The 2024 MLB Draft is just one night away, but projections for WVU shortstop JJ Wetherholt still could not be more split.
With several major publications locking in their last mock drafts for Sunday’s first round and others all but finalizing them, Wetherholt’s draft stock is about as clear as it will get now. Despite that, where Wetherholt will actually land in the pros could not be less clear, as four recent mocks have him projected in a range of first overall to seventh.
Number seven is the only pick that multiple mocks agree Wetherholt will land, as MLB Pipeline and Bleacher Report both have him going to the St. Louis Cardinals. Both publications recognize St. Louis’ need for a pitcher, making Hagen Smith and Chase Burns preferred selections, but neither mock has the college arms falling that far, making Wetherholt the best option.
Despite having Wetherholt at the lowest pick in the recent round of mocks, both Bleacher Report and the MLB Network recognize the junior’s talent and potential to go higher. MLB Pipeline has Wetherholt landing seventh but listed as the fourth best prospect in the draft, while B/R gives room for Wetherholt to go in the top five.
“If Wetherholt does not go No. 1 overall on a below-slot deal to the Guardians, his ceiling might be No. 5 overall to the White Sox, though it’s hard to see him slipping much further than this given his elite hit tool,” Bleacher Report’s Joel Rueter wrote.
Both of Rueter’s mentioned destinations appear next to Wetherholt’s name elsewhere in this round of mock drafts. USA Today lists Wetherholt as becoming a Chicago White Sock at the fifth overall pick, while Baseball America has held firm with the prediction that WVU will get its first number one overall pick.
Selecting Wetherholt at one would provide talent to the Guardians’ infield, but the decision would be one based in money first and foremost. Due to Wetherholt’s hamstring injury, the once clear-cut top three pick is now falling on draft boards, and Cleveland would be taking advantage of this to offer him a below-slot deal, saving the team a potential $2 million to use on later draft selections.
Outside of Baseball America, though, final mock drafts are all in favor of Cleveland taking Oregon State’s Travis Bazzana, who would become the first second baseman to ever be drafted at pick one. Baseball America has Bazzana falling to the Oakland Athletics at number four.
Regardless of where Wetherholt lands, the former Big 12 Player of the Year’s talent is undisputed. His story of being recruited out of Mars, Pa. by WVU, his only scholarship offer, has made its rounds this past week before the draft, earning him the praise of all major publications, including the MLB Network, which gave Wetherholt a short feature on X.
JJ Wetherholt’s place in WVU and MLB history will officially reveal itself this Sunday at the first round of the 2024 MLB Draft in Fort Worth, Texas. The draft will be at 7 p.m. and available on ESPN and the MLB Network.
Photo by Aaron Parker, Blue Gold Sports
