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Draft  | Story  | 4/18/2024

PG Top 400 Draft Board Breakdown

Tyler Henninger      Isaiah Burrows      Tyler Kotila     
Photo: Jac Caglianone (John Paternoster/UF Athletics)
The Perfect Game Draft team recently got together and worked out the latest rendition of the PG MLB Draft Board for the 2024 draft class. They put together their Top 400 prospects — which can be found here. The draft team also got together and mocked out what the first round could look like, in the eyes of the draft team – which can be found here.            

With that latest Top 400 drop, our draft team had a chance to plant some flags and start taking stock of what this spring has brought, both at the collegiate and high school levels. For that reason, in this article, we’ll dive into some of the players who have made a statement with their respective performances this spring. 



Between first-rounders who made some money with their red-hot performances, players who have moved up the board the most overall, or some new faces welcomed to the draft board, all of these players have carved out a spot on the Perfect Game Top 400 MLB Draft Board.               


1st Round Risers 
Some of the players below were already pegged as premier first round talents like Georgia's Charlie Condon while others have played their way into potentially hearing their name called on night one of the 2024 MLB Draft. 

Jac Caglianone, 1B/LHP, Florida | Previous Rank: 9 >> New Rank: 1
Caglianone has shown some of the loudest tools in the country since arriving on campus, which is why he was ranked within the Top-10 originally, but there were still some questions regarding the consistency of the profile. Caglianone has answered most of those this spring, as he has significantly cut down on the whiffs (down to a 8% K-rate) while still showing off his signature light tower power (21 home runs). The upside on the mound and at the plate is the highest in the class, hence the jump to the top overall spot. 

Charlie Condon, OF/3B, Georgia | Previous Rank: 8 >> New Rank: 2 
In terms of having a loud spring, Charlie Condon’s at the top of the leaderboard. He’s been having a historically good season at the plate for the Georgia Bulldogs while also proving he can handle the hot corner and the outfield. Condon’s .482/.586/1.109 slash with 12 doubles and a nation-leading 24 pumps. Condon’s moved up six spots to No. 2 on the board after his incredibly loud spring, drawing some impressive comparisons with his video game-like numbers.

Hagen Smith, LHP, Arkansas | Previous Rank: 17 >> New Rank: 6
Smith takes an immediate jump well into the Top 10 and is arguably the top arm in the class. He’s been flat out dominant this year with wipeout stuff that can rival an awfully quick projection to the big leagues. 

Dakota Jordan, OF, Mississippi State | Previous Rank: 32 >> New Rank: 12
Jordan put together a massive freshman campaign and has followed it with an even more impressive sophomore showing. The Mississippi State slugger features top of the scale bat speed among a toolshed of skills. 70-grade power plays to all fields and gives the offensive profile middle of the order upside. Athleticism and a solid arm profile well in right field, making for an early day one profile that will be hard for teams to pass on. 

Trey Yesavage, RHP, East Carolina | Previous Rank: 38 >> New Rank: 13
Hagan Smith and Chase Burns have put themselves at the top of the college arm race, but a dominant year by Yesavage has placed him right behind them. The right-hander has posted a minuscule 1.66 ERA with massive strikeout numbers (14.2 K/9), while commanding the zone consistently (2.8 BB/9). The performance on the field and overall stuff make for a valuable profile with starter traits. 

Bryce Rainer, 3B/RHP, Harvard-Westlake HS (CA) | Previous Rank: 72 >> New Rank: 14
Rainier has made one of the biggest jumps on the board and firmly sits in first-round territory. It’s a high-end tool set and left-handed bat projection that has taken off this spring. The athlete and two-way ability has stood out amongst the prep crop, and there’s plenty of first-round intrigue. 

