On Sunday, the 2024 MLB Draft will kick off at 7 p.m EDT. As always, the top of the draft class is loaded with Cape Cod Baseball League alumni, and over one-fourth of Baseball America’s top 100 draft prospects spent time playing in the Cape League over the last two years.
These are rankings 1-50, rankings 51-100 can be found in Part 1
Projected picks 1-10
Charlie Condon (Falmouth '23) and Travis Bazzana (Falmouth '23) are the top two projected players in the draft. After their 2024 collegiate seasons, these two standout players have all but solidified themselves as the best all-around players in the draft pool.
Condon, an outfielder from the University of Georgia, is one of the best draft eligible power bats in recent memory. He went deep 37 times for Georgia this year, fifth most in a season all time. Condon ends his career with the Bulldogs as their all-time home run leader.
Bazzana could very well be the most well-rounded player in the draft, the athletic second baseman from Oregon State University is a true five-tool prospect. As the 2023 Cape League batting champion, Bazzana’s natural ability in the field paired with his elite plate discipline gives him real all-star upside.
West Virginia shortstop JJ Wetherholt (Chatham '23) led the NCAA in hitting two seasons ago, slashing .449/.517/.782. He has plus speed and will be a threat to steal 30-plus bases. If he’s drafted inside the top 10, he’d be the highest drafted West Virginia player ever.
After spending the last two summers in the Cape League, Texas A&M’s Braden Montgomery (Y-D '22-23) will begin his professional baseball career. Despite an ankle injury in the super regionals, Montgomery will still likely be one of the first players off the board. He has one of the best arms in the draft, which is partly why he’s made a couple spot starts for Texas A&M and Y-D. However, he’ll likely play exclusively in the outfield once healthy again.
Projected picks 11-20
Two Florida State players have been heavily mocked around picks 10-15. Outfielder James Tibbs (Brewster '23) and third baseman Cam Smith (Hyannis '23) are two of the best pure hitters available.
Tibbs significantly cut his strikeout rate down after participating in the Cape League, and struck out 12 fewer times in 12 more games for FSU this year than last. His bat alone will be enough to land him a selection in the top 20.
Smith’s prolific bat earned him the 2023 Robert A. McNeece Award for Outstanding Pro Prospect in the Cape League. He posted a .981 OPS for Hyannis and carried that over to FSU, where he posted a 1.142 OPS. At 6-foot-3, 224 pounds, Smith's frame makes him a viable power threat. His arm strength also provides him with the tools to stay at third base.
The first national champion on draft boards is Tennessee second baseman Christian Moore (Hyannis '23). Despite struggles in the Cape League, Moore turned himself into an on-base machine with the Volunteers. Additionally, he blasted 34 home runs this year, doubling his total from 2022; it was good for third best in the NCAA.
A two true-way player out of Oklahoma State, Carson Benge (Chatham '23) slugged .665 this year and also threw 37 innings with a 3.16 ERA. With more upside at the plate, Benge’s advanced contact skills propelled him up draft projections. Having already had Tommy John surgery, he could be turned loose on the mound as well if a team is willing to take a chance on a legitimate two-way prospect.
The two highest ranked catchers are UC Berkeley's Caleb Lomavita (Cotuit '22-23) and Sam Houston State’s Walker Janek (Falmouth '23). Lomavita’s receiving skills behind that plate have come along since moving into a full-time catching role in school. His bat and innate ability to make contact will land him a selection.
Janek drew draft interest as a high schooler but opted to attend Sam Houston State. Janek ended his collegiate career with an OPS just above 1.000 and is also an elite defensive catcher. For his work shutting down the basepaths (15 caught stealing), he won CUSA’s 2024 Defensive Player of the Year award.
Projected picks 21-30
Former Chatham Angler Brody Brecht (Chatham '23) and Hyannis alumni Billy Amick (Hyannis '23) are projected to hear their names called somewhere in the 21-30 range, according to Baseball America.
Fireballer Brecht, a former two-sport athlete (football) out of Iowa, has pumped his fastball up to 101 and it sits in the sizzling 96-97 range. While his fastball has eye-popping numbers — with the velocity being second only to No. 4 prospect Chase Burns – he relies more on a multi-shape slider. In his three seasons with the Hawkeyes, he averaged a 3.49 ERA, totaling 281 strikeouts and ending his junior campaign with a career-best 14.2% walk rate.
Amick sits right behind Brecht on Baseball America’s list at No. 29. The Clemson Tiger turned Tennessee Volunteer made his mark in both the ACC and the SEC, breaking out in 2023 slashing .413/.464/.773 and becoming a mainstay in the most potent offense in the country. Amick is a powerful righty who can slot into either first or third base.
Projected picks 31-40
Two Harwich Mariners are slated in the low 30s according to Baseball America. Left-handed pitcher Jonathan Santucci (Hawrich '22) as well as shortstop Kaelen Culpepper (Harwich '23) are projected at No. 32 and No. 34, respectively.
Santucci, from Duke University, flashed top-of-the-rotation potential through parts of the last few years, but injuries and command issues limited him. His fastball features good run up in the zone where he misses a lot of bats; however, even with a 14.0 K/9 this year, his K/BB was still just 2.50.
Kansas State’s Culpepper has an interesting case. He played well at shortstop in the Cape League, with Team USA and at school, but scouts have still questioned his long-term projectability there. He’s a disciplined hitter who controls counts well and progressed as a base runner over the last few years.
As a 6-5, 255-pound southpaw, there’s a lot to like about Ben Hess’ (Falmouth '23) frame. With one of the better sliders in the draft, its two-plane depth makes it a dangerous breaking ball when it’s working. If Alabama’s top pitching prospect can cut down his walk rate, he could become an effective asset for any Major League organization.
Back-to-back Cape League champion Bryce Cunningham (Bourne '22-23) has shown a major improvement in his stuff this year. The righty from Vanderbilt’s changeup became one of the best swing-and-miss pitches in the NCAA, and Cunningham was extremely effective out of the bullpen for Bourne in both of its championship runs.
Projected picks 41-50
The lone Cape League alumni in the 41-50 range is NC State standout catcher Jacob Cozart (Falmouth '22), ranking No. 44 on Baseball America’s list. Cozart became the mainstay behind the plate and has a fantastic eye with more career walks than strikeouts. His arm stands out as his best tool with the ability to sling it from behind the dish at multiple spots.
To learn more about Cape Cod Baseball League alumni, follow this link to view player stats, historical standings, manager records and more: https://cdthoms.shinyapps.io/CCBL/
(Photo via Ben Lilley)
