MLB Draft Grades: Braves, Reds restock in National League
Chase Burns headlines a good draft class for the Cincinnati Reds.
The National League added plenty of talent in the 2024 MLB Draft headlined by the selections of Chase Burns to the Cincinnati Reds and Charlie Condon to the Colorado Rockies. Below are our thoughts on every National League team’s draft class. You can find our grades for the American League here.
National League East
Atlanta Braves
The Braves struck gold when Cam Caminiti slid to them at No. 24 in the first round. Camaniti was a potential Top 10 talent in the 2025 draft before reclassifying. They grabbed Carter Holton in the second who should rise quickly in the system once healthy. After that, the Braves gambled on upside with their draft adding the likes of Luke Sinnard (health), Nick Montgomery(hit/defense), and Cayman Goode (raw). Combine that with some a mix of advanced tools and intriguing arms like Ethan Bagwell, Owen Hackman, and the toolsy Patrick Clohisy and you have what should be a very strong draft.
Grade: A-
Miami Marlins
The Marlins draft is the reason why immediate grades are tough to do because while PJ Morlando was a wild overdraft in the first, the savings allowed them to stockpile on high end talent getting 10 top 250 prospects. Carter Johnson at No. 56 was great, while adding Gage Miller, Payton Green, Jacob Jenkins-Cowart, Dub Gleed, and Cody Schrier were quality additions to their system. Nick Brink, Grant Shepardson, Fenwick Trimble, and Jake Faherty are both quantity and quality.
Grade: B-
New York Mets
Carson Benge and Jonathan Santucci was a fantastic way to start the draft for the New York Mets. Tanner Witt still has top end talent who just hasn’t quite found it because of a string of injuries. If he stays healthy and develops, then that’s three first round talents.
Grade: B
Philadelphia Phillies
Dante Nori in the first was a bit of a shock and when you go that route you expect the next few rounds to be filled with super high upside picks. However, it doesn’t look like the Phillies did that. Griffin Burkholder, Carson DeMartini and Carter Mathison are solid picks but John Spikerman in the third, with his lack of power, raises a question. Camron Hill and Brady Day are a couple of really good Day 3 picks with sizable upside, but overall this draft seemed a little lacking.
Grade: C+
Washington Nationals
Washington’s draft got off to an interesting start with the selection Seaver King. King is without a doubt a first round talent, but was a reach at No. 10. They nabbed likely the best catcher in the draft, Caleb Lomavita, using their competitive balance pick and the athletic Luke Dickerson in the second round, who has great upside. If Kevin Bazzell can stick at catcher, then that’s another great value behind the plate.
Grade: B+
National League Central
Chicago Cubs
The Cubs did great on Day 1 of the draft grabbing infielders Cam Smith and Cole Mathis. Days 2 and 3 were a little more interesting with the selections of Ty Southisene, Cole Mathis, and Ronny Cruz. The Cubs also added another intriguing super upside pick in Ivan Brethowr. Overall, a solid draft that might lack the pure upside from an outside perspective, but Cubs scouts must really like.
Grade: B
Cincinnati Reds
The Reds had themselves a wonderful draft which started with the selection of Chase Burns. They were also able to add super athletic infielder Tyson Lewis, as well as four-pitch pitcher Luke Holman all on Day 1. The Reds then turned around and got really good value with their third round pick with the selection of outfielder Mike Sirota. Finally, adding someone like Tristan Smith, who was one of the best arms in his high school class, along with Peyton Stovall and you have a very strong draft before even getting to Day 3.
Grade: A
Milwaukee Brewers
While the Brewers did get some really good players in Braylon Payne, Blake Burke, Bryce Meccage, and Chris Levonas it does bring up the question if they should have gotten more value while having four picks in the first 67 picks. If they are able to get Mason Molina and Caedmon Parker to realize their potential that would definitely help bring this up closer to the B range.
Grade: B-
Pittsburgh Pirates
Konnor Griffin can turn this draft into an absolute win for the Pirates as he has truly elite upside. While Levi Sterling in the competitive balance round is a bit early, being able to take Wyatt Sanford at No. 47 helps balance things out. If the Pirates are able to help Josh Hartle and Will Taylor reach their potential this is a fantastic draft. Add in Matt Ager and Duce Gourson and this is as easy of an A as someone can give out. There is significant risk in this class but a ton to like.
Grade: A
St. Louis Cardinals
I wonder what the draft room was like for the Cardinals when JJ Wetherholt, a candidate for the top pick, was available at No. 7? Brian Holiday was a bit of an overdraft but he does seem destined for the majors with that solid five-pitch mix with his elite control. Signing Brendan Lawson would be a massive get for the Cardinals who did well in this draft.
Grade: B+
National League West
Arizona Diamondbacks
After a great first day that saw the Diamondbacks take home a pair of highly rated outfielders in Slade Caldwell and Ryan Waldschmidt, the Diamondbacks had an extremely strong Day 2 adding a trio of top 250 players in Daniel Eagen, Titus Cissell and Connor Foley. Add to that the addition of some intriguing arms in Mason Marriott and Kyle Ayers and Arizona had themselves a very strong draft.
Grade: A-
Colorado Rockies
It’s safe to say the Rockies needed a draft like this, adding a lot of high end upside talent. The Rockies had to be thrilled when Charlie Condon slid to No. 3. They then added Brody Brecht who has two plus pitches and already has a potential MLB floor should his command improve just a bit. Later they added Jared Thomas who does a lot of things well, and the slugging Cole Messina. Konner Eaton is a high upside pick as well, but comes with risk.
Grade: A
Los Angeles Dodgers
No surprise here as the Dodgers take home another really strong draft class. Kellon Lindsey and Chase Harlan are two very intriguing picks, and if Erik Parker signs, that’s a great talent to add in the 15th round. Jakob Wright might have been a bit of an overdraft but still another quality arm with upside.
Grade: A-
San Diego Padres
The Padres did a great job at getting a lot of high upside guys in Kash Mayfield, Boston Bateman along with Cobb Hightower, who is interesting on his own. Then getting Kavares Teaers, Tyson Neighbors, and Clark Candiotti on Day 2 make this a very nice draft class.
Grade: B
San Francisco Giants
The Giants didn’t have second or third round picks but still did well grabbing talents like James Tibbs III, Dakota Jordan, and Robert Hipwell. Jordan in particular could be a steal at No. 34. The Giants also added Jakob Christian, Zander Darby, and Jeremiah Jenkins on Day 2 and Day 3 to round things out nicely.