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Guardians Hold Top Pick in MLB Draft Amid Uncertainty
The Cleveland Guardians, with the best record in the American League, are set to make the first overall pick in Sunday’s MLB draft. Their 2% chance win in the lottery has granted them seven months to determine their selection. Oregon State’s Travis Bazzana and Georgia’s Charlie Condon are the top prospects, but the Guardians might opt for a different strategy.
MLB Draft Strategy and Bonus Pools
Unlike other sports, the MLB draft assigns dollar values to picks in the first 10 rounds, creating unique strategies. Top prospects like Bazzana and Condon may not demand full slot value, allowing teams like Cleveland to use saved funds on other talented players later. Choosing under-slot players like JJ Wetherholt could let Cleveland sign difficult-to-sign high school talents, affecting draft dynamics significantly.
Potential Impact and Future Prospects
Cleveland’s decision will shape the draft’s outcome. Choosing Bazzana may keep things predictable, while picking Wetherholt could lead to unexpected shifts for teams like the Reds and Rockies. Potential targets for Cleveland’s later picks include left-handers Kash Mayfield and right-handers William Schmidt and Ryan Sloan, promising a night of intriguing choices at the Cowtown Coliseum.
