2024 MLB Draft: Helium Watch

[Jamie Cameron]

We're in the thick of draft season. Let's take a look at five prospects whose stock is skyrocketing.

Image courtesy of Brock Beauchamp

We’re in the thick of draft season now. To break up our positional previews, we’re going to highlight some helium profiles. If you’re unfamiliar with the term, it’s typically reserved for prospects that rise late in the cycle, and/or emerge suddenly. Here are five names to watch who have gained significant steam throughout the spring. For each prospect, you’ll find their name, position, school, and current ranking on the MLB Consensus Draft Board.

Ryan Waldschmidt, OF, Kentucky (31)
Waldschmidt is an all-round prospect who transferred from Charleston Southern to Kentucky after his sophomore season. Despite not having a carrying tool, he can chalk up value in a number of different ways.

It's a little bit of everything at the plate, as strong bat-to-ball skills combine with good on-base ability (in his first 29 games of 2024, Waldschmidt has walked 22 times and struck out just 16). There's sneaky pull-side power here, too, with a line-drives-to-all-fields impact at the plate.

Waldschmidt has good speed, which aids him defensively and on the bases. In the outfield, he takes efficient routes and has a good shot to stick in center as a pro. Waldschmidt missed the beginning of 2024, recovering from a torn ACL. Through Regional play, Waldschmidt had a .359/.482/.657 line with 14 home runs, 24 stolen bases, and almost as many walks as strikeouts. He’s a first-rounder for me.

Kellon Lindsey, SS, Hardee HS, FL (37)
Lindsey simply appeared on the consensus board one day this spring in a top-35 slot.. A two-sport star who is committed to Florida to play football and baseball, the shortstop/outfield profile is underpinned by some of the most impressive athleticism in the entire class.

There's a ton of projection left in Lindsey's frame. He's already posted 80-grade run times that should translate to him being a plus defender, whether he sticks at short or in center, in addition to being a menace on the base paths.

Lindsey has also received rave reviews for his offensive improvements thus far in 2024. Quick hands, excellent bat-to-ball skills, good barrel control, and an emerging ability to backspin the baseball make Lindsey a serious helium prospect and someone who could have significant impact as a first-round pick come July. He’s the type of athlete I’d expect the Dodgers to target.

Tyson Lewis, SS, Millard West HS, NE (39)
Lewis is a left-handed hitting prep shortstop prospect, in a class in which that demographic is a significant weakness. The Arkansas commit has gained a ton of strength in the last year, which has translated into better bat speed and more power.

Lewis has a quick swing supported by lightning-fast hands that (at present) profiles as a line-drive machine. While some don't love his high hand placement, it's been working well. His athletic frame offers plenty more upside in terms of future power, if he's able to get to his newfound bat speed with more consistency.

Defensively, Lewis has plus speed and great quickness, which aids his defense at shortstop. Solid actions and an above-average arm give him a good chance to stick there as a pro. This is a potential power-speed combination that won't remain on the board for long in July. There’s some steam connecting Lewis with the Diamondbacks and their slew of picks starting late in the first round.

Jurrangelo Cijntje, RHP/LHP, Mississippi State (43)
No. Your eyes do not deceive you. Cijntje is a switch pitcher. The native of Curaçao has a glove that fits both hands.

A natural left-hander, Cijntje is better as a right-handed pitcher and will likely stick there as a professional. He's been on the radar as a prospect for a while, due to his unique skill set, but there's a unique athlete in this profile, too.

From the right side, the fastball sits in the 93-95 mph range and has touched 97 mph, with good carry. There's an above-average slider with good bite and an average changeup. From the left side, it's less velocity and more of a fastball-slider combination. If he does make it to the majors using both arms and has to navigate the Pat Venditte Rule, he'll always be choosing to pitch righty when a switch-hitter comes up.

While Cijntje doesn't have an ideal frame, he's stocky and strong, and has made a good deal of progress with his control in 2024--although the command of his pitches could still improve. An incredibly unique profile, it'll be fascinating to see what a drafting organization does here. My bet is a starting role from the right side to begin with. He’s in contention to be a first-round pick.

Dax Whitney, RHP, Blackfoot HS, ID (84)
It's not often that senior evaluators travel to Idaho to see a prospect ahead of the MLB draft, but that's exactly the case for Dax Whitney, one of the biggest pop-up prospects in the 2024 class.

