An Eventful Start to the 2024 MLB Draft in Fort Worth
The 2024 MLB Draft opened with notable excitement on Sunday night at the Cowtown Coliseum in Fort Worth, Texas. Over the course of the evening, the first two rounds witnessed the selection of 74 players, setting the stage for the next phases of the draft. Rounds three through ten are scheduled for Tuesday, while rounds eleven through twenty will unfold on Wednesday.
The Cleveland Guardians made franchise history by using their very first No. 1 overall selection to draft Oregon State infielder Travis Bazzana. Interestingly, Bazzana is the first Australian-born player to ever be picked in the first round. An unnamed expert noted, "Bazzana was our second ranked prospect but he was a worthy pick at No. 1, and he brings needed power to an organization that develops bat-to-ball ability very well." During the spring season, Bazzana posted impressive stats, slashing .407/.568/.911 with 28 home runs.
Top Power Hitters Steal the Spotlight
In another highlight, the Colorado Rockies picked Charlie Condon at No. 3. Given his remarkable performance at Georgia, where he hit .433/.556/1.009 with 37 home runs, Condon's selection was met with enthusiasm. As one insider put it, "The draft's top power hitter in Coors Field? You have to love it."
The Athletics picked Nick Kurtz at No. 4, setting him up for a substantial signing bonus of $8,370,800. However, the pick drew a mix of emotions. Reflecting on Kurtz's selection, an observer remarked, "To be clear, Sunday was a wonderful day for Kurtz and his family... but the poor kid is stuck playing for John Fisher, the worst owner in baseball."
Prospects with Unique Skills
The Blue Jays made waves by selecting East Carolina righty Trey Yesavage at No. 20 despite his recent health setback—a partially collapsed lung. His deep arsenal and strong track record were key considerations, as a source noted, "College pitchers with Yesavage's deep arsenal and track record don’t make it outside the top 15 very often."
At No. 24, the Braves picked Arizona high school lefty Cam Caminiti. An expert likened his potential to that of Max Fried, simply stating, "Max Fried starter kit."
The Orioles, known for their adept player development, chose North Carolina outfielder Vance Honeycutt at No. 22. "Perhaps the best draft match of skill set and organization is North Carolina outfielder Vance Honeycutt going to the Orioles," an expert commented, highlighting the synergy between player and team.
The Royals selected Florida's Jac Caglianone at No. 6, kicking off his career as a two-way player. This added another layer to the diverse talent pool in this year's draft. An insider observed, "Headlined by Florida’s Jac Caglianone, a few two-way talents were selected in the first round."
The Mariners made a compelling pick with Jurranglo Cijntje at No. 15. The unique switch-pitcher attracted considerable attention, with an analyst stating, "It's legit stuff from both sides."
Wake Forest's Unprecedented Achievement
Wake Forest demonstrated its baseball prowess by having three of its players selected within the top ten picks. Right-handed pitcher Chase Burns was picked No. 2 by the Reds, followed by first baseman Nick Kurtz at No. 4 to the Athletics, and infielder Seaver King at No. 10 by the Nationals. This impressive feat was last achieved by Rice University in 2004.
The draft process itself is designed thoughtfully, allocating approximately five minutes between picks in the first round. Yet, some found the pace to be a double-edged sword. An observer remarked, "Speaking as someone who loves the pitch clock—it is the best rule change since the DH—the pace of the draft is agonizing."
With an array of high-ceiling prospects and unique talents, the 2024 MLB Draft is shaping up to be one for the history books. As the next rounds unfold over the upcoming days, anticipation and excitement will continue to build among fans and teams alike.