What To Expect From Travis Bazzana, Charlie Condon & Other 2024 MLB Draft Picks In 2025

1. Travis Bazzana, 2B, Guardians

Cleveland hasn’t rushed many of its recent top hitting draftees, but Bazzana could be different. He signed quickly after the draft and played 27 games with High-A Lake County in his pro debut. He should spend the bulk of his 2025 season in the upper minors. In the wake of the Andres Gimenez trade there’s a clearer path to assuming the everyday second base job. Juan Brito has played well at Triple-A and could get a crack at the job this season, and the team has other options including Gabriel Arias and Tyler Freeman. None of those players should block Bazzana if and when he shows he’s ready for the majors, which could come as soon as late 2025. 

2. Chase Burns, RHP, Reds

Burns made his pro debut in spring training last week and showed the same high-octane stuff that made him the second overall pick. While the Reds have plenty of depth in their starting rotation, it would be easy to see Burns follow the path Rhett Lowder took in 2024. Drafted seventh overall in 2023, Lowder spent the bulk of the 2024 season with Double-A Chattanooga before making his major league debut on August 30. Burns and Lowder are different styles of pitchers, but Burns has the pure stuff to get outs in the majors right now. If he shows the requisite control and command in the minors—and also if there’s a starting opportunity for him in Cincinnati—don’t be surprised to see him debut this season. 

3. Charlie Condon, OF, Rockies

Condon signed for the same record $9.25 million bonus as Chase Burns, then dealt with a hand injury during a 25-game pro debut in which he struggled against spin. The Rockies have already put Condon on a faster track than recent college hitters Sterlin Thompson, Jordan Beck and Cole Carrigg, none of whom experienced High-A ball until their first full pro season. Given Condon’s struggles and the fact that the Rockies have no reason to rush him, he could start the 2025 season back with Spokane before spending the bulk of his year at the Double-A level. After playing all over the field with Georgia, Condon split time between left field and third base in his pro debut. We should get a much better idea of Condon’s long-term defensive home this season. 

4. Nick Kurtz, 1B, Athletics

Kurtz is a prime candidate to move rapidly. He was one of the most well-rounded college hitters from the 2024 class, is defensively adept at first base and had a strong pro debut that saw him reach Double-A Midland. Injuries feel like the only thing that could slow him down. He’s dealt with rib, shoulder and hamstring ailments in the last two years alone. However, the A’s were happy to push 2023 first-rounder Jacob Wilson to the majors in his first full pro season, and Kurtz could be ready to join him late in 2025. Some of that may depend on how well Tyler Soderstrom—who will still be just 23 years old—is playing. Expect the bulk of Kurtz’s season to come at Double-A and Triple-A. 

5. Hagen Smith, LHP, White Sox

Like Burns, Smith has the sort of pure stuff that should allow him to get big league hitters out in short order. Developing a reliable third offering will be key for him in the 2025 season, but he should spend the bulk of his season at the Double-A level or higher. Though the White Sox are in the middle of a rebuild, Smith could still be a quick mover.

6. Jac Caglianone, 1B, Royals

Caglianone has the sort of outlier raw power and contact skills to find success despite an aggressive approach, but refining that approach will be a key goal for him in 2025. Caglianone slashed .241/.302/.388 in a 29-game High-A stint in his pro debut, then showed a bit more power in 21 games in the Arizona Fall League after the season. He’s expected to head to Double-A Northwest Arkansas in 2025. 

7. JJ Wetherholt, SS, Cardinals

Wetherholt had a reputation as one of the most advanced pure hitters in the 2024 class. His 29-game pro debut with Low-A Palm Beach backed that reputation up, with underlying batted-ball data indicating more power than his surface stats might indicate. He could spend time with High-A Peoria in 2025, following a similar track as 2023 first rounder Chase Davis, though he’s much more advanced at the same stage and should probably reach Double-A at some point in 2025. 

8. Christian Moore, 2B, Angels

At this point, it seems safe to assume a fast track for whatever player the Angels draft in the first round. Moore spent just two games with Low-A Inland Empire before earning a promotion to Double-A Rocket City, where he showed big power but some swing-and-miss concerns, as well. All indications seem to point to Moore having a real shot to break camp with the big league team this spring. If not, he’ll head back to the upper minors where cutting down his strikeouts and refining his defensive work at second will be the focus. 

