Arkansas Baseball in 2024 MLB Draft: Picks, Slot Values, Signing Bonuses

Peyton Stovall, Tyson Lewis, Hagen Smith, 2024 MLB Draft, Arkansas baseball
photo credit: Craven Whitlow / Instagram/Tyson Lewis / Arkansas Athletics

Over the next three days, more than 600 players will have their dreams come true by hearing their name called during the 2024 MLB Draft — and several will have ties to Arkansas baseball.

The Razorbacks are expected to have between five and seven current players selected during the 20-round event, which begins Sunday night and goes through Tuesday. They are also at risk of losing several incoming players — from high school, junior college and even the transfer portal.

For a complete breakdown of which players could get drafted and where they rank on various lists of top MLB Draft prospect lists, check out our comprehensive preview here.

As those players get drafted, Best of Arkansas Sports will be updating this piece with all of the information you need to know — team, pick number, slot value, additional context behind the selection and, eventually, signing bonus. Follow along with us!

How to Watch the 2024 MLB Draft

  • Day 1 — Sunday, July 14 — 6 p.m. CT (ESPN, MLB Network, MLB.com)
  • Day 2 — Monday, July 15 — 1 p.m. CT (MLB.com)
  • Day 3 — Tuesday, July 16 — 1 p.m. CT (MLB.com)

*You can keep up with every pick using MLB.com’s Draft Tracker, too*

Arkansas Baseball Signing Tracker

Now that the 2024 MLB Draft is in the books, follow along here for updates as the drafted players sign with their professional teams.

RoundPickNameTeamSlot ValueSigning Bonus
15Hagen SmithChicago White Sox$7,763,700$8,000,000
251Tyson Lewis (signee)Cincinnati Reds$1,804,900$3,047,500
4117Peyton StovallCincinnati Reds$618,800$625,000
7215Mason MolinaMilwaukee Brewers$257,400$254,900
9256Jared Sprague-LottOakland Athletics$201,300$50,000
9267Hudson WhiteBoston Red Sox$194,600$185,000
9284Ben McLaughlinArizona Diamondbacks$187,800$75,000
11332Eli Lovich (signee)Chicago Cubsn/a$650,000
11334Jake FahertyMiami Marlinsn/a$200,000
12357Brady TygartBoston Red Soxn/a$300,000
NOTE: There are no slot values for Rounds 11-20. Instead, teams are allowed to sign those players for up to $150,000 and anything above that counts against their bonus pool.

Arkansas Baseball on Day 1 of 2024 MLB Draft

The first day of the MLB Draft will include Rounds 1 and 2, as well as all of the so-called “sandwich” picks in the prospect promotion incentive, compensatory and competitive balance rounds. In total, 74 players will be drafted Sunday night.

Hagen Smith — LHP — Chicago White Sox

School: Arkansas
Pick: 1st round, 5th overall
Slot value: $7,763,700
Signing bonus: $8,000,000

As the fifth overall selection in the 2024 MLB Draft, Hagen Smith is the fifth top-10 pick in Arkansas baseball history. He joins Jeff King (No. 1, 1986, Pirates), Heston Kjerstad (No. 2, 2020, Orioles), Kevin McReynolds (No. 6, 1981, Padres) and Andrew Benintendi (No. 7, 2015, Red Sox).

Smith is easily the Razorbacks’ highest-drafted pitcher of all-time, surpassing Nick Schmidt, who went 23rd overall in 2007. That is whose career strikeout record Smith broke during his legendary 2024 season, as he racked up a single-season record 161 to bring his three-year total to 360.

As a junior, the left-hander also went 9-2 with a 2.04 ERA while holding opponents to a minuscule .144 batting average. That earned him multiple National Pitcher of the Year accolades.

With a massive signing bonus looming from the White Sox, Smith’s collegiate career is over — but what a tremendous career it was. He will go down as the best pitcher in school history.

Chicago has a history with Arkansas baseball players, drafting Peyton Pallette and Michael Turner, signing Kole Ramage as an undrafted free agent, signing James McCann and Andrew Benintendi as free agents, and trading for Dominic Fletcher in recent years.

UPDATE: Hagen Smith has signed with the White Sox for $8 million, according to MLB Pipeline’s Jim Callis. That is a record-breaking bonus for a left-handed pitcher, topping the $7,005,000 that Brendan McKay got back in 2017. It’s also a record for the White Sox and for the No. 5 overall pick, as he’s just the 12th player ever to get at least $8 million.

