Potential Cleveland Guardians First Overall MLB Draft Choice Options

In December 2023, the Cleveland Guardians won the first overall pick in the 2024 Major League baseball draft.

The first round of the draft will be held July 14.

The Guardians won the first selection in a lottery held at the MLB Winter Meetings.

The Guardians had a 2% chance of gaining the first pick.

This will be the first time the Cleveland franchise has ever had the first overall draft choice.

Here, in alphabetic order, are the most widely discussed players the Guardians are likely considering with their first overall choice.

This old scout has watched video and read extensively about each prospect noted below. Scouting grades are based upon those observations.

TRAVIS BAZZANA

2B-Oregon State-Age 21-6-0, 199 pounds- Bats Left

Tools: Grade 65 hitting for average, Grade 60 power, Grade 60 running ability, Grade 50 arm, Grade 50 defensive ability.

Born and raised in Sydney, Australia

While at Oregon State-3 seasons: .360/.497/.660/1.157 with 52 doubles, 11 triples, 45 home runs, 165 RBIs, 66 stolen bases. He struck out 146 times, while drawing 180 walks in 190 plate appearances.

An on-base machine, Bazzana hit .375 in 158 plate appearances in the 2023 Cape Cod League. The league uses wooden bats.

Bazzana can hit lefties, which should allow him to avoid a platoon.

Athletic and strong, Bazzana should be able to stick at second base as a professional. Or, his is so athletic, he can thrive as an outfielder.

CHASE BURNS

RHP-Wake Forest -Age 21-6-3, 210 pounds

Tools: Grade 70 slider, Grade 65 fastball, Grade 60 Curveball, Grade 55 Changeup with average Grade 50 control and excellent Grade 55 command

Went to high school in Hendersonville, Tennessee

Went to Tennessee two seasons, finishing at Wake Forest: 23-6 record in 51 games, including 38 starts. Threw to a 3.21 ERA, 1.04 WHIP in 252.1 innings. Averaged 14.6 strikeouts, and 2.7 walks per nine innings.

Has started and relieved in college.

Many scouts have tabbed Burns the best pitcher in the draft, with a fastball that hits 99 miles per hour.

JAC CAGLIANONE

SP-1B-University of Florida-Age 21,-6-5, 250 pounds

3 seasons hitting at Florida: .355/.447/.760/.1.207 with 28 doubles, two triples, 75 home runs, 189 RBIs, eight stolen bases in 750 plate appearances. Struck out 105 times, walked 80 times.

2 seasons on the mound at Florida: 12-6, with 4.55 ERA, 1.47 WHIP in 34 games, all starts. Struck out an average of 10.3 hitters, while walking 6.4 per nine innings.

Tools: Grade 55 hitter for average, Grade 65 power, Grade 40 runner, Grade 60 arm strength, Grade 55 defender.

Grade 65 fastball, Grade 50 slider, Grade 50 cutter, Grade 55 changeup. Below average Grade 45 command, Grade 45 control.

Caglianone, while he can be used two-ways, likely figures to be drafted as an offensive player.

He made strides as a hitter this spring.

Some analysts call Caglianone another Shohei Ohtani. Not this old scout. There is only one Shohei Ohtani.

Aggressive hitter, with good contact, and game-changing power.

CHARLIE CONDON

1B/3B/OF-University of Georgia-Age 21, 6-6, 216 pounds, Bats Right

2 seasons at Georgia: .410/.523/.909/.1.433, with 30 doubles, two triples, 62 home runs, 145 RBIs, three stolen bases in 558 plate appearances. Struck out 86 times, with 90 walks.

Tools: Grade 70 power, Grade 60 hitting for average, Grade 40 running, Grade 50 defense, Grade 55 arm strength.

Condon’s greatest asset is his well above average home run power.

Went on string this year when pitchers couldn’t get him out. He finished this past season with 37 home runs.

Unlike Bazzana, he didn’t have a particularly good 2023 Cape Cod League season. He hit .261 in 50 plate appearances.

Condon was named the 2024 Golden Spikes Award winner, which honors the top amateur baseball player in America.

NICK KURTZ

1B/OF- Wake Forest-Age 21, 6-5, 240 pounds, Bats Left

3 seasons at Wake Forest=.333/510/.725/.1.235 with 35 doubles, two triples, 61 home runs, 182 RBIs, 11 stolen bases in 784 plate appearances. Struck out 130 times, with 189 walks.

Tools: Grade 60 hitting ability, Grade 65 power, Grade 40 running ability, Grade 50 arm, Grade 60 defensive ability.

Originally went to Wake Forest as a left-handed pitcher. A shoulder injury set him back, but he poured it on and had great offensive collegiate success.

HAGEN SMITH

LHP- University of Arkansas-Age 20-6-3, 225 pounds

3 seasons at Arkansas=24-6 record, 3.40 ERA, 1.22 WHIP in 54 appearances, with 42 of them starts. He threw 233 innings, striking out an average of 13.9 hitters per nine innings, while walking 4.7 per nine.

Tools: Grade 65 fastball, Grade 65 slider, Grade 50 splitter, Grade 50 control, Grade 55 command.

After a high school elbow injury, Smith had to have Tommy John surgery.

Smith reportedly has the best pure “stuff” of any lefty in the draft class.

JJ WETHERHOLT

2B/3B/SS-West Virginia University-Age 21, 5-10, 190 pounds, Bats Left

In 3 collegiate seasons at West Virginia he hit .370/.468/.625/.1.092 with 49 doubles, three triples, 29 home runs, 129 RBIs, 57 stolen bases in 678 plate appearances. He struck out 82 times, while walking 82 times.

Tools: hitting for average 65, Power Grade 50, Running ability Grade 60, Arm strength Grade 50, Defensive Grade 50.

Big 12 Conference Player of the Year as a sophomore.

Using the entire field, many scouts feel Wetherholt may be the best pure hitter in the draft, as evidenced by his hitting grade.

Wetherholt may be the biggest sleeper among the Top Seven.

Here are details of the 2024 MLB draft at mlb.com.

This Scout’s MLB Draft Rankings:

After watching video and reading countless reports, this is how this observer ranks the Top Six players in the draft:

1- CHARLIE CONDON

2- TRAVIS BAZZANA

3- JAC CAGLIANONE

4- CHASE BURNS

5- NICK KURTZ

6- HAGEN SMITH

7- JJ WETHERHOLT