Guardians Will Kick Off Draft After Securing Important Achievement

Sunday will be a big day in Cleveland Guardians history.

For the first time in franchise history, they hold the No. 1 pick in the MLB Draft that starts on Sunday at 7:00 pm ET.

They have held five second overall picks throughout history, but never the No. 1.

They are in a premier position to select a franchise-altering player, and there are plenty to choose from: Travis Bazzana, Charlie Condon, JJ Wetherholt, Hagen Smith, Jac Caglianone, and more.

Most squads picking first in MLB Draft history are rebuilding, with little to no chance of making the playoffs, let alone leading their division.

The Guardians, however, got a wink from the fortune gods when the draft lottery was held and are picking first despite not being that bad the year before (they were 76-86 in 2023).

According to sportscaster Cole Payne, they are the first team in league history to make the No. 1 pick in the draft while leading its circuit, in this case the American League.

“Happy Draft Day! The Cleveland Guardians are the first team in MLB HISTORY to be picking 1.1 while first in their league at the time of the draft. They were already only one of six teams to lead their division at the draft (@castrovince), but clinched 1st in the AL last night,” he tweeted.

Happy Draft Day!

The Cleveland Guardians are the first team in MLB HISTORY to be picking 1.1 while first in their league at the time of the draft.

They were already only one of six teams to lead their division at the draft (@castrovince), but clinched 1st in the AL last night.

— Cole Payne (@brngnthepayne) July 14, 2024