Draft Day 3: Most interesting picks from each round

July 16th, 2024

After 315 players were selected over the first two days of the 2024 MLB Draft, 300 more players heard their names on Tuesday as the Draft concluded with Rounds 11-20.

As a reminder, the late rounds can be more than just opportunities to fill out a farm system. This year’s All-Stars Matt Strahm (2012, 21st round), Kirby Yates (2005, 26th round) and Seth Lugo (2011, 34th round) were all taken after the 10th round. Even Hall of Famers Andre Dawson (1975, 11th), Ryne Sandberg (1978, 20th) and Jim Thome (1989, 13th) and future member of Cooperstown Albert Pujols (1999, 13th) entered pro ball as late picks, giving hope to every player selected on Day 3.

Below are some of the most notable picks from Day 3, including the children of a pair of Red Sox legends, a White Sox draftee who was born in Siberia and a slew of players from MLB Pipeline's Top 250 Draft prospects list.

ROUND 11

Pick 1 (316th overall), Athletics: Kyle Robinson, RHP, Texas Tech (No. 182)
Oakland gets the day going with a ranked prospect right out of the gate in the Red Raiders right-hander. Robinson posted a 5.09 ERA with 79 strikeouts in 76 innings this spring in his first season as a full-time starter on campus. He lacks fastball velo and life but stands out most for a plus changeup that fades well and gets whiffs out of the zone.

Pick 7 (322nd overall), Angels: Trey Gregory-Alford, RHP, Coronado (CO) HS (No. 105)
The Halos take a bit of a swing here in taking the Colorado high-schooler, hoping they can use savings from taking two college seniors and a grad student in Rounds 8-10 to add Gregory-Alford. The 6-foot-5 hurler, who just turned 18 in May, can touch 97 mph with his fastball and flashes a decent slider. He’s a long-term project with upside, given his size and current fastball velo.

Pick 23 (338th overall), Twins: Michael Carpenter, LHP, Madison (WI) College (unranked)
Named the NJCAA Division II pitcher of the year, Carpenter held a 45-inning scoreless streak at one point this spring and finished with a 1.03 ERA and 111 strikeouts in 78 1/3 frames. His 89-93 mph fastball plays up with some deception, and he’ll bring a curveball and changeup around the 80 mph mark.

Pick 30 (345th overall), Rangers: Dalton Pence, LHP, North Carolina (unranked)
Tommy John surgery wrecked Pence’s early years with the Tar Heels, but he settled in nicely as the team’s closer this spring, earning eight saves while posting a 2.45 ERA with 74 strikeouts in 58 2/3 innings. He relies heavily on his 91-95 mph fastball due to its tremendous carry, but continued health and his slider and changeup could get him chances to start in the Texas system.

ROUND 12

Pick 1 (346th overall), Athletics: Ali Camarillo, SS, Texas A&M (No. 246)
Another Top 250 talent heads to Oakland at the top of Day 3. Camarillo is considered a plus defensive shortstop with impressive actions, hands, range and arm strength, and that will drive his profile toward The Show. He is highly unlikely to hit for power (one homer in 2024) and will need to improve his overall contact rate to improve his chances of being a regular.

Pick 12 (357th overall), Red Sox: Brady Tygart, RHP, Arkansas (No. 181)
Tygart didn’t throw more than 60 innings in any of his three seasons on campus, in part due to injuries, including a shoulder problem late in 2024. At his best, he’ll show two above-average breaking pitches in his high-spin curveball and sweeping slider, and those helped him fan 69 in 59 1/3 innings this year. He could use more velo on his 90-93 mph fastball, but should he sign with Boston, the first priority will be getting him on the mound consistently.

