Some rare prospects can pan out quickly, while others take years to come to fruition. But you’re in a dynasty league, so where are you goin’? One of my main objectives is snipping off young talent before they become a thing. Whether this looks like grabbing these young gentlemen in a rookie draft or adding them via the waiver wire at the tail end of a lost season, the result is gaining young talent for pennies on the dollar. Taking a leap of faith now can pay off handsomely later when your team is LOADED with 22 to 28-year-olds who rake/dish.
This year will be a special season for prospects, and it is especially important to pay close attention to these talents in all fantasy baseball formats. The inaugural Spring Breakout will give us a glimpse into the future with each team’s top prospects making up their entire rosters during a Spring Training series from March 14-17. These series offer a longer look at some of the best young talent in the game during the heart of Spring and should create dramatics, as well as opportunities not available in previous years. Could it lead to one of (if not multiple) Diamond Gems from the 2023 Draft making their MLB debut on Opening Day? It’s possible, according to Sam Dykstra, reporter for MLB Pipeline and MiLB. We saw many college stars get their name called on draft day and move up rapidly due to their baseball IQs and acumen.
NCAA standouts Paul Skenes, Dylan Crews and Wyatt Langford will have the spotlight bright this spring after making their MiLB marks in 2023. All three young men are top-5 selections and have been excelling on the professional stage. In fact, former Louisiana State teammates Skenes (Pirates) and Crews (Nationals) worked their way to Double-A in 2023. Langford concluded his campaign as a member of the Round Rock Express, the Rangers’ Triple-A affiliate. According to Dykstra, Langford has the highest likelihood of making his respective team. He “posted a .360/.480/.677 line in 44 Minor League games and has the impact bat already to muscle Leody Taveras out of the Texas outfield.” We will discuss these players and more in what follows.
In this portion of our Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide, we will highlight and scout the top minor-league, college and high-school prospects ahead of draft season and project outward. A piece for dynasty leagues, we list the top prospective prospects according to MLB Pipeline and where they rank on the 20-to-80 scouting scale. This is useful for those looking to build depth for their dynasty teams with youngsters, even those whom we may not see till 2025 and beyond! Whether it is catching lightning in a bottle or part of a long-term plan, keep an eye on or grab these guys for dynasty leagues.
If you’re looking for more research on players who may be further up the food chain and looking to make an immediate impact, we have you covered!
The Top 50 Rookies for 2024
2024 MLB Rookie Scouting Report: Hitters
2024 MLB Rookie Scouting Report: Pitchers
The History of MLB Rookie Production
Last Year’s Diamond Gems
Top Prospects for Your Dynasty League
Below, you will find top MLB prospects for the 2024 season (others are documented in attached spreadsheet at end of article) along with their profile and how they project for the pros. The order is based on their 2023 MLB Pipeline rankings at the end of the season. The 2024 Top 100 overall unveiling is January 26, so be sure to use their link above to see any rank changes. Then, we’ll dive deeper and break down the Top 10 College/High School players who are first-round locks for the 2024 MLB Draft.
MLB Top Prospects
Jackson Holliday – SS, Norfolk Tides (AAA)
Position players galore, so let’s start with the best of the best. The Orioles have been a prospect factory over the past few seasons – Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson, Grayson Rodriguez, along with other Top 100 guys getting their first call. The next big thing is Holliday, who was the No. 1 pick in the 2022 MLB Draft by Baltimore. His approach at the plate is rock solid. He demonstrated advanced plate discipline with a 0.86 BB/K ratio last summer. The lefty’s swing was a little long during his pro debut in 2022, but Holliday worked hard to shorten his stroke, which allows him to make hard contact. His hit tool has risen, and so has the power!
Holliday may not make the O’s loaded lineup for Opening Day, but he will play his way onto the big-league club in short order. He’s too good and developed as a 20-year-old to keep on the farm all year. After all, he was on the Delmarva Shorebirds (A) this time last year and already possesses 91 Triple-A plate appearances. Holliday is the top prospect in all of baseball and can help Baltimore win games. He comes from a strong baseball lineage, being 7x All-Star Matt Holliday’s son.
Jackson Chourio – OF, Milwaukee Brewers
“I’m goin’ to Jackson,” again. Jackson Chourio is one of the top talents in the Minor Leagues, confirmed by his 22 HRs, 91 RBI, 44 SBs and .282/.338/.805 slash line between Double- and Triple-A (mostly at Double-A Biloxi). The 19-year-old was rewarded with an eight-year, $82 million contract without the benefit of a single MLB at-bat. {What were you doing at 19? Me? I was most likely doing a keg stand at a fraternity house with my teammates. No wonder I’m here, and he’s there, lol} Milwaukee’s top prospect will turn 20 by Opening Day, and while his deal doesn’t guarantee a roster spot, it is a leg up and a most likely outcome.
