MLB 2024 Draft

[Gson]

I just don't think what you're seeing on whatever you're watching is accurate.

Brecht ceiling is 5th round right now. 32 walks in 40 IP and an era of almost 5 in the big 10 because he can't throw strikes isn't going to be seen as a good thing. You're not as hard on the other pitchers accuracy as you are smith's, and no Smith doesn't thrown sidewinder lol

If you don't know what I'm seeing.. how can it be inaccurate.. smh..

 

[CalBuckeyeRob]

In baseball, can you workout players before the draft? Could they send Valaika to meet with the hitters they are looking at to see if he sees any issues in their approach and ability to adjust?

 

[KFlash_12]

Caglianone probably isn't in our plans, but he just hit an estimated 516 foot home run

 

[KFlash_12]

I'll beat my dead horse.

We are likely to see the best Australian baseball players EVER to start breaking into the Major League. There is value here.... How much? IDK,

Curtis Mead - playing for Tampa and a top 50-60 prospect.
Travis Bazzana - is probably the most famous baseball player in NZ and Australia already. If he hits All-Star/MVP type status - he will be HUGE.
A couple more guys in college and some commits to major college baseball programs...

Baseball in Australia is about to see it's biggest popularity strike ever... Coincidently, Australia's biggest star/most notable alumnus before Bazzana was also a second baseman and he managed and played for the Cleveland Spiders in 1899.

From Wikipedia: He was, as a player, arguably the best hitter on the Spiders team that he managed, which is considered to have been the worst team in major league history. His record as a manager: 23-132 good for a Winning% of .148

Joe Quinn (second baseman) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Baseball: Ex-Captain Jason Smit retires

Indians minor-league outfielder Jason Smit, promoted recently from the Lake County Captains to Kinston, has voluntarily retired. The 20-year-old Smit, a native of Australia, was hitting .344 with t…

www.google.com

We also had Jason Smit, who was looking like a good promising prospect

 

[KFlash_12]

Bazzana got hurt on a HBP last night, he didn't go to the hospital but he did leave the game

 

[KFlash_12]

Bazzana DNP tonight

 

[Damage]

Looking at the roster though, we have been pretty solid at producing heavy double hitters who add some random HRs...

We haven't been able to produce HR hitters who hit for a decent BA... We badly need a power hitting RH... Condon on paper should hit for decent average plus add that power we don't have hence why I think a lot of people want him. He adds an element that we don't have, at least on paper...

Now, I feel like we are for sure going with a bat number 1... I don't think we lose if we go with Bazzana, Condon or Montgomery... Now, Bazzana fits Guardians FOs MO for years, so my money would lean that way IF I was forced to bet, but I'd rather get a Condon since he adds something we don't have...

I hate doing comps but I'm gonna do it anyways.

Best case scenario's:

1. Bazzana: Mini Trout or Bigger Altuve
2. Condon: Bryce Harper
3. Montgomery: Nolan Jones arm with Christian Yelich bat
4. Kurtz: Christian Olsen

 

[Meatwad]

Looks like Keith Law has Condom over Banana: Link

This draft is really atrocious after the top tier or two — there’s a very strong group of eight college players who should be the first eight picks in some order, then a decent second tier of guys from the college and high school ranks that maybe gets us to about pick 20, and then the position player group and the college pitchers just kind of fall apart. There are certainly interesting players beyond that, and if you are willing to swim in the high school pitching pond there are plenty of those guys to sign, but this year’s draft is going to have a lot of first rounders who wouldn’t go nearly that high in a typical draft.

1. Charlie Condon, OF, 3B

What more could Condon possibly do this spring to cement himself as the top player in the draft? He’s hitting for average and ridiculous power, he’s getting on base, he’s not chasing or striking out, he’s playing solid defense in center field — and he’s doing it all in the SEC. He has electric bat speed, and he’s got a lean, athletic frame that should let him put on a little more strength to compensate for the power he’ll lose going from tin bats to wood. I don’t think he’s a center fielder in the long run, but he’ll be an above-average defender somewhere else, with the potential for a huge triple-slash line. He may not be the first pick, but he is the best prospect in the class.