Pick 13 (358th overall), Giants: Zander Darby, 1B/3B, UC Santa Barbara (No. 151)
A solid performance in the Cape Cod League last summer (.292/.404/.407) helped solidify Darby’s place on the radar, but he took some steps back with his chase and whiff rates in 2024, causing his drop to this spot. He has raw power that shows up in batting practice, and San Francisco will aim to get that to translate in games, especially if he needs to stick to first base as he did this past season with the Gauchos.

Pick 22 (367th overall), Blue Jays: Carson Messina, RHP, Summerville (SC) HS (No. 222)
South Carolina catcher Cole Messina went in the third round to the Rockies. His younger brother – a Gamecocks recruit – goes nine rounds later to Toronto. The Jays hope to add the 6-foot-2 hurler’s 92-95 mph fastball and low-80s wipeout curveball – both of which could be nice bat-missing pitches at the next level – and they’ll have to work on his high-effort delivery.

ROUND 13

Pick 1 (376th overall), Athletics: Riley Huge, LHP, Winthrop (unranked)
If you’ve heard of Huge, it’s because of his March 2 outing against Maine in which he struck out 20 over just 7 2/3 innings. He finished fourth in Division I with a 15.0 K/9, despite having an 89-92 mph fastball and average curveball.

Pick 4 (379th overall), White Sox: Pierce George, RHP, Alabama (unranked)
On pure stuff, George has one of the most electric arms in this class. His fastball averages around 99 mph and touches 102. His sharp upper-80s slider generated a miss rate north of 70 percent between Alabama and the Cape this year. But he really struggles to throw strikes (11 walks in 11 1/3 innings this spring), and that has kept him from meeting what could otherwise be a considerable closer ceiling.

Pick 17 (392nd overall), Cubs: Evan Aschenbeck, LHP, Texas A&M (unranked)
Aschenbeck led Division I with a 1.78 ERA and notched 10 saves over 32 appearances for the Aggies this spring. He primarily makes his arsenal work with deception, showing an 88-92 mph fastball, low-80s slider and upper-70s changeup.

Pick 19 (394th overall), Marlins: Cody Schrier, SS, UCLA (No. 138)
Ranked as the No. 63 Draft prospect in the 2021 Draft class, Schrier had a strong commitment to UCLA that scared off clubs. A labrum injury in his sophomore year has seemingly affected him ever since, and he’s coming off a rough junior campaign in which he hit just .242 with a .674 OPS in 44 games. When fully healthy, Schrier has average tools across the board and has a shot to stick at shortstop with a strong baseball IQ.

Pick 28 (403rd overall), Astros: Bryce Boettcher, OF, Oregon (unranked)
Boettcher was an ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove Team member and All-Pac 12 honorable mention this season after posting an .872 OPS for the Ducks this spring. But he’s also known for his work on the gridiron, having finished fifth in tackles (37) on an Oregon team that won the Fiesta Bowl last January.

ROUND 14

Pick 2 (407th overall), Royals: Kyle DeGroat, RHP, Walkill Senior (NY) HS (No. 239)
DeGroat decommitted from Stony Brook to switch to Texas, a sign of how in-demand he’s become since focusing on only pitching as a New York prep arm. He earns his best grades for his tight curveball with two-plane break, and he shows a fastball around 92-94 mph. DeGroat isn’t huge at 6-foot-1, but his athleticism and repeatable delivery should help his starting case, should he sign with Kansas City instead of joining the Longhorns.

Pick 13 (418th overall), Giants: Jeremiah Jenkins, 1B, Maine (No. 199)
Jenkins went deep a combined 43 times over his final two seasons in Orono, and while he’s shown a funky setup and swing, his plus-plus raw power earned him plenty of looks this spring as a cold-weather bat. Notably, San Francisco also selected a Maine hitter last year when it took Quinn McDaniel in the fifth round.l

Pick 14 (419th overall), Reds: Adrian Areizaga, SS, Leadership Christian Academy (PR) (No. 215)
Areizaga is a plus runner and could bring plenty of value with his speed, considering the modern importance of basestealing across the game. He has enough strength as well to project for average power, though some scouts expressed concern that his bat speed slowed ahead of his Draft year. His actions also might move him to third base, despite his athleticism, and that would heighten his need to hit. Areizaga is committed to Miami.