The potential superstar from Venezuela has a plus power/speed combo, which is ideal for fantasy. In fact, the speed is plus-plus, and he is intelligent on the basepaths. He became the fifth teenager to have a 20/40 season in the Minors since 1958 (Ronald Acuña Jr., 2017 – Álex Escobar, 1998 – Andruw Jones, 1995 – José Cardenal, 1961)! A 30/50 season is a foregone conclusion. Maybe it takes his bat some time to adjust, but if it all clicks, he has enormous upside. Sal Frelick, Garrett Mitchell and Chourio make for a nice, young outfield to target in fantasy, let alone for the Brew Crew themselves. The only question might be who plays center field. For more on Chourio, read my thoughts from last year!
Paul Skenes – RHP, Indianapolis Indians (AAA)
We won’t be discussing many pitchers in this space since Skenes is one of only two pitching prospects among MLB Pipeline’s Top-20 (Kyle Harrison). Boy, is he a good one though?! Skenes may very well dominate the first month or two of the Minor League season and be called up after Super 2, propelling the 21-year-old hurler for a breakout season. Think Stephen Strasburg, minus the body failure. His stuff is that good with the command to boot. Primarily, it’s his elite Fastball (80), in which he illustrates a mastery of both the four-seam (101+ mph max velo) and two-seam (98 mph avg. with sharp diving action). Sometimes, his fastball shape wanes, but a quick correction by driving up his elbow and staying on top of the ball corrects this issue. Then, there is the wipeout Slider (70), which may be more devastating than the fastball. Think Jacob deGrom.
Skenes’ intelligence and baseball IQ are what drive him far ahead in the pitching prospect hierarchy. If his stuff struggles, he can turn toward his Changeup (50), which is not his best pitch but won him a College World Series game for LSU. The 2023 No. 1 Draft pick by Pittsburgh is the complete package.
Dylan Crews – OF, Rochester Red Wings (AAA)
Crews was the cover boy last year and the prime reason why I do this article every year. I’ve written about how paying attention to the MLB Draft can pay both immediate and long-term dynasty dividends, with Nolan Arenado, Rowdy Tellez and Garrett Crochet as past examples. Crews could be the next in line for making an immediate impact shortly after his drafting. With his plus-plus hit tool, plus power and plus speed, the top amateur baseball player in the nation is the reigning Golden Spikes Award winner and has a shot to make the club out of spring.
Crews reportedly ran out of steam at Double-A Harrisburg late in 2023, so expect the Nationals to be patient with his development and not look to push the young man too hard, too fast. A likely outcome could be time at Triple-A Rochester, building chemistry and rotating with James Wood (more on him in a minute) for center and corner positions. But before the stretch, Crews wrecked shop at Single-A Fredericksburg with five homers and 24 RBI in 71 PA. He also contributed four stolen bases in 2023, three during that otherwise late swoon in Harrisburg. The important thing is he’s controlling the strike zone and making regular contact, repeatedly hammering velocity and quality pitching. For Nats fans, their hearts have had a void since Juan Soto’s departure. Crews’ arrival in the capital will fill that void.
Ethan Salas – C, San Antonio Missions (AA)
MLB Pipeline’s No. 1 international prospect for 2023 signed just under a calendar year ago. Since then, he’s taken the prospect world by storm and could very well be the No. 1 prospect at the end of the year after guys get promoted. And, of course, once Salas dries behind his ears. He doesn’t turn 18 until June. Remarkably, Salas rose to Double-AA San Antonio in his first season in the States. I wouldn’t blame the Padres if they opted to pump the brakes and have him begin a full year at High-A Fort Wayne. However, for a team so bereft of catching talent on the main stage, San Diego could place him wherever they want. Salas is far ahead of the curve with his combination of plus tools, ability to catch, youth and overall makeup.
The Padres have Salas working with Major Leaguers like Yu Darvish in early bullpens because his receiving, blocking, hands, communication skills and overall movement behind the plate are already so advanced. This is a great sign of fantasy usefulness! I consistently preach that our fantasy hitters need to be solid defensively to get ABs, and this is especially so for catchers. {We will dive into this more later on in the Draft Guide with my ‘Drafting a Catcher’ piece.} Salas could be a rare five-tool catcher. His lefty swing is smooth and repeatable, and he makes solid contact to all fields. His power has been surprisingly above average for his 6’2”, 185-lb frame, and preseason BP sessions at Petco Park have people buzzing.
Junior Caminero – 3B/SS, Durham Bulls (AAA)
This young man from the Dominican Republic is the first of many Rays prospects in a loaded Tampa Bay system. Simply put, Caminero brings the boom stick with plus hit and power tools. His bat speed is elite and generates pull-side power as his hips explode through the hitting zone. His contact and line-drive rates are good and even to all fields. Scouts are high on his maturity in the batter’s box and believe Caminero to be a special bat. The 20-year-old infielder stands out in most major hitting categories among Minor Leaguers, particularly his .591 SLG in 2023 (fifth-best among full-season qualifiers, only teenager above .565). His .547 SLG at Montgomery alone was the second-best mark by a Double-A teenager (min. 300 PA) since 2006, trailing only Justin Upton’s .556 in 2007.