Ryan Sloan, RHP, York Community HS (IL) | Previous Rank: 78 >> New Rank: 17 
One of the prep arms who has gained a ton of traction this spring as high school ball has begun is Illinois native Ryan Sloan. He came in just outside the Top 75 on the last update but has seen a very sizable jump, moving 54 spots up to 17th on the latest draft board release. Sloan’s reportedly been up to 98 mph (reportedly) on the fastball this spring and boasts a full-mix on display to dominate high school talent this spring. He’s rolled up some quality starts, which are only helping him move up draft lists for orgs.  

Kaelen Culpepper, SS, Kansas State | Previous Rank: 57 >> New Rank: 19
Culpepper looked to be a bat-first, corner infield profile entering the spring, but has quickly changed the narrative. The Wildcat infielder has taken over the reins at shortstop and has shown the ability to not only handle the position, but thrive there. Advanced athleticism and a plus arm make for an above-average defensive skill set at short. Meanwhile, the bat has continued to produce, posting an OPS near 1.000 thus far. The now well-rounded profile will likely be a first round selection come July. 

William Schmidt, RHP, Catholic HS (LA) | Previous Rank: 49 >> New Rank: 20
Schmidt makes a big rise into the first round and is arguably the top prep arm in the class with the best breaking ball. He’s touched as high as 99 mph this spring and is loaded with first-round type intrigue. 

James Tibbs III, OF, Florida State | Previous Rank: 81 >> New Rank: 21
Tibbs has been a steady producer all three years at Florida State, but has taken it to another level this spring. A smooth, left-handed swing has produced an average over .400 with 15 home runs already, to go along with more than twice the amount of walks as strikeouts. It is a well-rounded offensive profile with both hit and power potential. The bat profiles well near the backend of the first round at this point. 

Slade Caldwell, OF, Valley View HS (AR) | Previous Rank: 31 >> New Rank: 22
Caldwell made another good jump inside the first round given the athletic acumen. It’s plus bat speed with a 70-grade run tool and immense twitch all throughout the profile. There’s some good bat-to-ball for a prep bat and the power has shown big glimpses this spring. 

Theo Gillen, SS/OF, Westlake HS (TX) | Previous Rank: 110 >> New Rank: 28
Another massive riser, Gillen now sits in the back-end first round at No. 28 overall following his massive spring. The hit and power have taken off this spring with immense physical projection, and he’s a good athlete on the dirt or potentially roaming grass defensively. 

Caleb Lomavita, C, California | Previous Rank: 47 >> New Rank: 29
Lomavita has quickly risen up boards this spring and has now put his name in the hat for top collegiate catcher in the class. Plus power carries the offensive profile to go along with a quality hit tool, while sound actions and a strong arm should allow Lomavita to stick behind the plate at the next level. Lomavita slides in at No. 29 on the latest update, but it would not be a surprise if the California backstop goes even higher come July. 

Braylon Doughty, RHP, Chaparral HS (CA) | Previous Rank: 151 >> New Rank: 30 
Speaking of prep arms who’ve been impressive this spring, California’s own Braylon Doughty has been downright dominant this spring. He’s moved up 121 spots on our board and has performed exceptionally well in the eyes of many. Doughty’s been up to 97 mph and has shown the ability to hold the low- to mid-90s with two different breakers with 3,000+ spin and a changeup to round things out. His impressive stuff and arsenal, coupled with his elite mound presence, making him a really intriguing name as the spring progresses. 

Billy Amick, 3B, Tennessee | Previous Rank: 104 >> New Rank: 31 
There’s been a whole storyline surrounding Billy Amick after he missed time getting surgery to remove his appendix. But his return has seen the bat catch fire once again, bashing the ball for the Volunteers as he’s done plenty of times this spring. He moved up 73 spots between updates and with a .370/.458/.820 slash 7 doubles, a triple, and 12 home runs, Amick has looked great at the plate, coming back like he never missed a beat — showing off the athletic and twitchy swing with absurd bat speed and strength to leverage and impact.  