9. Konnor Griffin, SS, Pirates

Griffin didn’t play in any official games in 2024 but did play in instructs after signing. He should start his official minor league career in either rookie ball or Low-A Bradenton like Termarr Johnson did three years ago. In addition to watching the development of Griffin’s hit tool, it’ll be interesting to see where the Pirates opt to have Griffin focus defensively. He has high-end ability to play both shortstop and center field, and he appeared at both positions in instructs. 

10. Seaver King, SS, Nationals

King looked a bit worn down at the end of his 2024 season after playing a full spring with Wake Forest and 20 games with Low-A Fredericksburg. He still played well and helped the FredNats win a Carolina League championship. King should be on track to advance to both High-A and Double-A in 2025 as long as he keeps hitting. He played all his games at shortstop in his 2024 debut but has the versatility to play all over the infield and center field, as well. Whether the Nationals pursue that defensive versatility in his first full pro season will be something to watch. 

11. Bryce Rainer, SS, Tigers

Rainer didn’t play in a pro game in his draft year, just as Max Clark and Kevin McGonigle did in the 2023 class. He’ll make his pro debut in 2025 and like both of the elite high school hitters in front of him in Detroit’s system, Rainer will probably spend the bulk of his season with Low-A Lakeland. He has a chance to be the team’s shortstop of the future thanks to big tools including raw power, arm strength and strong defensive instincts.

12. Braden Montgomery, OF, White Sox

Montgomery was one of the elite college hitters in the 2024 class, but his pro debut was delayed after he suffered a right ankle fracture with Texas A&M in June. After being traded from the Red Sox to the White Sox as part of the Garret Crochet deal, he’ll make his pro debut in 2025 and is expected to start with High-A Winston-Salem. Expect to see power, arm strength and better production from the left side for Montgomery, with swing-and-miss issues and righthanded-hitting platoon splits an area of development. 

13. James Tibbs, OF, Giants

Having earned a reputation as a polished pure hitter over three seasons with Florida State, Tibbs then played 26 games between Low-A San Jose and High-A Eugene in his pro debut. He should return to Eugune to start the 2025 season after struggling a bit at that level. He’ll look to prove his right field defense and start tapping into a bit more power with wood.

14. Cam Smith, 3B, Astros

Smith has been one of the most prominent post-draft risers of the 2024 class and has done nothing but hit at a high level since his 2023 summer in the Cape Cod League. His pro debut was exceptional. He reached Double-A and homered seven times in 32 games. During spring training in 2025, he has continued to flash a hot bat. Defensive work at the hot corner will be a focus for Smith in his first full pro season, and if he keeps raking, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him force the issue and make his major league debut this season. 

15. Jurrangelo Cijntje, RHP/LHP, Mariners

A switch-pitcher, Cijntje didn’t make his pro debut after signing and is expected to spend the bulk of the 2025 season with Low-A Modesto. During his draft year, he spent more time pitching from the right side, even in a majority of lefthanded-hitting matchups. How Seattle opts to use his ambidextrous talents will be the most interesting piece of his 2025 season. 

16. PJ Morlando, OF, Marlins

Morlando could be one of the quicker-moving high school players from this draft class. He was one of the most polished pure hitters and also has advanced physicality to go with tons of raw power. The Marlins are excited about his overall athleticism and defensive ability, playing him in center field in his lone debut game in 2024 before a lumbar stress reaction ended his season. He should start the 2025 season with Low-A Jupiter and in center field.

17. Braylon Payne, OF, Brewers

Payne showed more power in his pro debut than most amateur scouts would have expected. If he’s able to maintain the exit velocities he flashed, he will have significantly changed his overall profile in less than a year. He’s exceptionally young for the class but has more pro playing time than most of his peers thanks to an excellent 19-game debut at Low-A Carolina. He should return to the level to start 2025 needing to sharpen his route running and potentially showcase better arm strength. 

18. Theo Gillen, OF, Rays

Gillen was activated after the draft and played eight games with Low-A Charleston. He played all of his innings in center field, which was a position switch that many scouts expected before the draft. He’ll likely spend a bulk of the 2025 season at the level. In addition to getting accustomed to pro pitching, he’ll get full-time reps in center for the first time and look to put his injury-plagued high school days behind him with a full bill of health. 

