My favorite 2024 MMDA draft values, excluding players I drafted to the Mohawk Valley roster.
Round One
Righthander Eury Perez (ninth overall, Irish) and right fielder Jordan Walker (14th, Whiskey Jacks) both had a case to be drafted higher than they were. Not only are they supremely talented, but they're uncommonly young for major leaguers.
At age 20, Perez was the youngest player in MLB in 2023, while Walker was the youngest player to make an Opening Day roster. He didn't turn 21 until May 22.
Round Two
This draft was rich in pitching talent, a fact evident in the second round when seven pitchers were selected in a 10-pick span at one point.
Righthanders Bryce Miller (29th, Crosscutters) and Bryan Woo (32nd, Mustangs) plus lefthander Kyle Harrison (31st, Red Hots) were three of my favorite values.
Round Three
Young pitching talent again stood out to me in the third round, with young righthanders Taj Bradley (41st, Whiskey Jacks) and AJ Smith-Shawver (53rd, Huskies) being of particular note. These types of pitchers are probably gone in the top 30 picks in a draft lighter on arm talent—which is all of them!
Round Four
The talent begins to thin considerably in the fourth round. This is where some key relievers were taken, including Yennier Cano, Tyler Holton, Robert Stephenson and Abner Uribe. But it's not uncommon for top reliever cards to be taken in this range of the draft.
The best speculative picks for me in this round were second baseman Ronny Mauricio (79th, Huskies) right fielder Henry Davis (75th, Scorpions) and catcher Austin Wells (78th, Crows).
Mauricio and Davis, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 MLB draft, have loud tools but face questions about feel for hitting. Wells is a more established hitter, with power that will play in Yankee Stadium, but faces skepticism about his defensive capabilities.
Round Five
Miguel Vargas (81st, Red Hots) might end up on a corner, where his power will be tested. But he's a .310 career hitter in the minor leagues with as many as 23 homers and 71 walks in a season.
Liover Peguero (98th, Scorpions) has flashed all-around ability at his various minor league stops.
Round Six
Two who stood out to me past pick 100 were second baseman Xavier Edwards (105th, Crosscutters), who has shown good bat-to-ball, strike-zone control and speed, and righthander Alex Faedo (102nd, Crosscutters), who misses a ton of bats at Triple-A but hasn't found the same success in Detroit.
