2024 MLB Mock Draft 3.0: Early Picks for Every 1st-Round Selection (2024)

With the 2024 college baseball postseason in full swing and high school seasons wrapping up across the country, it's time for an updated version of our 2024 MLB mock draft.

Our first mock draft of the year was published back on Dec. 22, and that served more as a baseline of this year's biggest names than anything else. That was followed by our first in-season update on April 25.

Already rumors are starting to trickle out on who the Cleveland Guardians might prefer at No. 1 overall, with Oregon State second baseman Travis Bazzana potentially climbing ahead of Georgia slugger Charlie Condon for the top spot.

It's a draft class heavy on college talent at the top, especially hitters, while Wake Forest right-hander Chase Burns and Arkansas left-hander Hagen Smith are widely regarded as the top two pitchers in the draft.

There is still a lot of baseball to be played between now and July 14 when the draft kicks off during the All-Star festivities, so expect plenty of shuffling in the coming months.

For now, you'll find a full analysis of each of the 30 first-round picks in version 3.0 of our 2024 MLB mock draft.

1. Cleveland Guardians: 2B Travis Bazzana, Oregon State

Whether it's posturing on their part to try to gain negotiating leverage or a legitimate preference, the consensus seems to be that the Guardians prefer Bazzana over Georgia slugger Charlie Condon, with the ever-looming possibility of a below-slot deal for someone further down the board as well.

To his credit, Bazzana is by no means a reach at No. 1 overall considering he is hitting .418/.581/.939 with 16 doubles, 26 home runs and 62 RBI in 55 games as, arguably, the best pure hitter in the country.

2. Cincinnati Reds: OF Charlie Condon, Georgia

The Reds will likely sit back and grab whichever college star is still remaining between Condon and Bazzana, and he will immediately become the No. 1 prospect in their farm system.

Condon is the Golden Spikes front-runner this spring, hitting .443/.558/1.043 with 35 home runs and 75 RBI in 274 plate appearances while playing in the toughest conference in the nation.

3. Colorado Rockies: 1B/LHP Jac Caglianone, Florida

It remains to be seen if Caglianone will get the opportunity to be a two-way player at the next level, but he is worthy of a top-five selection on the strength of his offensive game alone.

The 6'5", 250-pound slugger is hitting .415/.525/.844 with 29 home runs, 58 RBI and far more walks (41) than strikeouts (21). He also has a 4.35 ERA with 68 strikeouts in 62 innings while showcasing power stuff from the left side.

The logical move would be to grab whichever top college arm they prefer between Chase Burns and Hagen Smith in an effort to find a homegrown rotation piece, but this is an organization that rarely uses logic.

4. Oakland Athletics: 1B Nick Kurtz, Wake Forest

It's been over 20 years since the famous Moneyball draft, but the Oakland organization still places a priority on on-base ability, and Kurtz ranks fourth in the nation with a .538 OBP to go along with his impressive power numbers.

The 6'5", 240-pound first baseman is hitting .313/.538/.789 with 22 home runs, 55 RBI and more walks (76) than hits (52) over 52 games, and he should move as quickly through the minors as any prospect in this class.

5. Chicago White Sox: SS/OF Konnor Griffin, Jackson Prep (MS)

On the precipice of a full-scale rebuild and limited to picking no higher than 10th in next year's draft under the new CBA rules, the White Sox should swing for the fence on a high-upside pick.

Griffin offers one of the highest ceilings in this draft thanks to his elite athleticism, and he possesses a 60-power, 65-speed offensive profile that speaks to his overflowing toolbox. He reclassified from the 2025 draft class and just turned 18 in April, which only further adds to his upside.

6. Kansas City Royals: RHP Chase Burns, Wake Forest

With their choice of college pitchers, the Royals have an opportunity to add a polished arm to a system that is currently headlined by Ben Kudrna and Frank Mozzicato, who are both pitching at the High-A level and still a long way from making an MLB impact.

Burns has been brilliant this spring after transferring from Tennessee during the offseason, going 10-1 with a 2.46 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and a 184-to-26 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 95 innings. He has an electric four-pitch repertoire that includes an upper 90s fastball that has touched 102 mph and a hard-biting slider that is one of the best breaking pitches in the draft.

