After a long, tedious construction of our board, the Prospects Live Draft Team is excited to unveil the final iteration of our 2024 board. This update takes in a lot of factors: our live looks, film studies, and industry rumblings. There’s been quite a bit of movement, especially at the top of this class, as the likes of Christian Moore and Jurrangle Cijntje have had helium down the stretch. There are also a few new names on our board, including Nathan Flewelling and Ryan Verdugo, both of whom are intriguing pieces to take on the second day of the draft. There’s a new #1, too.
We hope that you enjoy our final update and stay tuned for more content this weekend from Dallas!
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1. 2b Travis Bazzana, Oregon State
HEIGHT: 6’0
WEIGHT: 199
B/T: L/R
AGE: 21 YR 10 MO
An import from Australia, Bazzana's overall toolset is ridiculously impressive. He's put up incredible numbers in his two years at Oregon State, slashing .340/.463/.549 across two seasons in Corvallis with elite bat-to-ball skills and plate discipline. He's a really tough out at the plate, rarely expanding the zone and he's got an incredible eye, racking up walks aplenty. His spray chart is a thing of beauty, utilizing the entire field with a compact, line drive swing with a ton of bat speed that is meant to do serious damage. The power has ramped up, especially to his pull-side, and he's begun to cover the upper portion of the strike zone with his swing, too. The power is above-average with robust exit velocities and there's even a case to upgrade to plus. He's also already set a new career-high in home runs only a month into the season. He's likely stuck at second base long term defensively, where he has great range and twitch, but lacks sufficient arm strength, though there's a chance a team could try him in left field.
2. 3B/OF Charlie Condon, Georgia
HEIGHT: 6’6
WEIGHT: 216
B/T: R/R
AGE: 21 yr 3 mo
The reigning SEC Freshman of the Year, Condon's unexpected emergence was a welcome sight. After redshirting his first year on campus, Condon exploded onto the scene with a .386/.484/.800 slash line and 25 home runs in 56 games. Condon has a towering, physical frame at 6'6, 216 pounds with plenty of strength throughout his body and there's quite a bit of projection to it still. Condon has double-plus raw power to all fields and got to it often in 2023, posting healthy exit velocities and even getting into the 110-115 MPH range. It's a ton of bat speed and very quick hands with the barrel exploding through the zone with little effort. He's improved his overall plate discipline and has posted excellent contact rates in 2024, hammering fastballs in particular. What has stood out in this spring is the uptick in athleticism and the defensive versatility. He's manned a myraid of positions, including third base and center field, and has looked quite good in the process, leaving us to believe he could man the hot corner at the next level. That's the biggest development for his profile and a big reason as to why he's jumped up our board.
3. RHP Chase Burns, Wake Forest
HEIGHT: 6’3
WEIGHT: 210
B/T: R/R
AGE: 21 YR 5 MO
Burns is an electric factory on the bump. The Wake Forest transfer is a bulldog type on the mound and he exudes all the confidence you want to see in a pitcher on the mound. There's effort and recoil in his delivery, but it hasn't hampered his overall command a ton and he throws strikes at a solid clip. At the same time, he's missing bats at a remarkable rate in 2024, hovering around the 50% mark with his entire arsenal. His fastball has transitioned into a cut/ride monster in the upper-90s, touching 100-101 MPH at times, which has allowed him to miss more bats and he's shown an ability to hold that velocity across starts thus far. You can make the case for it to be an 80 grade offering. His slider is a 70 grade beast with shape manipulation in the 85-91 MPH range with diabolical bite and sweep, tunneling well off the heater. He's introduced a downer curveball in the low-80s more often this spring and he's tinkered with a low-90s change-up with some fade and sink, throwing it for strikes.
