2024 MLB mock draft 3.0: Kiley McDaniel predicts the first round - ESPN

The 2024 MLB draft starts Sunday, so let's project how the first round could play out this weekend with my mock draft 3.0.

The intrigue starts right at the top this year, as the Cleveland Guardians have a difficult decision to make with the No. 1 pick in a draft featuring a strong group of college players in contention to come off the board first. What will the Guardians do — and how will the Cincinnati Reds and Colorado Rockies follow with the No. 2 and No. 3 picks?

This is my next-to-last mock draft of the 2024 draft cycle, with an updated 3.1 version coming hours before Round 1 begins Sunday. And remember, this is the order in which I think the players will come off the board, while my rankings are the order in which I'd pick the players.

JJ Wetherholt, SS, West Virginia

I'm pretty sure Cleveland is still considering five players, and I think I know who all five are. My current handicap here is Wetherholt at a 45% chance, Travis Bazzana a 40% chance, Jac Caglianone a 10% chance, Charlie Condon 4% and Chase Burns at 1%.

Obviously, this will be a bonus price-dependent decision. Bazzana's camp may believe they have the player atop the Guardians board (I also believe that) and ask for $9.21 million, breaking Paul Skenes' $9.2 million bonus record (under the current hard-slotting draft rules). Cleveland could then argue that he should take a discount because they have a viable, comparable option in Wetherholt and that Bazzana won't go until the fourth pick if Cleveland passes; I believe both of those things, as well.

So, does the Bazzana camp gamble by sticking to a high number and risk him falling to the fourth pick, or do they opt to cut their ask to a bit below Skenes' record? And what will Wetherholt's price point be?