Arizona Diamondbacks 2024 MLB Draft Review
Following the 2024 MLB Draft, we’re taking a deeper look at each individual draft class. Below, find one overarching takeaway from the draft, plus a full scouting report on the most interesting pick on days two and three. You can see all 30 draft reviews here.
Draft Theme: High School Hitters & Athletes
No team selected more high school outfielders (3) or high school catchers (2) than the Diamondbacks did in this year’s draft. In the first round, the team grabbed OF Slade Caldwell, who has a pretty similar game and multi-sport background to current D-back Alek Thomas, and then on the final day drafted athletic outfielders Bo Walker and Hunter Carns. Carns was a 20th-round pick so there’s some questions about whether or not he’ll be signed, but he certainly fits the bill as 1.) an athlete, 2.) a high school outfielder and 3.) a high school catcher. Carns also ranked as the No. 69 player in the class. Many teams shy away from high school catchers, but Arizona liked C Ivan Luciano’s defensive skill enough to make him a day-one selection, and shortstops JD Dix and Tytus Cissell both have exciting tools as hitters and defenders. I’ve not even mentioned OF Ryan Waldschmidt, who was a polarizing prospect, but one who many teams expected to get picked in the teens.
Most Interesting Day 2 Pick: RHP Daniel Eagen, 3rd round
Eagen is a 6-foot-4, 200-pound righthander who has seen a significant uptick in stuff from the 2023 season to 2024. Eagen pitched as a split starter/reliever in his first two seasons with Presbyterian but in 2024 he moved to a full-time starting role where he posted a 2.90 ERA over 77.2 innings and 14 starts. His fastball jumped from sitting in the 89-90 mph range to 93-94 and touching 96. The strikeouts followed. After previously striking out batters at a 19-22% clip in his first two seasons, Eagen posted a 37.8% strikeout rate during his junior year and led the Big South with 121 strikeouts and overall strikeout rate. Eagen pitched off the fastball about 60% of the time this spring but also has a pair of breaking balls including a low-80s top-down curveball and a mid-80s slider with more three-quarters action. Both were impressive swing-and-miss offerings for him and generated miss rates north of 50% but are probably solid-average or above-average secondaries in pro ball. He favors the curveball at the moment and will also mix in an occasional mid-80s changeup. Eagen is an average strike-thrower who still has plenty of room to fill out and add strength to his frame.
Most Interesting Day 3 Pick: OF Bo Walker, 11th round
Walker is a 6-foot-2, 185-pound outfielder and lean athlete who has excellent speed. He is a 70-grade runner in a straight line, but that speed more consistently plays like a 60 during games. That running ability should allow him to stick in center field and potentially be an above-average defender, though it’s his lone carrying tool at the moment. He needs plenty of work offensively and will frequently get a bit too long with his righthanded swing. Scouts who are optimistic about his ability to make adjustments and hit will be extremely excited about his athletic foundation and upside, while others might prefer to see him prove it at Georgia Tech.