James Wood – OF, Rochester Red Wings (AAA)
We brushed by Wood’s name when discussing Dylan Crews above, but James is a top prospect in his own right. He stands 6’6” with 240 lbs of lean muscle and is built like a brick shithouse. Blessed with plus raw power, it was surprising he only amassed 12 homers in 2022 (348 PAs). His draft stock had slipped in 2021, resulting in a second-round selection by the Padres (acquired in Soto deal), and the rough start only further substantiated the slip. Yet, he hit .337/.453/.601 with 10 homers and 15 steals in 50 games at Single-A Lake Elsinore to close the year. It was a sign of things to come.
2023 was a different story in the power department, as Wood roped 26 long flies in 549 PAs, leading the Nationals’ farm system. While finishing his last 87 games in 2023 with Double-A Harrisburg, he was one of four players aged 20 or younger with at least 16 homers (18 HRs) in Double-A. Owen Caissie, Jackson Chourio and Deyvison De Los Santos are the other three. Wood’s open stance allows him to jump on balls inside and launch them into orbit. Also, he brings plus running speed, both on the basepaths and in the field. He could stick in center field or float to right in favor of Crews. I’ll tell you this much… I’m not getting in his way if he’s running at me! Wood has five-tool capabilities.
Evan Carter – OF, Texas Rangers
Carter stepped up in a big way during a critical time for the Rangers. Desperately trying to hold onto a playoff spot amidst injured players, I don’t believe Texas makes the playoffs – let alone wins the World Series – if not for young Carter’s heroics. In 23 games down the stretch, he slashed .306/.413/.645 with a .435 wOBA and .339 ISO (75 PA). Small sample size, but Carter went on to slash .300/.417/.500 with 10 XBH and three steals in 17 postseason games (72 PAs). Most importantly, the 21-year-old showed he could handle the big moments and proved to be a spark to the lineup. Fangraphs projects him to be the starting left fielder and hitting in the heart of the order.
Coming out of high school, Carter was drafted in the pandemic year of 2020 after playing merely three games Senior year thanks to Covid. The lack of availability placed him under the radar in the second round and allowed Texas to swoop him up with the 50th overall pick despite having five-tool potential. Texas pro scouts were rewarded with their foresight as he advanced from High-A to Triple-A in 2+ seasons thanks to his ability and polish. Carter’s advanced approach at the plate allows him to recognize pitches and control the strike zone. As a result, he has posted an excellent 13.4% O-Swing and taken his fair share of walks with 22 in 147 MLB PAs. However, his Z-Contact 76.7% was well below the MLB average of 87%. This will stabilize, and the Ks will go down.
Jackson Merrill – SS, El Paso Chihuahuas (AAA)
Oh, look, another Jackson. WTF happened in 2004 to cause all these kids to be named Jackson? The end of Dawson’s Creek, starring Joshua Jackson as Pacey Witter? It’s possible, y’all! This Jackson will be putting the heat on Xander Bogaerts, giving the Padres the liberty to move the latter off short or eventually to another team when it’s time to slash salary. This process for the soon-to-be 21-year-old could begin as soon as this year. Merrill has a plus-plus hit tool, which carried him through High- and Double-A in his age-20 season. He puts the ball in play to all fields, striking out at the ninth-lowest rate in MiLB last year at 12.1% (min 500 PAs). However, Merrill must provide more consistent power to reach his true value at the plate. He should still add muscle as he matures, and elevating the ball more would help.
The biggest concern with Merrill is the injury bug, and his next goal will be to make it through a full season healthy. He participated in 114 games last year between two levels after 55 the year before, his second as a pro.
Jordan Lawlar – SS, Reno Aces (AAA)
Lawlar had his first cup of coffee in the bigs late last year and into the playoffs. However, the beans were slightly more bitter than the 2021 first-round pick expected. He struck out 32.4% of his at-bats and posted a .129/.206/.129 in 34 PAs. Furthermore, his path to a 2024 Opening Day roster spot was dealt a blow with the acquisition of Eugenio Suárez. With Suárez entrenched at 3B, Lawlar will compete with Geraldo Perdomo. Based on my write-up of Jordan Lawlar from two years ago, I like his chances despite his growing pains.
Marcelo Mayer – SS, Portland Sea Dogs (AA)
I have also written about Mayer in the past, so click these links to get his basic profile: 2022 & 2023. If it seems like it’s taking Mayer longer than normal to develop, you would be correct. Many people’s confidence is shaken in Boston’s developmental team, but there is an explanation for Mayer. He had an injured shoulder early in the season, which altered the trajectory of his whole 2023 before it came to an abrupt end in August. The then 20-year-old never looked as good as he did at the beginning of the year, where he resembled the guy the Red Sox hoped they were getting with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft.
Even if he now grades as more of a top-20 overall prospect than a top-10 one, Mayer remains a potential franchise shortstop. Vaughn Grissom’s acquisition somewhat blocks Mayer’s path to the bigs and makes us question his health status, but with Trevor Story’s health usually in question, we should see Mayer in 2024.
