Tag: 2024 MLB draft

Duke closer Charlie Beilenson goes to the Seattle Mariners in fifth round of 2024 MLB draft

Duke’s second draft pick of the 2024 MLB Draft is closer Charlie Beilenson, who’s headed to the West Coast after getting taken in the fifth round.

Duke’s pitching this past season was supposed to be a high mark for the team as it prepared for another year in the ACC, and when it came down to it, the pitching was incredible for the Blue Devils.

One of those pitchers, ace lefty Johnathan Santucci, was taken by the New York Mets in the second round of the 2024 MLB draft. Another one of Duke’s dynamic arms, closer Charlie Beilenson, came off the board next as Duke’s second pick of the draft during the second day of the draft.

Beilenson is headed to the Seattle Mariners after they selected him with the 154th overall pick in the fifth round.

Beilenson was a crucial part of Duke’s team over his time in Durham and has the accolades to prove it. In just 2024 alone, Charlie Beilenson went 7-3 with 12 saves, posting a 2.01 ERA (14 earned runs across 62.2 innings pitched) with 92 strikeouts for Duke. He finished the year as an ABCA/Rawlings, NCBWA, and Perfect Game First Team All-American. He was also an All-ACC First Team Relief Pitcher, one of seven Blue Devils on the all-conference squads.

His durability was displayed in 2023 as he broke the school record for appearances in a single season at 39.

He routinely put out fires or shut the door on opposing teams. His versatility is truly impressive, as he can be a one-inning closer, a multi-inning middle or long reliever, or a set-up man. In short, he’s as versatile a bullpen weapon as a team can wish for, leaving fans and analysts in awe of his skills.

He doesn’t throw hard, but it’s reasonable to believe that under the eyes of major league pitching instruction, he may be able to maximize his potential and add a few more miles to his fastball.

With the way the Mariners develop pitchers as an organization and value pitching (they lead the American League in ERA, WHIP, and average against), it stands to reason they will know exactly what buttons to push to maximize Beilenson’s talent.

Top LSU bullpen option Griffin Herring drafted by Yankees in 6th round

Jay Johnson previously said Griffin Herring would be a weekend starter if he returned to LSU in 2025.

With the 181st pick of the 2024 MLB draft, the [autotag]New York Yankees[/autotag] selected [autotag]Griffin Herring[/autotag], a left-handed pitcher from LSU.

After taking [autotag]Thatcher Hurd[/autotag] in the third round of the draft, the Yankees double up on LSU pitchers as they take the player who was possibly the best pitcher on LSU’s roster last season, [autotag]Griffin Herring[/autotag].

Herring finished last season with a 6-1 record and a 1.79 ERA. He struck out 67 hitters and walked 13 over 50.1 innings of work. [autotag]Jay Johnson[/autotag] stated that if Herring decided to come back next Spring he would be one of the Tigers’ starting pitchers.

That plan may have now gone out the window with the Yankees picking him in Round 6. The slot value for the 181st pick is $339,600. Herring still has the option to sign with New York or to stay in Baton Rouge. The ball is in his court.

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Miami Marlins select Alabama 3B Gage Miller with No. 92 overall pick in 2024 MLB draft

With the No. 92 overall pick in the 2024 MLB draft, the Miami Marlins selected Alabama third baseman Gage Miller.

On Day 2 of the 2024 MLB draft, the Miami Marlins selected Alabama Crimson Tide third baseman Gage Miller with the No. 92 overall pick.

Miller spent one season in Tuscaloosa after transferring from Bishop State Community College in Mobile, Alabama. The Pennsylvania native had a strong junior campaign in Tuscaloosa. He amassed a .381 batting average to go along with a team-high 19 home runs and 58 runs batted in.

In all likelihood, Miller will elect to turn pro and sign a contract with the Marlins organization. He has the option to return to college if he so chooses. However, it will be tough for Miller to pass up on being selected in the third round. The former junior college standout will be a difficult player to replace in Tuscaloosa.

The Marlins are in need of assembling a strong farm system for the major league team. Their decision to draft Miller is one that could go a long way in the future.

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

Ryan Prager selected by the Los Angeles Angels with the 81st overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft

Texas A&M pitcher Ryan Prager is the second Aggie taken by the Los Angeles Angels in the 2024 MLB Draft

Texas A&M tone-setter on the mound Ryan Prager could very well be named as the Aggies comeback player of the year. To make it even sweeter, his 2024 campaign with him being drafted in the third round by the Los Angeles Angels in the 2024 MLB Draft. If Prager does actually sign with the Angels, he will join fellow Aggie pitcher Chris Cortez.

The lefty was A&M’s main weekend starter and picked up the win in the Aggie’s lone victory during the national championship series against Tennessee. While his fastball only tops out around the low 90s it has great movement, and he pairs that with some good off-speed pitches. Prager’s comeback as been nothing short of amazing.

CAREER STATS

  • Record – 10-5
  • Saves – 0
  • ERA – 3.78
  • Innings Pitched – 157
  • Strikeouts – 177
  • Walks – 45
  • Opposing Batting Average – .242

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LSU signee Kale Fountain drafted by the San Diego Padres in 5th round

Kale Fountain became the first prep player from LSU’s signing class to be taken on Day 2.

With the 151st pick of the [autotag]2024 MLB Draft[/autotag], the San Diego Padres selected [autotag]Kale Fountain[/autotag], a third baseman from Norris High School in Nebraska.

The [autotag]San Diego Padres[/autotag] really love raining on [autotag]Jay Johnson[/autotag]’s parade in this draft. Sunday night, they took high school pitcher [autotag]Boston Bateman[/autotag], who was a highly touted member of LSU’s signing class. On Monday, they take another highly touted member of the class in Fountain.

