The 2024 MLB draft kicked off with the Cleveland Guardians selecting Travis Bazzana as the No. 1 overall pick. This marked the start of a historic draft where the first eight picks were all college players, setting a record since the inception of the MLB draft in 1965. The draft continued with teams like the Cincinnati Reds picking Chase Burns, the Colorado Rockies selecting Charlie Condon, the Oakland Athletics going with Nick Kurtz, and the Chicago White Sox rounding out the top five by taking Hagen Smith.
Travis Bazzana, the Australian-born second baseman from Oregon State, had an impressive season with a .407 batting average and 28 home runs. He was a standout player for the Beavers and was highly sought after in the draft. Chase Burns, a right-handed pitcher from Wake Forest, was the second pick and is projected to be a potential ace for the Reds. Charlie Condon, a third baseman from Georgia, was the Rockies’ pick at No. 3, while Nick Kurtz, a first baseman from Wake Forest, was selected by the Athletics. Hagen Smith, a left-handed pitcher from Arkansas, rounded out the top five with the White Sox.
As the draft continued, more talented players were selected, including Jac Caglianone, a first baseman from Florida, who was picked by the Kansas City Royals. JJ Wetherholt, a shortstop from West Virginia, was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals, and Christian Moore, a second baseman from Tennessee, was chosen by the Los Angeles Angels.
The draft also included some unexpected picks, such as Vance Honeycutt, a center fielder from North Carolina, who was selected by the Baltimore Orioles. The Orioles took a chance on Honeycutt, who has the potential to be a game-changer despite his high strikeout rates. The draft saw a mix of high school and college players being selected, showcasing the depth of talent in the 2024 draft class.
Overall, the 2024 MLB draft was filled with excitement and anticipation as teams selected their future stars. The draft showcased the next generation of baseball talent and provided fans with a glimpse of what to expect in the years to come.