Pick 20 (425th overall), Brewers: James Nunnallee, C, Lightridge (VA) HS (No. 200)
Nunnallee shows impressive bat-to-ball skills and opened some eyes with his performance at the MLB Draft Combine, strengthening the belief that he could have a future above-average hit tool from the left side. The Virginia recruit is raw behind the plate and has below-average arm strength, leading some to think he’ll end up in left field.

ROUND 15

Pick 5 (440th overall), Nationals: Sir Jamison Jones, C, St. Rita (IL) HS (unranked)
Yes, that really is his name. In 2022, Jones told the Chicago Tribune that his parents gave him the first name Sir because “it’s all about respect.” The 18-year-old shows decent power and arm strength, but scouts are mixed on his swing and ability to stick behind the plate. He is the third catcher selected by the Nats this year, but the first from the high-school ranks after college backstops Caleb Lomavita and Kevin Bazzell.

Pick 19 (454th overall), Marlins: Coen Niclai, C, Robert Service (AK) HS (unranked)
Niclai was a two-time Gatorade Player of the Year in Alaska and was the first player from that state to participate in the MLB Draft Combine since it began in 2021. The Oregon commit shows good bat speed and can drive the ball to all fields. He’s a better defender than might be expected given the quality of arms he worked with, but he’ll have some work to do to become the first-ever player drafted out of Alaska to make the Majors, should he sign with Miami.

Pick 20 (455th overall), Brewers: Travis Smith, RHP, Kentucky (No. 179)
Smith, who is transferring to Mississippi State via the transfer portal, Smith redshirted for Kentucky in 2022 after undergoing both Tommy John and heart surgery. He struggled with soreness and inconsistency this year, finishing with a 6.21 ERA in 37 2/3 innings, but flashes impressive stuff with a 93-95 mph fastball and above-average slider.

Pick 25 (460th overall), Dodgers: Erik Parker, SS, North Gwinnett (GA) HS (No. 183)
Parker is a plus runner who uses those wheels both on the basepaths and at shortstop, where his long wingspan helps his range as well. He has plus arm strength too, and many believe he’ll stick at short even if he’s on the larger side of the position at 6-foot-3. The Georgia commit struggled offensively on the showcase circuit last year, and while he’s added bat speed, those offensive questions will remain whether he goes the pro or college route.

ROUND 16

Pick 4 (469th overall), White Sox: T.J. McCants, OF, Alabama (unranked)
McCants was a part of the 2022 national champion Ole Miss squad, but his best numbers came this year after a transfer to Alabama: .306/.374/.583 with 15 homers and 14 steals in 56 games. He’s a plus runner who can play a capable center field, but his pitch selection will likely be challenged against tougher pro arms.

Pick 11 (476th overall), Tigers: Anson Seibert, RHP, Blue Valley Southwest (KS) HS (No. 108)
A 6-foot-8 right-hander, Seibert could have been in consideration for the top three rounds this year if a flexor strain in April didn’t give some teams pause. When healthy, he showed a fastball up to 97 mph that played up with good carry and tremendous extension. His low-80s slider and mid-80s changeup are bigger question marks. Seibert is headed to Tennessee if he doesn’t work out a deal with the Tigers here.

Pick 24 (489th overall), Orioles: Nate George, OF, Minooka Community (IL) HS (unranked)
George might be one of the fastest players in this year’s class with at least plus-plus speed. He’s shown a quick right-handed swing too, although it hasn’t been tested much against quality pitching yet after the outfielder didn’t play in many showcase events. George switched his commitment to Northwest Florida State Junior College in June and could be signable here for the Orioles.

