The 2024 MLB Draft continued its second day on July 15, showcasing rounds 3-10 with a clear preference for college talent. The Kansas City Royals made a significant move by selecting Tennessee right-hander Drew Beam with the second pick of the third round (No. 76 overall). Beam, a key contributor to Tennessee’s College World Series title, hopes to make an impact for the up-and-coming Royals.The draft saw a strong trend towards college prospects, with 23 out of 30 players in the third round and 27 out of 30 in the fourth round coming from four-year schools. This trend was evident across various team selections. The Colorado Rockies picked Cole Messina, a junior catcher from the University of South Carolina and winner of the Johnny Bench Award, in the third round. The New York Yankees selected Thatcher Hurd, a right-handed pitcher from LSU, also in the third round.Several college programs saw record-breaking selections. The University of Indiana had four players drafted in the top five rounds, marking the most in the program’s history and surpassing any other Big Ten school. LSU had four players selected on Day 2 alone, including Griffin Herring and Fidel Ulloa.The draft also highlighted local talents. In the Bay Area, the Oakland Athletics selected two local prospects: Rodney Green Jr., an outfielder from Cal, and Davis Diaz, a catcher from Vanderbilt. The Los Angeles Dodgers picked power prospect Chase Harlan, a third baseman committed to Clemson, in the third round.As the draft progresses, it continues to shape the future of MLB teams while providing opportunities for emerging talents in college and high school baseball.
Key points
- The 2024 MLB Draft’s second day saw a strong preference for college prospects, with over 80% of selections in rounds 3 and 4 coming from four-year schools.
- Several college programs, including the University of Indiana and LSU, saw record-breaking numbers of players drafted.
- Local talents were highlighted in various team selections, showcasing the importance of regional scouting.
