2024 MLB Mock Draft: Breaking Down Top Prospects and Predictions

Erik BeastonJuly 11, 2024

2024 MLB Mock Draft: Breaking Down Top Prospects and Predictions

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    NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 05:   A general view of the stage during the 2024 MLB Draft Lottery presented by Nike at the 2023 MLB Winter Meetings at Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center on Tuesday, December 5, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
    Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images

    The MLB Draft has become a staple of the league's All Star Week, highlighting the top prospects and future stars in professional baseball.

    This year, the top player selected is anything but a given, with two standouts potentially headed to the Cleveland Guardians organization barring a trade.

    Will Oregon State's Travis Bazzana or Georgia's Charlie Condon take the top spot and who else may hear their names called in the first round of this year's event?

    Find out with this mock draft and preview ahead of the July 14 extravaganza.

Mock Draft

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    ARLINGTON, TX - MAY 25: JJ Wetherholt #27 of the West Virginia Mountaineers reacts after hitting a home run during a game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Globe Life Field on May 25, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ben Ludeman/Texas Rangers/Getty Images)
    Ben Ludeman/Texas Rangers/Getty Images

    Ahead of Sunday's MLB Draft, this mock draft examines who could wind up with which organization, based on team need and player potential.


    1. Cleveland Guardians: Travis Bazzana, 2B, Oregon State
    2. Cincinnati Reds: Charlie Condon, OF, Georgia
    3. Colorado Rockies: Chase Burns, RHP, Wake Forest
    4. Oakland Athletics: Jac Caglianone, 1B/LHP, Florida
    5. Chicago White Sox: JJ Wetherholt, 2B/SS, West Virginia
    6. Kansas City Royals: Bryce Rainer, SS, Harvard-Westlake High School (CA)
    7. St. Louis Cardinals: Hagen Smith, LHP, Arkansas
    8. Los Angeles Angels: Konnor Griffin, SS/OF, Jackson Prep (MS)
    9. Pittsburgh Pirates: Braden Montgomery, OF, Texas A&M
    10. Washington Nationals: Ryan Sloan, RHP, York High School (IL)
    11. Detroit Tigers: Trey Yesavage, RHP, East Carolina
    12. Boston Red Sox: Christian Moore, 2B, Tennessee
    13. San Francisco Giants: Nick Kurtz, 1B, Wake Forest
    14. Chicago Cubs: James Tibbs, 1B/OF, Florida State
    15. Seattle Mariners: Cam Caminiti, Saguaro High School (AZ)
    16. Miami Marlins: Vance Honeycutt, OF, North Carolina
    17. Milwaukee Brewers: Carson Benge, OF, Oklahoma State
    18. Tampa Bay Rays: Cam Smith, 3B, Florida State
    19. New York Mets: Seaver King, IF/OF, Wake Forest
    20. Toronto Blue Jays: Caleb Lomavita, C, California
    21. Minnesota Twins: Walker Janek, C, Sam Houston
    22. Baltimore Orioles: Brody Brecht, RHP, Iowa
    23. Los Angeles Dodgers: Jurrangelo Cijntje, SHP, Mississippi State
    24. Atlanta Braves: William Schmidt, RHP, Catholic High School (LA)
    25. San Diego Padres: Kash Mayfield, LHP, Elk City High School (OK)
    26. New York Yankees: Theo Gillen, SS, Westlake High School (TX)
    27. Philadelphia Phillies: David Shields, LHP, Mount Lebanon High School (PA)
    28. Houston Astros: Jacob Cozart, C, North Carolina State
    29. Arizona Diamondbacks: Billy Amick, 3B, Tennessee
    30. Texas Rangers: Dakota Jordan, OF, Mississippi State

Top Prospect: Travis Bazzana, 2B, Oregon State

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    LEXINGTON, KY - JUNE 09: Oregon State infielder Travis Bazzana (37) takes batting practice before an NCAA super regional game between the Oregon State Beavers and the Kentucky Wildcats on June 9, 2024, at Kentucky Proud Park in Lexington, KY. (Photo by Jeff Moreland/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
    Jeff Moreland/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

    Travis Bazzana is the top-ranked draft prospect according to MLB.com and for good reason.

    The second baseman tallied 87 hits, 28 home runs, 66 RBI, 16 stolen bases while compiling a slash line of .407/.568/.911 and an OPS of 1.479.

    The Australian-born player thrived in the Cape Cod League, winning the MVP, and has proven an ability to hit both left- and right-handed pitchers. He can steal bags, too.

    MLB's scouting report raises questions about his defense, but ultimately states, "His athleticism helps him have good range, he has enough arm for the spot and he can turn the double play effectively."

    Bazzana would make history if he goes at the top of the draft, becoming the first second baseman to ever be drafted at the No. 1 position. It is a testament to what he has accomplished with the bat that he would rise to a pre-Draft position that no other player at his position ever has before.

    Cleveland's only other prospect at second base is Khalil Watson, who is currently playing AA ball and is targeted for a 2025 call-up.

Top Prospect: Charlie Condon, 3B/OF, Georgia

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    LEXINGTON, KY - MARCH 16: Georgia first baseman Charlie Condon (24) in a game between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Kentucky Wildcats on March 16, 2024, at Kentucky Proud Park in Lexington, KY. (Photo by Jeff Moreland/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
    Jeff Moreland/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

    If Bazzana is not the No. 1 pick in this year's draft, Condon will be.

    The right-handed Georgia walk-on should be the highest-drafted Bulldog in the school's history. A raw, powerful hitter who produced 100 hits, 37 home runs, 78 RBI, and a slash line of .433/.556/1.009.

    He is not going to beat anyone in a foot race, so he is unlikely to be synonymous with stolen bases, but he is a big, athletic player whose size occasionally makes up for it.

    MLB's scouting report said of the 21-year-old's defensive play, "after splitting time between first base and the outfield corners as a freshman, he has played all three outfield spots and third base this spring. He's not quick enough for third or center but he does have solid-to-plus arm strength and can provide average defense in left or right field."

    The power he has demonstrated in his college career, coupled with his ability to play at multiple positions on the field, make him an asset to any team looking for a potential game-changing prospect.

    If Condon does go second overall, he would be part a Cincinnati Reds organization with a third baseman in Cam Collier that currently ranks 84th overall in MLB Prospect Rankings and Sal Stewart, who rounds out the top 100.

    Based on his development, he could realistically eclipse both of those players fairly early on, especially if his power translates from college to the minors.

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