Los Angeles Dodgers 2024 MLB Draft Review

Draft Theme: Athletic HS hitters & OBP-driven college bats

The Dodgers had fewer picks and less bonus pool money compared to most teams. They selected SS Kellon Lindsey in the first round at pick 23 and will hope he shares more than just frequent comps to Trea Turner with his 80-grade speed and defensive actions at shortstop. Third-round 3B Chase Harlan has big power potential and is young for the class, while OF Brendan Tunink was an under-the-radar prospect who brings plus speed and athleticism to the table. The Dodgers only drafted a pair of college hitters inside the first ten rounds, but both SS Elijah Hainline and OF Kole Myers stand out for their walk rates. 

Most Interesting Day 2 Pick: RHP Brooks Auger, 6th round

Auger is a 6-foot-5, 215-pound righthander who pitched as an effective reliever for Mississippi State during his 2022 freshman season. He missed the entirety of the 2023 season because of injury, then came back in 2024 where he posted a 3.35 ERA over 45.2 innings, primarily as a reliever, but made a few impressive starts down the stretch including a 13-strikeout game against Ole Miss in May. Auger has a lean pitcher’s frame with more room to add strength and works from the first base side of the rubber and from a higher three-quarters slot. He averaged 93 mph on his fastball this spring and touched 97 with above-average riding life and also flashed a trio of quality secondaries. His mid-80s gyro slider is his go-to secondary against both righties and lefties and has the power to become an above-average offering, though his mid-80s changeup proved to be an excellent swing-and-miss offering against lefties and could give him another quality off-speed. His upper-80s cutter serves as a bridge pitch between the fastball and slider and provided a non-fastball offering that he could land in the zone at an impressive clip. Auger’s four-pitch mix and solid control could give him a chance to start in pro ball, but if not he should have enough pure stuff to find success as a reliever. He’s old for the class and turns 23 in October but has pitched himself into day two consideration.

Most Interesting Day 3 Pick: SS Erik Parker, 15th round

Parker is one of the younger players in the 2024 class and sticks out right away for his tall, athletic and highly projectable build. Listed at 6-foot-3, 188 pounds, Parker is long and lean with broad shoulders on a high-waist frame. He is a quick-twitch athlete with a ton of space left for significant strength gains to come. There’s a lot of physical upside with Parker, who’s already a plus runner with good body control and a strong arm at shortstop. There’s some length to his actions at shortstop, but he’s better in games than in workouts and throws well on the run. At the plate, Parker is one of the more patient hitters in the class. He has a good eye for the strike zone, takes borderline pitches and works deep counts to take his walks. For a young, long-limbed hitter, Parker doesn’t have too much swing and miss, but he is still learning to sync up his swing and transfer his weight more efficiently. There’s occasional over-the-fence power now with Parker, and if he’s able to make those adjustments, there’s a chance for a significant jump in power once he layers on more strength. He can spray the ball to all fields in batting practice, but has been slightly pull-heavy in games. He is committed to Georgia but is viewed as a top-five round talent.