2024 MLB Draft Chat

[Greg Pappas]

The draft kicks off on July 14th this year, running for three days in total.  The O's first four picks are at #22, #32, #61, and #97.  With the days counting down, it seems a good time to look at the latest news, opinion pieces, mocks, etc.

CBS Sports: Five potential picks who likely slipped down board, including who could go back to school

I was not high on Amick or White, so hopefully the O's will be looking elsewhere come draft time. 

MLB Pipeline: Mock Draft- June 20, 2024

Quote

22. Orioles: Brody Brecht, RHP, Iowa (No. 21)
Callis: “There's some risks because he doesn't have a lot of consistency in terms of throwing strikes. He also has only been playing baseball full-time for like a year and a half. ... He doesn't have five pitches like Paul Skenes, but the fastball-slider combination are similar to Paul Skenes. It's that overpowering. He doesn't have the command. He doesn't have the rest of it to go with it.”

Perfect Game: Top 400 Prospects

Edited Tuesday at 14:54 by Greg Pappas

[RZNJ]

I would hope that Amick and White, two RH hitters with defensive questions aren’t in the mix for either #22 or #32.    Assuming Benge, Honeycutt, and Moore are gone.   Most mocks had them going before #22 and Moore and Honeycutt had nice post seasons which may have sealed that.  I honestly don’t see all teams picking 10-21 passing on Brecht.   So, I’d be okay with any of the 4 players mentioned but I’d gamble on Brecht if I had a choice of all four.

Brecht and someone like Tyson Lewis (HS SS) would be my hope for the first two picks.   If Brecht isn’t there I’d prefer Gillen or Lindsey at #22 and still be fine with Lewis or best college pitcher at #32.   College pitchers.  HS bats.

[Greg Pappas]

1 hour ago, RZNJ said:

I would hope that Amick and White, two RH hitters with defensive questions aren’t in the mix for either #22 or #32.    Assuming Benge, Honeycutt, and Moore are gone.   Most mocks had them going before #22 and Moore and Honeycutt had nice post seasons which may have sealed that.  I honestly don’t see all teams picking 10-21 passing on Brecht.   So, I’d be okay with any of the 4 players mentioned but I’d gamble on Brecht if I had a choice of all four.

Brecht and someone like Tyson Lewis (HS SS) would be my hope for the first two picks.   If Brecht isn’t there I’d prefer Gillen or Lindsey at #22 and still be fine with Lewis or best college pitcher at #32.   College pitchers.  HS bats.

Yeah, this is one of the drafts I wouldn't be surprised to see Elias go outside of the college bat route.  College arms are intriguing at both #22 and #32.  I'm not enamored with the HS bats as much as I typically am, but there are a few that would be worth a shot in that range. 

Edited Tuesday at 17:27 by Greg Pappas

[Greg Pappas]

At 22, college bats Carson Benge and Kaelen Culpepper would seem to be Elias-type picks.  But with just 19 days to go, it won't be long to see how it plays out. 

Edited Tuesday at 21:21 by Greg Pappas

[RZNJ]

On 6/25/2024 at 1:26 PM, Greg Pappas said:

At 22, college bats Carson Benge and Kaelen Culpepper would seem to be Elias-type picks.  But with just 19 days to go, it won't be long to see how it plays out. 

It’s a mystery but I haven’t seen one recent mock that had Benge available at #22.  Of course, that means very little as there are always surprises, especially one you get past the first 8-10 picks.

[Greg Pappas]

MLB Pipeline:  Latest mock draft (June 27, 2024)

Quote

22. Orioles: Brody Brecht, RHP, Iowa (No. 21)
The Orioles also could opt for college hitters such as White, Honeycutt, Culpepper, Amick or one of the catchers, but Brecht's premium stuff and strong finish to the season will be hard to resist.

 

[RZNJ]

36 minutes ago, Greg Pappas said:

MLB Pipeline:  Latest mock draft (June 27, 2024)

 

I don’t believe he’ll be there, but if he is I hope we take him.  

[Jim'sKid26]

At #22 if Rainer or Bonemer are there you might consider what their respective $ numbers are and see if you can go underslot. This may work better for Bonemer (committed to UVA) than Rainer (committed to Texas) in the era of NIL.  If either Griffin or Morlando fall to #22 I would take them. I doubt that happens, however.

