The first round of the 2024 MLB draft is in the books and the Southeastern Conference — as well as the Atlantic Coast Conference — dominated the top half of the opening round.
USA TODAY Sports writer Gabe Lacques penned up his five takeaways after the dust settled, noting that the SEC and ACC were a significant presence among the top picks.
“After Oregon State’s Travis Bazzana was picked No. 1 overall, 11 of the next 14 players selected hailed from either Southeastern or Atlantic Coast Conference schools,” Lacques begins.
“That tracks with the most recent College World Series, in which the field was comprised entirely of ACC and SEC teams.
“Wake Forest had three players taken in the top 10, giving the Demon Deacons five first-rounders the past two years. And the SEC had 16 of the top 60 picks.”
Does it truly just matter more?
“The SEC is the best of the best. You got guys like Paul Skenes coming out, [autotag]Brandon Sproat[/autotag] coming out, Friday night guys who are top-round picks,” says Tennessee infielder Christian Moore, taken eighth overall by the Los Angeles Angels.
“It definitely prepares you for pro ball. I don’t know what it’s like, but I hope it’s fun,” he added.
“Telling that Moore would lump Sproat, a second-round pick of the Mets out of Florida in 2023, in the same breath as Skenes, who leaped from 1/1 in 2023 to starting the All-Star Game in 2024,” Lacqeus continues.
“While Sun Belt schools always had a weather advantage, the same advantages that lure high school kids to college – NIL, excellent facilities, pro-level coaches – are exacerbated in the SEC and ACC.
“Yes, the rich will continue to get richer.”
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