BSBWrites is proud to present our first combined mock draft for the 2024 MLB Draft. Some selections may seem obvious, others you may question, but that is the fun when it comes to these mock drafts. Without further ado, we present the BSBWrites Mock Draft Version 1.0.

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Pick #1: Cleveland Selects 3B/OF Charlie Condon (Georgia)

Condon, one of the highest-climbing draft prospects in this year’s class, has been nothing short of dominant at Georgia. He now holds the all-time NCAA home run record and is in line to become the first Bulldog to be taken first overall. Condon’s bat is far beyond his age, and he’s possessed a lot of tools that end up profiling better than Dylan Crews did during his final year at LSU. If Crews was on the level of generational talent, just imagine what someone better than that would look like at the next level. His quality of contact, eye, power, and positional versatility make him a beast on all sides of the ball. With some considering him to be “College Baseball’s Barry Bonds”, he’s a surefire bet for the Guardians with the 1:1 selection.

Pick #2: Cincinnati Selects INF Travis Bazzana (Oregon State)

Bazzana could become the first player with Australian descent to be taken in the first few picks of the MLB draft, and he would be a slam dunk for anyone who wants to take the shot on him. He has reached career highs this season in every category and looks to be a safe pick for any team asking for his services. He looks to join an elite company with Adley Rutschman and Nick Madrigal as Beavers taken within the first five picks. He profiles to be a middle infield version of Rockies outfielder Carlos González, showing elite contact and solid power at the dish. For the Reds, Bazzana would fit perfectly at number 2 overall.

Pick #3: Colorado Selects LHP/1B Jac Caglianone (Florida)

Caglianone could be the closest prospect we have seen that could handle the Ohtani style of being a two-way talent. Caglione, nicknamed Jac-Tani, is one of the most talented Florida Gators of all time. Many project him as only a first baseman but a team like the Rockies could explore both possibilities. His hitting has skyrocketed this year as his pitching has stayed the same but the prospect as a whole is incredibly impressive. Elite power paired with the run environment at Coors Field profiles really well for Caglianone. Even though his arm may not be top tier, it would be second to third round talent when isolated on its own. When you get Caglianone, it really seems like you get two elite players with all the potential in the world.

Pick #4: Oakland Selects OF Braden Montgomery (Texas A&M)

Braden Montgomery, a very toolsy outfielder from Texas A&M has arguably some of the most potential in the first round. Montgomery has been seen on mocks as high as 3 and as low as 11, so he’s really a toss up as to where he lands. The Stanford transfer looked to take on the SEC when he joined the Aggies, and he has handled it phenomenally. The strikeout percentage is a tiny concern for this heavy hitter, but with the level of offensive upside he provides, it’s worth the risk. Oakland could use anything and everything, so this could go many different ways. However, it’s hard to ignore the offensive prowess Montgomery would bring to Oakland. 

Pick #5: Chicago Selects SS/OF Konnor Griffin (Jackson Prep)

Griffin, the highest-rated high school prospect is a wild card when it comes to finding the most ideal spot in our mock. He, like Montgomery, can be a case for any team 3-11. He is currently committed to LSU in a loaded recruiting class for the upcoming year, but it seems more than likely he will turn pro. Similar to another prospect later in our mock, Griffin was reclassified from 2025 to 2024. Griffin has shown a lot of tools, but his long-term position is unknown although his abilities are through the roof. Griffin has shown elite speed, and the ability to manage his barrel well, but he has shown some holes in his game at the plate. With Chicago getting closer and closer to selling off and rebuilding, Griffin is the perfect “project” that the White Sox could take on.

Pick #6: Kansas City Selects RHP Chase Burns (Wake Forest)

The most highly touted pitching prospect in a first round that doesn’t have many arms, Burns’ transfer from Tennessee to the powerhouse of Wake Forest, paid dividends. Wake, a well known pitching factory at this point, has done their number on Burns, making him into a legitimate ace with multiple plus pitches. His fastball can reach up to 102 mph but some scouts worry about his longevity as a starter due to lack of control on the hill. Burns’ raw shape on his heater is very good, and the rest of his arsenal plays the same way. Burns is an electric arm, and the potential is there. Can Kansas City find and produce an ace in Chase Burns?