4. 1b/lhp Jac Caglianone, Florida
HEIGHT: 6’5
WEIGHT: 250
B/T: L/L
AGE: 21 YR 5 MO
One of the most prevalent two-way players in recent memory, Caglianone has shown steady improvements in his profile, especially at the plate. We'll start with what he's capable of at the plate and it all starts with the ridiculous power he's able to generate. He has top-of-the-scale bat speed with stupidly quick hands, exploding through the zone and utilizing double-plus power to all fields. He's improved his contact rates, but he's still chasing at a high clip and he's a landlocked first base profile defensively. He may not pitch at the next level now, as his stuff fell off over the year and strikes are still a concern. The fastball sits in the mid-90s with bat-missing traits and his change-up is plus with excellent velocity separation and tumble. The slider is more of a gyro breaker in the mid-80s and he'll tinker with a firmer cutter, as well. He's got the tools to be the first overall pick, though there's still some things to iron out. It's a high-risk, high-reward profile.
5. 2b/ss jj wetherholt, west virginia
HEIGHT: 5’10
WEIGHT: 190
B/T: L/R
AGE: 21 YR 10 MO
Wetherholt's bat has a chance to be very special, as the mix of pure hit and power tools profile as one of the best in the entire country. Wetherholt posts elite contact rates and seldom whiffs with impressive feel for the barrel. It's a compact and powerful swing from the left side of the plate, showcasing very quick hands and loud bat speed. Wetherholt utilizes the whole field to his advantage and will punish the gaps with legitimate above-average to plus power, which also plays well to his pull side. It's a truly special bat. He's played at third base and second base the past two years, though he's been given a chance at shortstop this fall and the reports are promising. The range is there to handle the position, though the arm strength needs some improvement. He's a solid runner and knows how to be a menace on the basepaths, as well, recording 36 stolen bases in 2023. If there's something to keep an eye on, he's endured some injuries, including a hamstring injury to start the 2024 campaign, though it's hard to ignore the on-field product even with the injuries.
6. LHP Hagen Smith, Arkansas
height: 6’3
weight: 225
b/t: L/L
age: 20 YR 10 MO
Hagen Smith's 2024 has been a season to remember already. He made waves during the second week of the spring, where he struck out 17 batters in six scoreless innings against one of the top lineups in the country in Oregon State, making the bats look foolish consistently. The big reasons for his increased stock? For starters, he's added more muscle to his frame, which has correlated with a substantial velocity increase on his fastball, which has averaged 96 MPH this spring and he's holding the velocity deep into starts. The other reason is the improved command that has been on display, as his overall strike rate has jumped up to 66%. The fastball has solid carry and run, getting up to 99 MPH and he's touched triple digits in the pre-season. His slider tunnels incredibly well of the fastball and it's a double-plus weapon with insane bite and late movement, fooling hitters consistently. He's begun to tinker with a solid change-up, as well, which flashes above-average. It's a welcome sight in Fayetteville, as Smith has put himself in prime position to be the first arm off the board if he keeps up his performance in a stout SEC conference.
7. OF Braden Montgomery, Texas A&M
height: 6’2
weight: 220
b/t: S/R
age: 21 YR 2 MO
Montgomery left Stanford for College Station and the move has immediately paid dividends for him, as he's turned in an electric campaign this spring. A switch-hitting outfielder with a ton of tools, Montgomery's plate discipline has matured and he's shown outstanding barrel control and plus power, especially from the left side. There are some worrying warts with Montgomery's right-handed swing, namely middling contact rates, so he more than likely will need to ditch switch-hitting at the next level. He's very athletic and he's shown it in right field, where he projects to stick at the next level. His 80-grade cannon is incredibly strong and accurate, grading out as the best arm in the class. He's been tried as a pitcher, as well, getting into the upper-90s, though it's tough to envision Montgomery seeing time on the bump in the minor leagues.
8. ss/of Konnor Griffin, Jackson prep (MS)
height: 6’4
weight: 210
b/t: R/R
commitment: Louisiana state
age: 18 yr 2 mo
There may not be a more famous name in this class than Konnor Griffin, who reclassified from the 2025 ranks and has a chance to be the first prep player off the board next July. Given the reclassification, he projects to be one of the younger guys in this class, though you wouldn't know that with mix of physicality and projection. He's got two-way abilities, though most project him as a center fielder, where his athleticism, plus speed, and excellent range are on full display. He's got a very good arm and plenty of twitchiness, too. At the dish, it's a polished approach with a ton of bat speed and over-the-fence power, which projects as plus once he's fully developed. His overall contact has shown some inconsistencies this summer, though it's gotten better as the summer has progressed. All in all, Griffin has the potential to be rather special offensively. There's upside on the bump, as well, as he's already gotten into the mid-90s with his fastball and shows a promising breaking ball with swing-and-miss traits, too.
