It’s wild that the 2024 MLB Draft has come to an end. It feels like Tyler and I were launching the On The Clock podcast yesterday, and fall-ball was just starting. Now that we’ve come down from the high of the draft, it’s time to do some recaps and break down some of the picks and team hauls. We will first start with the best value picks in each round.
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Round 1 - LHP Cam Caminiti, Atlanta Braves (Pick No. 24, Prospects Live Rank No. 16)
I think every analyst you talk to will tell you that Caminiti was the biggest steal of the first round. He and William Schmidt were considered the top two prep arms in the draft. Schmidt announced he was heading to LSU a few hours before the draft, leaving Caminiti as the best prep arm on the board. The left-handed Caminiti reclassified and was one of the youngest players in the draft and already had a fastball that could reach up to 98. It’s the potential for a solid four-pitch mix. The Braves have to be ecstatic to get him here.
Round CB-A - RHP Brody Brecht, Colorado Rockies (Pick No. 38, Prospects Live Rank No. 27)
Brecht might have the best pure stuff outside of Chase Burns and Hagen Smith in the 2024 MLB Draft. The biggest knock on him has always been his command and control as he’s sported BB% of 21.2%, 18.4%, and 14.2% over his last three college seasons. The good news is he’s improved each year, especially after he decided to leave football and focus solely on baseball last March. It’s a 96-99 mph fastball that has touched 101 mph with a wipeout slider that sits in the upper 80s. Brecht is undoubtedly a project due to his control issues, but it’s hard to turn a blind eye to the stuff. He could skyrocket with development in the pros.
Round 2 - RHP Ryan Sloan, Seattle Mariners (Pick No. 55, Prospects Live Rank No. 21)
Sloan just kept creeping up draft boards all year long. He was easily the next best prep pitcher after Caminiti and Schmidt. The Mariners got a college arm in the first round, likely under slot, which may have saved them enough money to take Sloan. He’s gotten his fastball up to 99 mph in shorter stints and has the makings of a power arm. While there are some concerns with command, he’s super young and just a little bit of development could have him becoming a top prospect in the future.
Round 3 - RHP Drew Beam, Kansas City Royals (Pick No. 76, Prospects Live Rank No. 47)
While Drew Beam doesn’t have the sexiest arsenal of pitches, he has been one of the SEC's most consistent and reliable starters over the last three years. One of our top 50 prospects in this draft, Beam has a solid four-pitch mix with a 92-96 mph fastball. He’s been an innings eater and workhorse starter despite lacking the strikeout numbers. Beam could be a guy who moves quickly through the minors and if he’s able to learn a outpitch he could end up having a ceiling higher than back-of-the-rotation type starter.
Round 4 - RHP Tyson Neighbors, San Diego Padres (Pick. No. 118, Prospects Live Rank No. 80)
Most people would probably take Dakota Jordan as the most outstanding value pick in the fourth round, and they aren’t wrong, but I have to give some love to Tyson Neighbors here. Neighbors has an electric three-pitch mix that consists of a plus fastball, slider, and curveball. It’s some of the most “big league ready” stuff in the draft. Although he is likely a reliever only, he could be a quick riser through the minor leagues and soon find his way to the show. He’s got all the makings to be a high-leverage reliever at the next level.
Round 5 - RHP Connor Foley, Arizona Diamondbacks (Pick No. 164, Prospects Live Rank No. 108)
The Indiana right-hander started in the bullpen as a freshman but transitioned to the rotation, where he found some success. He’s missed bats at a high rate and has a pretty electric fastball in the mid-90s. He’s gotten it to the upper 90s, but that was in shorter stints. He struggles holding his velocity deep into starts. Still, this is excellent value for the DBacks, who might be able to build on his fastball and two off-speed pitches, which are about average. He likely ends up in the bullpen but could be a big-league reliever if his stuff continues to tick up in shorter stints.
