2024 MLB Draft Day 3 Thread

[Jeremy Nygaard]

Ten rounds down, ten rounds to go for the 2024 MLB Draft. It's been a life-changing event for 315 young men so far; there will be 300 more lives changed on Tuesday afternoon. Keep it tuned to Northside Baseball for live updates throughout the remainder of the draft.

Today's portion of the draft, which will conclude with rounds 11 through 20, will begin at 1 p.m. CT.

Keep up to date with the Cubs Draft Tracker. 

One reminder: players selected on Day 3 can sign for up to $150,000 without it impacting the team's bonus pool. Any dollars above that threshold will count toward the cap. For example, if a player today signs for $200k, it will count $50k toward the team's bonus pool.

What do you think after the first two days? Leave your thoughts below.

11 (332) - Eli Lovich, OF, Blue Valley West (KS) HS
18 years old. 6-4, 185. #268 on the Consensus Big Board.

Most scouts believe that the 6-foot-4, 175-pound Lovich isn't physically ready for pro ball and would be better off attending Arkansas, but there are a couple of clubs who might pay him enough to lure him away from college. The teams that are on Lovich like his left-handed swing and athleticism, and think he might have solid tools across the board once he's physically developed. Others think that's a deep projection and would like to see him prove himself with the Razorbacks. If he gets drafted, it will be as a hitter, but he's also a three-pitch left-hander with an upper-80s fastball who might be something on the mound once he gets stronger. - MLB.com

12 (362) - Daniel Avitia, RHP, Grand Canyon
21 years old. 6-4, 200. 

13 (392) - Evan Aschenbeck, LHP, Texas A&M
23 years old. 6-2, 200. (Senior)

14 (422) - Cameron Sisneros, 1B, East Tennessee State
23 years old. 6-2, 230. (Senior)

15 (452) - Hayden Frank, LHP, Lipscomb
21 years old. 6-6, 222.

16 (482) - Christian Gordon, LHP, VCU
23 years old. 6-0, 180. (5th year senior)

17 (512) - Ben Johnson, RHP, Georgia Southern
22 years old. 6-3, 178. (Senior)

18 (542) - Thomas Mangus, RHP, Navarro College JC
21 years old. 6-3, 215.

19 (572) - Owen Ayers, C, Marshall
23 years old. 6-2, 185. (5th year senior)

20 (602) - Brayden Risedorph, RHP, Indiana
21 years old. 6-3, 230. 

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If you've missed anything from the previous two days, you can find it below.

1 (14) - Cam Smith, 3B, Florida State 
21 years old. 6-3, 224. #14 on the Consensus Big Board
Draft Article / Draft Tracker

2 (54) - Cole Mathis, 1B, College of Charleston
20 years old. 6-1, 210. #68 on the Consensus Big Board
Draft Article / Draft Tracker

3 (90) - Ronny Cruz, SS, Miami (FL) Christian School
17 years old. 6-2, 170. 

4 (120) - Ty Southisene, SS, Basic (NV) HS
19 years old. 6-0, 215. #159 on the Consensus Big Board

5 (153) - Ariel Armas, C, San Diego
21 years old. 6-0, 185. 

6 (182) - Ryan Gallagher, RHP, UC Santa Barbara
21 years old. 6-3, 195. 

7 (212) - Ivan Brethowr, OF, UC Santa Barbara
21 years old. 6-6, 250. #256 on the Consensus Big Board

8 (242) - Edgar Alvarez, 1B, Nicholl State
23 years old. 6-4, 225. (5th-year senior)

9 (272) - Brooks Caple, RHP, Lamar
21 years old. 6-6, 230. (Senior) 

10 (302) - Matt Halbach, 3B, San Diego
21 years old. 6-3, 215. 

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Bonus Pool Situation

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[Outshined_One]

MLB.com's Day 3 Overview

[Cubs420psd]

Who are some possible overslot names that they could take in round 11? I'm hoping there's still someone available to splurge on there.

[Outshined_One]

5 minutes ago, Cubs420psd said:

Who are some possible overslot names that they could take in round 11? I'm hoping there's still someone available to splurge on there.

