The 2024 MLB draft class features tons of talent with plenty of intriguing players.
The prep class has numerous high-end prospects with quality skill sets. There also is a lot of parity among the prep class, so the summer showcase circuit and next spring will play pivotal roles in determining the top of the prep class.
Here is a look at the must-watch college players in the 2024 MLB draft.
Below is a look at some prep names to know for the 2024 MLB draft.
Konnor Griffin, SS/OF/RHP, Jackson Prep (Miss.)
Griffin reclassified from the 2025 draft to next year’s draft. He was the top prep player in the 2025 draft and is in early contention for that spot in 2024. The 6-foot-4, 210-pound position player has an exciting combination of athleticism, size, tools and potential.
Griffin has experience playing shortstop and center field. He also pitches, possessing a low-90s fastball and a lot of potential on the mound. He likely profiles best as a position player.
Griffin has five-tool potential. The ball explodes off his right-handed swing, and he projects to hit for above-average power moving forward.
Derek Curiel, OF, Orange Lutheran (Calif.) HS
The 6-foot-2, 180-pound left-handed hitter has a strong feel at the plate. He uses a short, quick and effortless swing to drive the baseball into the gaps. He is a mature hitter and has strong plate discipline.
Curiel is an above-average runner with an accurate arm and quality instincts in the outfield. He looks smooth in center field and will have the chance to stick there in pro ball.
Owen Paino, SS, Roy C. Ketcham (N.Y.) HS
Paino is a 6-foot-3, 205-pound left-handed hitting shortstop with a well-rounded toolset. He is a polished player who uses a smooth swing to drive the baseball. He puts together mature at-bats and figures to add more power as he matures physically.
Defensively, he has quality arm strength, instincts and moves well at shortstop. Paino profiles as an above-average defender at third base if he outgrows shortstop.
Bryce Rainer, SS, Harvard-Westlake (Calif.) HS
The 6-foot-3, 195-pound shortstop shows an exciting combination to hit for average and power from the left side. He is an advanced hitter who uses all parts of the field.
Defensively, Rainer is a quality athlete with above-average arm strength, as scouts have clocked him in the mid-90s while on the mound. He likely profiles best at third base long term. He also is an intriguing pitching prospect.
Cam Caminiti, LHP, Saguaro (Ariz.) HS
Caminiti was one of the top players in the 2025 class before reclassifying to next year’s class. He has the potential to be the best pitcher in the 2024 draft. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound lefty has a mid-90s fastball that touches 97 mph. He also mixes in two quality-breaking pitches (curveball and slider) and a changeup.
Caminiti is athletic and uses a low-effort delivery on the mound. He has frontline start potential.
JD Dix, SS, Whitefish Bay (Wis.) HS
Dix has an extremely exciting toolset. He is a switch hitter with a slightly crouched stance and smooth swing to make consistent hard contact. From previous experience scouting Dix, I prefer him from the left side of the plate. He should continue to add more power to his game as he matures physically.
Dix is a premium defensive player. He is athletic, moves well laterally and has a strong arm. He will have a chance to play shortstop long term but also can handle second base and third base. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound Alabama commit has impressive skills for his age and will only get better moving forward.
PJ Morlando, OF Summerville (S.C.) HS
Morlando is an extremely impressive 6-foot-3, 200-pound left-handed hitter. He has strong contact skills and hits for a lot of power with his quick swing. He has simple mechanics at the plate and projects to be a quality power hitter who will also take his walks and get on base.
Defensively, Morlando is athletic and has respectable arm strength, projecting as a corner outfielder.
Noah Franco, LHP, IMG Academy (Fla.)
Franco is another player who reclassified from the 2025 class. He has a bright future due to his athleticism on the mound and exciting pitch mix. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound lefty uses a low-90s fastball, swing-and-miss slider and fading changeup from a three-quarters arm slot to attack hitters.
Michael Mullinax, OF, North Cobb Christian (Ga.) HS
Mullinax is an intriguing prospect due to his athleticism and well-rounded tools. The 6-foot-1, 195-pound switch hitter makes consistent hard contact and can hit for average and power. He shows quality plate discipline and doesn’t chase out of the strike zone.
Defensively, Mullinax has above-average speed and a strong arm that will allow him to remain in center field.
Slade Caldwell, OF, Valley View (Ark.) HS
There is a lot to like about Caldwell. Although he isn’t as big physically (5-foot-9, 170 pounds) as some of the other top players in the class, he has the skill set to go really early in the 2024 MLB draft. The left-handed hitter shows outstanding plate discipline, makes consistent contact and gets on base at a high clip.
He is an above-average runner who is explosive and can make an impact on the bases and in the outfield. Defensively, he likely will stick in center field due to his speed, instincts and average arm strength.
Other Names to Watch
Kale Fountain, 3B, Norris (Neb.) HS; Cade Arrambide, C, Tomball (Texas) HS; Charlie Bates, SS, Palo Alto (Calif.) HS; Dylan Jordan, RHP, Viera (Fla.) HS; Joey Oakie, RHP, Ankeny (Iowa) HS; Theodore Gillen, SS, Westlake (Texas) HS; Chase Mobley, RHP, Plant City (Fla.) HS.
Dan Zielinski III has covered the MLB draft for nine years. He has interviewed 518 of the top draft prospects in that period, including four No. 1 overall picks. Multiple publications, including Baseball America, USA Today, MLB.com, The Arizona Republic and The Dallas Morning News, have quoted his work, while he has appeared on radio stationsas a “MLB draft expert.” Follow him on Twitter @DanZielinski3.
