Top 5 prospects from Big 12 to watch out for in 2024 MLB draft ft. JJ WetherholtÂ
The Big 12 has proven to be one of the top college baseball conferences in the 2024 NCAA Baseball season, with six teams making it to the Field of 64. They were Kansas State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas, UCF and West Virginia. The Wildcats and Mountaineers made it to the super regional and put up a fight against ACC foes Virginia and North Carolina, respectively, before losing in two games.
Some players from the Big 12 stood out and showcased brilliance this season. They are likely to be called high in the first round or the middle of the second round depending on the need of the 30 teams drafting in the annual event from July 14-16.
Here are the top five Big 12 prospects fans should watch out for in this year's MLB draft.
Top 5 Big 12 prospects to watch out for in 2024 MLB draft
#5. Kevin Bazzell, C, Texas Tech
The 6-foot-1 out of Rockwall had a relatively great sophomore season despite a decline in his stats this past season. In 49 games, Bazzell hit .306 with 57 hits and 37 runs. He slugged six home runs and 32 RBIs. His on-base and slugging percentages were .401 and .473, respectively.
He had an excellent freshman season for Texas Tech. Bazzell started for 63 games and hit .348 with 87 hits and 55 runs. He had 10 homers and 62 RBIs. His OBP and slugging percentages were .452 and .572, respectively.
#4. Jared Thomas, CF, Texas
Jared Thomas had a better 2024 season with the Longhorns, hitting .349 with 16 home runs and 47 RBIs. He recorded 87 hits and 61 runs. The 6-foot-2 sophomore stole 18 bases and recorded a slugging percentage of .635 and an on-base percentage of .434.
The Waxahachie product is projected to be a late second-rounder or early third-round pick in the draft next month.
#3. Kaelen Culpepper, SS, Kansas State
Kaelen Culpepper has helped the Wildcats reach the super regionals with his fine batting. The 6-foot junior out of St Benedict at Auburndale High School hit .324 and notched 50 runs and 79 hits. He slugged 11 home runs and 59 RBIs.
His on-base and slugging percentages were also excellent, recording .416 and .570, respectively. Culpepper stole 17 bases this year, almost doubling what he accumulated the previous season (nine).
#2. Carson Benge, OF/RHP, Oklahoma State
Carson Benge can play pitcher and batter at the same time. In two seasons as a pitcher for the Cowboys, Benge is 5-4 with three saves in 71 innings. He has an accumulated ERA of 4.69 and recorded 77 strikeouts and 35 walks in 28 games.
As a batter, the 6-foot-1 Yukon High School prospect hit .339 and scored 131 runs on 151 hits during his two-year stint with Oklahoma State. He has compiled 25 homers and 107 RBIs, as well as stole 18 bases for the Cowboys in 120 games.
#1. J.J. Wetherholt, SS/2B, West Virginia
J.J. Wetherholt wasn't able to duplicate his standout sophomore year but he had a solid third season for the Mountaineers. The 5-foot-10 infielder hit .331 on 41 hits and 30 runs. Wetherholt had on-base and slugging percentages of .472 and .589, respectively. He recorded eight homers and 29 RBIs along with six bases stolen this past season.
Last season, the West Virginia shortstop was a stud, hitting .449 on 101 hits and 67 runs. Wetherholt had 16 homers and 60 RBIs. He also recorded 35 stolen bases while his OBP and slugging were .517 and .782, respectively.