Ryan Johnson, RHP, Dallas Baptist | Previous Rank: 100 >> New Rank: 32 
Johnson’s been a really fun arm to watch this spring. He’s moved up 68 spots on our draft board and has made a name for himself, going out and pitching with authority and confidence on the mound. Quirky operation with a big and physical 6-foot-6, 215-pound frame. He works the mid-90s and has been up in the upper-90s before with high-level stuff throughout the arsenal. Johnson’s 65.0 innings this spring, pitching to a 1.66 ERA and a 0.83 WHIP, walking just 8 opposing hitters while striking out 91 — truly unique and dominant stuff. 

Kellon Lindsey, SS/OF, Hardee Senior HS (FL) | Previous Rank: NR >> New Rank: 40 
One of the most intriguing names of the spring down south has been Kellon Lindsey, who’s vaulted himself on & up most draft boards. Lindsey’s a plus athlete with a ton of speed and twitch. He has shown he could stick up the middle at shortstop or in the outfield, with good bounce and fluid actions. With quick hands and a good feel for the barrel that shows at the plate, he’s made some noise this spring. Lindsey’s been garnering plenty of attention from organizations and could find himself winding up as a first-rounder or comp-round player this year.  

 
Biggest Risers Overall 
This category is one that speaks for itself. The players featured below were listed on previous iterations of the draft lists but they've recently had a balloon tied to their names and have shot up the draft boards with their performances this spring. 


Wyatt Sanford, SS, Independence HS (TX) | Previous Rank: 124 >> New Rank: 33
Sanford is another prep shortstop garnering considerable buzz. It’s one of the best gloves you can find in the entire prep class and projects at the 6-hole long term. The left-handed stick has hit for more power along with an above-average run tool. Lots to like across the board. 

Dasan Hill, LHP, Grapevine HS (TX) | Previous Rank: 251 >> New Rank: 50
Another Texas riser, Hill jumped two hundred spots after lighting up some guns this spring with his already advanced feel to spin from the left side. He’s been up to mid/high-90s and the projection really hit in a short time. Hill’s got big starter traits and sits firmly within the Top 75. 

Johnny King, LHP, Naples HS (FL) | Previous Rank: 166 >> New Rank: 51 
King has been an arm who’s flown up the draft boards this spring after coming out and really putting on a show down in Naples, Fla., for his high school squad. The southpaw has an elite breaker with outlier spin, not to mention working the mid-90s on the heater. He’s uber-athletic with plenty of arm speed. He’s mowed down the opposition this spring and has put himself up into the second round on our PG Draft Board with his exceptional performance this spring. 

Sawyer Farr, SS, Boswell HS (TX) | Previous Rank: 132 >> New Rank: 54
A handful of Texas prep shortstops have made considerable noise this spring and Farr is one of them. Farr is a switch-hitter who has shown quality in-game power this spring and a lanky 6-foot-3, 185-pound frame projects well for even more. Athleticism and smooth actions play well on the dirt and give Farr a good shot at sticking at shortstop long term. The power, projectability, and athleticism has allowed Farr to skyrocket up draft boards this spring.

Mason Russell, LHP, Casteel HS (AZ) | Previous Rank: 243 >> New Rank: 86
Russell entered the spring as a potential name to pop this spring and has done just that. That left-hander features a four-pitch mix with high spin rate numbers and a clean, athletic delivery to go with it. There are starter traits to the profile with plenty of untapped upside still remaining. Russell put that upside on display recently with a no-hitter out in Cary in front of a large number of scouts.  

Devin Fitz-Gerald, IF, Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS (FL) | Previous Rank: 216 >> New Rank: 112
Fitz-Gerald has shown a feel to hit for a long time and a loud spring has allowed the switch-hitter to jump over 100 spots in the latest update. Fitz-Gerald is in the midst of his best season, hitting over .400 and showing an increase in power, continues to climb up boards. The barrel feel stands out amongst the prep group and should garner plenty of attention in the early rounds. 

