On Sunday, the 2024 MLB Draft commenced with the first two rounds, marking the beginning of an exciting journey for many aspiring baseball stars. At the historic Cowtown Coliseum in Fort Worth, Texas, the names of the first 74 of the 615 total selections echoed through the venue. Here, we highlight the top five picks from this initial round of selections.

1. Guardians 

Travis Bazzana, 2B, Oregon State. Bazzana had an outstanding season, posting a .416/.475/.937 batting line with 28 home runs, 16 stolen bases, and an impressive 40 more walks than strikeouts. He possesses above-average strength and speed, though his arm strength confines him to second base. Bazzana excels in strike zone command and has a remarkable ability to consistently make solid contact. His character and work ethic are highly praised, despite concerns about his physical ceiling. This raises an interesting question: What matters more for a player’s long-term success, physical potential or the intangible qualities of growth and development?

2. Reds

Chase Burns, P, Wake Forest: Burns consistently averaged nearly two strikeouts per inning, utilizing a top-tier arsenal that includes an upper-90s fastball with rising action, a devastating slider, and a curveball. (He also occasionally mixes in a changeup.) His delivery evokes memories of Matt Garza, but with more control: Burns walked fewer than 8% of the batters he faced in college, including under 6% in ACC play this year. With the potential to be an outstanding starter, Burns might be the first pitcher from this draft class to make his major league debut.

3. Rockies

Charlie Condon, 3B, Georgia: Entering the season as a second-tier prospect, Condon needed a standout spring to secure a top-10 draft spot, and he certainly delivered. Leading the NCAA in batting average, slugging percentage, and home runs (setting a new BBCOR Era record with 37), Condon showcased his impressive skills. He also proved his potential at third base, convincing many that it’s his ideal position. Standing at 6-foot-6, Condon is known for his immense strength and consistent power-hitting. Additionally, he demonstrated excellent plate discipline, chasing pitches outside the zone less frequently than peers like Braden Montgomery and Jac Caglianone, while his batted-ball profile fits the current lift-and-pull trend.

4. Athletics

Nick Kurtz, 1B, Wake Forest: After overcoming an early slump and a shoulder injury, Kurtz made a strong comeback with 14 home runs in a 10-game stretch to kick off April. By the end of the season, he led the NCAA in walks, both in percentage and total, drawing a walk in 30% of his plate appearances (for comparison, Barry Bonds had a 32% walk rate in 2002). Kurtz boasts well-above-average power and plate discipline, and he makes solid contact when he swings. However, there are a few concerns. Some evaluators worry that his extreme selectiveness may cause him to miss hittable pitches, although it’s generally easier to teach a hitter to be more aggressive than to improve their discipline. The more significant issue is his position: as a collegiate first baseman, history is not in his favor. The last first-round pick from that position to have a successful career was C.J. Cron in 2011.

5. White Socks

Hagen Smith, P, Arkansas: Smith captured national attention in February by striking out 17 batters over six innings against Bazzana and the Oregon State Beavers. He maintained his dominance throughout the season, averaging nearly two strikeouts per inning. Smith’s success is largely due to his high-quality fastball-slider combination and the deception created by his release point. Utilizing a low arm slot and positioning himself on the far first-base side of the rubber, he generates challenging angles for hitters.

Where are all the high schoolers?

Sunday night made history as the first eight players drafted were all college athletes, marking the longest absence of high school players at the start of an MLB Draft since its inception in 1965. The streak ended when the Pittsburgh Pirates selected Mississippi shortstop Konnor Griffin at No. 9, followed by shortstop Bryce Rainer, who was picked by Detroit at No. 11. These two were the only high school players chosen within the top 15 picks.

The only similar instance being in 2020, a pandemic year when most high school seasons were halted before they could even begin, resulting in the first high school player being picked eighth. Historically, high school players have often been selected early, including four times in the past decade when a high schooler was the No. 1 overall pick. In 2022, high schoolers made up four of the first five picks and six of the top 15. Since 2000, a high school player has been chosen first overall 11 times, nearly half the total drafts in that period.

Why is this Happening?

Several factors contribute to this shift. This year’s draft was notably weak overall and particularly lacking in high school talent. The pandemic also pushed many top prospects towards college since they couldn’t be properly scouted during high school. Additionally, reducing the draft to 20 rounds and limiting minor league jobs have encouraged more players to continue their education.

Furthermore, motivations on both sides favor college over high school. Top college programs now have cutting-edge technology for player tracking and development and can pay top coaches better than minor league positions, providing pro-level instruction. For players, the NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals offer financial incentives that make college more attractive, allowing institutions like LSU to retain top talents like Paul Skenes and Tommy White with substantial compensation and support.

Read more: Inside MLB’s Bat-Speed Revolution: What We’ve Learned So Far