Washington Nationals 2024 MLB Draft Review

Draft Theme: Contact skills & up-the-middle profiles

I was curious to see if Washington would show a different drafting philosophy this year with new personnel in the scouting department, but each of the first three players the team drafted has the sort of athleticism and strength that the Nationals have always seemed to covet. However, the three college hitters the team targeted also all have impressive bat-to-ball skills. Both SS Seaver King and C Caleb Lomavita make tons of contact and can maneuver the barrel all around (and beyond) the zone but could benefit from improving their swing-decisions, while C Kevin Bazzell owns an 87% contact rate for his career. The first five hitters the team drafted have a chance to play up the middle, as well.

Most Interesting Day 2 Pick: C Kevin Bazzell, 3rd round

Bazzell came to Texas Tech by way of Dallas Baptist. After sitting out the 2022 season because of transfer rules, he showed off impressive bat-to-ball skills and an advanced offensive approach in 2023 and 2024. A 6-foot-1, 205-pound catcher and third baseman, Bazzell is a career .330/.431/.530 hitter with a 10.1% strikeout rate and 12.8% walk rate. The righthanded batter has a simple setup in the box with a small load and slight, subtle hand press as he works to launch position. Bazzell’s bat-to-ball skills drive his offensive profile, and in his career he has an 87% overall contact rate and 93% in-zone contact rate. He has walked more than he has struck out and will spray the ball to all fields, though his occasional home run power is almost always to his pull side. Without much physical projection to bank on, Bazzell looks like the sort of hit-over-power player who will succeed by spraying line drives and minimizing his strikeouts. He played third base in 2023 but moved behind the plate in 2024. He has solid athleticism and arm strength but needs real work on his receiving and setup behind the dish. He moves well enough to play third or corner outfield, but his bat will profile much better if he can stick behind the plate.

Most Interesting Day 3 Pick: C Sir Jamison Jones, 15th round

Jones is one of the most physical players in the 2024 prep class and has tons of strength currently with a 6-foot-3, 225-pound frame. He can generate huge fly balls and has exciting power upside because of his massive strength, though he’ll need to refine his approach significantly and make more contact to fully tap into that raw power. His pitch recognition is inconsistent and he was also late against fastballs a bit too often. Jones has a big arm behind the plate, but he’ll need to work to stick behind the plate and might fit best as a first baseman. He’s a well below-average runner. Jones is committed to Oklahoma State.