2024 MLB Draft Combine Scouting Notes
The MLB Draft Combine returned to Phoenix last week, though it was readily apparent how large the talent disparity is in the 2024 class compared to the one from just a year ago. In fact, according to one source, attendance among high level scouting executives was sparse for that very reason.
With that being said, it doesn’t mean there weren’t any players in attendance capable of making an impact in the big leagues. In fact, a draft like this is exactly the kind that separates the great teams from the average teams in this league. As the boards continue to be built, here are my thoughts on the players I saw during my week scouting at Chase Field.
Perhaps the most impressive round of batting practice throughout the Combine’s entirety came courtesy of prep third baseman out of Pennslyvania, Chase Harlan. The current Clemson commit launched some absolute moonshots during his round in the cage, including one that left the bat at 112.4 mph and landed 450 ft from home plate. Harlan is extremely physical in the box with a broad-shouldered frame and tons of bat speed through the zone. His actions on the dirt were much clunkier but I’d put a 55 grade on the arm and allow time for him to develop defensively in pro ball before moving him off the position. There’s no doubt the bat will play and Harlan certainly secured a spot in the top three rounds with an over-slot deal on draft day based on his Combine performance.
One college bat I had my eye on coming into the event was Presbyterian College outfielder Joel Dragoo. Dragoo figures to be one of two Presbyterian players selected on day two along with fellow Combine participant, RHP Daniel Eagen. In the box, Dragoo is a short strider with a slightly closed stance and strong upper half that lend itself to above average raw power. The body type and swing mechanics remind me a little bit of current White Sox outfielder Tommy Pham and Dragoo ultimately projects as an athletic corner outfielder with above average power at the next level.
On the pitching side, a shoutout is due for Colorado prep righty Trey Gregory-Alford, who didn’t register a fastball under 95 in his stint on the mound and topped out at a shade under 100. Another prep righty from The Centennial State, Grant Shepardson, was also extremely impressive. Shepardson was a hot name for scouts earlier in the spring and offers a fastball in the 92-94 range with a slider that looks to be a plus pitch in the future. There’s plenty of projection left in Shepardson’s frame and he does an excellent job at sinking into his lower half to generate power and gets around the ball well on his secondaries - reminding me a bit of Matt Brash.
Perhaps the draft’s best name, Chicago area prepster Sir Jamison Jones wowed many in attendance with his physicality in the box. The frame is massive and comes with big time hand/forearm strength that allows for Jones to really impact the baseball. At this stage, Jones is a pure corner bat prospect as he’s at best a 40 grade runner and looked underwhelming during catching drills on defense.
Speaking of catchers - the most impressive during defensive drills was that of North Carolina A&T’s Canyon Brown. I’d put a 70 grade on the arm, as Brown registered a couple pop times hovering in the 1.9 range, showcasing accurate throws with carry down to second base and good athleticism out of his stance. I guess being invited to this event as a catcher means you have to have a great name?
Several players stood out during the high school scrimmage on day one of the Combine festivities. Mississippi third baseman Samuel Richardson, a current Texas commit, features electric bat speed a strong lower half that projects to future plus power. Richardson registered a couple hits in the contest and displays good awareness on the basepaths and average run times. On the pitching side, local right hander Smith Bailey gave me a much different look than when I saw him earlier in the spring. In this setting, Bailey looked absolutely dominant, striking out the side and topping out at 95 with an explosive fastball. The arm speed is electric and features a long stroke through the back side on the way to a low three-quarters release that makes it extremely difficult for hitters to pick up the ball out of his hand. The changeup was perhaps most impressive, generating three swing/miss. The slider shape is inconsistent but Bailey oozes projectability and there’s no way a smart organization will let him get to campus in the fall. Another arm that flashed in this game was massive, 6-foot-8 righty Mavrick Rizy. Rizy dominated opposing batters and features an ultra athletic, crossfire delivery. He pounds the strike zone and clearly trusts his secondary offerings, particularly the slider, to keep hitters off balance.
On the college pitching side, I’m particularly intrigued by George Mason southpaw Konner Eaton. Eaton’s numbers on the surface weren’t much to write home about but the fastball is up to 96 and the changeup flashes. Some refinement is needed on the slider, but I’d be interested to see what Eaton would look like as a starter in pro ball. Another southpaw, Brandon Clarke, figures to be one of the first junior college pitchers off the board come July. The velo (up to 98 on his four-seamer) is effortless and a slight hitch at the top of his windup could be disruptive for opposing hitters’ timing at the next level. There’s a lot of work to be done on refinement of the secondaries but the clay is certainly there. Right-hander Luke Hayden is currently slated to transfer to LSU next season but after his session on the mound, I’m doubtful he makes it to campus. There’s a little more effort in the delivery than you’d like but Hayden hides the ball extremely well and is an athletic mover who pumped in fastballs in the mid-90’s with good carry and a 12-to-6 curveball that flashed plus. Hayden feels like the type of arm the Dodgers or Rays will take in rounds 5-8 and eventually make his way to a mid-rotation starter profile. Finally, don’t be surprised if Iowa lefty Cade Obermueller becomes a bullpen contributor at the big league level in relatively short order. Obermueller can run the fastball from the left side up to 95 out of a tough, low 3/4 arm slot and crossfire delivery and a slider that generates a ton of sweeping action. The draft-eligible sophomore could find a home somewhere on day two.
Honorable mentions: Mike Sirota (OF, Northeastern), Lazaro Collera (RHP, Florida Christian HS), JD Dix (IF, Whitefish Bay HS), Dylan Jordan (RHP, Viera HS), Levi Clark (C, Walton HS), Brock Moore (RHP, Oregon), Tyler Bell (SS, Lincoln-Way East HS), Luke Dickerson (SS, Morris Knolls HS), Aiden Harris (3B, Pro Development Group), Tague Davis (1B, Malvern Prep HS), Hunter Hines (1B, Missisippi State), Grant Knipp (IF/RHP, Campbell), James Nunnalee (OF, Lightridge HS), Eddie Rynders (IF, Wisconsin Lutheran HS), Jakob Christian (OF, San Diego), Hunter Carns, (C, First Coast HS)
That’ll do it for coverage of the 2024 MLB Draft Combine. Before you go, I’d like to give a quick shoutout to Fangraphs’ Travis Ice and Lance Brozdowski of Marquee Sports Network/MLB Network for being so accommodating with their time during the Combine. I sincerely appreciate it.
Be sure to stay tuned for more scouting news, notes, an upcoming Top 100 board and more mocks as we prepare for a draft that is now less than one month away.
