MLB Draft 2024: The best value picks in the first round

The 2024 MLB Draft featured numerous surprises in the first round, resulting in some top players falling in the draft. Here’s a look at the top three value picks in the first round, excluding Competitive Balance Round A:

Cardinals: JJ Wetherholt, SS, West Virginia

The Cardinals selected Wetherholt seventh overall. The talented infielder was the first pick in the race and is considered one of the top three players in this year’s draft.

Wetherholt is a 6’1″, 200-pound, left-handed second baseman with strong batting skills. He uses a quick, compact swing to consistently drive the ball forward. He also has advanced hitting skills and can hit the ball hard to all fields.

Wetherholt is athletic and has considerable arm strength to handle a center position, and he showed this spring that he can handle himself well at shortstop.

Last year, Wetherholt suffered two hamstring injuries that raised concerns among scouts. If he stays healthy, he has all the tools to be the best player in this year’s draft.

Read a detailed report about Wetherholt and his skills here.

Red Sox: Braden Montgomery, OF, Texas A&M

The Red Sox managed to land a top-five prospect with the 12th overall pick. This is a huge deal for the Red Sox as Montgomery has five-man potential and a lot of potential to develop into a middle-of-the-pack hitter. He suffered an ankle injury in the NCAA tournament that likely impacted his draft position, although it wasn’t a serious injury.

Montgomery is a 6’2″, 215-pound outfielder who hits with both hands and is known for his five-tool potential. The switch hitter has a simple setup and a gap-to-gap approach. He consistently hits throws upfield and shows above-average power from both sides of the crease. He improved his hitting discipline in college and credited his development to his mental development and approach.

Montgomery is also extremely athletic, which benefits him on the bases and in the field. He is a good right fielder in professional baseball due to his excellent arm strength, throwing accuracy, and ability to cover great distances.

Read a detailed article about Montgomery and his abilities here.

Braves: Cam Caminiti, left-hander, Saguaro (Arizona) HS

Scouts considered Caminiti to be the best prep pitcher in this year’s MLB Draft and expected him to go in the first 13 picks. He lasted until the 24th pick, where the Braves made a huge profit by selecting the prep left-hander.

Caminiti is a 6’2″, 200-pound left-hander who could potentially have four good pitches. He relies on a 98-mph fastball that hits 158 mph and features late movement. His slider and curveball are quality pitches that generate swings and misses.

Caminiti places his throws well and attacks the strike zone. Overall, Caminiti misses a lot of batters and is considered a top pitcher.

Read in-depth stories about the top prospects for the 2024 MLB Draft in the Baseball Prospect Journal.

Dan Zielinski III has been reporting on the MLB Draft for nine years. He has interviewed 518 of the top draft candidates during that time period, including four No. 1 overall picks. Several publications, including Baseball America, USA Today, MLB.com, The Arizona Republic and The Dallas Morning News, have cited his work while appeared on Radio Stations as an “MLB Draft Expert.” Follow him on Twitter @DanZielinski3.