Round 7 - RHP Dennis Colleran, Kansas City Royals (Pick No. 197, Prospects Live Rank No. 141)
The Royals did it again with another college arm. This time, they took Colleran out of Northeastern. Colleran had Tommy John surgery in 2022 and came back in 2023, so he’s been working through command issues. Although he struggled with command, his arm was strong, as he had an electric fastball that topped out at 99 mph at the MLB Draft Combine in June. He usually sits 96-100 mph. He has a power slider to go with his fastball, and he gives me some Dylan Coleman vibes. Based on his stuff, he could be a quick riser as a reliever.
Round 8 - TWP Conrad Cason, Boston Red Sox (Pick No. 237, Prospects Live Rank No. 167)
After going pretty college heavy in the early rounds, the Red Sox landed a fairly good prep prospect in Round 8. Cason is a two way prospect out of Georgia and was one of the youngest players in the class. There is lots of athleticism here and he is explosive on both sides of the ball. On the mound, he’s gotten his fastball up to 96 mph, which he pairs with a really good slider. It’ll be interesting to see how long the Red Sox let him be a two-way player, but they must be very happy with this pick in Round 8.
Round 9 - RHP Marcus Morgan, Philadelphia Phillies (Pick N0. 282, Prospects Live Rank No. 218)
Another college arm out of Iowa, Morgan had some of the most interesting pure stuff in the college game. Somewhat overlooked by Brecht, Morgan has a fastball that has reached 96 mph, but reports this fall had him in the upper 90s, including touching 99 mph in a bullpen. He has a good sweeper to pair with it. It’s three-plus offerings, and he can potentially be a mid-rotation type pitcher if he can hone in on some of the control issues he has had to date.
Round 10 - RHP Chase Mobley, Cleveland Guardians (Pick No. 295, Prospects Live Rank No. 95)
There is no doubt almost everyone is picking Chase Mobley as the round ten best value pick. The Guardians had a lot of money to spend this draft and knew they could get Mobley to sign in the 10th round for overslot. It’s a fastball that has already topped out at 97 mph with some reports saying it has touched 99 mph. There is lot to project and tons of room for growth for Mobley who just turned 18 before draft day. There is tons to build on here and the Guardians have to be excited about this pick.
Round 11 - RHP Trey Gregory-Alford, Los Angeles Angels (Pick No. 322, Prospects Live Rank No. 84)
Based on the Angels' earlier picks, they were obviously saving money to take a significant prep arm after the first ten rounds and boy, did they get their guy in Trey Gregory-Alford. He threw the seven fastest pitches at the MLB Draft Combine, topping out at 99.7 mph. The 6’5 right-hander is a towering presence on the mound with a very large and physical frame. He is everything you think of when you think of a power pitcher. A great pick for the Angels and falls in line with their recent drafting of guys like Caden Dana.
Round 12 - 3B Zander Darby, San Francisco Giants (Pick No. 358, Prospects Live Rank No. 124)
You could’ve chosen between two college players in the 12th round for the best value. RHP Brady Tygart out of Arkansas who went to the Boston Red Sox would’ve also been a great choice, but it is hard to ignore the great value on Darby here. Darby flew up draft after a strong showing in the Cape. He had a hit-or-miss spring this year, but Darby still has the tools you want to bank on. He has improved his patience at the plate and grew into more in-game power. He truly shows off raw power in batting practice. A lot is needed in the development department, but it is still a steal here for the Giants.
Round 14 - RHP Kyle DeGroat, Kansas City Royals (Pick No. 407, Prospects Live Rank No. 138)
The Royals went through a slate of older college arms and bats for about ten rounds until they reached round 14. It was apparent that those picks were related to wanting to sign DeGroat. Given his commitment to Texas, it wouldn't be easy, but their plan worked, as DeGroat has already announced that he plans to sign with the Royals. DeGroat has a big frame that should be able to get stronger. Despite his height, he’s able to use that attribute to his advantage. It’s a high-spin fastball that sits 93-94 mph with some solid offspeed pitches. A lot of the velo increases are new to DeGroat, so lots to build on, but the Royals have to be happy to get their guy.