Alex Speier
Boston GlobePete Crow-Armstrong – OF, Iowa Cubs (AAA)
We have a Rookie of the Year candidate in PCA, assuming he logs enough service time. But even if he doesn’t begin the year with the Cubs of Chicago due to more development time in Iowa, we shouldn’t have to wait long for his call-up this season. It all hinges on the free-agent outcome of Cody Bellinger. PCA received a mid-September call to the Majors last season, but his first taste of the bigs included an 0-for-14 showing over 19 plate appearances (2 SBs). Call it a learning experience; we all know he is capable of much more. Between Double-A Tennessee & Triple-A Iowa, he amassed 20 HRs & 37 SBs. Even when he has slumped at the plate, as he has shown to do each time he has been promoted before making the proper adjustment, his defense and speed will keep him in the lineup daily, which is ideal for fantasy.
PCA will hit enough for the counting numbers to be a difference-maker for our fantasy baseball teams. Chicago helped him incorporate some swing changes designed to allow him to pull and lift balls more easily. As a result, the hard contact rose, but so did the strikeouts at first (0.20 BB/K). However, he again made adjustments, and the mark stabilized to 0.36 between all three levels. I expect his BB/K to sit around 0.60 when all is said and done, leaving us with a rock-solid .280 hitter capable of 20/40 seasons and an elite center fielder (Field: 80!).
Wyatt Langford – OF, Round Rock Express (AAA)
Texas just drafted Langford last July, but it wouldn’t be a shock if the No. 4 overall pick makes the Rangers roster out of Spring Training (see Sam Dykstra’s comments in the intro). The 22-year-old Florida product has more power than any player in the 2023 MLB Draft class. In fact, he hit 10 HRs with 12 SBs in his aforementioned 44 Minor League games across four levels. Furthermore, he has plus power to all fields with a simple righty swing. He can launch the baseball pull side in the air without selling out for power. He’s a strong young man at 6’1” and 225 lbs, and his bat speed, along with a mature approach at the plate, allows him to make consistent hard contact with not many holes. Langford has a good idea of the strike zone and projects for a .280 batting average with 35-HR upside.
For more on Langford, read my Draft Prospectus from last season and watch the clip below.
Colton Cowser – OF, Norfolk Tides (AAA)
If Cowser’s name is familiar, well, that’s because it is. Besides appearing in 26 games for the O’s mid-summer last year as an injury replacement, I previously wrote about him as he entered the 2021 MLB Draft out of Sam Houston State. Baltimore selected him fifth overall that year. Indeed, it was a fine decision. He may not have done much during his first taste of the big leagues, posting an ugly .115/.286/.148 with a .226 wOBA and .033 ISO in 77 PAs. However, in 399 PAs for Norfolk last season, he slashed .300/.417/.520 with a .412 wOBA and .220 ISO (17 HRs, 36 XBHs). This is more indicative of who Cowser is.
The 6’3” lefty hitter understands the strike zone, possessing a 16.9% BB rate for his pro career at all levels. Breaking balls gives him fits at times, with a 44% miss rate, but he has been improving, especially by taking the ball to the opposite field. Cowser is a dangerous all-around hitter.
Max Clark – OF, Lakeland Flying Tigers (A)
In the 2023 MLB Draft, the Tigers took one of the Big Five in the class, with Clark selected third overall, as I foresaw. At 19 years old, he is an example of a long-term plan for dynasty leagues. Depending on the depth of your league, he can either be a stash on your bench or atop your watch list. According to Baseball America, Clark is projected as the Tiger’s best hitter for average, best outfield arm and best athlete. This is saying something for a farm system on the rise and in the top 10 by my estimation. There is zero doubt that he is a sure-fire five-tool prospect and future cornerstone CF in Detroit.
Clark has elite defensive tools. He gets terrific jumps on the outfield grass from what I saw in film, tracking down balls and making tough plays look easy. Plus, his cannon is a sight to see. As he moves up the Tigers’ organization, his defense will afford him opportunities, which again is ultra-important in fantasy baseball. While he has a plus hit tool, the power is only rated above average at this point in his development (50). The improvement or lack thereof will determine his floor. But his ceiling is appealing, especially due to his legit speed (70; 5-for-6 SBs 2023).
For more, read my high-school profile for Max Clark from last year’s Diamond Gems!
Walker Jenkins – OF, Fort Myers Mighty Mussels (A)
Another long-term plan for dynasty leagues, the comparisons between Clark and Jenkins don’t end there. They both equate to terrific stash candidates. Yet, Jenkins has the chance to put up some pretty big numbers right away, while Clark may need longer to develop. Both are strong candidates for Prospect Hitter of the Year. Yet, Clark is locked in as a CF, while it is yet to be determined whether Jenkins will occupy center or right field. In the end, it probably doesn’t matter where Jenkins plays. The Twins can figure that out, as he possesses many talents, and his makeup is booming. Hits for average? Check. Power? Double check. Run game? Triple check. Good arm? Well, you get the idea. He has a real shot at No. 1 prospect by the end of the year.
