With Day 1 of the 2024 MLB draft now complete, it's time to look at which picks in the first round stood out most.
After months of speculation about the various directions the Cleveland Guardians could go with the No. 1 overall pick, Cleveland settled on Oregon State second baseman Travis Bazzana, setting the stage for a college player-heavy top of the first round.
While the nature of the baseball draft means that some of the picks we aren't quite sure about on Day 1 will become clearer when we see how teams spread their bonus allotment around later in the draft, here are the early picks I liked the most along with the top players still available entering Day 2.
Jac Caglianone, 1B, Kansas City Royals (No. 6)
I've been slow to fully come around on Caglianone, skeptical given his chase rates for the past two springs. But over this past spring, as I dialed in to his unique aspects and outlier abilities, I moved him to No. 4 on my board -- and No. 39 on my top 100 prospects once he signs. He was rumored to be in the final mix at every pick from Nos. 1 to 5, with No. 6 to K.C. perceived as the furthest he would drop. The Royals are doing things well at the big league level right now and might've found a franchise player if it all clicks.
J.J. Wetherholt, SS, St. Louis Cardinals (No. 7)
Caglianone was fourth on my board as a virtual coin flip with Wetherholt, who was third. Wetherholt was in play at the Nos. 1, 4 and 5 picks, so the Cardinals are the beneficiaries of his fall to No. 7. He has some things in common with a number of hitters who have moved quickly through the St. Louis system, and I think he will join them.
P.J. Morlando, RF, Miami Marlins (No. 16)
Braylon Payne, CF, Milwaukee Brewers (No. 17)
I'll be interested to see what the bonus numbers are for both of these picks. Neither player seemed likely to go until at least the late 20s and likely the 30s, but I think both the Marlins and Brewers had their pockets picked on the collection of college players they wanted. I like both Morlando (his swing regressed this spring, but he seems to be fixing that of late) and Payne (above-average to plus hit, speed and defense), and if there are significant savings -- both should come in a good bit below slot -- and an arrow-up prospect added to the Miami and Milwaukee systems later in the draft, these could look like genius picks.
Cam Caminiti, LHP, Atlanta Braves (No. 24)
Kash Mayfield, LHP, San Diego Padres (No. 25)
The two best high school pitchers in the draft both slipped further down the board than anyone would've guessed. Caminiti seemed to have landing spots all through the teens and as high as the back of the top 10. Mayfield had lots of interest in the Nos. 11-15 area and more into the early 20s.
Both pitchers have frontline potential if it clicks, namely because of their breaking balls. I'd bet at least one of them takes off in pro ball. Atlanta and San Diego have both found success with these types of pitchers in the past.
Dante Nori, CF, Philadelphia Phillies (No. 27)
Griffin Burkholder, CF, Phillies (No. 63)
The Phillies gambled again on high-variance, high-upside prospects in Nori and Burkholder. Both are definite plus runners who fit in center field and have real contact ability. Nori is one of the oldest high school players to be picked high in years, so we'll find out more quickly than for most prep players how much his age necessitates making an adjustment for the relative age of his competition. Burkholder battled a hamstring injury for much of the spring but was getting compared to Jonny Farmelo (one of the biggest prep risers from the 2023 draft) for the teams that saw him enough to have a strong opinion.
Ryan Waldschmidt, LF, Arizona Diamondbacks (No. 31)
Waldschmidt was a late riser in the college ranks who had teams kicking the tires as high as the late top 10, but he seemed to have more realistic landing spots in the 20s. The D-backs landing him at 31 is a coup even if you take the lower end of the polarized grades that teams were hanging on him. He's just an OK defender in left field, but he might hit enough to be an everyday player and is polished enough to move quickly.
Caleb Lomavita, C, Washington Nationals (No. 39)
Lomavita was the consensus best backstop in the draft among the scouts I spoke with, so I'll guess that he's getting an over-slot deal from the Nationals at the 39th pick (as the third catcher taken). He's still a bit raw defensively and chases a bit too much, but his tools can't be taught and aren't even available in every draft. He's above average to plus at almost everything.
Chris Cortez, RHP, Los Angeles Angels (No. 45)
The Angels take college players who can move quickly to the big leagues. Cortez has a lot of Jordan Hicks to him, both in that he has a triple-digit sinker but also that some teams think he might actually become a starter. If the Angels fast track him in relief, he might be the first big leaguer of the entire 2024 draft class.
Best available players for Day 2
(Listed by top 250 draft prospects ranking)
27. Dakota Jordan, CF, Mississippi State
44. Joey Oakie, RHP, Ankeny Centennial (Iowa) HS
50. Chase Harlan, 3B, Central Bucks East (Pennsylvania) HS
52. James Nunnallee, RF, Lightridge (Virginia) HS
53. Dax Whitney, RHP, Blackfoot (Idaho) HS
54. Sawyer Farr, SS, Boswell (Texas) HS
55. Johnny King, LHP, Naples (Florida) HS
56. Cole Messina, C, South Carolina
58. Ryan Prager, LHP, Texas A&M
59. Kevin Bazzell, C, Texas Tech