Whitney hadn't had a ton of exposure on the showcase circuit, preferring to play for his legion team instead, but he has evaluators pouring in after a pop in both movement and velocity this spring. He has a great pitcher's frame, at 6-foot-5, 190 pounds, with plenty to dream on in terms of future projection. That's all added up to be a clean, repeatable delivery that has him consistently throwing strikes and pounding the zone.

On the mound, he throws a fastball that sits 92-94 mph, but can grab as high as 96 mph. That's backed up by an excellent 12-6 curveball, a shorter slider with real tilt, and an emerging changeup that he's shown consistent feel for.

Whitney is one of the biggest up-arrows and buzziest names ahead of the draft this spring. He went from not ranked on this board to debuting at 81. There's a good chance he's a top-50 pick in July, with the combination of size, stuff, and polish that's easy to dream on.

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What do you make of some of the rapid risers in this year’s draft class? Any other names you’d throw into the mix? Join our draft discussion in the comments below.

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[Dman]

I like the first name Waldechmidt the best. My kind of profile with really good bat to ball, good speed and possibly good power.  I have him going sometime after 21 as his arm grades out as 40 which makes even left field a tough fit.  The arm is the main issue holding him back some IMO.  Depending on what is left for hitters wouldn't mind him at 33.

If I felt confident about Lindsey's bat he would be my pick at 21  He seems likely to go between 21 and 33 as there are too many loud tools.  After Cavaco these pop up guys make me nervous. He doesn't look like he will have much power projection so I don't see the Twins grabbing him, but who knows.

Lewis has a nice profile.  I have seen him mocked from the teens to the comp round.  He might be the best HS shortstop option in this class in the Twins range so he probably goes sooner rather than later. It's the questions around his bat holding him back and that makes me nervous. It's a quality profile other than potentially the bat.  Maybe the Twins risk it at 21 but would have to wait and see what's there first.  He would be a nicer pickup/gamble at 33 if he makes it that far.

The Twins will have to decide if they want to go arm at 33 because I expect a run on high school pitchers after that.  Still there aren't a ton of good bats in this draft after the first 40 to 50 picks so they will have to pick their poison to some degree.  Grab an arm and hope for a bat to fall to pick 60 or grab a bat and hope a solid arm falls to 60.  If the draft is mostly bats to start the Twins could have their pick of a top arm at 33.  The problem is after the 2nd round I don't see many if any elite bats.  There might be some power over hit guys in the third and beyond but I expect mainly pitchers the rest of the way so they might want to go bat, bat and then go heavy on arms the rest of the way. Again it probably depends on what is there when they pick and how they see the board falling to feel comfortable getting something good\what they want at 60 and 69.

I know the age thing is troublesome but I still think Daniel Nori can sneak into the first round as a comp pick most likely second round though.  There is a lot to like, but I can see that being 20 later this year with no college experience would be tough to overcome.  It seems like a nice set of tools though.

[bean5302]

48 minutes ago, Dman said:

...

Lewis has a nice profile.  I have seen him mocked from the teens to the comp round.  He might be the best HS shortstop option in this class so he probably goes sooner rather than later. It's the questions around his bat holding him back and that makes me nervous. It's a quality profile other than potentially the bat...

I heard he went 1st overall in 2017 and he was everything the scouting reports made him out to be

[Jamie Cameron]

1 hour ago, Dman said:

I like the first name Waldechmidt the best. My kind of profile with really good bat to ball, good speed and possibly good power.  I have him going sometime after 21 as his arm grades out as 40 which makes even left field a tough fit.  The arm is the main issue holding him back some IMO.  Depending on what is left for hitters wouldn't mind him at 33.

If I felt confident about Lindsey's bat he would be my pick at 21  He seems likely to go between 21 and 33 as there are too many loud tools.  After Cavaco these pop up guys make me nervous. He doesn't look like he will have much power projection so I don't see the Twins grabbing him, but who knows.

Lewis has a nice profile.  I have seen him mocked from the teens to the comp round.  He might be the best HS shortstop option in this class in the Twins range so he probably goes sooner rather than later. It's the questions around his bat holding him back and that makes me nervous. It's a quality profile other than potentially the bat.  Maybe the Twins risk it at 21 but would have to wait and see what's there first.  He would be a nicer pickup/gamble at 33 if he makes it that far.