Tyson Lewis — SS signee — Cincinnati Reds

School: Omaha (Neb.) Millard West HS
Pick: 2nd round, 51st overall
Slot value: $1,804,900
Signing bonus: $3,047,500

The first Arkansas signee off the board is Tyson Lewis, one of the biggest risers of the past few months. It started with a fantastic showing at PBR’s Super 60 event in February and continued in a monster senior season.

Lewis was named the Gatorade Player of the Year in Nebraska after slashing .496/.579/.912 with 41 RBIs, 53 runs and 31 stolen bases in 38 games. That also earned him multiple first-team All-America honors.

The Reds taking him with the 51st overall pick means Lewis is the highest-drafted high schooler from Nebraska since 1996, when Buddy Carlyle went 38th overall to the Reds.

It also means he almost certainly won’t make it to campus now, but rather sign professionally for a seven-figure signing bonus that could top $2 million. Interestingly, losing a signee from Millard West High School in Omaha to the MLB Draft isn’t unprecedented for Arkansas, as it also happened in 2016 with Cole Stobbe (No. 78 overall, Phillies).

UPDATE: No details have been released, but Tyson Lewis’ father posted a message via Twitter on Thursday that his son was flying to Arizona to sign his contract with the Reds. That means he’ll officially forgo his college career.

UPDATE: The Reds gave Tyson Lewis a signing bonus of $3,047,500, according to MLB.com’s Jim Callis. That is well over the slot value for pick No. 51 and much closer to that of pick No. 29, which is near the end of the first round.

Arkansas Baseball on Day 2 of 2024 MLB Draft

The second day of the MLB Draft will include Rounds 3-10, which consists of another 241 selections.

Peyton Stovall — 2B — Cincinnati Reds

School: Arkansas
Pick: 4th round, 117th overall
Slot value: $618,800
Signing bonus: $625,000

A projected first-round pick coming out of high school three years ago, Peyton Stovall turned down around $2 million to come to school. He had an up-and-down career with the Razorbacks, but ended on a high note.

The weight of high expectations seemed to weigh on him as a freshman, but he broke out in the postseason and was a critical piece of Arkansas’ run to the 2022 College World Series. He even notched a five-hit game in Omaha.

As a sophomore, Stovall got off to a good start before his numbers plummeted. It turned out he was playing through a shoulder injury that eventually required season-ending surgery. He appeared to be on the brink of a breakout junior year, but a broken foot suffered right before the season caused him to miss the first few weeks.

Despite not getting those stat-padding games, Stovall was still Arkansas’ best and most consistent hitter in 2024. He slashed .340/.409/.535 with nine home runs and 38 RBIs in 48 games, while also playing exceptional defense at second base.

Although he likely won’t get the $2 million bonus he was projected to get out of high school, Stovall will still get a sizable check from the Reds, meaning his collegiate career is over.

UPDATE: Peyton Stovall actually signed for over slot, receiving a bonus of $625,000, according to MLB Pipeline’s Jim Callis.

Mason Molina — LHP — Milwaukee Brewers

School: Arkansas
Pick: 7th round, 215th overall
Slot value: $257,400
Signing bonus: $254,900

One of Arkansas baseball’s biggest additions via the portal last offseason, Mason Molina began his career at Texas Tech. He was the Red Raiders’ ace as a sophomore in 2023, which made him a coveted transfer.

With the Razorbacks, Molina slotted into the starting rotation immediately and got off to a great start. Things fell apart late in the season, as he struggled with command, but he still posted a 4.47 ERA with 81 strikeouts in 58 1/3 innings.

Despite those issues down the stretch, don’t expect Molina to return for his senior season. With the Brewers taking him in the seventh round, he will almost certainly sign and begin his professional career.

UPDATE: Mason Molina has signed with the Brewers for a signing bonus of more than a quarter-million dollars, according to Baseball America’s Carlos Collazo. His exact bonus is $254,900, but he’ll also likely receive a $2,500 “contingency” bonus that brings him to the full slot value of $257,400.

Jared Sprague-Lott — 3B — Oakland Athletics

School: Arkansas
Pick: 9th round, 256th overall
Slot value: $201,300
Signing bonus: $50,000

The last addition Arkansas made from the transfer portal last offseason, Jared Sprague-Lott spent the first three years of his career at Richmond. He was coming off a junior season with the Spiders in which he hit .314 with 13 home runs and 43 RBIs.

Despite those numbers, Sprague-Lott was initially believed to be a more defensive-minded player for the Razorbacks, capable of filling in at multiple spots in the infield.

