The first round of the 2024 Major League Baseball player draft will get underway on July 14th, in Arlington, Texas and continue for 19 more rounds concluding on July 16th. In addition, compensation picks will be distributed for players who did not sign from the 2023 MLB Draft.
The MLB completed its fourth annual Draft Combine for 2024 which took place this past June 18th-23rd. The Combine was hosted for a second straight year at Chase Field in Phoenix, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The top 300 draft-eligible players, as identified by MLB clubs, were invited to attend the 2024 Draft Combine along with up to 50 supplemental invites. The combine provided an opportunity for players to participate in a series of medical and performance assessments as well as educational programming designed to prepare them for careers in professional baseball. All players had the opportunity to participate in a pro-style showcase workout, as well as strength and performance assessments. Additionally, high school players had the option to participate in a live game against other high school combine attendees.
The attendees had the opportunity to interview with MLB teams’ general managers and scouting directors.
Overall, MLB scouts are looking for athletes with tools who understand how to play the game, are fundamentally sound, with experience, competitive in nature and are the standouts who have scouts excited.
From my observation, after having conversations with scouts, a few MLB teams are looking at a “toolsy” HBCU player with a heavy bat plus speed on the base paths. From pro style workouts in the Draft Combine, with position players taking batting practice and infield and pitchers throwing from the mound, one HBCU player’s stats at the combine stood out.
Grambling State third-baseman Cameron Bufford was one of the best bats in the SWAC in the last four seasons.
Bufford led his team to a SWAC title and a trip to the NCAA Regionals. Bufford set the all-time career home run mark at Grambling State this past season. He set the record this past March 2nd in a conference game against Florida A&M setting the mark at 45 career homers. Bufford batted .343 with 57 runs batted in, ten doubles, one triple and eleven home runs. He sports a slugging percentage of .604 and an OPS of .1.108. Additionally, he swiped 14 of 16 stolen bases.
Cameron Bufford was a standout from day two of the 2024 Draft Combine. His power was on display in the combine when he smashed several 400-foot blasts, including the fourth longest of the session at 430.4 feet.
Here we highlight the top HBCU prospects in the 2024 season that are draft eligible, potential free agent signees, and future prospects based on our contact with scouts, head coaches, their coaching staffs, and Black College Nines staff that attended HBCU and non-HBCU baseball games during both fall ball, scout day and during this past season. We breakdown our top candidates in the draft, plus rumors and potential picks.
Potential HBCU Baseball draft report candidates include:
- Grambling State University INF Cameron Bufford. (elevated his stock in MLBs Draft Combine).
- Alabama State University INF Randy Flores
- Alabama State University 1B Jack Hay
- North Carolina A&T State University C Canyon Brown
- Bethune Cookman University RHP Tanner Boccabello
- Bethune Cookman University C Irvin Escobar (good summer in the MLB Draft League).
- Prairie View A&M University RHP Michael Dews (up to 93 mph).
- Prairie View A&M University RHP Camden Farmer (mid 90s fastball, topped out at 98 mph).
- Albany State University RHP Landon Kiefer (tops out at 92 mph).
The MLB Draft will take place during the 2024 MLB All-Star Week. MLB All-Star week begins again with the HBCU Swingman Classic on Friday, July 12 and the all-star game is on Tuesday, July 16.
The draft will take place in Arlington, Texas, as Globe Life Field which hosts the MLB All-Star Game. The draft is 20 rounds over three days with Round 1 and 2 on day one, 3-10 on day two and the rest on day three.
The MLB Draft Order:
Cleveland Guardians
Cincinnati Reds
Colorado Rockies
Oakland A’s
Chicago White Sox
Kansas City Royals
St. Louis Cardinals
Los Angeles Angels
Pittsburgh Pirates
Washington Nationals
Detroit Tigers
Boston Red Sox
San Francisco Giants
Chicago Cubs
Seattle Mariners
Miami Marlins
Milwaukee Brewers
Tampa Bay Rays
New York Mets
Toronto Blue Jays
Minnesota Twins
Baltimore Orioles
Los Angeles Dodgers
Atlanta Braves
San Diego Padres
New York Yankees
Philadelphia Phillies
Houston Astros
Arizona Diamondbacks
Texas Rangers
Arizona Diamondbacks
Baltimore Orioles
Minnesota Twins
Baltimore Orioles
Arizona Diamondbacks
Cleveland Guardians
Pittsburgh Pirates
Colorado Rockies
Kansas City Royals
HBCU Baseball 2024 Potential Draft Picks or Free agent signees:
(Drawing interest from Major League Baseball Scouts)
Alabama State University
Ali LaPread, OF
Luis Rodriguez, RHP
Bethune Cookman University
Daniel Gaviria, LHP
Sergio Rivera, OF
Albany State University
Jeremiah Reddell, RHP
Wiley College
Jhan Javier, OF
Ryan Ready, INF
Virginia State University
Joseph Hastings, RHP
Southern University
Tyeler Hawkins, OF
Khyle Radcliffe, OF
West Virginia State University
Mike Huber, INF
Florida A&M University
Ty Jackson, OF
Janmikell Bastardo, OF
Sebastian Greico, INF
Norfolk State University
Manny Jackson, C
Rust College
Jalin Thomas, INF/C
Talladega College
Darlin Fernandez, OF
Miguel Oropeza, INF
Jose Santiago, INF
Jose Franco, RHP
Bluefield State University
Alex Kanipe, RHP
Tahir Meulens, INF
Tahraun Hammond, INF
Savannah State University
Kendal Spencer, OF
Andrew Mann, RHP
Hakem Smith, OF
Addrian McNeal, INF