The MLB Draft League kicked off its games over the last few weeks. As we approach the 2024 MLB Draft, many guys are getting extra looks to try to raise their draft stock by showcasing their talents one last time. While there was plenty of 2024 MLB Draft talent in the Trenton Thunder vs. Frederick Keys series, the big story was that top Japanese prospect Rintaro Sasaki was making his US debut with the Trenton Thunder.
Sasaki is skipping the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) League draft, where he was expected to be the number one overall pick, and heading to Stanford to play college baseball. He will be draft-eligible in 2026. Below are my insights on my first look at Sasaki and other 2024 MLB Draft prospects.
TRENTON THUNDER
1B Rintaro Sasaki, Stanford University (2026)
Sasaki was a nice unexpected surprise to catch in these two games, as it was announced he would play the night before the first game. Sasaki has some easy natural power from the left side due to his thick and powerful frame. When he barrels the ball and lofts it, it is a light tower power that was easily seen in his first home run. He has a patient approach at the plate and implements a consistent breathing technique to keep himself locked in for each pitch. There are some swings and misses to his game, and he struggled with velocity in a couple of at-bats, but this could be all due to him adjusting to the higher competition compared to what he faced in high school. Defensively, Sasaki looked fairly agile at first base despite his size, even making a sliding catch on a short pop fly hit on the infield. Given his frame already, he is likely locked in at first base.
SS/3B Brendan Lawson, P27 Academy (SC) - Toronto, ON (#230, 2024)
Patient approach. That is the first two words I could come up with to describe Brendan Lawson’s game at the plate. Lawson is the consensus top prep prospect out of Canada and has an extremely disciplined approach at the plate and a good feel for the strike zone. He doesn’t chase a ton, and putting him away is difficult. He is almost too disciplined as he watched some pitches right down the middle in counts he was ahead where he could’ve done some damage. When Lawson does swing, he does a good job getting barrel to ball, and the hit tool is definitely above average. He has a unique setup in the box where his hands are high above his head, but he finds a way to make it work. He played shortstop and third base. Lawson already has a strong, well-built frame which, as he continues to grow, may push him to third base fully.
OF Jackson Strong, Canisius University (#255, 2024)
A midmajor bat out of Canisius University, Strong was an extremely impressive bat in the one game I saw him. It was a small sample size of plate appearances, so take it with a grain of salt, but he had a solid approach at the plate with great barrel-to-ball skills. There isn’t a ton of Whiff or Chase in his game. It was hard for pitchers to put him away as he fought off each pitch. The power wasn’t on display, but he’s shown it off in the past. He had no stolen bases, but he was quick out of the box, and you could see his plus speed. He’s likely destined for a corner outifled spot due to his average arm strength. Strong recently entered the portal and committed to the Unviersity of Kentucky. That’s a massive get for them if he decides to go there over signing with a team.
RHP Nick Moten, Crowder College (NR, 2024)
I mentioned this on Twitter a couple of times, but Moten's arm was by far the most impressive I saw over the two games. The former Arkansas Razorback has a unique journey that led him to Crowder College. He missed time for a bit as well. Whatever he missed time for in the past seemed to be behind him, as he was extremely poised and confident on the mound. He pitched with a ton of passion and fire. The stuff matched the emotion. His fastball was 93-95 mph, but mostly 94-95 mph. He was able to work it up in the zone. He paired that with a mid-80s slider with a ton of bite and a 91-93 mph cut with some good life. He also flashed a curveball when needed. Moten just went after hitters and commanded the zone well. When he got into trouble (not by his own doing but by defensive miscues), he locked in and go out of the inning without giving up a run. Regardless of whatever steps are next for Moten, this is a great step in the right direction.
RHP Brayden Bergman, Plano East - Parker TX (#311, 2024)
Bergman jumped onto many people's radar when his fastball peaked at 97 mph. In his outing for the Trenton Thunder, he reached 92-94 mph with the fastball. His delivery requires a lot of effort, and he works hard to get that velo. The pitch has a little bit of life to it, but he wasn’t getting many hitters to swing and miss due to his lack of command. He pairs it with a pretty good changeup that ranges in the mid-80s. It is probably his best pitch even though he needs to work on his command with that one as well. He has a mid-70s curveball that he didn’t go to often, and he lacks a ton of feel for it. Command and control are the big issues for Bergman, as he walked four batters in 2.2 innings pitched. Bergman would get visibly frustrated with his lack of control and showed it on the mound. He’s built strong and has a pretty good size frame. Bergman is committed to Baylor and could likely use some more seasoning to his game.
RHP Josiah Romero, Mayfield HS - Caledon, ON (NR, 2024)
Romeo was one of the more impressive arms over the weekend. Another prospect out of Canada, Romeo, is full of projection. He has an easy, repeatable delivery on the mound that is very low effort. He pitches with ease for a high school arm. He is also very poised and pitchyoes with a ton of confidence. Romeo has a four-pitch mix that includes a two-seam fastball that has more sinking action, a four-seam fastball, a slider, and a changeup. Both fastballs live in the low 90s right now, but as he matures could sit in the mid-90s. His best secondary is his slider, ranges 80-84 mph. It has good sweep across the zone. He threw an occasional change-up but relied heavier on the two fastballs and slider. He commands the zone well and didn’t walk anyone in this one. While it isn’t the most electric stuff from a prep prospect, there is more than enough there for a team to dream on in terms of what the future might hold for Romeo.
FREDERICK KEYS
C/1B Brock Tibbits, Indiana University (NR, 2024)
A clubhouse leader for the Indiana Hoosiers, Tibbittss started all but two games in his entire collegiate career until he suffered a leg injury in April causing him to miss time. The junior C/1B is looking to make up for lost time with some plate appearances in the draft league. Tibbitts size makes him a presence in the batter's box. He has a strong, well-built frame that is pretty much filled out. Tibbitts' calling card is his bat, and he has shown some decent pop in previous appearances. He struggled at the plate in these two games, and his biggest issue was catching up to velocity. He consistently had 91-94 mph fastball blown right by him. He did rip an RBI double at one point. He played first base in one game and catcher in the other. He looked decent at both positions but seemed more well-suited at the catcher position. He does a good job calling pitches behind the plate. A team will likely take a flier on him later in the draft.