He certainly proved to be an excellent third baseman, earning SEC All-Defensive Team honors, but he also held his own at the plate. The Philadelphia native ended up slashing .290/.425/.491 with nine home runs and 28 RBIs, while almost having as many walks (36) as strikeouts (37).

As a senior with no remaining eligibility, Sprague-Lott will sign for significantly less money than the slot value for the 256th overall pick.

UPDATE: According to Baseball America’s MLB Draft database, Jared Sprague-Lott has signed with the Athletics and received a $50,000 signing bonus. That is well under the slot value for the 256th pick, but is still a significant amount considering he is a senior with no leverage.

Hudson White — C — Boston Red Sox

School: Arkansas
Pick: 9th round, 267th overall
Slot value: $194,600
Signing bonus: $185,000

The best position player Arkansas signed out of the transfer portal last offseason, Hudson White spent the first two years of his career at Texas Tech, where he was named the Big 12 Freshman of the Year in 2022.

Things got off to a pretty slow start in Fayetteville, probably for about the first three-quarters of the season, but White found his groove late and was arguably the Razorbacks’ best hitter down the stretch. He also found his power stroke late in the year.

White ended up slashing .298/.396/.525 with eight home runs and 33 RBIs with a solid strikeout-to-walk ratio of 28-to-23. He is the third catcher Arkansas has had drafted in the top 10 rounds in the last four years, joining Casey Opitz and Michael Turner.

UPDATE: According to Baseball America’s MLB Draft database, Hudson White has signed with the Red Sox and received a $185,000 signing bonus. That is 4.9% under the slot value for the 267th pick.

Ben McLaughlin — 1B — Arizona Diamondbacks

School: Arkansas
Pick: 9th round, 284th pick
Slot value: $187,800
Signing bonus: $75,000

After playing two seasons at Hutchinson C.C., Ben McLaughlin transferred to Arkansas and was hindered by an injury early in 2023. When he finally got healthy, there wasn’t a spot for him in the lineup until injuries elsewhere thrust him into action.

Given the opportunity, McLaughlin was one of the Razorbacks’ hottest hitters down the stretch. He hit .346 with a couple of home runs and 14 RBIs in 78 at bats. That was enough to earn him a full-time spot in 2024. He was pretty consistent throughout the season, slashing .302/.447/.490 with nine home runs and 42 RBIs.

Although he was a gold glove third baseman in JUCO, McLaughlin spent most of his time in Fayetteville as a first baseman, but he was announced by the Diamondbacks as a third baseman.

As a senior with no remaining eligibility, McLaughlin will sign for significantly less money than the slot value for the 284th overall pick.

UPDATE: According to Baseball America’s Carlos Collazo, Ben McLaughlin has signed for a $75,000 signing bonus. At first glance, that seems like a low-ball number considering the slot value is closer to $190,000, but that’s actually a really good bonus for a senior who is out of eligibility. Those kind of players have been known to sign for $10,000 or less.

Instant Analysis of Day 2

You couldn’t have drawn up a much better day for Arkansas baseball. The Razorbacks lost Tyson Lewis on Day 1, but went all Monday without having a signee drafted. That means both Carson Wiggins and Cole Gibler are still on the board, which is good news when it comes to getting them on campus. The same is true for position players Eli Lovich and Gabe Fraser.

Arkansas still has to get them through Tuesday, though. The first few rounds are the ones to watch, as teams have been known to steal away top prospects late in that range. It will all boil down to whether or not they’re willing to budge on their asking price and how much bonus pool teams have left over after the first two days.

It’s also worth noting that none of Arkansas’ JUCO signees or transfer portal commits have been drafted either. That means it also looks like Brent Iredale, Justin Thomas, Logan Maxwell and Rocco Peppi might actually make it to campus – barring a late pick. That is always possible, especially if it becomes clear that other players will unexpectedly make it through the draft.

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the day is that Brady Tygart is still undrafted. Dave Van Horn has said he expects him to get picked, but to see him fall out of the top 10 rounds is a bit of a shock. It’s likely due to injury, as that’s what cut his season short and plagued him during his time in Fayetteville. No details about his injury have been released, though. It still seems unlikely that he’d be in an Arkansas baseball uniform in 2025.

It was also good to see a couple of seniors get picked, even though they’ll receive signing bonuses significantly less than their slot values. However, Peyton Holt is still available. He was another candidate to be a money-saving senior pick.

Arkansas Baseball on Day 3 of 2024 MLB Draft

The last 10 rounds will take place on the final day of the MLB Draft, with yet another 300 players set to hear their names called. These picks are not assigned slot values like the first 10 rounds. Instead, teams are allowed to give signing bonuses up to $150,000 with no penalty. Anything above that counts toward the team’s bonus pool.