There was speculation based on a Cubs' area scout's Twitter that the Cubs may have interest in a handful of HS guys who are still available: RHP Carson Wiggins (Jaxon's brother), RHP/1B Eli Buxton, LHP Alex Grant, and OF Eli Lovich.  Wiggins is the highest rated of that group, as some of us wanted him with the Cubs' 2nd round pick, although my guess is the Cubs will have trouble meeting his asking price.

[Jason Ross]

1 minute ago, Outshined_One said:

There was speculation based on a Cubs' area scout's Twitter that the Cubs may have interest in a handful of HS guys who are still available: RHP Carson Wiggins (Jaxon's brother), RHP/1B Eli Buxton, LHP Alex Grant, and OF Eli Lovich.  Wiggins is the highest rated of that group, as some of us wanted him with the Cubs' 2nd round pick, although my guess is the Cubs will have trouble meeting his asking price.

Lovich is double followed on social as of recently. I feel like he's a possible pick in the 11th. The Cubs have taken a few  overslot preps at 11 recently. Gage Zeihl (who went unsigned and re-drafted this year) in 2021, Zhyhir Hope in 2023. Lovich fits that category,

Chase Brajevich was a follow I felt very "Cub-like" in the 11+ rounds. Submarine pitcher. College of Phoenix commit, so nothing too pricy to get out of. Might be a guy to watch today, too.

[Bertz]

Wiggins feels pretty unlikely.  I'm sure the team saved some money yesterday but I'd be surprised if it was enough for a top 50 overall talent.

[We Got The Whole 9]

Looking at their draft I just can't see how they haven't saved a horsefeathers ton.

[Named After Maddux]

Ballparking it I'd say the Cubs about $350k left. Combining that with the $150k they already get and you could fire off one $500k bullet, so to speak.

Lovich makes a lot of sense there and might fit the ask too.
Cubs have been in to see Drew Christo in the Draft League, but could be coincidence.

I also really like and have liked Mack Estrada. JC guy but now FSU commit. No idea on ask but that feels like it's in that range.

 

Smaller target, but a guy like Jack Brown out of Indiana could be an option 

 

Also Josh Evans down in Georgia would be interesting.

 

Curious how Day 3 wraps up

Edit: Duh I forgot Bo Walker who is my top overslot target here and has been that might remotely be close to the funds available.

Edited July 16, 2024 by Named After Maddux
Forgot Bo Walker

[Rob]

1 minute ago, Named After Maddux said:

Curious how Day 3 wraps up

I'm really only interested in how Day 3 begins. Thanks to the way the draft is structured, the 11th rounder remains interesting. But the odds of getting anything from anybody after that is close to zilch.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

51 minutes ago, Named After Maddux said:

Ballparking it I'd say the Cubs about $350k left. Combining that with the $150k they already get and you could fire off one $500k bullet, so to speak.

Lovich makes a lot of sense there and might fit the ask too.
Cubs have been in to see Drew Christo in the Draft League, but could be coincidence.

I also really like and have liked Mack Estrada. JC guy but now FSU commit. No idea on ask but that feels like it's in that range.

 

Smaller target, but a guy like Jack Brown out of Indiana could be an option 

 

Also Josh Evans down in Georgia would be interesting.

 

Curious how Day 3 wraps up

Edit: Duh I forgot Bo Walker who is my top overslot target here and has been that might remotely be close to the funds available.

Bo Walker sounds fun.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I require one (1) small school college draftee with video game numbers.  It's not a proper draft until they take the JuCo kid with 20 K/9 or the guy from EastWestern State Tech who has a 1.500 OPS.

[CubinNY]

Just saw this

 

[CaliforniaRaisin]

13 minutes ago, Transmogrified Tiger said:

I require one (1) small school college draftee with video game numbers.  It's not a proper draft until they take the JuCo kid with 20 K/9 or the guy from EastWestern State Tech who has a 1.500 OPS.

Preferably a school at or above 5000 ft in elevation.

[craig]

Last year was the first year that Kantro saved more than $85K for 3rd-day overslot.  Went $250 over on Zyhir Hope.  Two years ago, he took two slot guys before going overslot in round 13 (Rujano).  Three years ago, he didn't overslot till pick 18 (Hambley).  