Pick #7: St. Louis Selects 1B Nick Kurtz (Wake Forest)

With our mock draft, it appears as though back-to-back Wake Forest players will go 6 and 7 with Nick Kurtz landing in St. Louis. Paul Goldschmidt’s days are numbered with the Cardinals and this powerful left-hander can be a difference-maker. An early season injury unfortunately dropped him and JJ Wetherholt to this part of the draft but don’t let that fool you. His talents are some that you would only find in a video game. His power is legitimate, and the contact should also play up. Kurtz is one of the best hitters in this draft from a raw perspective, and it should be exciting to see what he does under the Cardinals player development.

Pick #8: Los Angeles Selects RHP Trey Yesavage (East Carolina)

Yesavage and the Angels have been linked for a while and there even have been some rumors of him signing instantly and being on the big league roster. Will he save the Angels money as opposed to someone like Hagan Smith? Yes. His fastball has improved and he has a decent selection of pitches to choose from. Yesavage has a lot of upside on the mound, and his arsenal is very interesting. His slider/cutter type pitch pairs well with his fastball, and he could be a very successful big league arm. The question is; Will the Angels rush another prospect to the big league level?

Pick #9: Pittsburgh Selects 2B/SS JJ Wetherholt (West Virginia)

It would be a shocker to nobody if Wetherholt falls here, the Pittsburgh/Mars connection strikes again. From the same school that produced Pirates closer David Bednar, comes another top-of-the-line talent in J.J. Wetherholt. At the beginning of the season, he was talked about as one of the first selections, but a hamstring injury sidelined him for a month or so and he slipped a little. He’s not the most flashy at times but he is a smart hard-nosed ball player—something the Pirates desperately need. Wetherholt’s contact ability has really played well this year, and his ability to produce high exit velocities even with this approach is incredibly valuable. 

Pick #10: Washington Selects LHP Hagen Smith (Arkansas)

Washington has not picked a pitcher in round 1 since Cade Cavalli in 2020, and there’s a very good chance that Hagen Smith changes this track record. They’ve loaded up on bats, and now they need to load up on pitching. His arm drew some concern after TJ surgery in high school, but he has stayed healthy since. His fastball has topped at 100 mph and also offers a deadly slider and cutter. His strikeout stuff is very impressive, as he’s been seen striking out a good amount of the college bats in the country. With a strong end of season showing, Smith could surpass Burns as the top pitching prospect in this year’s draft.

Pick #11: Detroit Selects SS Bryce Rainer (Studio City)

Rainer, the second-best high school prospect comes off the board with the no-direction Detroit Tigers. Him and Max Clark both will need time, and they will be a force when ready. The Tigers have plenty of time to develop Rainer. Rainer has improved immensely defensively this season and fires hard contact when at the plate. He went from being a late-first round pick during before the high school season, to now being one of the top prep prospects on the board. Rainer has been seen going much higher as well, but the pairing in Detroit just seems to good to pass up. He has a commitment to Texas, but scouts believe he will turn to professional ball with his draft prowess.

Pick #12: Boston Selects OF/SS Seaver King (Wake Forest)

King, the third and final Wake Forest product of round one ships off to Boston at pick #12. Seaver King transferred from D2 Wingate, and has continued his dominant play. He has a strikeout problem that can be tuned with time but all other attributes of his are nearly ready for professional ball. His long term position will be figured out with time, but versatility is something Boston has never shied away from. His elite bat speed at the plate makes it tough to see him be beaten by velocity, which will be an incredibly valuable trait at the next level. His contact skills still allow for some power, and he’ll be an exciting prospect to follow as he transitions to pro ball.

