Giants’ best value and biggest insider tip for the 2024 MLB Draft, according to ESPN expert – NBC Sports Bay Area & California

The 2024 MLB Draft has concluded and the Giants have made waves with their impressive haul of promising talent.

San Francisco opened the three-day event by selecting Florida State outfielder James Tibbs III with the No. 13 pick in the first round on Sunday.

The Giants rounded out their draft class by selecting six right-handed pitchers, four outfielders, three left-handed pitchers, two shortstops, a third baseman, a first baseman and a catcher, but a few picks stood out from the crowd.

ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel highlighted some of his favorite Giants picks in his latest column.

Best value: Dakota Jordan, CF, No. 116 overall

What is the rank of the best drafted player on the team list: 5. (James Tibbs)

Insider tip: Robert Hipwell (No. 178), 3B

“Hipwell had a great sophomore year at Santa Clara, but missed the first half of 2024 due to a suspension,” McDaniel wrote. “He will fit at one of the four corners on defense, with above-average patience and power from the left side meaning he has a chance to be a platoon player.”

A great thought: “Tibbs was a safe pick in the first round, then the Giants took a bigger risk with Jordan with their next pick,” McDaniel added. “I don’t know exactly how far he fell organically, but Jordan scared some teams with his lack of finesse while wowing others with his borderline 80s speed and power. After taking Bryce Eldridge and Walker Martin with their first two picks last year, this year’s crop follows a similar risk profile with power hitters who bring some, but not much, defensive value.”

Jordan, who was once considered a possible first-round pick, is seen by some as a potential fourth-round draft pick.

If he and Tibbs both succeed, the Giants – who have struggled to develop their own outfielders in recent years – could have a wealth of exciting young players to provide needed outfield depth in the near future.

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