One day away from the 2024 MLB Draft, it’s time to continue the final first round mock draft. Here’s picks 11-20, with the top ten scheduled to be published before the draft tomorrow. For the entire first round mock, tune into the latest replay of ‘Back to the Dugout’, our MLB and NCAA weekly roundup.
11. Detroit Tigers – James Tibbs III OF (Florida State)
It wouldn’t be surprising to see Detroit take a high school arm, but if they don’t take a bat here at 11 that would be surprising. Tibbs being available here is a steal for the Tigers. Tibbs hit .363 with a 1.284 OPS and was a huge part in getting that Seminoles team to a College World Series berth. Some of the best raw power in the draft class, the Tigers would be doing a serious disfavor to their fanbase by not taking Tibbs here at the 11 slot if he’s available.Â
12. Boston Red Sox – Trey Yesavage RHP (East Carolina)
The Red Sox can continue to add solid pitchers to their new rotation here with Trey Yesavage. The East Carolina starter was one of the more consistent pitchers this season across all of college baseball. Yesavage recorded a 2.03 ERA through 93.1 IP, with an 11-1 record across 15 games started. With a budding rotation of Tanner Houck, Kutter Crawford, and Brayan Bello in Boston, adding Yesavage could strengthen the back end of the rotation for years to come. At 20-years old, the right hander provides a legitimate four-pitch mix, with 60-grades on his fastball, slider, and splitter. While the AAC pitcher of the year could slide into the top ten, this fit is one of the best possible landing spots for Yesavage.
13. San Francisco Giants – Cam Caminiti LHP (Saguaro HS, AZ)
The Giants went the high school route last year at the 16 slot, picking Bryce Eldridge and it would make sense to pick Caminiti here. The left hander provides great velocity with his fastball already, touching 98 MPH at just 17 years old. Many scouts are under the impression that Caminiti has the ability to throw harder as well, giving his fastball a 60-grade. With a good slider and changeup to complement his fastball, if Caminiti can develop his curveball more in the minor leagues, he can be an incredible left handed pitcher with a shutdown four-pitch mix.
14. Chicago Cubs – Christian Moore 2B (Tennessee)
This would be a steal for the Cubs at 14. Moore is coming off of one of the best seasons of any player in college baseball, and left many puzzled by him not being named a Golden Spikes finalist. In 72 games this season throughout Tennessee’s national championship run, Moore hit .375, with a 1.248 OPS. Moore hit 34 HR from the second base position, and provides high power upside from a position where your bat matters even more. A concern for some teams may be Moore’s strikeout to walk ratio, in which he walked eleven times less than he struck out (49 K/38 BB). Regardless of the strikeouts, the potential he brings at the second base position should be too good to pass up on, especially if other bats like Tibbs, Kurtz, and Montgomorey are off the board.
15. Seattle Mariners – Seaver King 3B/OF (Wake Forest)
The Mariners could pivot and take another pitcher to boost their already incredible pitching staff, but King provides a great bat, and defensive versatility, which could help boost their lineup sooner rather than later. In 60 games for the Demon Deacons this season, King hit .308 with a .954 OPS. While the Mariners have gone with high school bats in multiple drafts, the college bats available here are much better. While Cam Smith could also be in play, King could be a better fit for his ability to play third base and the outfield.
16. Miami Marlins – Cam Smith 3B (Florida State)
This is another steal in this draft and it couldn’t come to a team that needed it more. The Marlins get an elite hitting prospect in Cam Smith, someone who hit .387 in nearly 70 games played for the Seminoles this season. Smith has vastly improved across every season in collegiate baseball, and shows signs of being able to develop into an everyday big leaguer. With a 60 grade arm, Smith has great potential in the field as well, giving Miami another all around solid prospect.
17. Milwaukee Brewers – Vance Honeycutt OF (North Carolina)
In recent history, when the Brewers go for a college outfielder, it’s someone like Honeycutt. In recent drafts, Garrett Mitchell and Sal Frelick resemble a pick like Honeycutt. Players with incredible hit tools who have above average speed. Honeycutt’s difference making factor is his power. He has more of a power upside than those previous names mentioned, and with his notoriety from the College World Series, this would be a huge get at 17 for the future of the franchise. In three seasons at UNC, Honeycutt hit .293 with a 1.050 OPS, 65 HR, and 170 RBIs in 176 games. Strikeouts have been an issue, but the power is undeniable.
18. Tampa Bay Rays – Carson Benge OF (Oklahoma State)
This would be a very solid get for the Rays at 18. Benge was time and time again one of the most consistent outfielders in the entire NCAA. In two seasons at Oklahoma State, Benge hit .339, with a 1.064 OPS. Benge is a solid prospect across the board as MLB Pipeline’s 18th best draft prospect, recording 55-60 grades across his entire draft profile. He does also have the ability to pitch, yet that won’t likely be the case once he hits pro ball.
19. New York Mets – Slade Caldwell OF (Valley View HS, Ark.)
The Mets typically like to go the high school route when selecting outfielders, and in this draft with Honeycutt and Benge off the board, Slade Caldwell is a great option. A great outfielder with a 65 run tool along with a 60 graded fielding tool, Caldwell provides value on both sides of the ball, similar to past pick Pete Crow-Armstrong. At 18-years old, he can improve upon his already professional hit tool which is currently at a grade of 55. As a 50 overall prospect out of high school, Caldwell could be a great snag for the Mets.
20. Toronto Blue Jays – Ryan Waldschmidt OF (Kentucky)
The Kentucky outfielder slides into the number 20 slot. At this point in the first round, getting a well rounded and mature hitter like Waldschmidt is rare, and Toronto could get a steal here. Waldschmidt is an all around very solid draft prospect, receiving grades of 55 on his run, hit, and power tool, and earned that through an incredible career at Kentucky. Waldschmidt in three seasons at Kentucky hit .312, with a .996 OPS. A batter who walks just about as much as he strikes out, he can fly through the farm, if he can develop his defense further.
Photo by Isaiah Pinto