Pick #13: San Francisco Selects OF James Tibbs III (Florida State)

Tibbs, one of the highest climbing prospect we have seen in recent memory, lands in the Bay Area. Though his power is not as high as his teammate Cam Smith’s, Tibbs possesses the power of continuous hitting. He has more home runs than strikeouts this season, he’s smart, and like Wetherholt, not flashy but play hard. Tibbs’ plate discipline is very good, and we believe he could have some of the better plate awareness in the draft. His power can be tapped into strongly, showing real maturity at the plate. There is a chance he could play first base as well which the Giants also could utilize in the future.

Pick #14: Chicago Selects 3B Cam Smith (Florida State)

With the Cubs picking Smith here at number 14, that means back-to-back Seminoles head off the board. His power off the bat is a force to be reckoned with, as he may profile to be a 30 home run hitter if everything goes right. Smith possesses a strong arm, and decent speed, and his strikeout rate continues to decrease. All of these factors will heavily play into his success in the Major Leagues. The Cubs will need a power bat in the future, and Smith could be that answer. Though a frustrating player at times, when he’s on, look out. 

Pick #15: Seattle Selects RHP Brody Brecht (Iowa)

Brecht went to Iowa as a two-sport player wanting to focus more on football, but soon that focus switched to solely baseball and now he projects as a mid to late first-rounder. His fastball and slider when they’re elite have been compared to some of the best. He has topped at 101 mph but location has been part of the issues. At times, scouts have drew comparisons to him and Paul Skenes, which is incredibly impressive. Brecht has a fantastic slider, and the Mariners love to work with pitchers with a similar profile. If any team can tune up a pitcher, it’s Seattle.

MIA #16: OF Vance Honeycutt (North Carolina)

Honeycutt, a very talented outfielder from the University of North Carolina, has a chance to be the first first-round pick taken from the school since Aaron Sabato by the Twins in 2020. Honeycutt possesses great contact skills paired with a 25-30 home run potential. Pairing this with his elite speed and fielding ability, Honeycutt has a shot to do some serious damage at the big league level. For the Marlins to get Vance at number 16 overall would be amazing, considering that he’s a player with a 5-tool upside, as well as someone who was once ranked much higher on these lists.

MIL #17: OF/RHP Carson Benge (Oklahoma State)

Carson Benge, a legitimate two-way candidate, enters this year’s draft with some of the highest upside in the first round if everything goes right. Scouts have praised Benge at the plate, saying that his bat alone would be a surefire first-round tool. However, when you pair this with his arm which scouts consider to be third-round talent, you end up finding a very interesting prospect with Benge. He has fantastic bat-to-ball skills, and projects to be this year’s Nolan McLean. If Benge becomes a Brewer, he’s luckily set to be the best prospect in the system.

TB #18: LHP Cam Caminiti (Saguaro HS)

Cam Caminiti, cousin of former big leaguer Ken Caminiti, has had quite the path to the top in his high school career. Originally, Cam was set to be one of the first players taken off the board in the 2025 draft, but he reclassified for the chance to get into professional baseball as soon as possible. Caminiti is currently committed to LSU, but if he’s taken this high in the draft, I highly doubt he’ll ever step foot on a college mound. With Caminiti being one of the younger players in the draft due to his reclassification, teams get more of a chance to develop him how they please, and the ability to treat this pick more carefully. The Rays love their high school players, and Caminiti looks to be the next big high school prospect in the Tampa Bay farm.

NYM #19: OF Dakota Jordan (Mississippi State)

Dakota Jordan, one of the stronger players in this year’s first round, looks to join the likes of Rafael Palmerio, Will Clark, and more as a Mississippi State first-round product. Out of all the players in the first round, Jordan possesses some of the best raw power, some of which might come from his three-star football career. He has some of the best bat speed in the draft, let alone the first round, which really helps his power projection out as well. He also grades out with 60-65 speed as well, which could be a dangerous pairing with his power at the big league level. 

TOR #20: C Malcolm Moore (Stanford)

Malcolm Moore, the highest-ranked catcher in this year’s draft by many publications, looks to be the best fit for the Blue Jays at number 20 overall. Moore has some serious raw power when he chooses to dive into it, which will be a huge component of his game at the next level. When he was a high school prospect in 2020, he drew comparisons to other extremely talented prospects such as Tyler Soderstrom, Joey Bart, and more. Moore doesn’t chase often and has great in-zone hitting ability. He rarely gets beat with two strikes, which is exactly what the Blue Jays offense needs more of in their lineup. 