19. Carson Benge, OF, Mets

Benge played well in a 15-game pro debut with Low-A St. Lucie after signing. The athletic, lefthanded-hitting outfielder could walk the path that 2022 first-rounder Kevin Parada followed in his first full pro season: High-A Brooklyn followed by a late-season promotion to Double-A Binghamton if he’s playing well. 

20. Trey Yesavage, RHP, Blue Jays

Yesavage has the tools to move quickly thanks to a deep and above-average arsenal with above-average control. He didn’t make his pro debut after signing but should be on a faster track than 2023 third-rounder Juaron Watts-Brown as long as he’s healthy. He should be ready for High-A Vancouver out of the gate and plenty of Double-A innings wouldn’t be unsurprising given his polish. 

21. Kaelen Culpepper, SS, Twins

Culpepper was drafted as a shortstop and played all but three games at the position in his pro debut. He played two games at third base and a single game at second. He’s expected to start the 2025 season with High-A Cedar Rapids with a chance to progress to Double-A Wichita during the season. 

22. Vance Honeycutt, OF, Orioles

Honeycutt played 13 games between Low-A Delmarva and High-A Aberdeen in 2024. He should return to High-A to start the 2025 season looking to cut down on the 42.9% strikeout rate he showed in his pro debut. Baltimore has a number of highly-athletic outfielders who are capable of playing center field in the system—including Enrique Bradfield and Austin Overn—so he could get some time in left or right in addition to the bulk of his center field duties. 

23. Kellon Lindsey, SS, Dodgers

Lindsey’s first game action after signing came in instructs, not official games. He’ll make his pro debut in 2025, likely starting out in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League. The Dodgers have already worked to tweak Lindsey’s swing in order to create a cleaner, more impactful bat path. Seeing how that progresses in his first taste against pro pitching will be fascinating. He has the speed to pile up huge stolen base numbers in the low minors. 

24. Cam Caminiti, LHP, Braves

Caminiti should follow the same template that righthander Owen Murphy did in his first full pro season with Atlanta: pitching weekly at Low-A Augusta where he’ll be a full-time pitcher for the first time in his life. He’ll likely focus on just one breaking ball, and the Braves are trying to optimize his fastball shape, as well. 

25. Kash Mayfield, LHP, Padres

Mayfield didn’t pitch in his pro debut, and it’s reasonable to assume he’ll get his first official innings in either the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League or with Low-A Lake Elsinore this season. That said, the Padres aren’t afraid to push their prospects, and Mayfield will pitch in his age-20 season as one of the older preps from the 2024 class.

26. Ben Hess, RHP, Yankees

Hess was the first of a number of college arms in the Yankees’ 2024 draft class. Recent Yankee arms Drew Thorpe and Kyle Carr spent a bulk of their first full pro seasons at High-A Hudson Valley. That seems a reasonable expectation for Hess after he didn’t make a pro appearance in 2024 upon signing. Hess could feature a new sweeper breaking ball shape this season, and he’s been working on adding more depth to his changeup. Throwing more strikes is the lowest hanging fruit for him.

27. Dante Nori, OF, Phillies

Nori played 16 games with Low-A Clearwater in his pro debut after signing. He turned 20 in October, however, and because of that, his advanced pure hit tool and solid physicality, he could be on a faster track than most of his prep peers in the class. If he hits, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him pushed to High-A Jersey Shore in short order.

28. Walker Janek, C, Astros

After signing, Janek played 25 games with High-A Asheville, where he looked the part defensively behind the play but was overmatched as a hitter with a much more aggressive approach than expected. He should return to High-A Asheville, where he’ll need to improve on his 30:4 strikeout-to-walk ratio. 

29. Slade Caldwell, OF, Diamondbacks

Caldwell has yet to make his pro debut and should spend time in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League and with Low-A Visalia in his 2025 pro debut. Both Druw Jones and Jordan Lawlar before him did the same in their first full pro seasons. Caldwell’s game is centered on pure hitting ability and speed, but we’ll get our first look at how impactful the undersized center field can be with wood this season. 

30. Malcolm Moore, C, Rangers

Moore debuted with High-A Hickory after signing with the Rangers. He struggled to a .209/.298/.374 line with 29 strikeouts and eight walks. Texas has worked with him to clean up his exaggerated hitting setup and also make his transfer more efficient. He should return to High-A (now in Spartanburg) to start the 2025 system, but there’s some thought he could move to Double-A quickly.