7. St. Louis Cardinals: LHP Hagen Smith, Arkansas

The Cardinals have often focused on college pitching at the top of their draft classes, including Michael McGreevy in 2021 and Cooper Hjerpe in 2022, and now they have a chance to grab one of the top arms in the nation with what will be their highest pick since taking J.D. Drew at No. 5 overall in 1998.

Smith is 9-1 with an NCAA-best 1.48 ERA and 154 strikeouts in 79 innings this spring, and his already elite fastball-slider combination plays up even more thanks to a deceptive crossfire delivery.

8. Los Angeles Angels: RHP Trey Yesavage, East Carolina

The Angels have focused on college players they can rush through the minors for an immediate MLB impact in recent years, taking guys such as Ben Joyce, Zach Neto and Nolan Schanuel and putting them on the fast track.

Yesavage fits that mold as a polished 6'4", 225-pound right-hander who shouldn't need long to reach his middle-of-the-rotation ceiling. He has established himself as the No. 3 college pitcher in this draft class while going 11-1 with a 2.09 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 139 strikeouts in 86 innings this spring.

9. Pittsburgh Pirates: OF Braden Montgomery, Texas A&M

Montgomery has a bit more swing-and-miss to his game than some of the other top college hitters in this class, but he also has massive raw power and a cannon arm, giving him the prototypical right fielder profile.

He is hitting .317/.451/.742 with 26 home runs and 80 RBI in 57 games this spring, though he does have 56 strikeouts for a 20.2 percent strikeout rate. There is some boom-or-bust potential here, but the upside is high enough for him to be a clear top-10 pick.

10. Washington Nationals: 2B/SS JJ Wetherholt, West Virginia

Wetherholt was in the conversation to go No. 1 overall at the start of the spring, but a nagging hamstring injury has limited him to 23 games and kept him from fully proving to scouts that he can handle shortstop defensively.

That said, he is still hitting .349/.490/.642 in 146 plate appearances, and the Nationals have often been the team to roll the dice on a player who slips due to injury, with guys such as Anthony Rendon, Lucas Giolito and Jesús Luzardo immediately coming to mind.

11. Detroit Tigers: SS Bryce Rainer, Harvard-Westlake High School (CA)

"There's a dashed line of sorts between the top-11 players in the class and everyone else, not a huge dropoff but enough that I'm assuming the Tigers will just take whichever guy is left in that group rather than doing a deal with someone else," Keith Law of The Athletic wrote.

Rainer has played his way into the top-11 group this spring, showcasing a well-rounded skill set while erasing any question of whether he can stick at shortstop. He still has plenty of room to grow into his 6'3", 195-pound frame, and he has drawn some comparisons to Corey Seager.

12. Boston Red Sox: SS Seaver King, Wake Forest

After two seasons at D-II Wingate where he hit .411/.457/.699 during his sophom*ore season, King made the jump to the ACC during the offseason and has continued to show an advanced hit tool while adding some over-the-fence pop to his game.

He is hitting .316/.386/.594 with 14 doubles, 16 home runs and 64 RBI in 58 games, and his bat-to-ball skills help him make the most of his average raw power. He has seen time at second base, shortstop, third base and in the outfield, and his plus speed and average actions on the infield might make center field his best long-term home.

13. San Francisco Giants: LHP Cam Caminiti, Saguaro High School (AZ)

Caminiti is the best high school pitcher in this draft, with a legitimate four-pitch repertoire that gives him a more polished game than most prep arms. He is also a good enough athlete to be a legitimate draft prospect as a center fielder, and while his future is on the mound, that athleticism is evident in his clean, repeatable mechanics.

The Giants will pounce if any of the top-11 guys are still on the board, but if not, they could break the ice on the high school pitching class.

14. Chicago Cubs: 1B/OF James Tibbs III, Florida State

The Cubs are generally drawn to polished college players, and Tibbs has sent his draft stock soaring this spring by hitting .377/.491/.814 with 25 home runs and 84 RBI while slashing his strikeout rate from 20.1 to 9.6 percent.

He will be an attractive candidate for a below-slot bonus if anyone drafting in the top 10 decides they want to cut a deal, so that's something worth keeping an eye on as a potential draft board shakeup.

