7 Top MLB Prospects to Watch at College World Series
Five of the first nine players selected in the 2023 MLB Draft played in the 2023 College World Series. It could be more of the same this year. Even with Oregon State’s Travis Bazzana, Georgia’s Charlie Condon and Wake Forest’s Chase Burns failing in their bid to lead their teams to the College World Series, there is plenty of star power among the eight teams in Omaha, Neb.
When it comes to the college baseball news, six of the eight teams have players who have been showing up as potential top-20 picks in the 2024 MLB Draft. There isn’t a team like LSU that had pitcher Paul Skenes and outfielder Dylan Crews, who would go first and second in last year’s draft.
However, there are players who could find themselves in the majors sooner rather than later. Skenes, who was picked No. 1 overall by the Pittsburgh Pirates, and former Florida star Wyatt Langford have already made it to the majors. Could some of the players who put on a show in Omaha in the next couple of weeks make a fast track to the major leagues?
The Cleveland Guardians defied the college baseball odds by earning the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft lottery, with Oakland falling to fourth in the order for next month’s draft.
The 2024 MLB Draft will run from July 14-16 in conjunction with the MLB All-Star Game festivities. This is the fourth draft in a row to be held in July after years of players being selected in the middle of the NCAA Division I baseball tournament.
Here’s a look at seven players set to compete in the College World Series who could be making their way to the big leagues sooner rather than later. The baseball spreads list Tennessee as the favorite in the College World Series.
Top 7 MLB Prospects at CWS
1. OF Braden Montgomery, Texas A&M
Montgomery has plenty of power with 27 home runs and a team-leading 85 RBIs. Montgomery has also walked 57 times in 61 games and that number will attract the attention of the pro scouts.
D1Baseball Top 2024 MLB Draft Prospects in #MCWS
(Presented by @pitchlogic)1. Jac Caglianone, @GatorsBB
2. Braden Montgomery, @AggieBaseball
3. James Tibbs, @FSUBaseball
4. Christian Moore, @Vol_Baseball
5. Billy Amick, @Vol_BaseballFULL LIST 👉 https://t.co/wLXB5Rr2SK pic.twitter.com/jIupJHYDJv
— D1Baseball (@d1baseball) June 13, 2024
Montgomery spent his first two seasons at Stanford and was a member of multiple Freshman All-American teams.
He is viewed as a potential top-five pick. He did appear to suffer a recent ankle injury so that is something to keep an eye on.
2. 1B Jac Caglianone, Florida
Caglianone’s former teammate, Wyatt Langford, is already getting at-bats for the reigning World Series champion Texas Rangers. Will Caglianone’s pro career move that quickly?
Caglianone has generated plenty of attention for his work as a hitter and a pitcher, but it is his ability to swing the bat that should have him be one of the first college players drafted next month.
He had a 30-game hitting streak and went 66 at-bats without striking out earlier this season.
Caglianone is hitting .411 with 79 runs, 33 home runs and 68 RBIs. He ranks in the top 10 nationally in home runs, slugging percentage, batting average, and on-base percentage. His 52 walks and 25 strikeouts are rather impressive. He is also 5-2 as a pitcher with 10.2 strikeouts per nine innings.
3. OF James Tibbs, Florida State
Tibbs has power (28 home runs, 94 RBIs), speed (his seven stolen bases are fourth for Florida State), and bat control (54 walks, 31 strikeouts).
Tibbs has been delivering big hits for the Seminoles all season long and has driven in 28 more runs than any of his teammates. It is not a surprise to see him landing in the top 10 in many mock drafts.
Tibbs has committed just one error and has six assists from the outfield.
4. 2B Christian Moore, Tennessee
If you are wondering why the College World Series odds have Tennessee favored at +275 to win it all, the talents of Moore are a pretty good place to start.
Moore is batting .375 with 75 runs, 17 doubles, 32 home runs, 71 RBIs, and 35 walks in 66 games.
Moore is a pretty solid fielder as well with a .957 fielding percentage and the versatility to play multiple positions at the next level.
5. 3B Cam Smith, Florida State
A second FSU hitter who could land in the top half of the first round.
Smith has just seven errors playing at the hot corner, but it is his bat that is attracting the interest of the big-league teams.
Smith has already topped 100 hits this season. He leads Florida State with 79 runs and a .402 batting average.
6. OF Vance Honeycutt, North Carolina
Honeycutt is the only Division I player with at least 25 home runs and 25 stolen bases. There are teams who think he could be among the most naturally gifted college hitters in this draft class. The 80 strikeouts in 59 games might be a concern to some teams.
Honeycutt has made great strides in a year as he hit .257 with 12 home runs in 2023.
7. OF Ryan Waldschmidt, Kentucky
What a year it has been for Kentucky as the Wildcats are the No. 2 seed and in the College World Series for the first time.
Waldschmidt could give Kentucky a first-round pick as well.
He is hitting .346 with 64 runs, 31 extra-base hits, and 24 stolen bases in 56 games.
Odds and information are accurate at the time of writing. Please check with official sources for the latest updates before placing any bets.
Questions Of The Day
Which team won the 2023 College World Series championship?
LSU, led by current Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes, topped Florida in an all-SEC championship series in 2023.
Which team has won the most College World Series titles?
Southern California has captured a record 12 College World Series championships, with 11 of those titles coming before 1980. Florida and Virginia are the only teams in this year’s field with previous College World Series titles.
