2024 MLB Draft Report: Final Top 100 rankings and mock Draft

On Sunday night, after months of speculating, we will finally learn who Cleveland drafts first overall and which direction the White Sox take four picks later. To help both the hardcore and casual observers of the MLB Draft, I’ve made one final update to the Sox Machine 2024 MLB Draft Top 100 Prospects Rankings. 

For those new to Sox Machine, the Top 100 methodology blends my personal thoughts with rankings from MLB, Baseball America, ESPN, The Athletic, Future Stars Series, and Prospects Live. The aim is to build a consensus from numerous industry outlets. 

Top 10 2024 MLB Draft Prospects

No. 1: Charlie Condon

Third Baseman, Georgia

The 2024 Golden Spikes and Dick Howser award winner, Georgia’s Charlie Condon led the country in many offensive categories, including batting average, slugging percentage, home runs, and wRC+. Offensively, it’s a smooth swing with little effort from Condon’s 6-foot-6-inch frame that drives pitches pull side and out to center field. There were questions about Condon’s defensive home in 2024, but Georgia stuck with him at third base, where he was better than expected. In the long run, Condon’s lack of arm strength may move him out to left field or first base.

What MLB player does Condon remind me of?: Kris Bryant

No. 2: Travis Bazzana

Second Baseman, Oregon State

By improving his bat speed at Driveline, Travis Bazzana saw his power numbers take a considerable leap in his junior season at Oregon State. After slugging .622 in 2023, Bazzana increased that metric by almost 300 points to .911 as he hit 28 home runs for the Beavers. However, his campaign to become the first Australian selected in the MLB Draft first round started in the Cape Cod League, where he earned MVP honors after hitting .375/.456/.581 in 33 games. While he’s not projected to be a Gold Glove-caliber second baseman, he’s solid defensively and has good base running skills to be a base-stealing threat.

What MLB player does Bazzana remind me of?: Jason Kipnis / Ketel Marte

No. 3: JJ Wetherholt

Shortstop, West Virginia

After leading D-I in batting average last year, JJ Wetherholt entered 2024 as the preseason No. 1 prospect. But early in the season, Wetherholt suffered a Grade 3 hamstring strain that forced him to miss over a month. When Wetherholt returned, there was a matter of breaking off some rust, but he eventually found his offensive rhythm, finishing the season with a slash line of .331/.472/.589 in 33 games. What’s most impressive about Wetherholt is that he’s never batted below .300 at any level or league since high school. 

Helping Wetherholt’s draft stock was his defensive performance during NCAA Regionals in Tucson. It was there that MLB scouts were convinced that he not only had the range but also the arm strength to play shortstop professionally. If there’s a bump in the road, Wetherholt can quickly move to second base, where he could be a Gold Glove contender. 

What MLB player does Wetherholt remind me of?: Andres Gimenez

No. 4: Jac Caglianone

First Baseman, Florida

Entering 2024 as the most polarizing draft prospect, Jac Caglianone shocked the country by reversing his strikeout and walk rates. After leading D-1 with 33 home runs in 2023, Caglianone bashed 35 in 2024, giving him 75 home runs in three seasons in Florida. As a pitcher, Caglianone has shown off a big arm, throwing 97 mph four-seamers, but needs more consistency with his command to be seriously considered a two-way player professionally. There's also a question about Caglianone's athleticism, as he only had eight doubles in 2024 and was limited to first base at Florida. 

However, Caglianone's most notable strength is his power, which can be graded as 70 or higher. In today's baseball landscape, where home runs play a crucial role in a team's offensive success, Caglianone's power is a significant asset, making him a compelling prospect. 

What MLB player does Caglianone remind me of?: Matt Olson

No. 5: Chase Burns

Right-Handed Pitcher, Wake Forest

You won’t find another college pitcher that matches the stuff, energy, or primal screams coming off the mound like Wake Forest’s Chase Burns. After being demoted to the bullpen at Tennessee, Burns transferred to Wake Forest and joined an already talented rotation with other MLB draft hopefuls Josh Hartle and Michael Massey. It became very apparent in Opening Weekend that Burns would be the Demon Deacons' ace pitcher. Possessing the ability to throw a four-seam fastball 101 mph and a sharp slider in the low 90s, Burns has the stuff to be a frontline starter. 