MIN #21: OF Slade Caldwell (Valley View)

Slade Caldwell, a 17-year-old outfield prospect from Arkansas, looks to be one of the more toolsy players in this year’s draft. Caldwell, a Mississippi State commit, has a chance to join the likes of Torii Hunter as one of the best outfielders from his home state. Caldwell has shown elite speed, often earning him a 65 grade by a lot of publications, as well as a fantastic hit tool. While high school prospects are typically a work in progress, Caldwell is quite the opposite. His power is subpar for the time being, but he still has plenty of time to grow into his body and develop. As for right now, his speed and contact approach reminds me a lot of Evan Carter. For the Twins to pair Caldwell with their 2023 first round pick Walker Jenkins, this would be a huge win.

BAL #22: LHP Jonathan Santucci (Duke)

Jonathan Santucci, a left-handed pitcher from Duke University, is set to be one of the most interesting players taken in the first round. Jonathan is one of the more complete pitchers outside of the top 10 picks, as his fastball and slider have both been considered 60-grade pitches. His changeup also plays up, ending up giving him a similar mix and pitching style as Pirates 2021 first-rounder Anthony Solometo. Santucci’s one area he lacks in is control, but with some time in professional baseball, he’ll adjust greatly. Santucci, a prospect whose name has been thrown all around the first round, would be a fantastic fit for the Baltimore Orioles as they look to improve their pitching depth through this year’s draft.

LAD #23: RHP William Schmidt (Catholic HS)

William Schmidt, another one of LSU’s prospects in their amazing 2025 recruiting class, looks to enter this year’s draft with some of the most upside from any high school arm. Schmidt is often ranked a lot higher in most mock drafts, but with the players ahead of him being hard to overlook, Schmidt makes a lot of sense here. In addition, the Dodgers getting their hands on Schmidt would be dangerous for the rest of the league. His arsenal often grades out incredibly well, especially his 70-grade curveball. It tends to reach around 3,000 RPM, which is reminiscent of Jackson Jobe’s slider in the 2021 MLB Draft. If Schmidt ends up falling to the Dodgers, look out, because he is an ace in the making.

ATL #24: LHP Kash Mayfield (Elk City)

Kash Mayfield, another high school left-handed pitcher, has shown dangerous potential out on the mound during his senior season. Mayfield was relatively an under-the-radar player following his 2023 season, but he’s jumped onto the radar of plenty of teams this spring. Mayfield’s fastball saw a huge jump in velocity, going from the upper 80s to the mid-high 90s. He’s one of the older high school prospects on this list, as he’ll be 19 on draft day, but this shouldn’t be an issue. Mayfield would be a great pickup for the Atlanta Braves in this year’s draft, but time will tell as to where he lands.

SD #25: LHP David Shields (Mt. Lebanon)

Shields at number 25 may feel high to some, but the once 2025 prospect has turned heads this season. His fastball has reached 94 mph and strikeouts his opponents quickly. His control comes into question as does his commitment to Miami. But with Shields likely going in the Comp A round at the absolute latest, there’s a very good chance he’s going to be heading to professional ball. The Padres could use another arm in the farm, and this one doesn’t need to be rushed. With the right tuning, this could be a diamond in the rough. 

NYY #26: RHP Ryan Sloan (York)

Barring a Wake Forest commitment, Sloan could be one of the steals of the draft if he lands in the right place. His fastball ranges from 93-96 mph and tops out at 99. His changeup also can be deadly and challenging to many pro hitters, proving to provide great upside at the next level. Also offering a slider, his three-pitch approach is already near pro-ready. Similar to Shields, some control work is all he needs to maintain a successful career, and with the Yankees, this may be a match made in heaven if everything goes to plan.

