The Cleveland Guardians landed the first pick of the 2024 MLB Draft, thanks to the most recent draft lottery held in the middle of the Winter Meetings.
They held a 2.0 percent chance of picking first, but against all odds, they will be doing so next summer.
Experts and analysts have already started identifying potential candidates for that No. 1 pick.
The folks at MLB Pipeline (specialists in prospects coverage) have Cleveland selecting infielder JJ Wetherholt when the draft starts.
Our experts predicted the first 10 picks of the 2024 MLB Draft.
Here's how those picks shake out now that we know the Draft order: https://t.co/z6iIXLfoGl pic.twitter.com/UE631pueiO
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) December 7, 2023
Wetherholt is an infielder from West Virginia University, and the numbers and the scouting report say he is a future star.
In 55 games and 268 plate appearances in 2023, the 21-year-old hit .449/.517/.787 with 16 home runs, 36 stolen bases, and a 1.304 OPS.
He also hit 24 doubles and walked more than he struck out.
He was a man amongst boys, and showed he is as pro-ready as they get.
He could potentially be a fast riser in the Guardians system, probably playing MLB games as soon as 2025.
This is a hypothetical exercise, though, but there is no reason why Wetherholt can’t have a long, successful career in Cleveland.
He is primarily an infielder, being able to play second and third base.
However, he is also capable of guarding left field.
The Guardians have more of a need for outfielders than infielders, but as long as it is a competent bat with projection, the exact position doesn’t really matter very much.
The good thing is that they have their pick of top prospects by choosing first.
NEXT: New Guardians Manager Comments On His Relationship With Terry Francona
