MLB Draft 2024: Teams Focus on College Players

During the MLB Draft, the Pirates shifted from selecting high school prospects on day one to predominantly choosing college players on day two, focusing on pitchers and middle infielders. Notable selections include Will Taylor from Clemson, Matt Ager from UC Santa Barbara, and Duce Gourson from UCLA. Similarly, the Detroit Tigers prioritized college arms, picking five pitchers, with Josh Randall and Michael Massey standing out. The Phillies opted for high school outfielders initially but eventually selected pitchers like Camron Hill and position players including John Spikerman and Carson DeMartini. In contrast, the Houston Astros, constrained by a small bonus pool, concentrated on drafting college right-handers to bolster their pitching depth. Their selections included talents like Forcucci and Smith. The draft strategies of these teams varied from focusing on high school talent to prioritizing college prospects based on their individual needs and evaluations.