College Baseball is starting to wind down but the sport’s top names are making their final case arguments for the first overall pick in this year’s MLB Draft. Throughout the season we have been diving into some of these names while introducing dynasty managers to some names to watch later in the draft. Let’s check in on some of the top performers right now in College baseball.
College Baseball Check-In
Charlie Condon, 1B/OF Georgia
(43 GP, .461/.567/1.090, 29 HR, 61 R, 61 RBI, 3 SB)
The march to 30 home runs is among us as Charlie Condon has put together a fantastic season for Georgia. The 6’6” Condon has been an absolute masher at the plate displaying not only potential plus power but an excellent bat-to-ball approach. In 43 games played Condon is slashing .461/.567/1.090 with 29 home runs, 61 runs scored, 61 RBIs, and three stolen bases. At the plate Condon is striking out just 15.6% and walking 17% of his 217 plate appearances. Condon should go in the first five picks of the MLB Draft to either the Guardians, Reds, or the Rockies.
💣📝Georgia 1B/OF Charlie Condon is on a whole different level this year! In 18 GP with the Bulldogs he is hitting
•.569 AVG
•.670 OBP
•1.308 SLG
•13 HR
•31 RA favorite for the potential first overall pick in the MLB draft this year. @Fantrax @UGAAthletics https://t.co/i1cswFN9EI
— Richard Haake (@Mustbethehawk) March 15, 2024
Jac Caglianone, 1B/LHP Florida
(43 GP, .404/.502/.871, 26 HR, 50 R, 53 RBI, 1 SB)
(10 GS, 48.1 IP, 58 K, 10.8 K/9, 4.10 ERA)
One of the best players to watch this season has been Jac Caglianone of Florida. The two-way star has been fantastic this season coming off a 2023 season in which he hit 33 home runs in 71 games while slashing .323/.389/.738. Though the power took a little time to come around early this season Caglianone has been red hot climbing to the second in the NCAA in home runs behind Charlie Condon of Georgia. In 43 games played Caglianone is slashing .404/.502/.871 with 26 home runs, 50 runs scored, 53 RBIs, and one stolen base. With his stellar play with the bat Caglianone has been solid on the mound as well for the Gators.
💣 It has been a fun season to watch Jac Caglianone with Florida the power is undeniable and is sure to go high in the 2024 MLB draft @GatorsBB https://t.co/rCVWpUsFdT
— Richard Haake (@Mustbethehawk) April 18, 2023
Across 10 starts Caglianone has struck out 58 batters over 48.1 innings pitched, good for a 10.8 K/9 with a 4.10 ERA. The walks have been an issue for Caglianone as he has a 6.5 BB/9 on the season. It will be interesting to see what team drafts him in the first round and if he will remain a hitter and pitcher after the draft.
Payton Tolle, LHP TCU
(11 GS, 62.2 IP, 97 K, 13.9 K/9, 3.16 ERA)
With Chase Burns, Ryan Johnson, Trey Yesavage, and Hagen Smith battling it out for the most strikeouts in NCAA this season, Payton Tolle has pieced together a solid season for TCU. The 6’6” left-hander has been solid in his first season with the Horned Frogs. In 11 starts Tolle has stuck out 97 batters over 62.2 innings pitched, good for a 13.9 K/9 with a 3.16 ERA. The walks have ticked up this season to 3.9 BB/9 this is up from the 2.0 BB/9 he put up while in Wichita State in 2023. This leads me to believe he could be a prospect who could be a steal for an organization that can limit his walks at the professional level.
Tolle features a low-90s fastball that tops out at 96 mph and has an excellent ride up the zone. The sweeping slider sits around 81 mph with excellent spin away to left-handed batters. When it comes to the change-up this is a pitch that has solid fade but is behind the fastball and slider development-wise. This could be a prospect that falls to the second round but could have a back-of-the-rotation upside with a club that can get the most from Tolle’s talents.
Seaver King, SS/3B/2B Wake Forest
(43 GP, .322/.383/.617, 13 HR, 39 R, 48 RBI, 9 SB)
It’s been a solid season thus far for Seaver King who has stood out as a player to watch when the MLB Draft comes around. In his first season with Wake Forest King is slashing .322/.383/.617 with 13 home runs, 39 runs scored, 48 RBIs, and nine stolen bases in 43 games played. I’ve been fortunate to see several of King’s games and the contact he makes is loud, regularly hitting over 100 mph exit velocities. The 13 home runs this season have not been cheap shots either as King has cleared 430 feet on multiple occasions. When it comes to speed the nine stolen bases on the year do not explain the plus speed King currently has.
🏃💨Wake SS Seaver King showing off the jets with a double. Great celebration! @WakeBaseball @Fantrax @Seaver_2_ pic.twitter.com/alQY2N2z55
— Richard Haake (@Mustbethehawk) February 23, 2024
For an analytics organization, Seaver King could be a true bargain later in the first round and if he falls out of the first it could be a steal. The leadership and energy King displayed in every game I’ve seen this season can not be understated. When it comes time for FYPD do not be surprised to see Seaver King going higher than he will go in the MLB Draft.
Brendan Jones, OF Kansas State
(43 GP, .302/.441/.521, 7 HR, 49 R, 29 RBI, 31 SB)
When it comes to speed it’s the hardest trait to project long term but for Brendan Jones of Kansas State, there is little doubt he will run once he starts his professional career. In his three seasons at Kansas State Jones has stolen 61 bases in 67 attempts. This season Jones has played in 43 games while slashing .302/.441/.521 with seven home runs, 49 runs scored, 29 RBIs, and 31 stolen bases in 32 attempts. When it comes to the plate approach Jones has been excellent leading off for Kansas State. In 215 plate appearances, Jones is walking 18.6% while striking out just 17.2%.
It will be interesting to see where Brendan Jones will be drafted but the solid bat-to-ball skills paired with the discipline at the plate and speed on the base-paths makes him an interesting prospect to watch.