PHI #27: 2B Christian Moore (Tennessee) 

Christian Moore, another Tennessee Vol, heads off the board and lands in the city of brotherly love at pick number 27. Moore is an aggressive hitter, which will either hurt or harm him at the plate. His bat speed, strength, and baseball IQ are top-notch. His defense is ranked as about average but will need work if he wants a shot at the big-league level.  Outfield is also a possibility for Moore, with Bryson Stott holding the 2B position for now. Moore has been one of the biggest risers on draft boards since the season began, as he was looking to be around a third round pick come July. Now, he’s slated to be a top 30 pick, and potentially one of the best gets of the entire draft.

HOU #28: C Caleb Lomavita (California)

Caleb Lomavita is an extremely talented catcher, who can go toe to toe with Malcolm Moore and Walker Janek for debatably the best catcher in the draft. His bat has improved massively in 2024, along with raw power that a team like the Astros is known to tap into.  The arm strength and athleticism are there, but some more fine tuning of the catcher position can turn Lomavita into an everyday star. Lomavita has some of the best potential in the draft, as his tools will carry him throughout his pro journey. With Houston lacking some catching depth in the system, Lomavita would have teams saying “Houston we have a problem.” if he lands with the Astros.

AZ #29: RHP Bryce Cunningham (Vanderbilt)

A lot of work has gone into making Bryce Cunningham one of the best pitchers in the draft. This spring, he’s showcased a more refined arsenal, including better location for his mid-90s fastball along with his changeup and slider that can do some serious damage. The strength and athleticism he has improved this year as well, which have also helped his draft stock skyrocket. He still has more to work on with the slider, but Cunningham has a case to be more than a lower rotation arm. Cunningham strikes a lot of people as a similar arm to Owen Murphy, another former first round pick. With all things going the right way, Cunningham will be a dangerous arm for the Dbacks.

TEX #30: 3B Tommy White (LSU)

Tommy White, nicknamed Tommy Tanks, gives off the type of profile you’d see in a Kyle Schwarber type of player. He hits bombs and he rarely swings and misses, which will be huge at the next level. Last year, us here at BSBWrites found ourselves praising his former teammate Dylan Crews, for his advanced two-strike approach, which Tommy White also takes part in. This toe-down style of hitting, makes it really hard for a pitcher to blow past White while down in the count. White sees the ball well, and always puts the barrel on it. His defense and athleticism will more than likely place him at first base in the future, but the bat on this national champion is one of the best in this draft class.

AZ #31 PPI: C Walker Janek (Sam Houston)

Unfortunately, based organizational needs, Janek ends up last of the big three catchers. This isn’t a knock at Janek at all, as Arizona still comes away with a first-round level talent at 31. Janek will fill some much needed catching depth in Arizona, just by his presence alone. He can control the running game fairly well, and his arm is deadly. His bat speed is impressive and he shows his strength at times at the plate. Strikeouts are the main concern behind the plate for Janek, however, with more time and instruction in pro ball, these should dip in no time. Still, Janek remains as one of the best catchers in this year’s draft.

BAL #32 PPI: OF P.J. Morlando (Summerville)

P.J. Morlando has found himself going anywhere from 9-59 over the past year, but one thing remains the same; He is incredibly talented. He has improved his ability to work counts, but he needs to be able to more consistently tap into his power at the dish. However, scouts know that it’s there, and just a matter of time until it comes along. Baltimore seems to have a knack for finding incredible prospects under the radar and turning them into great players. This has led to many fans posing the question with Morlando and Baltimore being a perfect fit. With little legitimate outfield depth in their system, Morlando could provide a lot of fallback options. Is this a match made in heaven?

MIN #33 C1: SS/3B Caleb Bonemer (Okemos)

When it comes to drafting Caleb Bonemer, picking him early may be the only solution to get him away from his college commitment to Virginia. Bonemer has shown one of the top bat speeds in of all the 2024 draft class. He also has that aggressive approach that tends to cost him in the strikeout category, but can sometimes make up for it with his raw power. His defense is very good, and can slot him at both third base and shortstop. The potential is all there for Bonemer, but will he stay true to his college commitment or turn pro? Regardless, this match for Bonemer and Minnesota would be perfect.

