Getting into the first round mock for the 2024 MLB Draft, here are picks 21-30 mocked. For the full first round you can watch the replay of ‘Back to the Dugout’, our MLB and NCAA roundup show where the first round is mocked in its entirety.
21. Minnesota Twins – Jacob Cozart C (North Carolina State)
A very big reach for a first round pick but it’s been brought up and with the Twins picking again at 33 and 60, could be a great get to save some money. Cozart is arguably the best catcher in the class but isn’t ranked near it, making him a bargain for a team like the Twins. His power, field, and arm tools aren’t graded the highest necessarily but he’s displayed them on the highest level, especially in the College World Series. At NC State, Cozart hit .287, with a .921 OPS over three years. Another example of a guy who’s improved year after year, Cozart will be a solid addition to any farm system, and could save an organization a lot of money early in the draft if they’re looking for a backstop.
22. Baltimore Orioles – William Schmidt RHP (Catholic, LA)
Schmidt is one of the better high school arms in the class and with the current state of the Orioles farm, high-upside pitching could be a big boost. Schmidt has a 60 graded fastball paired with an elite 70 grade curveball. His fastball touches 99 at times, and his command is a big plus to his draft stock as well. The way the Orioles craft their farm system, this wouldn’t be a surprising pick, it also wouldn’t be shocking to see the historic Catholic High School alum go earlier in this draft.
23. Los Angeles Dodgers – Kash Mayfield LHP (Elk City, OK)
The Dodgers have gone the high school route a couple times in the last few years and with the current state of the team, could very well stick to the high school route again. Kash Mayfield provides you not only a money-making name and an easy merchandise sale, but also possesses some nasty stuff in his arsenal. His fastball, while topping out lower than some others in this class at 97 MPH, easily has the upside to raise it. He has a 60 grade changeup, and 50 grade curveball to go along with his fastball. His age is a scare to some teams, but the Dodgers would be the type of team to pull the trigger given his potential from the left side.
24. Atlanta Braves – Brody Brecht RHP (Iowa)
This seems like an Atlanta Braves pick. It seems like they often go the pitching route and after Hurston Waldrep already made his MLB debut, they may feel more comfortable going the college route. Brody Brecht is a great option that should be available at this pick. At Iowa in 2024, Brecht recorded a K/9 rate of 14.7, with a 3.33 ERA. He has a 70 grade fastball and slider, and has an interesting third pitch in a splitter, which could raise his draft stock even more. He’s able to sit upper-90s on his fastball and when his slider’s on, it’s devastating for hitters. No doubt a very high upside pitcher for the Braves.
25. San Diego Padres – Ryan Sloan RHP (York, IL)
The last player to be drafted out of college by the Padres was Eric Lauer in 2016 at pick 25, but expect them to stay the high school route this year. The Padres are rebuilding their young core after being decimated by the Juan Soto trade two years ago. Sloan would help an aging rotation, and has time to develop as a solid starting pitcher. Sloan has a solid three pitch mix, with a 60 grade fastball and changeup, and a slider graded not too far behind at 55. He’s topped his fastball out at 99 MPH, nearly touching triple digits. He has incredibly advanced offspeed pitches that include his mid-80’s changeup, and low-80’s slider.
26. New York Yankees – Jurrangelo Cijntje RHP/LHP (Mississippi State)
Arguably the most intriguing prospect in this draft, it wouldn’t be surprising to see teams reach on him earlier in the first round. The switch-pitcher went viral on social media in his first year with Mississippi State, and has developed into a top 30 draft prospect per MLB Pipeline. In his first year at Mississippi State, Cijntje recorded a 3-5 record with a 8.10 ERA in 14 games and 13 games started. This season he recorded an 8-2 record with a 3.67 ERA across 16 starts. Let up more hits in 2024 yet less earned runs, home runs, walks, and tallied 50 more strikeouts. Cijntje has a legitimate three pitch mix from the right side, but only two pitches from the left. Regardless of that, he’s absolutely one of the best arms in the draft class, and being able to throw from both sides is too valuable to pass up.
27. Philadelphia Phillies – Dakota Jordan OF (Mississippi State)
The Phillies add an insane athlete to their farm system with Dakota Jordan. Jordan was a three-star wide receiver recruit going into Mississippi State, and stuck with baseball to develop into what seems to be a consensus first round talent. He improved his numbers in 2024 after an impressive 2023 with the Bulldogs, raising his average from .307 to .354, and his OPS was raised from a .972 to a 1.129. Jordan also hit 10 home runs more than he did in 2023 totalling 20 this season. While he never tallied more than four stolen bases in a season, Jordan possesses a 60 grade run tool to pair with his 60 grade power tool, and can cover the outfield nicely.
28. Houston Astros – Walker Janek C (Sam Houston)
Many believe that Janek is the best catcher in the class and for very good reason. Janek has excelled at every level, no matter where he’s played. In three years at Sam Houston, Janek never hit for a season average worse than .301, and hit .364 with a 1.185 OPS in 2024. In the Cape Cod Baseball League in the summer of 2023, Janek hit .281 with a .838 OPS in 30 games. Janek can be a generational backstop for Houston, with his 60 grade arm keeping players off the basepaths for years to come.
29. Arizona Diamondbacks – Malcolm Moore C (Stanford)
The Diamondbacks farm is loaded with talent and adding a solid catcher into the mix would only boost it even further. Moore should be available here at the 29th pick, after a down year, and provides an all around great bat with great power potential as a catcher. With multiple catchers off the board at this point the Diamondbacks are getting a great option here with Moore.
30. Texas Rangers – Theo Gillen SS/2B – (Westlake, TX)
The Rangers could go multiple ways here, but picking the home grown middle infielder could be a great get a 30 overall. Gillen could develop alongside Sebastian Walcott, and the two can service the middle infield following the departure of Semien and Seager. Gillen possesses a 60 grade run tool alongside a 60 grade hit tool, and his versatility in the middle infield gives the Rangers a great prospect at the 30 slot.Â
Cover Photo: The AP