Here's the top high school Draft prospect at each position

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If one thing is clear about the 2024 Draft now that we’ve put out our new Top 100 prospects rankings, it’s that the class is college-heavy, especially at the top.

Nine of the top 10 on the list are college players, and while two of those nine are two-way players, more evaluators like their bats, so it’s hitting-focused as well. The four prepsters in the top 20 are the lowest total since we started doing Draft rankings in 2011. We’ve averaged 9.2 high schoolers in the top 20, a number brought down by this year’s total. There are only three more in the 21-30 range. A lot will change between now and the Draft in July, but if you're thinking that having only seven players ranked as first-rounders seems like a small amount, you’re not wrong.

Last year, 13 of the top 32 were high school players. In 2022, there were 13 prepsters taken in the first round.

There certainly will be high school prospects who come out and play their way into the first-round conversation in 2024, but I’m not sure it will reach that bar.

But I like a good challenge. Rather than pick from the obvious strength of the class, I’ve decided to form a lineup of high schoolers only. I’m going to take some fliers from the Top 100, too, and not just cherry-pick the best prep talent in the class.

C: Cade Arrambide (No. 53), Tomball (Texas): This decision was made for me, as Arrambide is the only high school catcher on the Top 100, but he has a 70-grade arm and raw power at the plate.

1B: Aiden Harris (No. 86), PDG Academy (Va.): He’s a third baseman right now but some see a move to first in his future. Wherever he is, his prodigious power profiles well.

2B: Carter Johnson (No. 37), Oxford (Ala.): While he currently has the hands and actions for shortstop, a lack of range could make him a very good offensive-minded second baseman who can offer 20-25 homers annually.

3B: Caleb Bonemer (No. 24), Okemos (Mich.): I like the idea of filling most of my infield with guys who play shortstop now. Bonemer is one of the few high schoolers who project as a first-round pick, and he has among the best bat speed in the class.

SS: Ty Southisene (No. 66), Basic (Nev.): He’s only 5-foot-9, but this guy can really hit, with surprising pop and plus-plus instincts giving him every chance to play short for a long time.

OF: Konnor Griffin (No. 8), Jackson Prep (Miss.): I said I would take some fliers, but I’m not stupid. Griffin might have the best all-around toolset of any player (not just high schoolers) in the class, one with 30-30 upside.

OF: Garrett Shull (No. 51), Enid (Okla.): Some teams might ding him because he’ll be 19 at Draft time, but he’s a switch-hitter with power and good feel for the barrel, and my model doesn’t mind that he’s “old.”

OF: Arnold Abernathy (No. 82), North Cobb Christian (Ga.): He’s a shortstop now and could end up at second base, but I’m going to let him roam around the outfield with his easily plus speed, and I'll let him hit atop my lineup.

LHP: David Shields (No. 63), Mt. Lebanon (Pa.): I may get accused of being a homer by picking the Pittsburgh area kid, but that’s OK. There’s a big up arrow next to Shields’ name because he’s athletic (former HS QB) and projectable with a very good feel already for a three-pitch mix.

RHP: Levi Sterling (No. 40), Notre Dame (Calif.): There are a few interesting prep arms in this area of the list, all of whom have the kind of projection to move up. I’m picking Sterling because he has a good four-pitch mix now to go along with outstanding athleticism.