Seattle Mariners 2024 MLB Draft Report Card

Best Pure Hitter: Outfielder Anthony Donofrio (10) is already 24 years old, but he showed solid contact ability in his first season against ACC competition this spring with UNC when he slashed .326/.435/.547 with as many walks as strikeouts. He showed similar plate discipline skills in his pro debut at Low-A Modesto but was nearly three years older than the average hitter in the California League.

Best Power Hitter: Catcher Josh Caron (4) has a broad frame and lots of strength, and he homered 16 times with Nebraska during the 2024 season. He also managed a strong 110 mph 90th percentile exit velocity. Two-way player Grant Knipp (6) also has big raw power and homered 18 times in just 29 games with Campbell this spring. 

Fastest Runner: There’s not much speed to be found in this Seattle draft class, but third baseman Austin St. Laurent (14) stole nine bases with Appalachian State in 2024. 

Best Defensive Player: Caron (4) is a solid defender behind the plate who pairs actions and a quick release on his throws that should lead to average-or-better defensive ability behind the plate. 

Best Fastball: Righthander Ryan Sloan (2) has a plus fastball now and, after touching 96 mph during the 2023 summer, he added three more ticks of max velocity this spring to touch 99. He’s consistently in the mid 90s and should be consistently in the upper 90s in the near future. Righthander Hunter Cranton (3) averaged 97 mph as a reliever and has been up to 100.

Best Secondary Pitch: Sloan (2) has multiple above-average secondaries between his slider and changeup, but the breaking ball is an 80-85 mph bender with high spin rates in the 2,500-2,600 rpm range that has both the power and shape to be a consistently plus offering. 

Best Pro Debut: Third baseman Brandon Eike (13) played in 21 games with Low-A Modesto and slashed .279/.370/.430 with two home runs and six doubles.

Best Athlete: It’s rare to be an ambidextrous thrower and ever more rare to be one with the sort of power that switch-pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje (1) has. His ability to throw from both sides is an atypical sort of athleticism, but it’s unique enough to be the choice here.

Most Intriguing Background: Cijntje (1) focused more on his righthanded pitching with Mississippi State this spring and added more power with better control to push himself up into the middle of the first round. He’s arguably one of the most talented ambidextrous pitchers of all-time, with a fastball that is in the 90s from both sides. Knipp (6) has big power and big arm strength with a fastball up to 98 mph and decent feel to spin a low-80s breaking ball. 

Closest To The Majors: Cranton (3) was old for the class but could move quickly as a power-armed reliever with a solid two-pitch mix.

Best Day Three Pick (Or NDFA): Righthander Christian Little (11) showed potential day one talent as a high schooler back in the 2021 class, but enrolled at Vanderbilt early then spent time at LSU. He struggled for consistency with both programs but still has enticing arm talent that perhaps a solid pitching development org like the Mariners can help unlock in pro ball.