Tag: 2024 MLB draft

Atlanta Braves sign Alabama catcher Mac Guscette as undrafted free agent

The Atlanta Braves signed Alabama catcher Mac Guscette as an undrafted free agent.

One day after the conclusion of the 2024 MLB draft, Alabama Crimson Tide catcher Mac Guscette was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Atlanta Braves.

Guscette transferred to Alabama from the Florida Gators. The native of Nokomis, Florida spent two seasons in Tuscaloosa. As a junior, Guscette held a .260 batting average with nine home runs and 34 runs batted in.

During his senior season, Guscette amassed a .321 batting average with four home runs and 39 runs batted in. Following the conclusion of his senior season, Guscette was named a semifinalist for the Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award.

The Braves have an excellent farm system and Guscette will have a great opportunity to work his way through the minor leagues.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow the latest surrounding the Alabama baseball program.

The stars are aligning for LSU baseball in 2025

LSU baseball has all the tools to win a national title in 2024. Now, it’s about putting the pieces together.

The summer of 2022 was a good one for LSU baseball. [autotag]Jay Johnson[/autotag] knew players like [autotag]Dylan Crews[/autotag] and [autotag]Tre Morgan[/autotag] were returning while adding superstars [autotag]Paul Skenes[/autotag] and [autotag]Tommy White[/autotag] in the transfer portal. It made LSU the consensus No. 1 entering 2023, with some calling it a dream team.

That group fit the billing, going on to win the national title a year later.

This summer has been a similar flood of positive news for Jay Johnson’s squad. According to 64Analytics, the Tigers have the top transfer class in college baseball. LSU survived the MLB draft largely unscathed and with a few surprises.

Star high school pitcher [autotag]William Schmidt[/autotag] pulled his name from draft boards and announced his decision to attend LSU. Key contributors from the 2024 squad, first baseman [autotag]Jared Jones[/autotag] and shortstop [autotag]Michael Braswell[/autotag], both announced their return to school.

I’m not saying the 2025 squad will be a dream team on the level of 2023. We may never see that assembly of talent again in college baseball. LSU hasn’t added a Skenes or White in the portal, but those players aren’t there every year. There’s no Dylan Crews or Tre Morgan either, even if LSU’s lineup does have potential to be among the nation’s best.

Regardless, LSU is positioning itself to be a true national title contender in 2025. Questions about the pitching staff remain, but the portal work has built enough depth for a few solid options to emerge. Jones should take another step forward as a slugger and second basemen [autotag]Steven Milam[/autotag] is set to become a superstar.

Don’t forget about [autotag]Jake Brown[/autotag], who had several impressive moments as a true freshman down the stretch.

It’s a team that will be battle-tested after facing adversity in 2024 and seeing its season come to a heartbreaking end in the Chapel Hill Regional.

Johnson, having managed a team filled with stars in 2023 and a team that needed some work in 2024, has proven he can win in different ways. Next year, we’ll see a combo of the two styles. It will be a team with strong portal reinforcements, but much of the core will come through high school recruiting and retaining what LSU already has.

After a disappointing 2024, the pressure will be turned on again next year. How this group deals with that will be something to watch, but the veteran presence is there.

Johnson knows his gig is the best job in the country. It’s because it doesn’t take much effort to assemble a team like this. LSU has all the tools to win another national title in 2025, now it’s just about putting the pieces together.

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St. Louis Cardinals select Alabama OF Ian Petrutz with No. 351 overall pick in 2024 MLB draft

With the No. 351 overall pick in the 2024 MLB draft, the St. Louis Cardinals selected outfielder Ian Petrutz.

Several Alabama Crimson Tide baseball players heard their names called on the first two days of the 2024 MLB draft. On the third day of the 2024 MLB draft, Alabama outfielder Ian Petrutz was selected in the 12th round (No. 351 overall pick) by the St. Louis Cardinals.

Petrutz came to Alabama by way of Maryland. The New Jersey native suited up for the Terrapins under current Alabama head coach Rob Vaughn. In two years in College Park, Petrutz amassed a .288 batting average to go along with 23 home runs and 91 runs batted in.

Following his sophomore season, Petrutz entered the transfer portal. Ultimately, he chose to reunite with Coach Vaughn and suit up for the Crimson Tide. In one season at Alabama, Petrutz held a .320 average with six home runs and 41 runs batted in.

