Here's what to expect for the Nats on Draft day

July 14th, 2024

This story was excerpted from Jessica Camerato's Nationals Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

Twenty-four hours before the 2024 MLB Draft, the Nationals traded a key member of their Major League bullpen to look ahead to the future.

The Nats acquired third-base prospect Cayden Wallace and a Competitive Balance Round A pick (No. 39 overall) from the Royals in exchange for setup reliever Hunter Harvey on Saturday night. Wallace was ranked as Kansas City’s No. 2 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, and he slotted in at No. 6 on the Nationals' list.

Washington will select picks No. 10, 39 and 44 on Day 1 when the Draft begins Sunday night.

The 2024 MLB Draft will be held at the Cowtown Coliseum in Fort Worth, Texas, as part of All-Star Weekend.

How to watch the Draft
Coverage starts at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday with a preview show on MLB Network, MLB.TV, MLB.com and the MLB app. The first round of the Draft will be broadcast by ESPN. Day 2 (Rounds 3-10) and Day 3 (Rounds 11-20) will be streamed on MLB.com beginning at 2 p.m. ET.

Which picks are selected on Day 1?
Rounds 1 and 2, compensatory rounds, Competitive Balance rounds and prospect promotion incentive selections

What is the Nationals' Draft bonus pool?
$13,895,100

Latest MLB Pipeline mock Draft

Bryce Rainer, SS, Harvard-Westlake HS, Studio City, Calif. (No. 10)
Grabbing a high-ceiling player like Rainer or Griffin would fit the Nationals' modus operandi. They also wouldn't mind a shot at the college players projected with the top eight picks above. -- Jim Callis

Konnor Griffin, SS/OF, Jackson Prep, Flowood, Miss. (No. 9)
The Nationals don’t shy away from risk-taking and they could look back and realize they got the best player in the class with the best all-around tools years from now. – Jonathan Mayo

Nationals’ recent first overall Draft picks
2023: No. 2, OF Dylan Crews, LSU
2022: No. 5, OF Elijah Green, IMG Academy
2021: No. 11, SS (now 3B) Brady House, Winder-Barrow HS
2020: No. 22, RHP Cade Cavalli, University of Oklahoma
2019: No. 17, RHP Jackson Rutledge, San Jacinto College

Last 10 No. 10 overall picks
2023: RHP Noble Meyer, Marlins
2022: RHP Gabriel Hughes, Rockies
2021: RHP Kumar Rocker, Mets
2020: LHP Reid Detmers, Angels
2019: OF Hunter Bishop, Giants
2018: OF Travis Swaggerty, Pirates
2017: OF Jo Adell, Angels
2016: C Zack Collins, White Sox
2015: SS Cornelius Randolph, Phillies
2014: OF Michael Conforto, Mets
The last time the Nationals selected at No. 10 was 2009 when they drafted right-hander Drew Storen.

Top 5 No. 10 picks (by bWAR)
1984: Mark McGwire, Athletics (62.1)
1988: Robin Ventura, White Sox (56.1)
1967: Ted Simmons, Cardinals (50.4)
1979: Tim Wallach, Expos (38.5)
1996: Eric Chavez, Athletics (38.3)

Top 5 No. 39 picks (by bWAR)
1982: Barry Bonds, Giants (162.8)
2008: Lance Lynn, Cardinals (29.2)
1967: Don Baylor, Orioles (28.5)
2012: Joey Gallo, Rangers (15.5)
1987: Todd Hundley, Mets via Orioles (10.9)

Top 5 No. 44 picks (by bWAR)
2002: Joey Votto, Reds (64.5)
1992: Jon Lieber, Royals via Yankees (24.2)
1990: Bob Wickman, White Sox (16.9)
2010: Nick Castellanos, Tigers (14)
2011: Michael Fulmer, Mets (12.6)