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

The Cleveland Guardians made three picks on the first day of the 2024 MLB Draft, and it appears that their selections were well received. Cleveland was the recipient of high grades for all three of their selections on Sunday, according to an instant draft analysis coming from Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter.

1. Travis Bazzana - 2B Oregon State: A

Holding the first overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, the Cleveland Guardians decided to select Oregon State second baseman Travis Bazzana. Reuter gave Cleveland an "A" grade for this pick, praising the pick by the Guardians, but did note some potential concern with who they did not take first overall.

High floor, high ceiling, should be in the majors in short order. What's not to like? But will we be talking about how they left Charlie Condon on the board years from now?

Yes, Georgia's Charlie Condon was someone the Guardians could have selected with the first pick in the draft, but they clearly feel more confident that Bazzana would be a better fit for the organization at this time. Given Cleveland's recent history with outfield prospects in their farm system and their relatively underwhelming group of middle-infielders not named Andres Gimenez they have trotted out this season, it is hard to argue with their logic here. Taking a "high floor, high ceiling" individual such as Bazzana was an opportunity the Guardians believed they could not afford to pass up.

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.

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.