2. Travis Bazzana, 2B

Bazzana might have the best story in the draft — he grew up in Australia, playing all through high school there, excelling in the Australian Baseball League as a teenager, then coming to the U.S. to further his career by playing in college. He might be the best pure hitter in the draft class, both in terms of contact and overall contact quality, and his baseball IQ is apparently off-the-charts — even more amazing for someone who grew up in a country where baseball lags behind many other sports. He doesn’t offer projection or further upside; what you see is what you get, but it’s more than enough for him to be a top-5 pick and at least serve as an alternative at 1-1 if Cleveland doesn’t want to take Condon.

3. Nick Kurtz, 1B

Kurtz got off to a miserable start this year for the Demon Deacons, where all he was doing was drawing walks, but after a shoulder injury, he came back on a mission, hitting 14 homers in 10 games through Tuesday and showing scouts that he’s more than willing to swing the bat. He’s limited to first base so he has a higher bar to clear at the plate, but he has the kind of bat speed and raw power that would let him be an above-average or better regular there.

4. Jac Caglianone, 1B, LHP

Let’s just dispense with the two-way talk — Caglianone’s future is in the batter’s box. It’s 80 raw power, the best in the class, and he’s shown some improvements in his approach this year, although I think his real opportunity for growth will come when he gives up pitching. He is up to 98 mph and can spin a breaking ball, but it’s an ugly, cross-body delivery, with one Tommy John already on his resume and an injury scare in pre-season this year. Just let the kid hit dingers.

5. JJ Wetherholt, 2B

Wetherholt came into 2024 in that group of players who might go 1-1, but the spring hasn’t gone as planned, as he’s been hurt and only played one weekend in the field, although he’s at least hit well when he’s played. He’s a contact hitter who’s hit everywhere and has shown he can hit better stuff. Defensively, he’s limited to second base but is more than adequate there. The knock on Wetherholt is that he hasn’t been durable: He missed over a month this spring with a different injury to the same hamstring that he hurt last summer, and that’s just increasing the questions about whether his modest stature is a real cause for concern. He’s only DH’d since he returned from the injury, and may not return to the field for another week or two. It’s possible that this is nothing and some team will get a steal if he slides a few picks because teams didn’t get as many looks at him or are concerned about his ability to hold up for 150+ games a year.

6. Chase Burns, RHP
7. Hagen Smith, LHP
8. Braden Montgomery, OF, RHP

Edit: Since people are talking Montgomery

Montgomery was a first-round talent out of high school, but his Stanford commitment made him unsignable. After two seasons on the Farm, he transferred this year to College Station and he’s taken off with the bat, showing tremendous bat speed and plus power from both sides. He’s a good enough athlete that he should at least go out as a center fielder, with a plus-plus arm that will let him settle in right. His hit tool isn’t as advanced as those of Condon, Bazzana, or Wetherholt, though, which is why I don’t have him in the top 5.

 

[Tondo]

Since Law is grade A fade material, this seals the deal

 

[macbdog]

Ok, I'm back on the Condon Train. Numbers don't lie.

 

[KFlash_12]

I hate doing comps but I'm gonna do it anyways.

Best case scenario's:

1. Bazzana: Mini Trout or Bigger Altuve
2. Condon: Bryce Harper
3. Montgomery: Nolan Jones arm with Christian Yelich bat
4. Kurtz: Christian Olsen

I don't think Harper is a good comparison for Condon, unless it's later career Harper that's playing first. Condon isn't very athletic in the field and doesn't have the best arm.

 

[KFlash_12]

Ok, I'm back on the Condon Train. Numbers don't lie.

Chase numbers would have to keep me on the bazzana train. Better eye in college usually translates to longer term mlb success the best

 

[cliffdawg]

I totally trust the Guardian Brain Trust on this Decision, and will be happy with either choice if it’s between Condon or Bazzana

 

[cliffdawg]

Another Thing someone mention the Cap Cod League is before the Draft, if I’m going to be a top 20 pick or whatever why would I play in the Cap Cod league especially if I’m going potentially top 5 base on my college performance…….

 

[KFlash_12]

Looks like Keith Law has Condom over Banana: Link













6. Chase Burns, RHP
7. Hagen Smith, LHP
8. Braden Montgomery, OF, RHP

Edit: Since people are talking Montgomery

I think that write up is why Cleveland takes Bazzana. We have to remember Law also usually has a bonner for SEC players too