The Major League Baseball amateur draft began Sunday night. Cleveland Guardians The three-day, 20-round event The team selected Oregon State second baseman Travis Bazzana with the first overall pick in franchise history.(The Guardians have selected second overall five times, most recently in 1992.)
Teams made a total of 74 picks on Sunday night. Rounds 1 and 2and several compensatory and supplementary phases.To see the winners and losers from day one, click here..
But as mentioned above, the draft doesn’t end on Sunday night. There are two more days before scouting departments across the league can take a breather and start working toward next year’s event.
With that in mind, here are 10 players worth keeping an eye on. Major League Baseball The draft will resume on Tuesday at 2 p.m. If applicable, Here’s where this player ranks on my top 50 list(Note: This does not include right-hander William Schmidt, who announced Sunday that he will enroll at LSU.)
1. Dakota Jordan, outfielder, Mississippi State (CBS Sports Rankings: No. 28)
Jordan possessed exceptional athleticism, reflected in above-average strength and speed metrics. Unfortunately, that utility was not there. He struck out in 31% of his plate appearances in SEC games, and in my research, only one other player had a notable MLB career that struck out that often. Edouard JulienOriginally an 18th-round pick, he has barely more than a season’s worth of at-bats under his belt and could be a star if Jordan’s employers can make the most of his attributes. But it looks like he’ll have to wait longer than expected to hear his name called.
2. Joey Oakey, RHP, Ankeny Centennial, Iowa (No. 42)
Oakey was ranked below a few more intriguing high school pitchers, which is what happened to be selected on Sunday night. Don’t get me wrong, the Iowa pitcher has a quality fastball/slider combination with a flat release point, and he seems like a candidate to be selected early on Day 2, unless his price tag makes him miss the cut.
3. Dax Whitney, RHP, Blackfoot High School (ID) (No. 45)
Whitney is another intriguing high school pitcher. He’s a big right-hander who has improved his velocity this year and has a well-balanced pitching style. Whitney is a bigger risk than many of the other players because he hasn’t faced the best players in Idaho. He has a strong commitment to Oregon State and could be able to fulfill that commitment even if he falls far short.
4. Mike Sirota, outfielder, Northeastern University (No. 47)
Shirota in spring, Chase DeLaughterthe 16th pick in the 2022 draft. Both were small-school outfielders with uncommon swings, so it was a lazy and logical choice in a way. DeLauter overcame a tough start and an early, season-ending injury to pitch midway through Day 1, while Sirota struggled early and slid into Day 2. He’s a good athlete who has walked more batters than strikeouts this season. He also performed well in the Cape Cod League last summer, albeit in a week’s worth of games. Someone will take the plunge.
5. Drew Beam, RHP, Tennessee (No. 49)
Beam will be joined by former rotation mates Chase Barnes and Chase DahlanderHowever, his performance has regressed in 2024 and likely won’t lead to a high selection as his pitcher’s arsenal is loaded with 50 and 55 grade offers. Beam should still be selected fairly early on Day 2.
6. Josh Hartle, LHP, Wake Forest
Hartl cracked the top 30 in my rankings in the spring, compensating for a so-so arsenal with a proven track record and competitive spirit. (One veteran scout named Hartl as the college pitcher he wanted on the mound in must-win games.) Unfortunately, Hartl had a miserable season for a well-stocked Demon Deacons team, posting a 5.79 ERA in 15 games and all of his per-nine innings stats were trending negatively. Given that Hartl doesn’t have top-tier ability, it’s understandable that teams would rank him low.
7. Tristan Smith, LHP, Clemson
Smith was an interesting high school player who chose Clemson University instead of going pro a few years ago. He played two seasons at the varsity level. Tigerswalking more than six batters per nine innings. He has the tools to be a starter and could be a worthwhile selection if a future employer can help him improve his control to an acceptable level.
8. Kevin Bazzell, C, Texas Tech University
Not only was Bazzell projected to be a catcher at the next level, he was also a good hitter in college, batting .330/.431/.530 with 16 home runs and more walks than strikeouts in two seasons with the Red Raiders. His contact and zone feel are his biggest selling points, and he should be an early contender on Day 2. (It’s worth noting that he missed a significant amount of time earlier in the spring recovering from mononucleosis.)
9. Peyton Stovall, 2B, Arkansas
Stovall is not an explosive player, nor is he likely to thrive as a cleanup hitter or defensive player at the next level. Still, teams are always interested in players who can put up numbers in the SEC. That’s exactly what Stovall did, slashing .315/.390/.532 in conference play while showing a mature approach and feel for the ball. With a lack of secondary skills, he’ll need to hit to win games, and some teams will be betting he’ll do just that on Monday.
10. Carson DeMartini, third baseman, Virginia Tech
DeMartini hit 21 home runs for the Hokies this season, but there are risks associated with his hitting ability, so it’s no surprise he was held up until Day 2. He’s struck out in nearly 28% of his plate appearances this season, but only around 26% in conference games. There’s also the possibility that DeMartini could move away from third base, putting even more pressure on his left handed bat to make it to the next level.