9. RHP Trey Yesavage, East Carolina
height: 6’4
weight: 225
b/t: R/R
age: 20 yr 11 mo
Originally a reliever in 2022, Yesavage burst onto the scene as one of the best starters this past spring. He's a physical specimen on the mound with solid lower half usage and scap loading, as well as an over-the-top arm slot. His entire arsenal is outstanding, as he's posted a 43% whiff rate thus far, as well as a chase rate over 35% (!). His fastball sits in the mid-90s with immense carry up in the zone and excellent command, but it's the off-speed pitches that have taken center stage. The cutter-esque slider is a plus offering with gyro drop and bite in the mid-80s and his low-80s splitter has taken a huge step forward, consistently showing plus in-game with insane tumble. Both pitches have whiff rates over 60%, which is insane to think of. He's kept a curveball in his back pocket, a true downer curve with a ton of depth. There's potentially three plus pitches with command in this profile.
10. 1b nick kurtz, wake forest
height: 6’6
weight: 240
b/t: L/L
age: 21 yr 4 mo
Coming in at 6'6, 240 lbs, Nick Kurtz is a monster of a human being at the plate. The size, strength, and power Kurtz possesses is a scout's dream. With that said, his 2024 has gotten off to a bit of a rough start, as he's struggled out of the gate and he's suffered a shoulder injury that could keep him shelved for an extended period of time. He's not getting a ton to hit and he's struggled to find green as a result, but it's hard to ignore the double-plus power and elite plate discipline that Kurtz possesses. He's walking at an incredibly high rate while also keeping strikeouts to a minimum. Once healthy, expect Kurtz to turn a corner. He's shown excellent defense in the past at first base and while he's made some miscues in 2024, he's a solid defender with solid athleticism and range, moving around the bag rather well.
11. SS/RHP Bryce Rainer, Harvard-Westlake (CA)
height: 6’3
weight: 195
b/t: R/R
commitment: Texas
age: 19 yr
A long, athletic SoCal infielder, Rainer is highly regarded in scouting circles. He's a bit of an interesting prospect given the two-way abilities he has, though for our money, he may end up being an arm. He's got an affinity for the opposite field presently, shooting liners in that direction, though he's got considerable juice when he pulls the ball. It's legitimate 20-25 HR potential when he's fully developed. It's a fluid left-handed swing with quick hands, though he has run into some swing-and-miss concerns this summer and tends to corkscrew himself when he pulls the ball. It'll be interesting to see how he changes his approach over the next year. A shortstop at the present, most expect Rainer to move over to third base in due time as he fills out his frame. The upside on the bump is rather obvious at first glance given the frame, ease of operation, and sound arm strength. He's been up to 96 MPH already and there's a chance for triple-digits down the line with the heater. He can spin a mid-70s curveball with good shape and command, plus he's got feel to turn over a change-up that projects well moving forward. We'll see what the spring has in store for Rainer amongst a plethora of arms at Harvard-Westlake.
12. of James Tibbs iii, Florida State
height: 6’0
weight: 201
b/t: L/L
age: 21 yr 9 mo
After a monstrous season in the ACC in 2023, Tibbs will to return to Tallahassee after spending the summer on the Cape with the Brewster Whitecaps. Tibbs didn't miss a beat on the Cape, still hitting over .300 and slugging .472. Tibbs really controls the strike zone, walking almost as much as he struck out in 2023, and chasing less than 25% of the time. While he has had some swing and miss problems against secondaries, he still slugged over .500 against them with an EV over 90 MPH. Tibbs punishes fastballs, slugging almost .700 with an EV over 94 MPH. Tibbs' compact, rotational swing features a slight uppercut, but still allows him to use the whole field and be on time with all pitch types. Defensively, Tibbs has mostly played the corner outfield, with a little bit of 1B. In the outfield, Tibbs doesn't have crazy range, but gets good reads and jumps and has an above average arm. There is some worry about a future platoon label here, as Tibbs struggled mightly against lefties.