The Twins will have to decide if they want to go arm at 33 because I expect a run on high school pitchers after that.  Still there aren't a ton of good bats in this draft after the first 40 to 50 picks so they will have to pick their poison to some degree.  Grab an arm and hope for a bat to fall to pick 60 or grab a bat and hope a solid arm falls to 60.  If the draft is mostly bats to start the Twins could have their pick of a top arm at 33.  The problem is after the 2nd round I don't see many if any elite bats.  There might be some power over hit guys in the third and beyond but I expect mainly pitchers the rest of the way so they might want to go bat, bat and then go heavy on arms the rest of the way. Again it probably depends on what is there when they pick and how they see the board falling to feel comfortable getting something good\what they want at 60 and 69.

I know the age thing is troublesome but I still think Daniel Nori can sneak into the first round as a comp pick most likely second round though.  There is a lot to like, but I can see that being 20 later this year with no college experience would be tough to overcome.  It seems like a nice set of tools though.

I'd consider Waldschmidt, Lewis, and Whitney for the Twins in the right spot and for the right price. Lewis might have the best power/speed combo (eventually) of the prep class outside Konnor Griffin. Waldschmidt is a personal favorite and Whitney is very advanced for a prep arm (two distinct breaking balls).

[SotaSports in NM]

3 hours ago, Dman said:

After Cavaco these pop up guys make me nervous.

Always my thought, too! After grabbing Jenkins and Soto last year I imagine Falvey will go for a college hitter first this year, probably favoring power over contact as usual in the first round.

[Dman]

28 minutes ago, SotaSports said:

Always my thought, too! After grabbing Jenkins and Soto last year I imagine Falvey will go for a college hitter first this year, probably favoring power over contact as usual in the first round.

Its very possible they go with a college bat. I think Christian Moore would be attractive at 21.  I am hoping one of Gillen or Caldwell make it to 21.  They would be solid high school picks for 21.  If they are gone I assume college bat.  There will still be some good ones in that range.

[DocBauer]

As @Dmanstated, I'm also leary of fast risers after Cavaco. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the Twins have 4 of the first 90-100 picks based on a pair of comp picks to go along with our normal #1 and #2, right? I'm greedy, of course, LOL, but I see opportunity to grab a solid college catcher to hedge bets on Camargo, Cossetti, and Cardenas, along with a college arm, a HS arm, a HS SS, and a college BAT. Of course, 5 doesn't fit in to 4 spots. We'll see how things fall, but unless there is a surprise, I'm guessing the college arm..and others..comes later.

I'm torn between one of the catchers and a true CF with a good offensive profile. Both Emma and Jenkins could outgrow CF. So someone Ike Waldschmidt sure interests me. Does his arm play? Dman brought up issues with arm strength and that concerns me. 

I do have a feeling the Twins are going to grab a HS SS early. It's a relatively weak position in the system, and someone with real talent to be a possible successor to Correa would be valued. But it sounds like there are about 10-12 kids who could be very good, and then things drop off a cliff. Yes?

It seems as though there a number of HS arms worthy to be grabbed in the first couple of rounds. Pick who you like best? After listening to your latest podcast, I'm SUPER intrigued by Dax Whitney. Imagine the potential of this kid with more instruction and another 15lbs of muscle! Could he last until the 2nd round? Sounds like it might be best to grab the college bat 1st, and then grab Whitney with the comp pick.

Do you think the high $ amount available in the Twins draft pool might allow them to grab a player, maybe a HS kid, past the first two rounds, while playing a bit with the signing bonus $ available?

[terrydactyls]

1 hour ago, DocBauer said:

I'm torn between one of the catchers and a true CF with a good offensive profile. Both Emma and Jenkins could outgrow CF. So someone Ike Waldschmidt sure interests me. Does his arm play? Dman brought up issues with arm strength and that concerns me. 

Not every CF can have a cannon arm like Lenny Green.....

[Cory Engelhardt]

16 hours ago, SotaSports said:

Always my thought, too! After grabbing Jenkins and Soto last year I imagine Falvey will go for a college hitter first this year, probably favoring power over contact as usual in the first round.

@Jamie CameronWould you consider Keaschall to be a fast riser prior to the 2022 draft?

[TopGunn#22]

Doc, when you say Emma...do you mean E-Rod??  :>)   I whole heartedly agree with the Cavaco cognitive dissonance.  It's one thing if a known, highly thought of prospect, suddenly builds up steam as the draft approaches.  It's quite different when a kid kind of "comes out of nowhere."  

