Cleveland Guardians grade out well on first day of 2024 MLB Draft

36. Braylon Doughty - RHP Chaparral High School (CA): A+

Coming in Competitive Balance Round A, the Cleveland Guardians decided to select right-handed high schooler Braylon Doughty. Interestingly enough, Cleveland's selection of Dougthy received a higher grade than Bazzana, with Reuter giving them an "A+". Doughty's pitching arsenal and strike-throwing frequency were both specifically mentioned by Reuter as encouraging traits for the 36th overall selection.

"His 6'1", 196-pound frame does not offer much projection, but with a fastball that sits in the mid-90s, a great feel for spin on two distinct breaking pitches, and a developing changeup, his present stuff and ability to consistently throw strikes has his arrow pointing straight up."

Joel Reuter on Braylon Doughty

No one should be surprised that the Guardians selected a pitcher high in the draft. Obviously, the first overall pick was out of the question, but turning around in the competitive balance round and adding an arm was a wise decision by Cleveland. For the longest time, the Guardians were able to count on the seemingly endless supply of arms in their minor league system as a way to replenish their starting rotation as needed. With the mass call-ups that took place last season, in addition to the injuries and struggles of some of their current options, Cleveland's previously overflowing cupboard of arms to turn to is now barren. Bringing in a young developmental high school pitcher into their system should allow them to replenish what they once had while being able to address other positions elsewhere in the draft.