentage of .383 and slugging rate of .652. He was struck out 37 times and had 16 walks.
The Colorado Rockies selected the Belleair, Florida native with the No. 106 overall pick for his hitting an infield defense. During his four seasons with the Tigers, Wright recorded a fielding percentage of .963 on 163 putouts and 300 assists, committing only 18 errors in his four-year stint with Clemson.
#2. Casey Cook, North Carolina, Round 3, No. 103 overall
The Texas Rangers used their third-round pick on the speedy Casey Cook, who showed continued improvement in his third season with North Carolina. He was one of the key players in the Tar Heels' College World Series run.
Cook hit .341 in 64 games with 18 home runs and 78 RBIs. He scored 67 runs and recorded seven stolen bases. The outfielder also had a .431 on-base percentage and a .605 slugging rate this past season.
In defense, Cook was almost perfect in three seasons with North Carolina. He had a fielding percentage of .992 on 235 putouts and five assists against two errors.
#1. Josh Hartle, Wake Forest, Round 3, No. 83 overall
Josh Hartle was picked in the third round by the Pittsburgh Pirates after three seasons with Wake Forest. The 6-foot-5 Hartle started in 46 of 47 games for the Demon Deacons and went 24-11 with a 4.41 ERA.
He accumulated 246.2 innings for Wake Forest and recorded 275 strikeouts and 73 walks across three seasons. Hartle earned All-American honors as a sophomore after finishing with an 11-2 record and a 2.81 ERA.
Hartle could be an effective bottom-of-the-rotation starter for the Pirates if he continues his development as a pitcher in the minor leagues.