Tomas Valincius, LHP, Baylor HS (IL) | Previous Rank: 270 >> New Rank: 149
Valincius jumped over 120 spots and into the Top-150 in the most recent update. The athletic lefthander has put together a dominant spring, striking out 53 hitters in 25 innings and giving up just three earned runs thus far. The fastball has shown an uptick in velocity, working up to 94 mph now, to go along with a sharp slider that can miss bats. 

Bo Walker, OF, Starrs Mill HS (GA) | Previous Rank: 255 >> New Rank: 155  
Walker has picked up some steam this spring with his performance. He’s shown off his tools, and his performance this spring has garnered a 100-spot jump up to 155th in our latest draft board update. Walker has elite hand speed with a good feel for the barrel, being able to impact and produce some loud results at the plate. He’s an athletic runner with a plus-arm from the outfield to pair that have made him someone that teams are doing their homework on as the spring churns on. 

Jackson Barberi, RHP, Brookwood HS (GA) | Previous Rank: 253 >> New Rank: 176 
Barberi saw a 77-spot jump up to 176th on our latest PG Draft Board, and if I were a betting man, I’d say he will keep climbing. The prep right-hander has been great this spring, and in his latest start, he was up to 97 mph on the heater in front of the brass, looking the part from top-to-bottom. He shows feel for a slider with spin above 2,800 RPMs and a changeup he can throw to both righties or lefties, giving him a true arsenal to work off of. His performance this spring has been great, and the latest look has left scouts drooling about what could be with Barberi, someone who could make an even further move up the board.  

Sam Petersen, OF, Iowa | Previous Rank: 225 >> New Rank: 188 
Petersen has been a steady bat in the Iowa Hawkeyes lineup this spring. A hand injury held him out for a couple of games, but when he’s been in the lineup, Petersen has been a real weapon near the top of the lineup. He’s slashed .363/.481/.647 with 10 doubles, 2 triples, and 5 home runs while driving in 24 runs. He’s walked 16 times, struck out 21 times, and swiped 14 bags on the year, looking great at the plate, working counts, and making good swings with a real fluid and simple right-handed stroke that has drawn interest. He moved up 37 spots in our latest draft board update. 

 
New To The Board 
While they may not be new to the national circuit, the players listed below have done nothing but help their draft stock this spring and based on their on-field performances thus far, they've shot up the draft board. 


Kash Mayfield, LHP, Elk City HS (OK) | Debut Rank: 64
Mayfield vaults all the way into the Top-100 and his spring has been one of the best you can find in the prep class. It’s been low-to-mid-90s with a swing-and-miss slider and changeup along with an enticing starter profile from the left side. 

Josh Kuroda-Grauer, SS, Rutgers | Previous Rank: Debut Rank: 78
Kuroda-Grauer has made tons of noise with an extremely loud spring showing, reaching base at an above .500 clip with nearly 20 stolen bases. There is not a ton of power to the profile, but an advanced hit tool and sound strike zone awareness make for a valuable offensive skill set. The skill set profiles well at the top of the order, bringing a mix of on-base ability and aggressiveness on the bases. Kuroda-Grauer also brings some defensive versatility, making the profile even that much more enticing.

Adam Haight, 3B/RHP Cedar Park Christian HS (WA) | Debut Rank: 96
Haight is one of the biggest risers on the entire board, vaulting all the way up into the Top 100 after a big spring showing thus far. It’s a super simple, clean right-handed swing with big bat speed and ample impact already showing and more to come in the frame. He can stick on the left side and get up to low-90s with a slider and change to mix, as well. 

Josh Caron, C, Nebraska | Previous Rank: Debut Rank: 102
Caron has continued to show improvement every year at Nebraska and seems to be putting a lot of pieces together this spring. The strong showing has allowed him to jump on a lot of draft boards, making his way up to No. 102 on the latest update. There is a considerable amount of untapped raw power that will carry the offensive profile once he fully taps into it. Caron has shown enough behind the plate to give him a chance to stick there at the next level. 