The 151st pick in the draft is worth $444,200, but the Padres may have struck a deal with Fountain and agreed to pay more for him if he would sign with them. Kale still has the option to choose to go to Baton Rouge, but being a fifth-round draft pick, I would expect him to join Bateman in the Padres farm system.

Fountain becomes the first prep player from LSU’s 2024 recruiting class taken on Day 2 of the MLB draft. Yesterday, three Tiger prospects were taken.

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These SEC players were selected in first round of 2024 MLB draft

The SEC saw numerous players selected in the first round Sunday night.

As expected, the SEC as a whole was well represented during the first round of the 2024 MLB draft on Sunday night, seeing nine players selected across the 30 total picks, along with the nine incentive and compensation picks.

The first of those players selected was Georgia Bulldogs star third baseman Charlie Condon, as the 2024 SEC Player of the Year went No. 3 overall to the Colorado Rockies. Condon was also joined by Arkansas Razorbacks left-hander Hagen Smith, the 2024 SEC Pitcher of the Year, in the top five picks, with the southpaw going No. 5 overall to the Chicago White Sox.

Also joining those two in the Top 10 were Florida’s Jac Caglianone at No. 6 to the Kansas City Royals and Tennessee’s Christian Moore at No. 8 to the Los Angeles Angels.

Rounding out the first round was Texas A&M’s Braden Montgomery (No. 12 to Boston Red Sox), Mississippi State’s Jurrangelo Cijntje (No. 15 to Seattle Mariners), Alabama’s Ben Hess (No. 26 to New York Yankees), Kentucky’s Ryan Waldschmidt (No. 31 to Arizona Diamondbacks), and Tennessee’s Blake Burke (No. 34 to Milwaukee Brewers).

In addition to this group, numerous other SEC players came off the board in the second round on Sunday night such as LSU’s Tommy White and Texas A&M’s Chris Cortez, among others. The third round also began Monday afternoon.

Former LSU pitcher Thatcher Hurd drafted by the Yankees

Thatcher Hurd entered the transfer portal following the season, but he’s likely heading to the pros after the Yankees drafted him in the third round.

With the 89th pick of the 2024 MLB draft, the [autotag]New York Yankees[/autotag] selected [autotag]Thatcher Hurd[/autotag], a right-handed pitcher from LSU who entered the transfer portal following the season.

I have been saying this for a while now, but I believe this really goes to show how great Hurd’s stuff is. When he is on, there are not a lot of pitchers out there who are better than him. He just has to be more consistent. With him being picked up by the Yankees, hopefully, they can work with him and help make him a star for them.

Last season, Hurd finished with a 3-4 record and a 6.55 ERA. He struck out 56 hitters and walked 24 over 44 innings of work. He appeared in 18 games and made nine starts. Hurd was a pivotal piece of the puzzle for LSU during their 2022 national title run. He showed up and performed very well in Omaha.

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Talented Longhorn commits selected in first round of MLB Draft

Two Texas commits, Bryce Rainer and Theo Gillen, made headlines by being selected in the first round

Players around the country saw their dreams come true on Sunday night in the first two rounds of the MLB Draft. Two Texas commits, Bryce Rainer and Theo Gillen, made headlines by being selected in the first round. While the talented shortstops are committed to Texas, they now have an opportunity to start their professional careers and bypass joining the Longhorns.

Rainer heard his name called first, as the Detroit Tigers selected him with the 11th overall pick. Entering the draft, the Texas native was ranked second-best high school player behind Konnor Griffin. He dominated at the plate this season, with a .392 batting average. He also drove 13 runs and was impressive on the mound with a 1.46 ERA. He is expected to be the Tigers shortstop of the future and has received Corey Seager comparisons.

Shortly after Rainer was selected, Gillen heard his name called. The Westlake High School product was selected 18th overall by the Tampa Bay Rays. He was one of the best pure high school hitters in the draft and can hit for power. While he played a lot of shortstop in high school, the Rays plan to use him in the outfield.

Although the Longhorns were excited to have Rainer and Gillen in the lineup, they now have to prepare for life without them. The duo has the potential to be future stars, but they wouldn’t have been selected in the first round if teams didn’t believe they were ready to go pro.

Over the next few months, it will be interesting to see who will take their place on a team with high expectations.

Former Georgia star Charlie Condon goes No. 3 in MLB draft

UGA baseball star Charlie Condon is headed to a National League team with one of the most hitter-friendly parks in the MLB

Former Georgia Bulldogs star third baseman Charlie Condon fell to the Colorado Rockies, who selected him with the third pick in the 2024 MLB draft. Condon was widely considered the top prospect entering the draft, so him dropping to the No. 3 pick is a bit of a surprise.

The Colorado Rockies need a power hitter. The Rockies have one of the most hitter-friendly parks in baseball, so Condon will have an opportunity to put up big numbers for Colorado.

Charlie Condon is Georgia’s single-season home run leader. The 6-foot-6, 215-pound MLB draft prospect is the best power hitter in Georgia baseball history while hitting a remarkable .433 (No. 1 in the country) with 37 home runs, 57 walks, and 78 RBIs. Condon is a big reason why Georgia hosted a super regional this year.

Condon earned numerous honors for his 2024 season including winning the Golden Spikes Award and the Howser Trophy. He is Georgia baseball’s all-time home run leader.

All five Big 12 players selected on day one of 2024 MLB draft

Each Big 12 player selected in the 2024 MLB draft on the first day. Only one pitcher was selected on day one.

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

Carson Benge, Outfield: Oklahoma State Cowboys

Kaelen Culpepper, Shortstop: Kansas State Wildcats

Jared Thomas, Outfield: Texas Longhorns

Payton Tolle, Pitcher: TCU Horned Frogs

Day 2 began on Monday morning.