ROUND 17

Pick 4 (499th overall), White Sox: Lyle Miller-Green, TWP, Austin Peay (unranked)
Miller-Green was born in Siberia but was adopted at the age of 1 and moved to Virginia. He’s moved around the collegiate circuit with stops at George Mason, Chipola Junior College, Oklahoma State and finally Austin Peay, where he was the 2024 Atlantic Sun Player of the Year after hitting a program-record 30 homers this year. He shows strong exit velocities but was announced as a two-way player with an 89-92 mph fastball along with a slider, curveball and cutter. Read more >

Pick 7 (502nd overall), Angels: Lucas Ramirez, American Heritage School (FL) (unranked)
Ramirez is the son of 12-time All-Star and two-time World Series champ . The 18-year-old outfielder has played 11 games in the West Coast League this summer to stay fresh, going 9-for-31 with a double and more walks (eight) than strikeouts (seven) over 11 games for Victoria. He is committed to Tennessee.

Pick 16 (511th overall), Yankees: JoJo Jackson, OF, Georgia State (unranked)
Coming off posting a 1.052 OPS for Georgia State in the spring, Jackson has been an MLB Draft League standout this summer with a .352/.435/.592 line over 20 games for Frederick. As a switch-hitter, he flashes plus power from both sides, but he’ll need to improve his speed if he’s going to stick in center field. He’s expected to transfer to Georgia if he doesn’t sign with the Yanks.

ROUND 18

Pick 2 (527th overall), Royals: Corey Cousin, OF, Slidell (LA) HS (unranked)
A quarterback in school, Cousin showed good speed entering the Draft with a 6.4-second time in the 60-yard dash. He has some decent pop as a right-handed hitter, and some evaluators believe he could be at least a solid defender in center field. He committed to Oklahoma last July, but Kansas City might have an eye on signing him here.

Pick 7 (532nd overall), Angels: David Mershon, SS, Mississippi State (unranked)
Mershon was the Bulldogs’ No. 2 hitter this spring and used his speed to lead the team with 27 steals while producing a .347/.454/.500 line as a switch-hitter. He has more pop from the right side and has just average arm strength from short, though he can still make impressive plays from the premium position. Mershon is Draft-eligible as a sophomore but might return to Starkville given this late selection.

Pick 29 (554th overall), D-backs: Jackson Hotchkiss, OF, Battle Ground (WA) HS (unranked)
Hotchkiss turned some heads with a solid performance in the Area Code Games last year, and he added even more physicality to his 6-foot-3 frame as a senior this spring. He could add even more raw power as he matures, and there’s hope that he transforms into a classic right fielder in time, though many thought entering the Draft his best route was to head to Washington for college.

ROUND 19

Pick 6 (561st overall), Cardinals: Brendan Lawson, SS/3B, P27 Academy (SC) (No. 156)
A Canada native, Lawson was a difficult player to scout this spring after a sinus infection required surgery and affected his general power as a senior. Despite a high-hand stance, he can still barrel balls regularly from the left side, when he’s not affected by a medical issue, and he could develop 20-homer power in time. Fringy speed might cause him to move to third base long-term, and he’s likely headed to his commitment at Florida given this late Draft pick.

Pick 7 (562nd overall), Angels: Connor Gatwood, RHP, Baker (AL) HS (No. 103)
Gatwood already shows a fastball that can touch 98 mph, and given his 6-foot-5 frame, many believe he’ll eventually sit in the mid-90s with ease given his present size and projection. He throws a mid-80s slider with power and has the makings of a fading changeup, albeit one that gets firm. He’s likely headed to Auburn unless the Halos scrape together a sizable bonus for him.

Pick 12 (567th overall), Red Sox: D’Angelo Ortiz, 3B, Miami Dade CC Kendall (unranked)
That’s another son of a key slugger from Boston’s 2004 and 2007 World Series teams. This time it’s the son of Hall of Famer , and he gets taken by the same club that retired his father’s number in 2017. The younger Ortiz hit .377/.467/.434 with one homer in 51 games on the junior-college circuit this spring.