Jenkins is a natural-born power hitter with his 6’3”, 210-lb frame. The lefty can turn on quality fastballs and drive them the distance, with the ability to pull as well as hit some oppo tacos. He has fast hands with driving the bat barrel quickly through the hitting zone and a smooth swing. In a small sample size at rookie ball and High-A last year, Jenkins had 3 HRs, 22 RBI and 6 SBs in 26 games (115 PA). He will look to take that momentum into his first full year as a pro.
OTHER NOTABLES:
Colson Montgomery, SS, Birmingham Barons (AA) – Brooks Lee, SS/3B, St. Paul Saints (AAA) – Carson Williams, SS, Montgomery Biscuits (AA) – Kyle Harrison, LHP, San Francisco Giants – Colt Keith, 3B/2B, Toledo Mud Hens (AAA) – Andrew Painter, RHP, Lehigh Valley IronPigs (AAA) – Cade Horton, RHP, Tennessee Smokies (AA) – Ricky Tiedemann, LHP, Buffalo Bisons (AAA) – Druw Jones, OF, Visalia Rawhide (A) Power/Speed like Papa – Luisangel Acuña, SS/2B, Syracuse Mets (AAA) – Rhett Lowder, RHP, Dayton Dragons (A+) – Kyle Manzardo, 1B, Columbus Clippers (AAA) – Sebastian Walcott, SS, Down East Wood Ducks (A) – Mick Abel, RHP, Lehigh Valley IronPigs (AAA) – Robby Snelling, LHP, San Antonio (AA) – Dylan Lesko, RHP, Fort Wayne TinCaps (A+) – Nick Frasso, RHP, Oklahoma City Baseball Club (AAA) – Jasson Domínguez, OF, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (AAA)*
*Recovering from Tommy John surgery but may vault in the rankings once healthy and properly seasoned.
Jacob Wilson, SS, Lansing Lugnuts (A+) – Jordan Beck, OF, Albuquerque Isotopes (AAA) – Aidan Miller, SS/3B, Clearwater Threshers (A) – Chase Hampton, RHP, Somerset Patriots (AA) – Matt Shaw, SS/2B/3B, Tennessee Smokies (AA) – Hurston Waldrep, RHP, Gwinnett Stripers (AAA) – Lazaro Montes, OF, Everett AquaSox (A+) – Roderick Arias, SS, Tampa Tarpons (A) – Tyler Gentry, OF, Omaha Storm Chasers (AAA) – Joendry Vargas, SS/3B/2B, Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (A) – Jeremy Rodriguez, SS/2B, DSL Mets Orange (Rookie)
Be sure to reference my last three years of ‘Diamond Gems’ for these players’ writeups as they hit the Draft!
2024 MLB Draft Prospects
MLB Pipeline’s prospect rankings for the 2024 Draft are more hitter-laden than last year. In fact, of the top-10 prospects, only Jac Caglianone rides the mound. However, Caglianone will be selected for his hitting talents since he’s considered by many to be the best two-way player in the nation. The “bulk” of arms (sorry, I had to) come mid-way through the rankings. Also, there is a blend of college and high-school ballplayers with a heavy preference for collegiate athletes at the top. We see only one high schooler cracking the top 10 and only four prepsters in the top 20.
The Two-Way Player: Players almost always pitch and play a position in youth baseball and high school. Some are good enough to continue to do it in college and chase the dream that is Shohei Ohtani. However, the industry usually has an idea of which direction a pro career should head in when players are draft-eligible. Beginning with Caglianone, this year’s draft class has an overwhelming five two-way players who demonstrate abilities to contribute on both sides of the ball in the pros. Noah Franco (IMG Academy, FLA) and Bryce Rainer (Harvard-Westlake School, CAL) rank in the top 40 draftees for their contributions on the mound and at the plate. As for college prospects, Texas A&M’s Braden Montgomery and Oklahoma State’s Carson Benge join Caglianone as potential two-way stars on the big stage. More to come on these players and more below!
JJ Wetherholt – SS/2B, West Virginia
Wetherholt had the best batting average in NCAA Division I baseball last year, roping a cool .449/.517/.787. Scouts consider him the best pure hitter in this year’s class – maybe even the best amateur ever. The left-handed hitter can drive the ball to all fields. There are signs he can maintain high batting averages due to superior pitch recognition and elite bat-to-ball skills (i.e., 10% swinging-strike percentage, 2023). By spraying the ball to all fields, Wetherholt can take you deep opposite field as well as pull-side and projects for at least average power at the next level (16 HR, 2023). Plus, he has wheels with 36 steals a year ago en route to Big 12 Conference Player of the Year.
The 21-year-old Baltimore native is the kind of impact bat any team would be eager to snatch at No. 1. Second base will likely be his home in the pros, but Wetherholt will be playing shortstop for the Mountaineers this spring for the first time. He has the arm, but will he have the feel? This year should tell us, but with speed usually comes range. UPDATE: Wetherholt suffered a grade 1 hamstring strain to begin his 2024 college season. Will it effect his draft status?