So, not sure what to expect strategy-wise.  2021 plan was to get the best slot guys he could for a while, then draft several over-slot guys late and hope to snag one of them.  (Hambley, in that case.). Last year, they had cash for HOpe and knew they wanted him, and didn't mess around.  

This year, who knows?  

Edited July 16, 2024 by craig

[Named After Maddux]

Last year's strategy probably worked the best of any of the three. I'm going to guess they hold a similar amount for today's rounds.

[Outshined_One]

Yankees just popped Mack Estrada.

[Outshined_One]

We got Lovich.

Yay!

[Bertz]

Annnd there's our Razorback

[Named After Maddux]

There's that overslot right there. Wondering if there's a little more cash, but that might be close to it.

 

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Oh. Cubs re-drafted Daniel Avitia. One of the two who got away in 2021.

[CubinNY]

Does his brother play of Arkansas? 

[Jason Ross]

Lovich! Called that one. Granted...with a little help from a friend.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

1 minute ago, CubinNY said:

Does his brother play of Arkansas? 

His brother transferred there for this season after 3 years at Mizzou. So yes but unless I misunderstood the eligibility rules(possible!) they wouldn't overlap even if Eli went to school.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

11th rounder - OF Eli Lovich, Blue Valley West HS (KS):

Unranked by MLB Pipeline

Quote

 

Most scouts believe that the 6-foot-4, 175-pound Lovich isn't physically ready for pro ball and would be better off attending Arkansas, but there are a couple of clubs who might pay him enough to lure him away from college. The teams that are on Lovich like his left-handed swing and athleticism, and think he might have solid tools across the board once he's physically developed. Others think that's a deep projection and would like to see him prove himself with the Razorbacks. If he gets drafted, it will be as a hitter, but he's also a three-pitch left-hander with an upper-80s fastball who might be something on the mound once he gets stronger.

474th by BA, who lists him as a pitcher:

Quote

474. Eli Lovich

LHP

Ht: 6'4" | Wt: 175 | B-T: L-L

School: Blue Valley West HS, Stillwell, Kansas Commit/Drafted: Arkansas
Age At Draft: 19
Lovich is a 6-foot-4, 175-pound lefthander and outfielder who is more intriguing to pro teams for his upside on the mound. He’s a projection arm who will need to add significant strength and velocity, which could make him a nonstarter for many teams in a 20-round draft, but exciting for a club willing to be patient. He pitches in the mid and upper 80s and has a relatively simple delivery that features a three-quarters slot and crossbody finish. Lovich spins a curveball in the 70-75 mph range that has decent shape but needs power and he’s also thrown a low-80s changeup and a handful of knuckleballs. He’s committed to Arkansas.

ESPN/Kiley McDaniel ranked him 157th and listed him as a position player.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

12th rounder - RHP Dan Avitia, Grand Canyon U

BA ranked him 250th; the other major publications didn't

Quote

250. Daniel Avitia

RHP

Ht: 6'4" | Wt: 200 | B-T: R-R

School: Grand Canyon Commit/Drafted: Cubs ’ 21 (19)
Age At Draft: 21.2
Avitia was selected in the 19th round of the 2021 MLB Draft, but rather than starting his professional career he opted to attend Grand Canyon. Now a 6-foot-4, 215-pound righthander, Avitia entered the spring with a chance for a day one selection thanks to his pristine command, but he dealt with injury that caused him to miss a month of the season and scouts are still waiting for him to take a step forward with his stuff. He posted a 4.63 ERA over six starts and 35 innings this spring and owns a career 5.6% walk rate, but throws a fastball that averages 90 mph and touches 93-95 at peak. Avitia will also mix in a low-80s changeup as his primary secondary offering and has an upper-70s slurvy breaking ball. Both have been effective swing-and-miss pitches but neither project as above-average pitches in pro ball. Avitia throws from a lower arm slot that creates running life on his fastball and allows him to generate plenty of ground balls, but despite having a safe starter profile he’ll need to unlock more velocity at the next level.