The Diamondbacks made three selections in the first round of the 2024 MLB Draft and four on the draft’s first night. Arizona’s original pick sits at No. 29 due to winning the National League pennant and losing the World Series in five games. No. 31 comes from Corbin Carroll’s unanimous Rookie of the Year Award as part of the prospect promotion incentive. No. 35 is the team’s Competitive Balance pick as a team that is either bottom 10 in market size, or in the Diamondbacks’ case bottom 10 in revenue.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!These are the selections made by the Diamondbacks.
No. 29 – Valley View HS (Arkansas) outfielder Slade Caldwell
The Diamondbacks made their first selection of the 2024 MLB Draft, taking Valley View High School outfielder Slade Caldwell with the No. 29 overall pick.
The moment Slade Caldwell heard his name called. ????
Get to know the #Dbacks first-round pick. pic.twitter.com/T4RO0c9Mvg
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) July 15, 2024
Caldwell, 18, fits the team’s preferred mold of prep players. A toolsy outfielder with an advanced approach, plus speed, and a rangy outfielder, he is right in line with the team’s selections at the position. Other notable examples include Daulton Varsho (2017), Alek Thomas (2018), Corbin Carroll (2019), and Dominic Fletcher (2019).
He was ranked the No. 28 prospect in the draft by MLB Pipeline.
No. 31 – Kentucky outfielder Ryan Waldschmidt
With the pick the Diamondbacks got from Carroll’s Rookie of the Year win, they drafted another outfielder, taking Ryan Waldschmidt at No. 31. In fact, there’s a good chance the two players may share the same outfield. Also ironically, the same team that drafted Paul Goldschmidt has drafted Ryan Waldschmidt.
Waldschmidt, 21, is a fast-riser in the draft due to an excellent junior campaign after transferring to Kentucky. In 59 games, he hit .333 with 17 doubles, 14 home runs, and 1.079 OPS. A right-handed bat with above-average speed and power tools, he has the potential to be a middle of the order hitter for the Diamondbacks. He profiles for a left or center field role in the cavernous Chase Field, although his defense is a work in progress in the outfield.
Waldschmidt was ranked as the No. 23 prospect in the draft by MLB Pipeline.
No. 35 – Whitefish Bay HS (Wisconsin) shortstop JD Dix
With the Diamondbacks’ third and final pick of the first round, they take Wisconsin high school shortstop JD Dix. He comes from the same high school as former fan-favorite and 2001 NLCS MVP and World Champion Craig Counsell.
Dix is a shortstop who has solid tools across the board, and enough ability to stick at shortstop. A switch hitter with a strong approach, the potential for double-digit home runs. He has a strong work ethic and leadership abilities, which will draw comparisons to current Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo.
Dix is rated as the No. 75 prospect by MLB Pipeline.
No. 64 – El Shaddai Christian Academy (Puerto Rico) catcher Ivan Luciano
With their fourth and final pick of the first night of the draft, the Diamondbacks go with Puerto Rican catcher Ivan Luciano.
Luciano is young for the draft class, not turning 18 until November, with a left-handed bat. As no surprise, his offensive and defensive game is a bit raw although he’s been working out with future Hall of Famer Yadier Molina on the defensive side of the ball. Luciano has a hit-over-power approach and the right defensive tools to stick behind the plate.
Luciano is rated as the No. 220 prospect by MLB Pipeline.
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Michael McDermott covers the Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Cardinals, and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @MichaelMcDMLB
