On Sunday the 2024 MLB amateur draft got underway with the top pick sending Oregon State second baseman Travis Bazzana to the Cleveland Guardians.
The first player from the Big 12 came off the board with the No. 7 overall selection by the St. Louis Cardinals. Shortstop J.J. Wetherholt of West Virginia will begin his professional career with a storied franchise in all likelihood. He still has another year of eligibility should Wetherholt choose to return to Morgantown. Injuries forced him to miss 24 games this season but he was a Unanimous All-American in 2023 and named Big 12 Player of the Year.
In all, there were five players selected who played college baseball in the Big 12 during the 2024 season. Of the five taken on day one, only one was a pitcher. TCU Horned Frogs LHP Payton Tolle was selected by the Boston Red Sox with the No. 50 overall selection closing out the Big 12’s picks.
J.J. Wetherholt, Shortstop: West Virginia Mountaineers
With the 7th pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, the St. Louis Cardinals select SS JJ Wetherholt!#ForTheLou pic.twitter.com/CqyfJAfGDp
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) July 14, 2024
Carson Benge, Outfield: Oklahoma State Cowboys
With the 19th overall pick in the #MLBDraft, we’ve selected outfielder Carson Benge from Oklahoma State. pic.twitter.com/yM0KbUHCvB
— New York Mets (@Mets) July 15, 2024
Kaelen Culpepper, Shortstop: Kansas State Wildcats
Ok Kaelen!
With the 21st pick in the 2024 #MLBDraft, we have selected Kaelen Culpepper. pic.twitter.com/JS62vY0qFX
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) July 15, 2024
Jared Thomas, Outfield: Texas Longhorns
Two more Rockies joining the family 💜 pic.twitter.com/Ug4mDT9mhx
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) July 15, 2024
Payton Tolle, Pitcher: TCU Horned Frogs
With the 50th pick in the 2024 #MLBDraft, we have selected P Payton Tolle from @TCU_Baseball. pic.twitter.com/e0Ufwyam8N
— Red Sox (@RedSox) July 15, 2024
Day 2 began on Monday morning.