Another consideration is to go with a toolsy HS OF at 32. 6 of the top 10 HS players on PG list are OF. I like Noah Franco from IMG Academy at 32. "Noah Franco is a 2024 OF/LHP, 1B with a 6-3 192 lb. frame from Bradenton, FL who attends IMG Academy. Taller and high waisted frame with extra long limbs for the height. Ran a 6.52 in the sixty yard dash. A primary outfielder with really good instincts. Long strides and good routes, working through the ball with a fluid and clean funnel to release. Big arm strength at 96 mph. Lots of feel. Also has good ability at first base and the arm also plays extremely well there. A left-handed swing, the wrists are elite allowing him to flick the barrel with authority late in the process. All fields approach and lift and carry to the process. Hammered balls in game. A left-handed pitcher, loose arm action with big upside and the ball comes out clean and down hill. Ride to the heater when down. Lands the curveball and change up and sequences his three pitch mix well. Excellent athlete and the highest level 2-way potential at the next level. Excellent student. Named to the PG All-American Classic."

https://www.perfectgame.org/Rankings/Players/NationalRankings.aspx?gyear=2024

 

[Greg Pappas]

1 hour ago, Jim'sKid26 said:

At #22 if Rainer or Bonemer are there you might consider what their respective $ numbers are and see if you can go underslot. This may work better for Bonemer (committed to UVA) than Rainer (committed to Texas) in the era of NIL.  If either Griffin or Morlando fall to #22 I would take them. I doubt that happens, however.

Another consideration is to go with a toolsy HS OF at 32. 6 of the top 10 HS players on PG list are OF. I like Noah Franco from IMG Academy at 32. "Noah Franco is a 2024 OF/LHP, 1B with a 6-3 192 lb. frame from Bradenton, FL who attends IMG Academy. Taller and high waisted frame with extra long limbs for the height. Ran a 6.52 in the sixty yard dash. A primary outfielder with really good instincts. Long strides and good routes, working through the ball with a fluid and clean funnel to release. Big arm strength at 96 mph. Lots of feel. Also has good ability at first base and the arm also plays extremely well there. A left-handed swing, the wrists are elite allowing him to flick the barrel with authority late in the process. All fields approach and lift and carry to the process. Hammered balls in game. A left-handed pitcher, loose arm action with big upside and the ball comes out clean and down hill. Ride to the heater when down. Lands the curveball and change up and sequences his three pitch mix well. Excellent athlete and the highest level 2-way potential at the next level. Excellent student. Named to the PG All-American Classic."

https://www.perfectgame.org/Rankings/Players/NationalRankings.aspx?gyear=2024

 

 

I know that was from back in April, but here is there most recent update from 6/25/24: https://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=22962

They have him #97 overall. 

 

Also, there's this from MLB Pipeline, who ranks him #92:
 

Quote

Scouting grades: Fastball: 50 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50 | Overall: 45

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Arm: 60 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45

Originally thought to be one of the top players for the Class of 2025, Franco is one of several high schoolers who reclassified in order to be eligible for the 2024 Draft, making him one of the younger players to be considered. A legitimate two-way guy who has played for Team USA’s 18U team in 2022 qualifiers and on the 2023 team, the IMG Academy product has drawn interest on both sides of the ball.

While the jury is still out in terms of which way the industry truly likes him, it did seem there was a slight lean toward his skills as a left-handed hitter and outfielder entering the spring season, though some struggles at the plate have possibly shifted the pendulum toward the mound more. Throughout the summer showcase circuit, Franco showed very good bat-to-ball skills. It’s hit-over-power right now, but one can dream on the strength to come from natural leverage with his swing from his 6-foot-3 frame, even though his approach was inconsistent at times and scouts felt his swing had gotten too steep this spring. IMG surprisingly had him hitting near the bottom of the order at the start of the season, though he’s moved up since. He’s a sneaky good athlete and his arm is plus from the outfield and he played some first base this spring.

There’s projection on the mound as well, with a fastball that misses bats and is up to 93 mph already. He has a solid low-80s slider and a feel for a changeup as well, throwing all three for strikes. Left-handed pitching is hard to find, and that, along with some questions about his offensive profile, has shifted more evaluators to consider a future on the bump, though interested teams will have to contend with a commitment to Texas Christian.

 

Edited yesterday at 13:56 by Greg Pappas

[OsFanInOhio]

2 hours ago, Jim'sKid26 said:

At #22 if Rainer or Bonemer are there you might consider what their respective $ numbers are and see if you can go underslot. This may work better for Bonemer (committed to UVA) than Rainer (committed to Texas) in the era of NIL.  If either Griffin or Morlando fall to #22 I would take them. I doubt that happens, however.

