2024 MLB Draft Analysis: Most Interesting First-Round Picks

Oakland Athletics select Nick Kurtz No. 4 overall

Kurtz had long-established himself in the top tier of 2024 MLB Draft prospects and was expected to go somewhere inside the top 10. Hearing his name at No. 4, though, was a bit of a surprise. No matter who went first overall—whether it was Travis Bazzana, JJ Wetherholt or someone else—it still seemed as if Kurtz would find himself on the outside-looking-in of the top-five overall picks.

Nonetheless, Oakland pulled the trigger. There is plenty for Athletics fans to be excited about. Kurtz’s hit, power and field tools all grade out as plus or better, and, like Charlie Condon, his operation in the box is uniquely compact and explosive for someone his size.

Los Angeles Angels select Christian Moore No. 8 overall

Like Kurtz going fourth overall, Moore at eight wasn’t a total shock, but it was an eyebrow-raiser, nonetheless. The former Tennessee star made himself a lot of money in Omaha and played his way into the top half of the first round. Like Kurtz, Moore was projected outside the top 10, but as the draft approached, there was more and more chatter that Moore could sneak his way inside that range.

Moore has an exciting offensive skill set. He has thunderous bat speed, plus power that he has no issue getting to in games and a hit tool that has improved year-over-year. There is no doubt that Moore’s defensive future is at second base, but he handles himself well at the position with above-average arm strength.

Miami Marlins select PJ Morlando No. 16 overall

Although he ranked outside the top 50 in our final BA 500, Morlando was a late first-round pick in our final mock draft. Still, to see Miami snatch him this early was—at least from this chair—one of the biggest surprises of the evening.

The Marlins are betting on both Morlando’s hit and power tools to pan out. He has a unique setup in the box with an ultra-wide base and no-stride approach, but it has translated well in games. If one catches Morlando on the right day, they could leave the yard assigning 60 grades in both the power and hit departments, though I’m not quite there yet. Defensively, he could end up at first base long term. To take him in this range, Miami clearly fully bought into his offensive upside.

Milwaukee Brewers select Braylon Payne No. 17 overall

Right after the Marlins made a splash with Morlando at 16, the Brewers made a sizable splash of their own and took outfielder Braylon Payne with their first-round pick. The Texas native ranked No. 54 on the final BA 500 and was viewed as a potential option later on in the evening.

Payne’s toolset screams top-of-the-order table-setter. He’s a double-plus runner whose hit tool—and swing in general—took a noticeable step forward this spring. Payne is more hit than he is power right now, but the 17-year-old figures to add more impact down the road. Payne’s combination of speed and athleticism also should allow him to stick in center field long term. This is a fun pick for Milwaukee, as it added a toolsy, up-the-middle profile to its system.

New York Yankees select Ben Hess No. 26 overall

There was little doubt that Hess would be drafted at some point tonight, but I did not think it would be inside the first round. After an injury-shortened 2023, Hess got back on track this spring. His back-of-the baseball-card numbers might not stand out, but Hess has a starter’s profile with an exciting pitch mix.

The imposing 6-foot-5, 255-pound righthander features a mid-90s fastball that flashed plenty of life through the zone, two distinct breaking balls in a mid-80s slider and mid-70s curveball and a changeup that is an effective fourth pitch. Hess’ slider generates its fair share of swings and misses, but his curveball is his bread-and-butter pitch. This spring it generated an eye-popping whiff rate of 58%, and it is a bonafide plus pitch with big depth and sharp, downward bite.