2024 MLB Draft: Taking a look at candidates for the Dodgers’ 23rd overall pick

Bruce Kuntz 07/12/2024 MLB Draft Leave A Comment

With the 2024 MLB Draft less than a week away, the Dodgers are close to adding their newest crop of talent to the farm system.

This is a particularly intriguing year for them. The Dodgers are picking 23rd overall in the first round, which is the highest they have selected since 2017. That said, the Dodgers do not have second or fifth round picks because of their signing of Shohei Ohtani, who was a qualified free agent.

Once they pick 23rd overall, they will not have another selection until the 98th overall pick. They’ll then pick 128th overall before skipping their fifth round selection and then going back to their normal spot for the remaining rounds, where they are the 25th team to draft within each round.

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Looking back at the last few years, Los Angeles has taken Kendall George (2023), Maddux Bruns (2021), Bobby Miller (2020), Michael Busch (2019) and Kody Hoese (2019) in the first round. In 2017, the last time the Dodgers had a first round pick this high, they took Jeren Kendall. They will hope to take advantage of this opportunity to draft early because, if they can shake off their demons and resume winning in the playoffs, they may not get this chance again for a while.

The MLB Draft is very hard to predict; nobody expected the Dodgers to take George as early as they did last year, but due to the nuances of bonus pools, there are many ways the draft can play out. That said, here are some players the Dodgers could potentially target Sunday with their all-important first-round pick.

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RHP Brody Brecht, 21, Iowa

Standing 6-foot-4 with massive stuff, Brecht is the easy connection to make when it comes to the Dodgers’ track record. His fastball touches 100 mph and his slider is filthy, forcing a whiff rate north of 50% this spring. As is the case with many stuff-first arms, Brecht struggled with command throughout his collegiate career, an issue that adds relief risk to his profile.

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SS/2B Theo Gillen, 18, Westlake HS (TX)

Gillen is a bat-first prospect who is arguably the best prep hitter in the class. He has a somewhat checkered injury history, but now that he is healthy, he is projectable as an offensive force. He has a potentially plus hit tool and above-average power, and his main concern is a defensive home due to his arm strength which is still lacking after he recovered from labrum surgery.

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OF Slade Caldwell, 18, Valley View HS (AR)

Caldwell is only 5-foot-9, but he packs a solid punch and has good speed in the outfield. He has a swing geared for line drives and an advanced approach at the plate that makes him an on-base threat. Caldwell doesn’t have a cannon but his speed and reads should allow him to be a long-term center fielder.

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RHP William Schmidt, 18, Catholic HS (LA)

Arguably the best prep arm in this year’s draft, Schmidt stands 6-foot-4 and has excellent stuff. His best pitch is his potentially double-plus curveball with very high spin. Schmidt’s fastball is also a great pitch, sitting in the mid-90s with potential room to add velocity as he adds strength. He has no problem throwing strikes and could have quite a high ceiling.

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SS Kellon Lindsey, 18, Hardee HS (FL)

One of the fastest players in the class, Lindsey projects as a threat on the bases and as a long-term shortstop. He has a hit-over-power offensive profile but still may end up driving the ball enough for 10-15 homers. While he finds himself as a potential first rounder mostly because of his speed and defense, Lindsey could grow into a very valuable player if he takes a step forward at the plate as well.

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LHP Kash Mayfield, 19, Elk City HS (OK)

Another 6-foot-4 prep hurler, Mayfield has a solid three-pitch mix. His fastball sits in the mid-90s with good data on its carry and run. Mayfield’s changeup is his best secondary, and he rounds out his arsenal with a sweeper. He has above-average control and a repeatable yet deceptive delivery.

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OF Vance Honeycutt, 21, North Carolina

A little more of a longshot, Honeycutt is unlikely to fall to No. 23, but he would be a great prize to end up with if it were to happen. He has five-tool potential, hitting the ball hard to the pull side while also possessing great speed and an excellent glove in center field. The drawback on Honeycutt and why he has a chance to fall is his hit tool; his whiff and chase rates in college provide some concern over how he’ll adjust to professional pitching.

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Some other conceivable picks:

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About Bruce Kuntz

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I'm a Long Beach State journalism student and I've been writing about the Dodgers and their farm system since I was in high school.
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