2024 MLB Draft Preview
The 2024 MLB Draft is set to kick off in Fort Worth, spanning three days starting Sunday. Teams will convene to select future prospects, each hoping to unearth talent that could one day shine on the grand stage of Major League Baseball.
Broadcast and Logistical Details
The Draft is integrated into All-Star Week and spans 20 rounds. The first night will feature the initial 74 picks, including the first two rounds, compensatory picks, Competitive Balance Rounds, and prospect promotion incentive selections.
Day 1 Draft coverage commences with a preview show at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, airing on MLB Network, MLB.TV, MLB.com, and the MLB App. The Draft officially begins at 7 p.m. ET, with the first round also televised on ESPN. Day 2 (Rounds 3-10) and Day 3 (Rounds 11-20) will be broadcast starting at 2 p.m. ET each day exclusively on MLB.com.
Draft Order
The first six picks were determined by MLB’s Draft Lottery during the Winter Meetings in December, with the Guardians securing the top spot for the first time in franchise history.
Here are the first 10 picks:
- Guardians
- Reds
- Rockies
- Athletics
- White Sox
- Royals
- Cardinals
- Angels
- Pirates
- Nationals
[Complete Draft order ยป](Link to complete draft order)
Bonus Pool and Slot Values
Following their Draft lottery victory, the Guardians possess the highest assigned pick value in history, reflecting an 8.7 percent increase in MLB revenues. Their No. 1 overall pick holds a value of $10,570,600, surpassing the previous record set by the Pirates last year.
Each pick in the top 10 rounds carries an assigned value, collectively forming a team’s bonus pool. Teams can save money on earlier picks to allocate more funds to later selections, but exceeding the pool incurs penalties ranging from a tax to the loss of future picks.
Top Prospects
The MLB Pipeline’s Draft Top 250 list showcases this year’s top prospects, including hitters and pitchers poised to bolster Major League rosters in the near future. Travis Bazzana of Oregon State leads the pack, followed by standout talents like Charlie Condon (Georgia), Jac Caglianone (Florida), and top pitchers Hagen Smith (Arkansas) and Chase Burns (Wake Forest).
Here are the top 10 Draft prospects:
- Travis Bazzana, 2B, Oregon State
- Charlie Condon, OF/3B, Georgia
- Jac Caglianone, 1B/LHP, Florida
- JJ Wetherholt, SS/2B, West Virginia
- Hagen Smith, LHP, Arkansas
- Chase Burns, RHP, Wake Forest
- Nick Kurtz, 1B, Wake Forest
- Braden Montgomery, OF, Texas A&M
- Konnor Griffin, SS/OF, Jackson Prep (MS)
- Bryce Rainer, SS, Harvard-Westlake (CA)
This year’s Draft promises to be pivotal for teams looking to bolster their future rosters with the next generation of baseball stars.