15. Seattle Mariners: LHP Kash Mayfield, Elk City High School (OK)

Mayfield has some serious helium and has gone from an intriguing prep arm to one of the top high school pitchers in this draft class. His fastball has ticked up from the upper 80s to the mid-90s, topping out at 97 mph, and there is room for more as his 6'4", 200-pound frame matures.

He is already 19 and doesn't have much of a track record on the showcase circuit, but the improved stuff is difficult to ignore.

The Mariners used to be a safe bet to go with a college player in the first round, but that has changed in recent years with Harry Ford (2021), Cole Young (2022) and Colt Emerson, Jonny Farmelo and Tai Peete (2023) all selected from the high school ranks over the last three years.

16. Miami Marlins: 3B Cam Smith, Florida State

After posting an .843 OPS with 12 home runs as a true freshman, Smith has emerged as one of the top draft-eligible sophom*ores in this class by hitting .397/.487/.671 with 20 doubles, 14 home runs and 50 RBI in 57 games.

He should be able to stick at third base where he has a strong arm, but limited athleticism will put pressure on his bat to carry his value.

The Marlins need impact offensive players in the worst way, and Smith is just scratching the surface of the power potential packed into his 6'3", 224-pound frame.

17. Milwaukee Brewers: SS Kaelen Culpepper, Kansas State

Culpepper was the best hitter on the Collegiate National Team last summer when he batted .471/.526/.853, and he has boosted his draft stock this spring by making a successful move from third base to shortstop.

His best long-term fit might still be at the hot corner, but his offensive game is far more valuable if he can stick at shortstop.

The Brewers have done a nice job developing infield prospects in recent years, and they have generally been more inclined to go with a college player over a high schooler.

18. Tampa Bay Rays: SS Kellon Lindsey, Hardee High School (FL)

Lindsey might have the most helium of any high school prospect in this draft class, and he has quickly made up for missing the showcase circuit with an injury last summer by putting together a terrific senior season.

Elite athleticism, a polished hit tool and an improving glove at shortstop have him steadily climbing draft boards.

Upside and raw talent are often what the Rays prioritize over proximity to the majors and polish, so they could be the team that pounces on one of the breakout prospects of the spring.

19. New York Mets: OF Vance Honeycutt, North Carolina

There is some boom-or-bust in Honeycutt's profile that stems from his 26.9 percent strikeout rate this spring, but he also has some of the best power in this draft class to go along with 65-grade speed and Gold Glove potential in center field. Even with the strikeouts, he is hitting .319/.419/.699 with 22 home runs and 28 steals this spring.

This could end up being one of the biggest steals of the draft if he slips this far, and the Mets do a solid job developing power-hitting prospects. The potential value here exceeds the risk.

20. Toronto Blue Jays: 3B Tommy White, LSU

First base prospects with limited athleticism, which is likely what White will be at the next level, carry a significant amount of risk. For every Pete Alonso there are a dozen guys who are unable to hit their way to a regular role in the big leagues.

That said, White is a productive three-year starter who has hit .358/.423/.718 with 75 home runs in 182 games during his time on campus, and he would give the Blue Jays an heir apparent to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. if they decide to shop him this summer.

21. Minnesota Twins: OF Dakota Jordan, Mississippi State

Jordan has some of the best raw power in this draft class thanks to his elite bat speed and strong 6'0", 220-pound frame, though there are also swing-and-miss concerns as he has whiffed 77 times in 59 games. He has the tools to be a good defender in the outfield and a threat on the bases, but his skills are still raw in both areas.

This is an upside play, but the Twins have a much stronger track record developing hitters than they do pitchers, so it makes sense as a risk-reward move toward the back of the first round.

22. Baltimore Orioles: OF/RHP Carson Benge, Oklahoma State

Benge is one of the best two-way players in the nation and a legitimate prospect on the mound, but his future is as an outfielder, and he has solidified his status as a first-round prospect this spring by hitting .342/.451/.680 with 23 doubles, 17 home runs, 62 RBI and 10 steals.

The Orioles have not drafted outside the Top 20 since they took left-hander DL Hall with the No. 21 overall pick in 2017, and the best-available approach makes sense for a team whose window of contention is just opening.

