As one of my favorite scouts likes to say, the Draft is hard. To remind myself of that, every year since 2003 I've conducted my own 10-round Drafts to see how I would fare.
I use a random-number generator to pick a team to shadow, holding myself to the same budget restrictions it faces. I've never selected higher than No. 8 overall, yet my first 22 Drafts have generated 71 big leaguers, highlighted by Jason Heyward, Bryan Reynolds, Kyle Freeland, Kyle Gibson and Chris Archer. My best current Major Leaguers are Andrew Abbott, Hunter Brown, Brady Singer and Xavier Edwards.
My 2024 Draft could be one of my best ever, as I grabbed three Top 100 Prospects (Konnor Griffin, Ryan Sloan, Mike Sirota) and a pitcher who already has reached the Majors (Ryan Johnson). I've also spent past first-rounders on Jon Zeringue, Ty Hensley, Eric Jagielo and Jeren Kendall. Yeah, the Draft is hard.
This year, I drew the Tigers' picks, which gave me a supplemental first-rounder and a $10,990,800 bonus pool that I can stretch to $11,540,340 without forfeiting a future first-round choice. I landed five players ranked 91st or higher on MLB Pipeline's Draft Top 250, though figuring out the middle rounds felt more difficult than ever in a down year for talent.
My picks:
Round: Player, Pos, School (Actual pick)
1st (No. 24): Kruz Schoolcraft, LHP, HS/Oregon (Padres, 1st round)
Huge frame (6-foot-8, 229 pounds), even huger ceiling, love the combination of stuff and polish.
Supplemental 1st: Brendan Summerhill, OF, Arizona (Rays, supplemental 1st)
One of the best all-around college talents, possible 20-20 center fielder.
2nd: Max Belyeu, OF, Texas (Rockies, supplemental 2nd)
Potential to hit for power and average, has the arm strength for right field.
3rd: Kaleb Wing, RHP, HS/California (Cubs, 4th)
Advanced prep pitcher, stuff took a leap this spring, looks like four-pitch starter.
4th: Sean Youngerman, RHP, Oklahoma State (Phillies, 4th)
High floor with three-pitch mix and command, up to 98 mph as a reliever.
5th: Jared Jones, 1B, Louisiana State (Pirates, 9th)
Comes with swing-and-miss concerns but has as much raw power as anyone in Draft.
6th: Cam Maldonado, OF, Northeastern (Giants, 7th)
Another possible 20-20 center fielder, homered 15 times and stole 29 bases in 60 games.
7th: Kailen Hamson, LHP, Cumberlands (Ky.) (Orioles, 8th)
Money saver reaches 95 mph with his fastball, spins curve and slider at more than 3,000 rpm.
8th: Jake McCutcheon, OF, Missouri State (Marlins, 10th)
Lefty bat with interesting combination of swing decisions, contact and exit velocities.
9th: Braylon Owens, RHP, Texas-San Antonio (Brewers, 10th)
Discount senior, good extension and carry on low-90s fastball, also feel for spin.
10th: Talon Haley, LHP, HS/Mississippi (Angels, 12th)
One of best curveballs in Draft, fastball reaches 97 mph, tremendous makeup.