Petrutz will have the option to return to Tuscaloosa if he so chooses. However, he could also elect to remain a part of the Cardinals organization and sign a professional contract. A decision regarding Petrutz’s future will likely be determined in the next few days to weeks.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow the latest regarding Alabama baseball players in the 2024 MLB draft.

Florida loses incoming transfer RHP Michael Ross to 2024 MLB draft

Samford right-hander Michael Ross won’t be transferring to Florida after signing a deal out of the MLB draft.

Samford right-hander [autotag]Michael Ross[/autotag] won’t make it to Gainesville after all.

The incoming transfer turned down a year with the Florida Gators to sign an 18th-round deal with the Minnesota Twins. The financial details of the deal remain unknown for now.

Ross had a chance to join Florida’s weekend rotation, which should be anchored by returners [autotag]Pierce Coppola[/autotag] and [autotag]Liam Peterson[/autotag]. Ross was expected to be the third member of the weekend rotation, but now Florida will have to figure something else out.

Florida tried to convince Ross to stay in school for another year, pitching that a good year in the SEC could earn him more money. But Ross would lose all negotiating leverage if he returned for his senior year, potentially negating any gains made by the year at UF.

The Gators had a pretty good draft otherwise, but losing Ross hurts. Florida has now lost impact transfer arms in back-to-back offseasons. UCLA right-hander Kelly Austin signed an undrafted free agent deal with the Houston Astros after committing to Florida last season.

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Texas A&M baseball enters the record books with 2024 MLB Draft

Texas A&M now has the longest streak of three or more players being drafted in the MLB Draft since 2001

Texas A&M has been on the cusp of being a powerhouse baseball team for the most part of the last decade but repeatedly fell short of expectations until the 2024 season. On the heels of a historic year, Aggie fans settled in to follow the 2024 MLB Draft to see which of their beloved A&M players would make the jump to the pros.

They didn’t have to wait long with Braden Montgomery being selected 12th overall and stayed tuned to watch six more Aggies get selected throughout the draft. With seven players being picked A&M now has the longest streak in the nation for three or more players being drafted since 2001. The Aggies that were selected in this year’s draft can be viewed on the tracker here.

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Chicago White Sox select Alabama OF TJ McCants with No. 469 overall pick in 2024 MLB draft

With the No. 469 overall pick in the 2024 MLB draft, the Chicago White Sox selected Alabama outfielder TJ McCants.

Alabama Crimson Tide outfielder TJ McCants was drafted in the 16th round (No. 469 overall pick) by the Chicago White Sox on Day 3 of the 2024 MLB draft. He was the sixth and final Alabama player chosen in this year’s draft.

McCants began his college career at Ole Miss. The Florida native spent three seasons in Oxford. His career batting average was .261. He hit 22 home runs and drove in 93 runs. In addition, he had 31 stolen bases for the Rebels.

Following his junior season, McCants made the decision to transfer to Alabama. Originally, McCants was recruited by the Alabama coaching staff to play shortstop. However, freshman Justin Lebron showed a lot of promise and ultimately won the starting job at shortstop. As a result, the Crimson Tide chose to permanently move McCants to the outfield.

In one season at Alabama, McCants made 56 starts for the Crimson Tide as an everyday outfielder. He amassed a .306 batting average with 17 home runs and 53 runs batted in. McCants also stole 14 bases.

McCants could return to Tuscaloosa for his fifth and final season. The other options would be for him to enter the transfer portal or sign with the White Sox organization.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow the latest regarding Alabama baseball players in the 2024 MLB draft.

Ohio State baseball sees one player taken in the MLB draft

Congrats Gavin! #GoBucks

It wasn’t the best showing for Ohio State baseball during the [autotag]2024 MLB draft[/autotag], but luckily the Buckeyes didn’t get shutout.

In the 17th round with pick No. 500, the [autotag]Washington Nationals[/autotag] selected left-handed pitcher, [autotag]Gavin Bruni[/autotag]. The starter has been solid over the past two seasons, while consistently taking the bump when his name was called.

The results weren’t spectacular, as his ERA was 4.87 in 2023 and 6.19 this past year. Bruni did a great job striking batters out, as he averaged over a strike-out per nine innings over those two seasons.

While it’s great for Bruni to get drafted, this is a direct reflection on the need to infuse the program with more talent and develop that talent to elevate things.

Congrats Gavin, we look forward to your continued success in the professional ranks.