What MLB player does Burns remind me of?: Dylan Cease

No. 6: Hagen Smith

Left-Handed Pitcher, Arkansas

In 2024, Hagen Smith faced Travis Bazzana, Jac Caglianone, and Braden Montgomery. All three went hitless against Smith, and Bazzana and Montgomery struck out three times. Smith’s performance against Oregon State on Feb. 23 was the best I saw from any pitcher this season, striking out 17 in six innings of work. A three-quarter delivery that musters a 97 MPH four-seam fastball and a lethal slider is how Smith managed to strike out more than 48 percent of the batters he faced in 2024. 

What MLB player does Smith remind me of?: Robbie Ray

No. 7: Braden Montgomery

Outfielder, Texas A&M

After two impressive seasons at Stanford, Braden Montgomery transferred to Texas A&M, where he took a big step forward offensively. Putting away the pitcher side of his game, Montgomery is a strong defensive right fielder with a big throwing arm. Offensively, Montgomery increased his home run total to 27 in 2024 with a .322/.454/.733 slash line. A switch-hitter, Montgomery is much more explosive batting left-handed, but was getting better from the right side as the season progressed. Montgomery’s season was cut short when he broke his ankle sliding at home plate in early June. 

What MLB player does Montgomery remind me of?: Brian Reynolds

No. 8: Konnor Griffin

Outfielder, Jackson Prep (Mississippi)

Gatorade National High School Player of the Year in 2024 Konnor Griffin could be the best overall athlete in this draft class. It's rare to see someone at 6'4" who moves like Griffin and has an elite throwing arm to project him at both shortstop and center field. Even on the mound, Griffin gets a second-round projection as a pitcher. Griffin's ability to take the next step forward hitting-wise will get scrutinized and studied in the upcoming years. Some mechanical changes will be needed to improve Griffin's ability to hit both major league-quality velocity and spin. If a team can unlock that hitting potential, Griffin could be the five-tool player MLB teams dream about. 

What MLB player does Griffin remind me of?: ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel has referenced Fernando Tatis Jr. as a comp for Griffin. I like that as a ceiling with a floor of someone like ex-MLB’er Jeff Francouer. 

No. 9: Bryce Rainer

Shortstop, Harvard-Westlake (California)

Emerging from the esteemed baseball program at Harvard-Westlake that produced Lucas Giolito, among others, Bryce Rainer is poised to make a significant impact in professional baseball. His defensive prowess, characterized by exceptional lateral movement and a powerful throwing arm, sets him apart as one of the top shortstop prospects in this draft class. Rainer's offensive performance, tested against formidable competition in California and at the National High School Invitational, has consistently demonstrated above-average contact and power skills, further solidifying his potential.

What MLB player does Griffin remind me of?: There are lots of Corey Seager comps for Rainer because he's a left-handed hitting shortstop. Watching him defensively, Rainer can be better than Seager, but offensively, he might be more like Dansby Swanson.

No. 10: Nick Kurtz

First Baseman, Wake Forest

Nick Kurtz was the preseason No. 2 prospect entering 2024, but his season had plenty of ebbs and flows. On March 10, after Wake Forest lost their home series against Duke, Kurtz batted .220 with just two home runs. Then, in April, Kurtz hit 14 home runs in a ten-game span, raising his batting average to .340. Eventually, Kurtz settled with a season slash line of .306/.531/.763 with 22 home runs. Thanks to the slight step back from his 2023 campaign (24 HR; .353/.527/.784), Kurtz saw his draft stock fall, to the point there's a serious question if he will be taken in the Top 10. While Kurtz has his share of slumps, he has the best batter's eye in this draft class and is willing to take his walks. Defensively, Kurtz is athletic at first base, showing good range and ability to make diving stops. Kurtz has your classic high-floor college hitter profile. 

 What MLB’er does Griffin remind me of?: Anthony Rizzo

Remaining Top 100 Prospects

Josh Nelson’s Final Mock Draft

Sox Machine MLB Draft Pick’em Contest