23. Los Angeles Dodgers: SS Theo Gillen, Westlake High School (TX)

Gillen is squarely in the conversation for best pure hitter in the 2024 prep class with an advanced approach, quick hands and an all-fields approach. He also has significant power-hitting upside thanks to his bat-to-ball skills and projectable 6'2", 195-pound frame.

The Dodgers generally target loud tools drafting late in the first round, and if Gillen is still on the board, he is the type of high-ceiling prospect they have done a great job of developing over the years.

24. Atlanta Braves: RHP William Schmidt, Catholic High School (LA)

The Braves do a great job developing pitching talent and are one of the few teams that could be willing to pay Schmidt, who is likely to command a significant bonus as, arguably, the top high school pitcher in the 2024 class.

The 6'4", 180-pound right-hander has a good mid-90s fastball that tops out at 99 mph, but his hammer curveball is his best pitch and clocks in at over 3,000 rpm. He has drawn some comparisons to Adam Wainwright, and while there is always risk in the high school right-hander profile, his clean mechanics and present stuff give him a higher floor than most.

25. San Diego Padres: OF Slade Caldwell, Valley View High School (AR)

An undersized 5'9", 182-pound outfielder who has drawn comparisons to New York Mets top prospect Jett Williams, Caldwell has a 60-hit, 65-speed, 60-fielding toolbox that could make him a top-of-the-order center fielder.

The Padres generally opt for the prospect with a few standout tools after the more well-rounded, high-floor pick, and it's hard to envision Caldwell going any lower than this on draft day.

26. New York Yankees: C Caleb Lomavita, California

As an organization, the Yankees are thin on catching talent, especially if Ben Rice and Agustin Ramirez both wind up at first base as many expect. In this scenario, they have their pick of Lomavita, Malcolm Moore and Walker Janek, who are the consensus top three catchers in the 2024 class.

Lomavita is hitting .322/.395/.586 with 13 doubles, 15 home runs and 52 RBI this spring, and he has the tools to be a plus defender behind the plate while also possessing enough athleticism to handle a move to the outfield if needed.

27. Philadelphia Phillies: RHP Brody Brecht, Iowa

With a 70-grade fastball that has bumped 101 mph and a 70-grade slider that has good horizontal and vertical life, Brecht might have the best raw stuff of any pitcher in the 2024 class.

However, his command is still a work-in-progress and his game is raw as a result of being a two-sport star in high school who also spent time playing wide receiver for the Iowa football team.

He has a 3.33 ERA and 128 strikeouts in 78.1 innings this spring, and his 48 walks represent a nice improvement in his walk rate from 18.4 to 14.2 percent. There is top-of-the-rotation upside if everything clicks, and the Phillies can afford to take a chance with a deep farm system.

28. Houston Astros: C Walker Janek, Sam Houston State

Best available and organizational need collides here for the Astros with a lack of overall depth at catcher and Janek representing good potential value late in the first round thanks to a breakout performance this spring.

A good athlete behind the plate with a plus throwing arm, he is hitting .364/.476/.709 with 15 doubles, 17 home runs, 58 RBI and 13 steals in 58 games, albeit against second-tier competition in Conference USA.

29. Arizona Diamondbacks: 2B Christian Moore, Tennessee

Moore is hitting .382/.447/.789 with 28 home runs and 63 RBI as one of the most productive hitters in the country this spring, and showing the ability to make more consistent hard contact this spring has vaulted him into the first-round conversation.

The D-backs pick again at No. 31 overall as compensation for Corbin Carroll winning NL Rookie of the Year after being part of the Opening Day roster, so a safe college player here could set them up for an above-slot prep pitcher with their next pick.

30. Texas Rangers: SS Tyson Lewis, Millard West High School (NE)

Lewis has raised his profile across the board during his senior season, showing better speed, power and athleticism to move squarely into the first-round conversation. His quick left-handed swing and a strong 6'2", 195-pound frame give him a high offensive ceiling, and he has the tools to be at least an average defensive shortstop.

Switch-pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje is starting to generate some first-round buzz and is an intriguing name to watch here, especially since the Rangers only have two picks inside the Top 100 and could be looking to swing for the fences on upside.