July 14th, 2024 | Luke Wortman
After months of waiting, the MLB Draft is finally here! The draft is one of the best means that teams to improve the trajectory of their team’s future. The great news here is that the Colorado Rockies are in one of the best positions out of any team to do so. Not only do they have the third overall pick, but they also pick at #38 and #42 tonight. They legitimately have the chance to get three first-round talents. In recent memory the day one draft hauls of 2023, (Chase Dollander, Sean Sullivan, Cole Carrigg), and 2022 (Gabriel Hughes, Jordan Beck, Sterlin Thompson), have proved very successful for the team. Below you will find analysis/details about each player the Rockies select as the picks come in.
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2024 MLB Draft Picks
Round 1: Pick 3 – Charlie Condon – 3B/OF – Georgia
Condon has one of the best stories in the draft, going from a preferred walk-on to one of the best prolific power hitters in college baseball history. Was on fire all season and hit .433 with 37 home runs and an otherworldly 1.565 OPS. You could make a case that he is the best prospect in the draft. Could end up having a 70-grade power tool with a 60-hit tool. The combination of his raw power with Coors Field’s elevation could be amazing.
There were questions about his defensive ability going into the year, but he worked very hard and made a bunch of strides. He projects as a solid third baseman or corner outfielder. His plus throwing arm should allow him to stick long term at third, but the outfield is a good fallback option. The only negative about the Georgia product is that he can struggle with outside off speeds, but that can be fixed. Rockies fans should be pumped about drafting Charlie Condon.
Round CB-A: Pick 38 – Brody Brecht – RHP – Iowa
Brecht has a tantalizing arm, showcasing some of the best stuff in the class, albeit with some command issues. Brecht also played Wide Receiver on Iowa’s football team, before focusing on baseball his junior year. His fastball tops out at 101 mph and gets lots of movement. His best pitch is arguably his slider, a nasty upper 80s breaking ball. Also throws an average splitter/change. Overall, he has two 70-grade pitches.
The risk here and the reason why Brecht fell here is because of his command. He walked 5.6 BB/9 this past season. If the Rockies can help Brody improve his command, he could be an ace. At worst, he could be a great closer. Props to the Rockies for taking a risk here, because the draft is the only way they can acquire a pitcher of this caliber.
Round 2: Pick 42 – Jared Thomas – OF – Texas
Thomas has done nothing but hit in his two seasons career, hitting .336 with 20 home runs. Thomas does a bit of everything but may not have a carrying tool. Intriguing raw power that showed up late in the season. Makes a good amount of contact with a swing geared for lift. Some swing and miss in the profile.
Thomas played a combo of first base and the outfield. The Rockies would get the most value out of Thomas by putting him in left or center field, where his range should allow him to be average or better. May have been an under slot pick here. Played only two seasons in college. Interesting offensive profile with a strong college track record.
Round 3: Pick 77 – Cole Messina – C – South Carolina
Messina has raw power for days, hitting 38 home runs over the past two seasons at South Carolina. He’s a great leader on the field and has shown improved defense at the catcher position this season. The hit tool is a bit below average, but he hit .326 this season and is a career .305 hitter in his career. He can expand the zone a bit too much, but also draws a good number of walks. If he can prove that he can stick at catcher, Messina will be a great pick.
Round 4: Pick 106 – Blake Wright – 3B/SS – Clemson
Wright had a great sophmore season and was slated to be a high round pick in 2023, but struggled and went undrafted. He bounced back this season hitting .340 with 22 home runs. Wright projects to have above average power in the future with a slightly below average bat. His chase rates are a bit high, but he does a lot of things well on offense. Good defender who can play short, second, or third base. He can stick at shortstop thanks to his arm but may need to move to second or third in the future.
Round 5: Pick 139 – Lebarron Johnson – RHP – Texas
Johnson is a big righty with a big fastball. His fastball tops out at 98 from a high slot and a steep angle. Throws a hard slider that tops out at 90 mph. His splitter/change has made strides this season and some project it as a plus pitch. The biggest thing holding him back is his command. Tossed a 5.60 ERA in 72.1 innings, walking 44 and striking out 84. Had a 2.91 ERA in 86.2 innings last season. Senior sign and will likely go for an under-slot deal. Command most likely makes him a reliever but I’d expect the Rockies to give him a chance to start.
Round 6: Pick 168 – Konner Eaton – LHP – George Mason
Eaton is a very athletic lefty on the mound with a fastball that tops out at 97 mph. Tosses a plus slider that reaches the mid 80s and gets lots of depth. Also has an average changeup in the arsenal. Tossed a 5.66 ERA with 82 strikeouts and 34 walks in 62 innings this season. Performance may not show it, but there’s a ton of potential here. Older brother Nate plays for the Kansas City Royals. Command may move him to the bullpen already. Underrated pick.
Round 7: Pick 198 – Fidel Ulloa – RHP – LSU
Ulloa transferred to LSU from San Joaquin Juco, where he had a 4.63 ERA in 23.1 innings with 11 walks and 26 strikeouts. Fastball tops out at 97 and has a slurve/slider as well. The slider sits in the mid 80s and topped out at 89. Lacks a third pitch but threw a changeup a few times this season. His two main pitches performed very well this season. Command is solid for a reliever. Likely a reliever that the Rockies can fast-track in the bullpen. Has an 80-grade mustache.
Round 8: Pick 228 – Luke Jewett – RHP – UCLA
Jewett was a highly regarded prep prospect who made his way UCLA. He’s got an easy delivery with a prototypical delivery. His fastball tops out at 95 and has four other pitches, a slider, curve, change, and a 2-seam. His slider is his best off-speed and tops out at 91 mph. Had a career 4.29 ERA in 147 innings. Tossed a 4.35 ERA in 82.2 innings with 34 walks and 72 strikeouts. Command is solid and should stick as a starter long term. May not have a huge ceiling but does a bit of everything well. Great value pick for the Rockies.
Round 9: Pick 258 – Tommy Hopfe – 1B – Fresno State
Hopfe is a switch-hitting bat who’s consistently hit throughout his college career. Hit .360 with 7 home runs and a .998 OPS this season. Lots of raw power in the profile. Makes a ton of contact in the zone but can chase too much at times. Also pitched 92.2 innings throughout his college career but is just a hitter. Plus arm that could play in the outfield. Senior sign.
Round 10: Pick 288 – Fisher Jameson – RHP – Florida
Jameson is a big right-handed pitching prospect who projects best as a reliever. Tossed a 3.99 ERA in 67.2 innings with 79 strikeouts and 18 walks this season. Fastball tops out at 96 and pairs it with a nasty plus slider. Has an interesting, high effort delivery where he lands heavily towards the first base side. Throws a good number of strikes for a reliever.
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