13. 3b cameron smith, Florida State
height: 6’3
weight: 224
b/t: R/R
age: 21 yr 4 mo
After an up and down freshman season at Florida State in 2023, Smith truly broke out in the Cape Cod League for Hyannis in 2023. He improved in nearly every facet of his game, dropping his strikeout rate by more than double compared to the spring while still maintaining the extra-base impact that he has long been known for. This has carried over to 2024, where his swing, whiff, and chase rates have all dropped drastically. He consistently registers elite exit velocities from a relatively simple operation, where he employs a toe tap with a quiet load. His flat bat path leads to a ton of soaring line drives that frequently carry over the fence due to his bat speed. His ability to drive the ball hard and often with the contact rates that he posted over the summer make him one of the highest upside hitters in the class. He also moves remarkably well at third base, which should be his long-term home as a professional. This past summer was crucial for Smith's stock, and we should see him selected highly in the draft if he can build off this success.
14. 2b/ss Christian Moore, Tennessee
height: 6’1
weight: 210
b/t: r/r
age: 21 yr 8 mo
A staple in Tennessee's offense the past two seasons, Moore is a physical infielder with a ton of strength throughout his frame. The one thing that will stand out in film with Moore is the immense power that is already in the bat. It's a lofty swing that is built for doing damage to all fields and Moore's power projects as above-average, maybe better if he can make more consistent contact. The hit tool has improved quite a bit in 2024, posting a contact rate of around 75% with okay chase rates. In the dirt, he's shown good range and may have the arm to stick at shortstop, though second base may be the future home for Moore. He put together a fantastic campaign in Knoxville, culminating in a cycle in Omaha and a ring.
15. SS/OF Seaver King, Wake Forest
height: 6’0
weight: 195
b/t: R/R
age: 21 yr 2 mo
One of the funnest development stories to follow, Seaver King has made his way to Wake Forest after playing last year at Division II Wingate. He was quite undersized coming out of high school, which only earned him the Wingate offer, but he's grown a bit since then and found his way into a gig with what might be one of the best college teams going into the 2024 season. King has a robust line-drive approach at the plate with tons of bat speed and has the ability to use the entire field to go along with very good exit velocities, getting up to 112 MPH this spring. King doesn't strikeout often and gets a lot of barrel to ball, but he also doesn't walk a ton either and the chase rates are a bit too high. He's put his defensive versatility to use for Tom Walter's club, flashing great range with a strong arm at shortstop while also holding down a center field job, where his speed allows him to cover plenty of ground and he has quality defensive chops. His speed is easily plus and he's even posted some double-plus times from home to first.
16. LHP Cam Caminiti, Saguaro (AZ)
height: 6’2
weight: 205
b/t: L/L
commitment: Louisiana State
age: 17 yr 11 mo
Following in the footsteps of Griffin and Franco, Caminiti moved up to the 2024 class this past June and will be one of the youngest players in the class, as he won't be 18 until a few weeks post-draft. While he's a two-way player at the present, most believe his future will be on the mound, where's he's flashed plenty of potential. He works fluidly and efficiently down the mound and creates a tough angle with crossfire, setting up a nightmareish at-bat for any left-handed hitter. The fastball has primarily been in the low-90s this past summer with solid life, getting up to 96-97 MPH earlier in the year, and given the projection to his long, lean frame, more velocity is expected. He has begun to hold velocity deep into starts, touching 97 MPH late into outings this spring. He's got feel for two different breaking balls, a low-70s curveball and an upper-70s slider, with the slider projecting better at the present time with firm shape. He'll need to add power to each pitch as he grows into his body. The change-up is solid and has some fading life in the low-80s, though it's been sparsely utilized.