Nick Kurtz – 1B, Wake Forest
This Wake Forest product could easily hear his name called first come draft day. Kurtz would join Spencer Torkelson as the only college first basemen to go No. 1 overall in 60 Drafts. Where Kurtz’s hit tool is lacking in comparison to Wetherholt’s superior mark – not much, with a .344 BA in his two college seasons – the lefty first baseman has prodigious power. In 2023, Kurtz slugged .784 with 24 HR in 265 PA (56 G). Power is the signature tool he brings, and he brings it to all fields. Bat speed? Check. Launch Angle? Double Check. Ability to crush lefties and righties? Triple Check. Defensively, Kurtz is sharp at first base and has average arm strength. He is a first baseman only, which does limit his profile a little versus Wetherholt, alongside below-average speed. Think Jim Thome.
Travis Bazzana – 2B, Oregon State
Australian baseball is thriving, thanks to the notoriety from the WBC and money investment into their program. Hailing from Sydney, Travis Bazzana is a direct result. The left-handed-hitting infielder made a statement in his Freshman year at Oregon State, posting an impressive .902 OPS. A year later, he slashed .374/.500/.622 (1.122 OPS) with 11 HRs and 36 SBs in 61 games. As an encore, all the 21-year-old did was win the Cape Cod League batting title (.375) and MVP Award, putting him near the top of most draft boards. Bazzana might have more raw power than Wetherholt but grades out lower as a pure hitter. Yet both can run like the wind! The next step for Bazzana will be pitch recognition and developing the ability to lay off offspeed pitches out of the zone. When he cranks, his stroke is compact and strong with ideal bat speed.
Charlie Condon – OF/1B, Georgia
Glossed over as a high-school player due to his lanky frame, Condon stayed in-state at Georgia and has worked hard to develop strength. Now viewed as a potential top-5 pick in the MLB Draft, it’s an example of hard work paying off. Condon now tips the scales at 210+ while standing 6’6” at 20 years old. The extra muscle resulted in an SEC Freshman-record 25 homers while leading the league in slugging (.386/.484/.800; Freshman of the Year). Condon boasts a plus hit tool and power mark to match. As he gets older and fills out even more, I can’t help but think of another not-so-gentle giant in Aaron Judge. And watch the power move into plus-plus territory! I see Condon as a corner outfielder due to solid arm strength, but he has seen time at first base, third base and center field. He has a huge offensive ceiling.
Jac Caglianone – 1B/LHP, Florida
We’ve gotten to know Caglianone already, but there is more to his elite two-way playing abilities. Clubs and scouts are leaning more toward his hitting stature as a 6’5”, 245-lb slugging first baseman. However, when you ignore a left-hander with a 70-grade fastball on the mound, that’s when people lose jobs. He has standout tools both on the mound and at the plate (Power: 65, Arm: 60, Slider/Cutter: 50). The lefty raw power stands out the most, leading all of Division I in home runs with 33 in 2023. He gets at it and seems ultra-aggressive in the box. I fear this leads to chasing tendencies, as evidenced by his 44% chase rate last year. Yet, his strikeouts are down; he has 79 Ks in 434 total college PAs (18.2% K-rate). He needs to cut down on the chasing as he faces higher-level arms.
Speaking of arms, Caglianone had his worked-on in 2021. The Tommy John surgery survivor returned triumphantly in February 2023 with 6.2 shutout innings. However, his overall control was spotty, like many pitchers who miss the 12-18 months due to TJS. After the rust left, Caglianone began pounding the strike zone with triple-digit heat in the fall, but those taking a chance on him as a pitcher must be aware of his medical chart at such a young age. Luckily, he’s a pretty good hitter who could take the same trajectory as some guy from Japan. As for now, Caglianone was an obvious choice for the John Olerud Award (best two-way player).
Vance Honeycutt – OF, North Carolina
The Tar Heels may have never produced a higher-tooled prospect as Honeycutt, including former first-rounder B.J. Surhoff. In 2021, Vance was drafted out of high school in the 20th round by the Giants after excelling in baseball and football for Salisbury (NC). To raise both his development and draft round, he chose college instead, and it was a wise choice. Honeycutt broke out his Freshman year, hitting a school-record 25 HRs and swiping 29 bags. However, he slumped last spring, and a back injury abruptly ended his season. The power is exceptional, and he offers the power/speed combo we desire for fantasy baseball, but his hit tool is the lowest among top-20 draft prospects. Despite a successful Freshman year, his K-rate stood at 30%. He cut the mark to 20% in his Sophomore campaign, but his production came down with it, and it was a smaller sample size.
Honeycutt has some warts and requires work on his pull-heavy approach from the right batter’s box. If he can learn to hit the ball to all fields and adjust to handle breaking pitches, there is a professional hitter in his 6’3”, 205-lb frame. If not, this is Drew Stubbs, Part Deux. For me, Honeycutt will remain a watch, even if he is selected sixth overall.