Pick 22 (577th overall), Blue Jays: D’Marion Terrell, OF, Thompson (AL) HS (No. 153)
Terrell shows at least above-average raw power, and some scouts believe he could get to 25-30 homers at his peak in the pros. The loft in that left-handed swing helps that pop play, but there are some concerns that his timing isn’t great at the plate, dulling the overall offensive profile. Terrell is a solid runner who could play a decent left field or even better first base, and he used impressive performances this spring to earn a commitment to Auburn.

Pick 30 (585th overall), Rangers: Cade Obermueller, LHP, Iowa (No. 214)
The son of five-year Major Leaguer Wes Obermueller, the 5-foot-11 southpaw can show a plus sweeping slider from a low slot, and he gets a decent amount of run on a low-90s fastball. He can struggle throwing strikes as he gets out of rhythm with his delivery, and many believe he’s headed to the bullpen because of those issues and his size.

ROUND 20

Pick 1 (586th overall), Athletics: Dylan Volantis, LHP, Westlake (CA) HS (No. 148)
The 18-year-old southpaw stands out at 6-foot-6 on the bump, but he still has a ways to go before he can fulfill his sizable potential. While he’s picked up some velocity, he’s consistently around the 89-91 mph range with his fastball, and his commendable curveball gets the better grades for its two-plane break. He has a commitment to USC, and it’s likely that’s where he heads to add even more power to his game on the mound.

Pick 4 (589th overall), White Sox: Myles Bailey, 1B/3B, Lincoln (FL) HS (No. 145)
Bailey is listed at 6-foot-4, 235 pounds, and he uses that size to show plus raw power at the dish. He can look stiff with some of his swings, which hurts his ability to get to that pop right now, but many believe he’s more athletic than he seems at first glance. He could be a fit at third base or left field, though scouts expect him to land at the cold corner. Bailey is likely headed to Florida State.

Pick 5 (590th overall), Nationals: Colby Shelton, SS, Florida (No. 133)
After transferring from Alabama last year, Shelton hit .254/.374/.551 with 20 homers in 66 games this spring for a Gators team that made it all the way to Omaha. Only No. 6 overall pick Jac Caglianone (35) went deep more for Florida in 2024. That left-handed power will be Shelton’s carrying tool, and there are questions about whether he can stick at short or will have to move to third base or second. He is a Draft-eligible sophomore and could head back to Gainesville.

Pick 14 (599th overall), Reds: Mason Russell, LHP, Casteel (AZ) HS (No. 97)
One last big swing for Cincinnati, which attempts to snag a Top 100 prospect in the final round. The 6-foot-2 southpaw Russell has a four-pitch mix already, headlined by his 91-93 mph fastball and high-spin curveball. While he’s struggled with his control in the past, his athleticism has helped him improve the repeatability of his delivery, and he could get to average control with development likely at school with Arizona.

Pick 18 (603rd overall), Mariners: Ryan Picollo, OF, Saint Joseph’s (unranked)
Picollo is the son of Royals executive vice president/general manager J.J. Picollo and produced a .290 average with 13 homers in 53 games as a senior at St. Joe’s.

Pick 22 (607th overall), Blue Jays: Bryce Martin-Grudzielanek, SS, UC San Diego (unranked)
played 15 years in the Majors, but none of those came with Toronto, the club that selected his son, an infielder with experience at USC and multiple collegiate summer circuits including the Cape and MLB Draft League.

Pick 29 (614th overall), D-backs: Hunter Carns, C, First Coast (FL) HS (No. 152)
Carns is the rare backstop with plus speed, and he has an above-average throwing arm that gives him something to work with defensively while the rest of his game behind the plate is a bit raw. His powerful hands could help him get to average power in time, giving him potential to be a well-rounded backstop if everything comes together. He is committed to Florida State.