17. RHP William Schmidt, Catholic (LA)
height: 6’4
weight: 190
b/t: r/r
commitment: Louisiana state
age: 18 yr 9 mo
In terms of raw stuff, Schmidt's one-two punch might be the best in this class. An above-average, if not better, athlete on the mound, Schmidt is a quick mover on the mound where his athleticism is explosive and there's a ton of projection with his long, lean frame. The fastball has seen a solid velocity uptick over the past year, now touching 98 MPH and holding mid-90s consistently. There's plenty of riding life with the heater, as well as some cut. The true separator with Schmidt is an upper-70s curveball with a ton of upside. It's a true 12-6 hammer with tons of depth and extremely high spin rates, exceeding the 3,000 RPM threshold on occasion. There's plenty of bat-missing traits between those two pitches and he's developing an upper-70s change-up with plenty of fading life. Command comes and goes, plus his delivery has warts, but he's a likely first rounder at this point.
18. c malcolm moore, Stanford
height: 6’2
weight: 216
b/t: l/r
age: 20 yr 11 mo
Moore is just barely eligible for this year's draft, born one day before the August 1st cutoff. Moore tore up the Pac-12 in 2023, slashing .311/.386/.564 and hitting 15 home runs before turning in an impressive summer with the Collegiate National Team. It's a very unorthodox setup at the dish with Moore, who employs a narrow, open stance with a rapid toe-tapping mechanism that he uses for his timing. It's a quiet load before he explodes through the strike zone with a ton of bat speed and a good bit of leverage, giving him above-average power potential up the middle and to his pull side. The hit tool has made strides, as well, as his contact has improved considerably. Behind the plate, Moore has a strong arm and solid defensive actions, though he may move off the position as he develops. It's primarily a bat-first profile with a ton to like.
19. shp jurrangelo cijntje, Mississippi State
height: 5’11
weight: 170
b/t: s/s
age: 21 yr 1 mo
A switch-pitcher out of Mississippi State, Cijntje took the college landscape by storm in 2023 and attracted plenty of eyes, both from scouts and fans alike. He's draft-eligible this year due to his age, and while he'll continue to switch-pitch in 2024, the likelihood that he'll have to ditch it as a pro is high. He's incredibly athletic on the bump and the projection to his lanky frame really stands out. Scouts really like the stuff from the right side, where he's shown more velocity and has been up to 98 MPH with life through the zone. He'll feature a mid-80s slider with quality bite and a decent change-up, too. From the left side, he's more of an upper-80s/low-90s arm with a solid slider. He'll likely have to stick to pitching from the right side as a pro, but Pat Venditte wishes he could have this kind of stuff from both sides.
20. OF Vance Honeycutt, North Carolina
height: 6’3
weight: 205
b/t: r/r
age: 21 yr 1 mo
Finding guys with five tool potential is a tough task, but Honeycutt has the potential to be that type of player. Honeycutt showed plenty of improvements in the strikeout department in 2023, dropping the strikeout rate significantly, though that came with the price of production. In 2024, he's prioritized lifting the ball and has seen his whiff/chase rates balloon as a result. He may never find that happy medium with the hit tool, but it's nice to see the power return to his 2022 form, where he hit 25 home runs. His walk rate has held steady, as well. He's an excellent runner underway and he's shown it on the basepaths and in center, where he projects to stick long term. It's excellent range with defensive prowess, making highlight reel plays look easy. If a team can trust its development team to make the hit tool consistent, he'll unlock all five tools.
21. RHP Ryan Sloan, York Community (IL)
height: 6’4
weight: 225
b/t: r/r
commitment: Wake Forest
age: 18 yr 5 mo
The owner of a burly, physical frame, Sloan has the makings of a potential power arm. The Wake Forest commit does have some effort in the delivery, though there's quite a bit of scap load in his arm swing and he's added a solid amount of velocity. The fastball has gotten up to 99 MPH in shorter stints, working primarily in the low-90s, coming in with heavy armside run and sink. His fastball command lags behind a bit, so that'll be a primary development point in the off-season. The off-speed stuff in Sloan's arsenal are very strong, led by a low-80s slider with serious teeth. He's had a ton of success with the pitch, showcasing a ton of sweeping action and garnering plenty of whiffs in the process. He's got a mid-80s change-up with less velocity separation than you'd like to see, but it tumbles hard away from lefties and has the makings of an above-average weapon. If he can improve his command, this is a potentially upper-echelon arm in this class.