Tommy White – 3B, Louisiana State
How do you not get amped up when you see this dude play?
His teammates call him Tanks for reasons self-explanatory. White has huge right-handed power to all fields. But don’t let the nickname fool you; his skill set is not fueled by reckless abandon. His swing is very swift and technical, creating bat speed and mucho barrels. Tanks utilizes his strength through hip rotation, allowing him to burst open and use his tree-stump legs for power. Bottom line, he’s a brick shithouse, standing six-foot-even and weighing 236 lbs. His lower center of gravity allows for a smaller strike zone (until robo umps, that is). With this in mind, he’s underrated as a hitter who makes repeated contact with impressive exit velocities.
White began his collegiate career at NC State, homering three times in his first game for the Wolfpack and nine times in his first eight contests. In fact, he set an NCAA Division I Freshman record with 27 HRs. For his Sophomore campaign, Tanks moved his fort to Louisiana State, posting a .377 BA, 48 XBHs, 24 HRs and 105 RBI (No. 1 D-I) while scoring 64 runs and collecting 103 hits in 310 PA (66 G). He’s as slow as a tank on the bases, which limits his value on the bases and in the field. He profiles more as a 1B/DH in the pros.
Konnor Griffin – OF, Jackson Prep (Florence, Miss.)
Our first high schooler is a prep player hailing from Mississippi. Summerville (SC) HS outfielder PJ Morlando, Saguaro High (Scottsdale, AZ) lefty Cam Caminiti and Valley View HS (Jonesboro, ARK) outfielder Slade Caldwell are the three other prep players in the top 20. Yet, Griffin has the best all-around toolset of the four and perhaps the best of any player in this year’s draft class. He has five-tool potential and 30/30 upside. While it’s difficult to invest much time, let alone a roster spot, on someone who is merely 17 years old, you better not sleep on this kid (see Holliday, Jackson, who was drafted first overall by the O’s in the 2022 MLB Draft at 18 years old). Griffin arrives on the draft scene early after reclassifying from the 2025 MLB Draft to 2024.
This 17-year-old is a man-child, standing 6’4” and weighing 205 lbs. He could stand to add some muscle as Charlie Condon did, but Griffin has plenty of time to do so. His size adds length to his righty swing, and his timing issues are a work in progress, but I’m being extremely nitpicky here. However, you need to be nitpicky when examining high schoolers to determine who will likely sign with a drafting team or honor their college commitments (Louisiana State commit) and further their development. Griffin’s hit and power tools are already plus to plus-plus, and he adds near-elite speed, fielding and arm strength to possibly lead to a Gold Glove in center field one day! I can see him signing, especially if drafted in the top 10.
Seaver King – OF/SS, Wake Forest
King enters Division I ball after transferring to Wake Forest from Division II Wingate (NC). The competition will be a step up and could potentially hurt his draft standing, but King has accomplished a feat few on this list have… proving himself with the wood bats provided in the Valley and Cape Cod leagues. He strung a 47-game hitting streak from 2022-23 and slashed .411/.457/.699 with 11 homers and 13 steals as a Sophomore. His plus-plus hit tool stands out from the pack, as King excels at making contact and hitting line drives with a compact righty stroke. He’s the type of player who gets on base and makes things happen with regularity. Yet, his ability to make contact limits his walks as King swings into his fair share of outs. He can lean into a few but will never hit much more than 12-15 HRs.
Along with Kurtz, Seaver King is one of five potential 2024 first-rounders from Wake Forest (Josh Hartle, Chase Burns, Michael Massey). In 2021, it was Vanderbilt. Last year, LSU. Now, it’s Wake’s turn back in the spotlight for powerhouse baseball programs.
Braden Montgomery – OF/RHP, Texas A&M
Montgomery attended Stanford and was a Cardinal for two seasons before transferring to Texas A&M to become an Aggie this year. His days as a potential two-way star coming out of Madison Central High School in Mississippi have withered after battling his control for the better part of two years. He can miss bats with a 96 mph heater, mid-80s changeup and low-80s slider, but his wildness will likely cause a selection as an outfielder only. However, if he is drafted in the top 10, Montgomery could become the highest-drafted position player in Aggies history, surpassing Tyler Naquin (No. 15 overall in 2012).
With 35 homers as a Cardinal, the switch-hitting Montgomery showed his power potential to match his hit tool – he had more of a hit-over-power profile in high school. He’s strong with a quick bat and aggressive stroke from both sides of the plate. The 20-year-old does more damage as a lefty hitter, and his plus power plays to all parts of the ballpark. Plate discipline on breaking balls has been a struggle. Also, he swings and misses at pitches in the strike zone too often, according to scouts.