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Chicago White Sox select Alabama RHP Pierce George with No. 379 overall pick in 2024 MLB draft

With the No. 379 overall pick in the 2024 MLB draft, the Chicago White Sox selected right-handed pitcher Pierce George.

Alabama Crimson Tide right-handed pitcher Pierce George was selected in the 13th round (No. 379 overall pick) by the Chicago White Sox on Day 3 of the 2024 MLB draft.

George transferred to Alabama from Texas Longhorns. The Texas native spent one season in Austin. He recorded a 0-0 record with a 13.50 earned run average in three appearances for the Longhorns. George threw just two innings and allowed three earned runs.

Following the conclusion of his freshman season, George entered the transfer portal. Soon after, George made the decision to transfer to Alabama. In one season in Tuscaloosa, he held a 1-0 record with a 4.38 earned run average in 13 appearances. He threw 12.1 innings, allowed six earned runs, and struck out 11 batters.

George has two years of college eligibility remaining. He could choose to return to Tuscaloosa or sign a professional contract with the White Sox organization. A decision regarding George’s future will likely come in the coming days or weeks.

Roll Tide Wire will follow the latest regarding Alabama baseball players in the 2024 MLB draft.

Florida starting SS picked in final round of 2024 MLB draft

Colby Shelton heard his named called in the final round of the 2024 MLB draft, but the Florida Gators shortstop is expected to return.

Florida shortstop [autotag]Colby Shelton[/autotag] was the biggest question mark for the Gators coming into the draft, and now he has a decision to make after being selected by the Washington Nationals in the 20th round of the 2024 MLB draft.

That decision should be fairly easy considering Shelton entered the draft as a potential Day 1 selection. For those unfamiliar with the MLB draft, players don’t have to sign with a team if they don’t like the slot value they’re picked at. Draft-eligible sophomores, such as Shelton, hold the most leverage among college athletes because they have two more years of eligibility remaining.

All that is to say that Shelton will likely be headed back to Florida, which means the Gators don’t have to find an immediate replacement at shortstop.

To sign Shelton, the Nationals would have to submit a massive over-slot offer, and history tells us that this is more like a 20th-round flier after everyone else on their draft board is gone. Still, it leaves a small percentage of a chance that Shelton does leave.

As of publishing time, Shelton had not confirmed his decision to return like several other players.

Colby Shelton at the University of Florida

Shelton transferred to Florida from Alabama after one year of college ball. He had a reputation for tearing the cover off the ball — 25 home runs as a freshman — but the swing-and-miss was still a problem. Shelton also wanted to prove he could play shortstop, and Florida needed someone to fill the void left by Josh Rivera.

The power numbers decreased for Shelton while the strikeouts increased at Florida. Still an above-average hitter (115 wRC+), Shelton didn’t become the sure-fire Day 1 pick many scouts believe he can be. He slashed .254/.374/.551 compared to .300/.419/.729 as a freshman.

Shelton should return to Florida as one of the most dangerous hitters in the lineup. He and Luke Heyman are both viewed as non-draftees that are set to make a big jump in 2025 with the program.

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Florida RHP Ryan Slater selected in 18th round of 2024 MLB draft

It took a while for a Gator to be called on Day 3 of the 2024 MLB draft, but the San Francisco Giants picked Ryan Slater in the 18th round.

The San Francisco Giants selected Florida right-handed redshirt junior [autotag]Ryan Slater[/autotag] in the 18th round of the 2024 MLB draft on Tuesday.

He is the 224th individual selection in program history and the 109th selection of the [autotag]Kevin O’Sullivan[/autotag] era.

Slater leaves Florida with a 22-7 record and eight saves. He managed a 5.35 ERA and .260 batting average against over 166 2/3 innings and struck out 140 batters to 61 walks.

Slater was one of a few veteran arms in Florida’s bullpen this season, and he started off as perhaps the most trusted relief arm in Gainesville. Opposing bats started to figure him out as the season went on, though, and his ERA ballooned to a career-high 6.70, while batters averaged .302 off of him.

Fortunately, Slater made a name for himself in 2023, both with the Gators and over the summer in the Cape Cod League. The Giants had a trend of drafting arms that excelled in the Cape.

Slater is the last rostered Gator to be drafted and is likely to leave the program. Florida also saw Jac Caglianone, Brandon Neely and Fisher Jameson drafted over the first two days. Colby Shelton was picked in the 20th round, but it’s a Hail Mary shot from the Washington Nationals.

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