22. OF Ryan Waldschmidt, Kentucky
height: 6’2
weight: 205
b/t: r/r
age: 21 yr 9 mo
Waldschmidt did miss some time to start the year, but he's one of the most underrated college bats in this year's class. It's an athletic specimen with a ton, and I mean A TON, to love at the dish. His exit velocities have jumped up compared to 2023, averaging ~91 MPH, and his home run production has improved as a result. It's legitimately plus power to the pull-side. His plate discipline and approach is pristine and there's little to critique, as he's running a contact rate over 80% with a minute chase rate. This includes an in-zone contact rate hovering around 90%. The offensive potential is tantalizing with Waldschmidt. Defensively, he's manned centerfield in the past, though he may be stuck in left field in the future. It's a well-rounded profile with more potential on the way.
23. LHP Kash Mayfield, Elk City (OK)
height: 6’4
weight: 200
b/t: l/l
commitment: Oklahoma State
age: 19 yr 5 mo
Mayfield was Oklahoma's Gatorade Player of the Year this past spring, striking out 109 batters across 46.2 innings. His mechanics are deceptive and funky, creating a tough angle to the plate and he hides the ball very well. The ease of his operation really stands out and there's a solid chance he sticks as a starter at the next level. He's added plenty of velocity to his frame without adding effort to his delivery, pushing into the mid-90s, even the upper-90s, with big life late with the fastball. His change-up has excellent velocity separation in the low-80s and has great fading life, flashing plus. There's also a low-80s sweeper in his arsenal. While he'll be old for the class, Mayfield's easy operation and loud stuff with give him plenty of suitors in July.
24. OF/RHP Carson Benge, Oklahoma State
height: 6’1
weight: 184
b/t: l/r
age: 21 yr 5 mo
Benge is a two-way prospect with significant twitch and athleticism on both sides of the ball. He had Tommy John surgery and redshirted his freshman year, but came back in 2023 with a vengeance, especially with the bat. Benge's plate discipline is pretty advanced, walking more than he strikes out and he doesn't chase much. His swing is rather explosive with solid bat speed, and he's shown solid power to his pull side in batting practice, though Benge has mainly attacked the opposite field in-game as his point of contact is a bit shallow and he can get jammed easily. In the field, Benge would likely stick in a corner spot, namely right field, where he's got solid range and a strong arm. Speaking of the arm, Benge has been up to 96 MPH on the bump with a solid low-80s slider and a low-80s change-up. He projects more as a hitter, though he should get some starts on the bump for Oklahoma State in 2024.
25. ss/of Theo Gillen, Westlake (TX)
height: 6’3
weight: 198
b/t: l/r
commitment: Texas
age: 18 yr 10 mo
A Texas commit, Gillen's physicality and athleticism stand out at first glance. There's a ton to like with his projection, as there's enough qualities present to suggest that he'll be a big power threat as he physically matures. At the plate, he has a fluid stroke from the left side with quick hands, tons of bat speed, and loft. Most of that power plays to his pull side at the present, plus he battles in deep counts to keep strikeouts at a minimum. He's added quite a bit of mass to his frame and the power has begun to spring into gear. There's a lot to like with the offensive package. Defensively, he's been at shortstop, though one would expect his size to be better suited at the hot corner or outfield. He moves well laterally and makes accurate throws across the diamond.
26. 1b/of pj Morlando, Summerville (SC)
height: 6’3
weight: 200
b/t: l/r
commitment: South Carolina
age: 19 yr 1 mo
There's no mincing words here, Morlando projects as the biggest offensive threat in this year's prep class thanks to a loud combination of high contact rates, robust power, and mature plate discipline. Morlando has a quiet setup with a wide lower half, but he really explodes through the zone with quick hands and high-end bat speed. He's a patient hitter who knows the strike zone and isn't afraid to rack up the free passes, plus he'll utilize the whole field and keeps the whiffs to a minimum. The power potential with Morlando is sky high with the bat speed and leverage/loft he generates and he's already put on shows during batting practices in big league stadiums. It's easily plus right now. Defensively, he projects as a potential corner outfielder thanks to his athleticism and average speed/arm, which have improved over the years. There's still a chance that he moves to a first base role as he grows, though that's not set in stone just yet. The South Carolina commit will be a fun one to follow for years.
27. RHP Brody Brecht, Iowa
Height: 6’4
Weight: 235
b/t: r/r
age: 21 yr 9 mo
Brecht may have the highest upside of any arm in this loaded college class and he's lit up Stuff+ models with some of the loudest stuff in the college landscape. Brecht has undergone some mechanical tweaks since his high school days, most notably being a shortened arm action that has given him more deception. It's a very quick arm with excellent athleticism, as well. He's gotten up to 101 MPH during starts in 2023, holding upper-90s velocity well throughout his starts, accuring whiffs at a high rate. The slider is the real deal, showing true double-plus potential with hellacious bite. It'll display shorter break with late lateral movement and he's shown an ability to land it for strikes when the fastball command is out of whack. He's tinkered with a low-90s change-up and a low-80s curveball, but he's primarily just had to use the FB-SL combination thus far. The high walk rate and command woes have been the big thing holding Brecht back, though 2024 has not shown much improvement there. There's a ton of relief risk here, though if someone can improve the delivery, more strikes could be on the way.
28. SS Wyatt Sanford, Independence (TX)
Height: 6’1
Weight: 172
B/T: L/R
Commitment: Texas A&M
Age: 18 yr 7 mo
Sanford is a highly projectable infielder with a bat that has improved quite a bit this summer. He's a bit of a slasher at the dish presently, though as he adds weight and loft, he'll begin to tap more into his power. It's a gorgeous left-handed swing that he utilizes to spray the ball to all fields and he's mature at the plate discipline wise. He rarely whiffs and doesn't chase often, looking to walk and battle rather than strike out. In the field, it's one of the more advanced defensive abilities in this class. He's rather twitchy in the dirt with solid actions, range, and footwork, allowing him to stick up the middle long term. The overall profile is budding with potential.
29. c Walker Janek, Sam Houston State
Height: 6’0
Weight: 190
b/t: r/r
age: 21 yr 10 mo
One of the top mid-major bats in this class, Janek has really opened eyes during his time at Sam Houston State, as well as on the Cape. A well-rounded and physical catcher, Janek is a strong offensive threat with a balanced bat, showcasing solid contact skills and burgeoning power that plays primarily to his pull side. While he has shown some weaknesses to breaking balls, Janek has held his own against premium velocity and covers the zone very well. Defensively, most believe he will be able to stick behind the dish, though he may be able to handle the hot corner, as well. He moves well laterally and has a very quick transfer, as well as a strong arm.
30. Of Slade Caldwell, Valley View (AR)
Height: 5’9
Weight: 182
B/T: L/L
Commitment: Ole Miss
Age: 18 yr
The best way to describe Caldwell would be to call him a "menace." While he lacks premium physicality due to his shorter stature, Caldwell makes up for it with explosive athleticism and polish. It's a sweet swing from the left side of the plate and he's shown excellent plate discipline, rarely chasing and showcasing plenty of patience, drawing walks aplenty. There's solid barrel consistency in his swing and he utilizes the gaps often, prioritizing his plus-plus speed on the basepaths as a result. He's rather strong for his size and has been able to put the ball in the air more, though it's always going to be hit-over-power with Caldwell. His speed allows him to cover ground very well in center field, where he's a solid defender with great instincts. If there's anything to knock him on, it's the lack of a strong arm, which may push him to left field. With that said, he's got the tools to stick at the "eight" long term. He'll have plenty of fans come draft day.