2024 MLB Draft Prospect Tables: 20-to-80 Scouting Scale
POSITION PLAYERS
*Italic indicates high-school player
| HIT | POWER | RUN | ARM | FIELD | OVERALL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JJ Wetherholt – SS/2B | 70 | 50 | 60 | 50 | 50 | 60 |
| Nick Kurtz – 1B | 60 | 65 | 40 | 50 | 60 | 60 |
| Travis Bazzana – 2B | 55 | 60 | 60 | 50 | 50 | 60 |
| Charlie Condon – OF/1B | 60 | 60 | 40 | 55 | 50 | 60 |
| Jac Caglianone – 1B/LHP | 45 | 65 | 40 | 60 | 55 | 55 |
| Vance Honeycutt – OF | 45 | 60 | 65 | 60 | 65 | 55 |
| Tommy White – 3B | 55 | 60 | 30 | 50 | 40 | 55 |
| Konnor Griffin – OF | 50 | 60 | 65 | 65 | 60 | 55 |
| Seaver King – OF/SS | 60 | 40 | 65 | 55 | 55 | 55 |
| Braden Montgomery – OF | 50 | 55 | 50 | 70 | 50 | 55 |
| Mike Sirota – OF | 55 | 50 | 60 | 55 | 55 | 55 |
| Malcolm Moore – C | 55 | 55 | 40 | 45 | 45 | 55 |
| PJ Morlando – OF | 55 | 60 | 45 | 50 | 50 | 55 |
| Slade Caldwell – OF | 60 | 45 | 65 | 45 | 60 | 55 |
| Caleb Lomavita – C | 55 | 55 | 50 | 55 | 50 | 55 |
| Noah Franco – OF/LHP* | 55 | 50 | 50 | 60 | 50 | 55 |
| Caleb Bonemer – SS/3B | 45 | 55 | 50 | 55 | 50 | 50 |
| Cam Smith – 3B | 45 | 55 | 45 | 60 | 55 | 50 |
| Carson Benge – OF/RHP* | 60 | 50 | 50 | 60 | 55 | 50 |
| Dakota Jordan – OF* | 45 | 60 | 60 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
| Kaelen Culpepper – SS | 50 | 45 | 50 | 60 | 50 | 50 |
*High-schooler Noah Franco is a legit two-way player per his time on Team USA’s 18U, but the industry may lean hitter. As a semifinalist for the John Olerud Award, Carson Benge is a solid prospect both ways. Tommy John in 2022 may lead to a first-round selection as a hitter with third-round upside on the mound. Dakota Jordan is a good-looking kid out of Mississippi State who brings a lethal power-speed combo. However, his pitch recognition and plate discipline needs a ton of work.
PITCHERS
*Italic indicates high-school player
| FAST | CURVE | SLIDER | CHANGE | CONTROL | OVERALL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jac Caglianone – 1B/LHP* | 70 | — | 50 | 50 | 40 | 50 |
| Josh Hartle – LHP* | 50 | — | 60 | 50 | 60 | 55 |
| Hagen Smith – LHP* | 60 | — | 65 | — | 45 | 55 |
| Chase Burns – RHP | 60 | — | 70 | 50 | 50 | 55 |
| Brody Brecht – RHP* | 70 | — | 70 | — | 40 | 55 |
| Thatcher Hurd – RHP | 60 | 50 | 60 | 40 | 45 | 55 |
| Cam Caminiti – LHP* | 55 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 55 |
| Drew Beam – RHP | 55 | 55 | 50 | 60 | 55 | 55 |
| Noah Franco – OF/LHP* | 50 | — | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
| Carson Benge – OF/RHP | 55 | — | 55 | 50 | 50 | 45 |
| Jonathan Santucci – LHP | 60 | — | 60 | 55 | 45 | 50 |
| Ryan Sloan – RHP | 60 | — | 55 | 60 | 50 | 50 |
*I love how only three young pitchers of the top 12 are throwing the curveball. Programs are smarting up! Jac Caglianone throws a 90-mph Cutter, which rates as a 50 on the scouting scale. Josh Hartle throws an upper-80s Cutter (55). Hagen Smith tosses an upper-80s splitter (50) along with the ability to turn his slider into a 91 mph Cutter. Brody Brecht doesn’t offer a curve or change but sparsely throws a 93 mph Splitter (45). Yes, Cam Caminiti is the cousin of 3x All-Star & League MVP Ken Caminiti. Plus, he’s got a cool name, albeit unoriginal. Cam Cam does have two-way ability.
Just Missed MLB Pipeline’s Draft Top 100: Hunter Carns, C, First Coast HS (Jacksonville, FLA); Hunter Hines, 1B, Mississippi State; Peyton Stovall, 2B, Arkansas; Robert Hipwell, 3B, Santa Clara; Jonathan Vastine, SS, Vanderbilt; Paxton Kling, OF, Louisiana State; Carter Mathison, OF, Indiana; Casey Saucke, OF, Virginia; Payton Tolle, 1B/LHP, Texas Christian; Cooper Williams, LHP, Alvin (Texas) HS; Kyle Robinson, RHP, Texas Tech
Download the complete scouting list of the Top Minor Leaguers & Draft Prospects for 2024:
