MLB Draft: Which Top-5 pick could become the next Paul Skenes?

Many of baseball’s future superstars gathered at the Stockyards for the 2024 MLB Draft Sunday night.

It was a chance for many Fort Worth fans to potentially see the next MVP or Golden Glove winner or the next rookie sensation like Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes, who was selected as an all-star in his first year in the majors.

The top five picks of the drafts included two pitchers and three hitters with amazing power at the plate.

All five are immensely talented, but which one will be the first to make it out of the minor leagues and reach the majors first? Here’s a look at the top five picks:

1. Travis Bazzana, Cleveand Guardians

Breakdown: A consensus first team All-American and the Pac-12 Player of the Year at Oregon State, Bazzana will head to Cleveland with a ton of warranted hype. Bazzana produced 28 home runs, 76 walks and just 37 strikeouts in 296 plate appearances while batting .407 at the plate. A powerful slugger that also has good contact skills, Bazzana could make an immediate impact for Cleveland.

The Guardians have a solid starter at second base with 25-year-old Andres Gimenez, who has driven in five home runs, 45 RBIs while batting .252. Bazzana will have time to develop.

2. Chase Burns, Cincinnati Reds

Breakdown: One of college baseball’s best starting pitchers the last three seasons, Burns was electric at the plate eclipsing 100 miles per hour with his fastball while also being proficient with a slider that flustered batters. Burns had a 23-6 record as a starter in two seasons at Tennessee and one at Wake Forest. Burns could’ve the majors in 2021 after being selected by San Diego, but Burns polished his game at the collegiate level.

The Reds don’t currently have a starting pitcher with an ERA lower than 3.6, but 24-year-old Hunter Greene is a promising young talent in the rotation. Burns and Greene are a combination Cincinnati can build around.

3. Charlie Condon, Colorado Rockies

Breakdown: No strangers to picking in the top-10, the Rockies selected the first baseman from Georgia known for his power at the plate. In two seasons with the Bulldogs, Condon blasted 62 home runs, 145 RBIs and batted .410 at the plate. Condon is the type of player that can provide instant offense and Colorado needs plenty of that with the Rockies currently ranking No. 21 in runs scored and No. 20 in home runs.

An organization that has only made the playoffs twice since 2010 could use all the talent it could get, especially with an aging Kris Bryant.

4. Nick Kurtz, Oakland Athletics

Breakdown: Another Demon Deacon star, Kurtz was one of the top first baseman in the country at Wake Forest. Kurtz’ power and patience at the plate helped him standout as he broke the Wake Forest program record for walks in a single season. He also produced 22 home runs and 57 RBIs this season. The A’s already have a young player at first in 22-year-old Tyler Soderstrom, but Kurtz could be a quick upgrade.

5. Hagen Smith, Chicago White Sox

Breakdown: The left-handed pitcher from Arkansas could’ve been the first pitcher selected after being voted the SEC Pitcher of the Year. Smith led NCAA Division I in average-against (.144) and strikeout rate (17.3 per nine innings), setting a record in the latter category. Smith operates in the high 90s with his fastball, but his most effective pitcher might be a slider that often reaches around 85 miles per hour. The 6-foot-3 prospect’s delivery could use some fine tuning, but his talent is undeniable.

Chicago has a few quality starters, but needs more and Smith could help provide a change of pace as a lefty.

Prediction: Condon

Breakdown: The best hitter in the draft, Condon worked himself up from a walk-on to a top-five pick. Any player with that determination can never be underestimated, not to mention the Rockies need more offense in the lineup and star power in the organization.