2024 MLB Draft Report: College World Series and NCBWA Awards

The College World Series bracket is set, and I’m OK with how my bracket turned out. I didn’t fare well in Regionals, but I correctly predicted four teams making it to Omaha. 

Josh’s College World Series Picks

College World Series Bracket

Picking a winner out of this field is very tough, especially with how strong Bracket 1 is. It starts with an ACC tilt between North Carolina and Virginia and is followed by a fantastic matchup between Tennessee and Florida State. Shoot, the Chicago White Sox and Arizona Diamondbacks complete the baseball-watching trifecta for Friday, and that might be the least entertaining game.

From an MLB Draft perspective, I think Bracket 1 features three players who have helped their draft stock this postseason:

• North Carolina outfielder Vance Honeycutt
• Tennessee second baseman Christian Moore
• Florida State outfielder James Tibbs III 

Honeycutt was a difference-maker for North Carolina in the Super Regionals against West Virginia. In Game 1, he sealed the victory with a walk-off two-run homer, and in Game 2, he started with a home run. Honeycutt's standout feature is his 70-grade defensive outfield skills, coupled with a surprising amount of power in his swing. However, his contact rate is a concern as strikeouts are accumulating. Despite this, I anticipate Honeycutt to be among the first 25 picks, solidifying his first-round status. 

For a moment, I thought Moore could be available to the White Sox at Pick 43, but Jim Callis' latest mock draft sees the Tennessee second baseman taken in the top 15 picks. Moore has 32 home runs for the season and 101 hits in 66 games, but he's limited to second base.

Tibbs, a standout player for Florida State, tormented UConn in the Super Regionals with a 7-for-11 performance, including three home runs and 10 RBI. All of his home runs were hit in Game 2. Leading Florida State with 28 home runs, Tibbs is a strong contender for a Top 15 pick. However, he might get a boost in his draft position due to teams' concerns about Braden Montgomery's ankle injury in the Super Regionals. Tibbs could sneak into the Top 10 picks if a team hesitates about Montgomery's medicals. 

Bracket 2 is going to be chaotic. Kentucky plays a grinder style of baseball. They are a solid team without big stars making their first appearance in Omaha, but I'm sure it won't be long before another trip. Kentucky has put serious money into its baseball program and is reaping the rewards from that investment. Opposing the Wildcats will be NC State, who knocked off Georgia and Charlie Condon in the Super Regionals. It's weird to call a college team veteran-laden, but that's what the Wolfpack are, as they've done an excellent job of blending players from the transfer portal with their incoming freshman. Outfielder Eli Serrano has three home runs this postseason for NC State. 

Then, there is the SEC duel between Texas A&M and Florida. Every year, there seems to be a Regional #3 seed that makes a run to Omaha; this year, it's Florida. Jac Caglianone is on fire this postseason with four home runs and 10 RBI. He'll need to stay hot because even without Montgomery, Texas A&M has such a deep lineup that they didn't miss a beat without their top hitter. Watch Jace Laviolette from A&M. He's been quiet this postseason (0 HR, 4 RBI), but he led the Aggies with 28 home runs and is eligible for the 2025 MLB Draft. 

CWS Picks

Bracket 1: Tennessee; I know the #1 seed curse, but the Volunteers lead the NCAA in home runs with 173 in 67 games. As they say, “Ball go far, team go far” and the Volunteers have too deep of a lineup in this bracket. 

Bracket 2: Texas A&M; Even without Montgomery, I still admire this Aggies offense, and I’m not sure if Kentucky, NC State, or Florida can keep up. Starting pitcher Ryan Prager will be critical for A&M to help save their bullpen. In 17 starts this season, Prager has a 3.10 ERA in 87 IP with 114 K to 19 BB. 

Winner: I had Texas A&M to start the postseason, but I’m flipping to Tennessee with Montgomery out. It’ll be a tremendous three-game series with lots of drama and featuring two of the best fan bases in college baseball. The Jello Shot totals at Rocco’s will be a sight.

NCBWA Awards

As a member of the NCBWA, I get to vote on All-Americans and the Dick Howser Award. The process is nominating five players for most position groups, except outfielders (eight nominations) and pitchers. The two-way players were nominated under Utility, which the first team honors going to Caglianone.

NCBWA First Team All-Americans

NCBWA DICK HOWSER TROPHY:
CHARLIE CONDON, GEORGIA

Josh Nelson’s Dick Howser Ballot

Format of the Dick Howser vote is nominating players with eight votes being the top player to one vote. 

Why I picked Charlie Condon to win the Dick Howser trophy

In his last at-bat of the 2024 season, Charlie Condon hit an opposite-field home run, which I found fitting. Condon entered the season as my #1 draft prospect to watch for the White Sox, only to hit himself into the conversation to be taken first overall.

Bonus: Latest Mock Draft Simulator Results

Using the Prospects Live Mock Draft Simulator, here’s my thinking of what the White Sox could do in the first five rounds. 

Pick 5 - OF/SS Konnor Griffin, Jackson Prep

If the Chicago White Sox are steadfast about acquiring more athletic position players, then Konnor Griffin is their guy. Griffin is the most toolsy prospect in this draft, but the White Sox will need to work with him on his swing mechanics.

Pick 43 - RHP Drew Beam, Tennessee

We know the White Sox love themselves left-handed pitchers with funky deliveries, but I’m starting to think they also love right-handed pitchers who have plus changeups. Drew Thorpe has looked good since joining the White Sox system, and Tennessee’s Drew Beam is in a similar mold. It’s a four-pitch mix, with the changeup followed by a mid-90s MPH fastball. Beam will need some development on a reliant breaking pitch.

Pick 68 - OF Dylan Dreiling, Tennessee

If Scouting Director Mike Shirley decided that the White Sox would automatically take Tennessee hitters when available, I wouldn’t argue with him. Dylan Dreiling hit .320/.445/.689 in 65 games operating left field for Volunteers. Dreiling posted good power numbers with 20 home runs and 18 doubles. 

Pick 78 - LHP Josh Hartle, Wake Forest

A preseason first-round projection, Josh Hartle took a step back in 2024. His fastball velocity wasn’t consistent, often hovered around 90 MPH, and opposing batters batted .291/.357/.470 against him. Hartle’s poor 2024 will knock him out of the first round, but I still think he’s worthwhile in the second or third round. He needs to find his 2023 self when Hartle posted a 2.81 ERA in 18 appearances with 140 strikeouts in 102.1 innings. With better fastball command and velocity consistency, Hartle’s secondary offerings with the cutter and slider will play better. 

Pick 107 - C Josh Caron, Nebraska

Josh Caron took a big step forward offensively for Nebraska, hitting .310/.390/.582 with 16 home runs and 65 RBI. Every team needs catchers in their farm system, and Caron would be an excellent addition to begin building depth behind Edgar Quero.

Pick 140 - OF Fenwick Trimble, James Madison

I picked Fenwick Trimble mostly because Jim Margalus enjoys his name. Playing center field for James Madison, Trimble had similar numbers in 2023 and 2024, thanks to an 85% contact rate.