MIL #34 Comp A: SS/2B Theo Gillen (Westlake)

Theo Gillen is incredibly talented, but injuries have plagued Gillen for a large portion of his high school career, which tends to be the main concern when drafting him. Although he had to play the catch up game in his high school career, Gillen is back as the top high school prospect in Texas. Many scouts think he has the best high school bat in the draft. Gillen’s long-term position could be middle infield or outfield, but he has the capabilities to do it all already. Gillen would be a very interesting pickup for any team in need of a middle infield prospect with upside, but especially with the Brewers. Gillen could pair well with Cooper Pratt, and make for a solid middle infield of the future.

AZ #35 Comp A: 3B Billy Amick (Tennessee)

Billy Amick is a big wild card in a draft full of them every where you look. He can go as high as 12 or as low as a mid-round 2 selection, as scouts have truly viewed his talents as being all over the place. His dad was a former NASCAR driver, and Amick comes to Tennessee as a Clemson transfer. The raw power he possesses is how he keeps his name up with the rest of the better prospects, but his strikeout problem this season is a big reason for his plummet in our mock. His speed and athleticism can use work, and with time the Diamondbacks could fine-tune this promising prospect. Amick ends up seeming to be the definition of a boom or bust selection.

CLE #36 Comp A: RHP Ben Hess (Alabama)

Following the 2021 high school season, Hess turned down pro offers as Illinois’s top high school recruit chose to attend Alabama. Dealing with injuries for parts of his first two seasons, he has stayed healthy in 2024 which has been a very good thing for his draft stock. Offering a mid-90s fastball topping at 99, as well as a slider, curveball, and a changeup, his arsenal is already very efficient. With some fine tuning, and more experience on the professional field, Hess could find himself in the conversation as one of the better arms in the Minor Leagues. Staying healthy and more consistent control are all Hess needs to be a successful selection.

PIT #37 Comp A: OF Mike Sirota (Northeastern)

Mike Sirota, one of the more talented and promising outfield prospects in this year’s draft, seems to be overlooked by many mock draft outlets due to his game. He possesses raw power, a strong arm, and has the speed that can kill opponents on the basepaths. He’s had problems with timing this spring, but that should not scare teams that much. Sirota has been seen as a mid to late first round selection, but ends up falling to the Pirates at number 37 overall on our mock. With the Bucs having a huge lack of legitimate offense in their system, Sirota would make a huge impact. The all-around makeup of Sirota makes him somewhat pro-ready already, which fits perfectly with Pittsburgh moving into a better place competitive wise.

COL #38 Comp A: SS Carter Johnson (Oxford)

A mature hitter from the state of Alabama, Johnson shows good speed and an overall solid game on the diamond. He has great hands at shortstop, but sometimes lacks the range and quickness needed to properly stick at the position. He has the pop, but he needs work on keeping it more consistent. He’s shown a strong commitment to Alabama, can the Rockies sway him with some serious first round cash if all goes to plan. Johnson would be a fantastic add to the Colorado farm, and with his power potentially becoming more consistent, it could really flourish in Coors Field.

KC #39 Comp A: RHP Drew Beam (Tennessee)

The final pick we will cover in version 1.0 of our mock drafts, is another Tennessee Vol. Drew Beam offers a mid-80s changeup which is the best selection in his arsenal. The changeup has been devastating at times, confusing hitters and leaving them flabbergasted at the dish. The fastball sits in the mid 90s topping, at 98. Beam also features a curveball and a cutter, both of which could prove to be plus pitches with some fine tuning. He makes his money off groundballs, not strikeouts, but many scouts call him one of the safest picks in the draft, especially when it comes to established arms.

Conclusion

Out of all four major American sports, the MLB Draft has proven time and time again that it is the most interesting and strategic draft of them all. With plenty of legitimate collegiate prospects being seen in the first round this year, this year’s draft is arguably one of the most important of recent memory. For many teams, they’ll be selecting a player who may end up being seen in the Major League level within a few years. And for others, this draft is make or break for setting up their next playoff window. With just a few short months until the draft, a lot can still happen, and it will be very fun to follow along with.