Dax Whitney seems like a kid teams were on, but has now shown a burst in progression.  Add to that Whitney's projectability and he could go higher than anticipated.  High School pitchers are always kind of a Russian Roulette scenario but at least they come to you with a clean slate with not being overused by a college coach.  

I'm not as concerned about Waldschmidt's arm as others.  We're not talking Carlos May or Matty Alou arm strength.  If the speed allows for good range and the bat plays to projection he would be a solid prospect. 

I saw one mock draft where we selected Tyler White from LSU.  Defensively, he's a problem.  He's LSU's 3B but he may not stick there.  He may be a 1B/DH type like Sabato.  Sabato has been a major disappointment to me.  White, has been LSU's BEST hitter for practically the entire time he's been there.  He was better than Dylan Crews.  He was the guy that always came up with clutch hits for LSU (kind of like Larnach did for Oregon State in their Championship season).  The appears to be real (even though Sabato's seemed as well).  I wonder what our reactions would be on TD if he ended up being our first pick overall?  

[DocBauer]

2 hours ago, TopGunn#22 said:

Doc, when you say Emma...do you mean E-Rod??  :>)   I whole heartedly agree with the Cavaco cognitive dissonance.  It's one thing if a known, highly thought of prospect, suddenly builds up steam as the draft approaches.  It's quite different when a kid kind of "comes out of nowhere."  

Dax Whitney seems like a kid teams were on, but has now shown a burst in progression.  Add to that Whitney's projectability and he could go higher than anticipated.  High School pitchers are always kind of a Russian Roulette scenario but at least they come to you with a clean slate with not being overused by a college coach.  

I'm not as concerned about Waldschmidt's arm as others.  We're not talking Carlos May or Matty Alou arm strength.  If the speed allows for good range and the bat plays to projection he would be a solid prospect. 

I saw one mock draft where we selected Tyler White from LSU.  Defensively, he's a problem.  He's LSU's 3B but he may not stick there.  He may be a 1B/DH type like Sabato.  Sabato has been a major disappointment to me.  White, has been LSU's BEST hitter for practically the entire time he's been there.  He was better than Dylan Crews.  He was the guy that always came up with clutch hits for LSU (kind of like Larnach did for Oregon State in their Championship season).  The appears to be real (even though Sabato's seemed as well).  I wonder what our reactions would be on TD if he ended up being our first pick overall?  

Yes, Emma is short for Emmanuel Rodriguez. I really don't like that nickname. But when you're typing in a hurry, sometimes you resort to short cuts.  LOL

[Rigby]

Old friend, Shooter Hunt....

[Doctor Wu]

14 hours ago, Rigby said:

Old friend, Shooter Hunt....

Seeing that post of his gave me flashbacks too!

[Jamie Cameron]

On 6/7/2024 at 3:52 PM, SotaSports said:

Always my thought, too! After grabbing Jenkins and Soto last year I imagine Falvey will go for a college hitter first this year, probably favoring power over contact as usual in the first round.

So, on Cavaco, I think we should add a little nuance to the 'pop up' or 'helium' label. Of these guys, most are more 'slow burn, steady riser types'. Dax Whitney is really the only one who has kinda come from nowhere, and I think that's mostly geographical and lack of presence on summer circuit. These profiles aren't the same as Cavaco, for me.

[Jamie Cameron]

On 6/7/2024 at 4:23 PM, Dman said:

Its very possible they go with a college bat. I think Christian Moore would be attractive at 21.  I am hoping one of Gillen or Caldwell make it to 21.  They would be solid high school picks for 21.  If they are gone I assume college bat.  There will still be some good ones in that range.

I like Moore a ton too, great season. Gillen definitely has made strides offensively this season, most high impact bat of that cluster of prep guys, I think (although likely 2B).

[Jamie Cameron]

On 6/8/2024 at 8:03 AM, Cory Engelhardt said:

@Jamie CameronWould you consider Keaschall to be a fast riser prior to the 2022 draft?

Nope. Keaschall ended at 61 on my board (high of 41 and low of 90 on industry boards I track). He was around that range through most of the cycle. Again, some nuance, though. Keaschall did have a breakout season, power wise, a tendency the Twins have tapped into day one with several college prospects (Schobel is another)

[nicksaviking]

A starter with good command and at least three pitches. I used to worry about velocity, but the Twins continue to show they can bump it up a few MPH once the guy is in the system. So Whitney is my favorite out of this group.

[Mike Sixel]

Just say no to HS pitchers.