Jaxon Jelkin, RHP, Houston | Debut Rank: 104
Jelkin is the Friday starter for Houston and has taken a huge role as an impact JUCO transfer. It’s a potential stater profile from a loose arm. He sits mostly 91-94 mph and up to 95 with the makings of a plus slider and distant third changeup. 

Dmarion Terrell, OF, Thompson HS (AL) | Debut Rank: 111
Terrell has jumped into the Top-115 after garnering a fair amount of attention with a loud showing to start the spring and continuing it up until this point. The left-handed hitting Terrell features a smooth, balanced stroke that has already shown a good bit of power. Terrell has gone deep five times this spring and produced 14 extra-base hits. An athletic 6-foot-3, 205-pound frame projects well for even more power down the line, giving the profile plenty of upside that will have teams interested.

Jake Hanley, RHP/1B, Mason HS (OH) | Debut Rank: 165 
One of the players on the prep scene who has garnered a lot of attention and could be the prep player with a ton of helium is Jake Hanley. The Mason, Ohio native has been really impressive this spring, getting up to 95 mph on the fastball and handling the stick well, too. A 6-foot-6, 225-pound frame leaves a ton of room to dream. Low- to mid-90s heater, as mentioned, with a feel for a high-tilt slider. Physical left-handed stick at the plate with strength to leverage and do damage at the plate. Hanley might just be the helium prospect in Ohio this spring who vaults up draft boards. 

Grant Shepardson, RHP, Mountain Vista HS (CO) | Debut Rank: 196
Shepardson has jumped onto a lot of team’s radars this spring, mostly in part to a big jump in fastball velocity. The heater is now working in the upper-90’s, with reports that the right-hander has touched 98 mph. Shepardson is still developing feel to command the offering, but he could be an arm that teams are willing to take a chance on with the hopes of developing the overall repertoire. 

Ryan Prager, LHP, Texas A&M | Debut Rank: 210
Prager simply eats innings and has been one of the most reliable arms in the SEC this year. He has the makings of a back-end starter type with his blend of pitches and deceptions. The fastball only sits 90-91 but plays up with big carry from a steep downhill angle and plane. The slider and fading changeup to both sides of the plate. Prager’s command and arsenal bring good amounts of floor. 

Khal Stephen, RHP, Mississippi State | Debut Rank: 269
Stephen is another solid starter option in this year’s class who makes his debut on the board. It’s a strong three-pitch mix that’s mostly 91-93 mph with an above-average slider at 82-84 mph and a promising changeup as a third offering. He’s logged innings at a high rate and has shown the ability to miss bats. 

Blaine Brown, LHP, Shadow Creek HS (TX) | Debut Rank: 287
Yet another Texas prep talent, Brown has been a good look for area scouts this spring and is loaded with physical intrigue. He’s all of a lean 6-foot-4 with a loose, easy three-quarter slot that gets extended out front. He’s been up to low-90s and pairs it with an awfully tight mid/high-70s breaker that has serious action to it. The traits and physical projection really jump off the page in the prep arm scene. 

Cooper Malamazian, SS/RHP, Nazareth Academy (IL)  | Debut Rank: 356 
Another “helium” guy is Cooper Malamazian. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound frame out of Illinois was really good on the circuit last fall and has garnered some attention this spring. He’s got some serious bat speed and whip to the barrel to do damage at the plate, with good arm strength across the diamond to pair. He's in the upper-80s off the bump, and the arm strength translates across the diamond. Organizations have been doing the due diligence on this spring. 

Kevin Mannell, RHP, Cloud County (JuCo) | Debut Rank: 312 
Perhaps the most intriguing new addition to the draft board is Cloud County’s Kevin Mannell. He’s a low-slot right-hander with a really tough angle, creating a ton of deception, all while working 90-94 mph on the fastball with a ton of arm-side life and sink to it. He pairs it with a high-spin slider that works the low- to mid-80s with a high-spin profile and has a mid-80s changeup as well. He made his Draft Board debut and was the PG JuCo staff’s No. 1 prospect on their JuCo Top 500 board, which you can read more about here. 
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