Diamondbacks to pick 29th, 31st overall in 2024 Draft…

Cleveland emerged as the top pick in the 2024 Major League Baseball Draft after winning the Draft Lottery at the Winter Meetings for the second consecutive season. This marks the first time the Guardians will have the first overall selection, having previously chosen second five times.

The 2024 Draft’s first-round order is as follows:

1. Guardians
2. Reds
3. Rockies
4. Athletics
5. White Sox
6. Royals
7. Cardinals
8. Angels
9. Pirates
10. Nationals
11. Tigers
12. Red Sox
13. Giants
14. Cubs
15. Mariners
16. Marlins
17. Brewers
18. Rays
19. Mets
20. Blue Jays
21. Twins
22. Orioles
23. Dodgers
24. Braves
25. Padres
26. Yankees
27. Phillies
28. Astros
29. D-backs
30. Rangers
31. D-backs
32. Orioles
33. Twins

The Guardians, initially with the ninth-highest chance (2.0%), defied the odds. Conversely, the Reds, with only a 0.9% chance, made the biggest leap, securing the second pick. The Rockies, Athletics, and Royals, tied for the highest odds at 18.3%, maintained their lottery positions. The White Sox dropped one spot, holding the fifth pick with a 14.7% chance.

Among teams aiming for top-six spots, the Cardinals slipped to seventh, while the Angels moved from sixth to eighth. The Pirates, last year’s lottery winners, dropped to the ninth pick.

The Nationals, finishing with the fifth-worst record in 2023, were ineligible due to consecutive lottery restrictions, settling for the tenth pick.

The Mets, Padres, and Yankees saw drops in their positions due to exceeding the Competitive Balance Tax threshold, resulting in the Mets picking 19th, and the Padres and Yankees at 25th and 26th, respectively.

Teams ineligible for consecutive lottery selections or top-six picks, like the A’s, face restrictions for the 2025 Draft.

The Draft will consist of 20 rounds, with non-playoff teams selecting in reverse winning percentage order after the first round. Playoff clubs will choose based on postseason performance and revenue-sharing status.

The D-backs and Orioles have additional picks after the first round due to Prospect Promotion Incentive and compensation for Sonny Gray’s departure.

Last year’s Draft Lottery saw the Pirates securing the first pick, while the Nationals and A’s, with the best odds, picked second and sixth. The Twins, with the 13th-best odds, moved up to the fifth pick.

After the first round, lottery results won’t affect picks 1-18, which remain in reverse order of winning percentage.