Another consideration is to go with a toolsy HS OF at 32. 6 of the top 10 HS players on PG list are OF. I like Noah Franco from IMG Academy at 32. "Noah Franco is a 2024 OF/LHP, 1B with a 6-3 192 lb. frame from Bradenton, FL who attends IMG Academy. Taller and high waisted frame with extra long limbs for the height. Ran a 6.52 in the sixty yard dash. A primary outfielder with really good instincts. Long strides and good routes, working through the ball with a fluid and clean funnel to release. Big arm strength at 96 mph. Lots of feel. Also has good ability at first base and the arm also plays extremely well there. A left-handed swing, the wrists are elite allowing him to flick the barrel with authority late in the process. All fields approach and lift and carry to the process. Hammered balls in game. A left-handed pitcher, loose arm action with big upside and the ball comes out clean and down hill. Ride to the heater when down. Lands the curveball and change up and sequences his three pitch mix well. Excellent athlete and the highest level 2-way potential at the next level. Excellent student. Named to the PG All-American Classic."

https://www.perfectgame.org/Rankings/Players/NationalRankings.aspx?gyear=2024

 

I’m a bit confused by this post. Rainer is projected to be gone by 12 at the latest. He’s not going to be there at 22, and would be a huge OVERSLOT if he somehow was there. Mentioned in the same sentence as bonemer who was projected as a first round pick at one point but has fallen significantly. He could be an underslot, but the value of going underslot isn’t nearly as high at 22 as it is in the top 10 where you can save significant money. 
 

I also don’t get the connection with Griffen and morlando. Griffen is like Rainer, almost sure fire top 10. Morlando hasn’t really been mocked as a first round pick at all lately. I would be shocked if morlando was not there at 22, but would also be pretty disappointed with him as the pick given there’s a decent chance he’s a lf or 1b only prospect who hasn’t lived up to hitting expectations this year. 
 

that also seems like a real reach for Franco given where he’s ranked and mocked the last few months. If we take a hs outfielder, Slade Caldwell is the one I’d be interested in. Seen a comp or two to Corbin Carrol wi th a little less pop, which wouldn’t be bad to take a shot on and see what our development can do with. 

Edited yesterday at 15:19 by OsFanInOhio

[Roll Tide]

On 6/28/2024 at 12:59 PM, Greg Pappas said:

MLB Pipeline:  Latest mock draft (June 27, 2024)

 

Doughty looks interesting and should be there. Elias team likes spin rate and he has a 3000 rpm with his Curveball and 97 MPH heater.

[Roll Tide]

Jonathan Mayo has us selecting Theo Gillen

 

https://www.perfectgame.org/players/playerprofile.aspx?ID=673781

[Roll Tide]

Quote

Prospects Live has the Orioles coloring outside the lines a bit with their selection of prep bat PJ Morlando. 

“This pick is a bit unorthodox for what the Orioles typically look for, but it was admittedly tough to figure out a pick that would fit here at this point. Morlando’s pick here is a big upside idea, though, as his bat may be the best in the prep class with hitterish traits and loud power. He’d fit in left field with Baltimore, given the pushback of the wall, too. It’s a bit of a wild card, and we might be a bit crazy, but it’s food for thought. If someone like James Tibbs III falls to here, though, Baltimore would be all over him.”

 

[Roll Tide]

Quote

ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel has the O’s taking Oklahoma State outfielder Carson Benge at No. 22. 

“Benge and Cameron Smith are the two college bats in this range who I think it is easiest to imagine fixing/adjusting their swings to succeed in the pros, and both of them come with the upside you’d normally find only in the prep ranks. Benge is a plus runner who also has a plus arm (he has been clocked into the mid-90s on the mound) along with strong underlying hitting metrics, so he likely won’t get past this pick, given his fit to Baltimore’s historical prospect type. Kaelen Culpepper comes up here, as does Waldschmidt, along with Honeycutt and Kellon Lindsey, though they may be more likely to fit at No. 32.”

Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter has the Orioles taking Benge as well. 

Benge is a two-way player and a legitimate prospect on the mound, but he’s going to stick as an outfielder at the next level. He slashed .342/.451/.680 with 23 doubles, 17 home runs, 62 RBI, and 10 stolen bases for OSU this season.

https://www.bleachernation.com/mlb/2024/06/07/orioles-1st-round-mock/

[OsFanInOhio]

1 hour ago, Roll Tide said:

Doughty looks interesting and should be there. Elias team likes spin rate and he has a 3000 rpm with his Curveball and 97 MPH heater.

I think we have only taken two hs pitchers since Elias took over that can recall (baumler and showalter). Not something I expect to see