Gabe Fraser Will Play for Arkansas Baseball

Arkansas officially got its first bit of good news from the 2024 MLB Draft a little bit after 9 p.m. CT Monday: Gabe Fraser is coming to school.

Ranked as the No. 142 overall recruit in the Class of 2024 by Perfect Game, Fraser is a talented shortstop out of Orange Lutheran High in Westminster, Calif., who was named the co-MVP of the prestigious Trinity League in the Los Angeles area.

Despite being invited to the MLB Draft Combine and clearly generating some interest from pro scouts, Fraser was not selected in the top 10 rounds. That is likely because no team was willing to offer a signing bonus as large as he was looking for to skip college.

Eli Lovich — OF signee — Chicago Cubs

School: Overland Park (Kan.) Blue Valley West HS
Pick: 11th round, 332nd overall
Signing bonus: $650,000

The younger brother of outfielder Ross Lovich, who transferred from Missouri to Arkansas for his final season of eligibility in 2024, Eli Lovich is coming off a monster senior season at Blue Valley West High in the Kansas City area.

He hit .414 with four home runs, 29 RBIs and 14 stolen bases, plus posted a 1.22 ERA as a pitcher. That earned him Kansas Player of the Year and second-team All-America honors from MaxPreps.

Although a two-way player in high school, Lovich is expected to be an outfielder at the next level — now it’s just a matter of which level that is. By taking him in the 11th round, the Cubs are taking a flyer and will hope to sign him with any extra bonus pool money they have left over after signing their picks from the top 10 rounds.

UPDATE: The Cubs have signed all of their draft picks from the top 10 rounds and, according to Prospects Live’s Brian Recca, saved more than $1.5 million in their bonus pool in the process. That means they should have plenty of money to sign Lovich.

UPDATE: As expected, the Cubs have signed Eli Lovich for well over the $150,000 signing bonus allowed for the pick with no penalty. He’ll receive a bonus of $650,000, so half a million will count toward Chicago’s bonus pool. Despite being an 11th-rounder, that amount is in line with a pick in the top half of the fourth round.

Jake Faherty — RHP — Miami Marlins

School: Arkansas
Pick: 11th round, 334th overall
Signing bonus: $200,000

This was one of the toss-up players we wrote about in our MLB Draft preview, as Jake Faherty could technically return to Arkansas as a redshirt junior and maintain his leverage for 2025. However, it’s easy to see why pro scouts are intrigued by him.

Not only did he post a 1.84 ERA and hold opponents to a .151 batting average with 26 strikeouts in 14 2/3 innings this season, but he has elite stuff that led to one NL scout telling BoAS that he’d not only get drafted, but he’d pitch in the big leagues one day.

As an 11th-round pick, Faherty isn’t necessarily a lock to sign with the Marlins, but it’s probably likely. He can get up to $150,000 with no penalty to Miami’s bonus pool, so that opens the door to a pretty solid signing bonus. He could theoretically return and help his draft stock by putting up similar numbers over more innings, but he could also hurt his draft stock if he doesn’t improve.

UPDATE: As expected, Jake Faherty has signed with the Marlins. He actually got more than the $150,000 allowed for players taken in Rounds 11-20, receiving a $200,000 bonus, according to Baseball America’s Carlos Collazo. That is in line with an early ninth-round pick in terms of slot value. Miami had to use $50,000 from its bonus pool to give him that much.

Brady Tygart — RHP — Boston Red Sox

School: Arkansas
Pick: 12th round, 357th overall
Signing bonus: $300,000

A top-75 overall recruit coming out of high school, Brady Tygart first burst onto the scene as a closer in 2022. As a freshman, he 3.82 ERA with 51 strikeouts in 37 2/3 innings while earning eight saves on a team that reached the College World Series.

The right-hander remained in the bullpen to start his sophomore year, but went down with an injury early on. When he returned, Tygart was moved into a starter role and slowly built up his pitch count to the point where he was able to make a quality start in the postseason. He finished that year with a 3.20 ERA and 31 strikeouts in 25 1/3 innings.

Considering how strong he ended that season, Tygart was slotted into the starting rotation from the jump in 2024. He got off to a great start, but dealt with an injury down the stretch and struggled because of it. He finished his final season with a 3.94 ERA and 69 strikeouts in 59 1/3 innings.

Those injuries likely played a role in Tygart slipping to the 12th round. Despite that fall, he’s not expected to return for his senior year.

UPDATE: As expected, Brady Tygart signed with the Red Sox and received more than the $150,000 typically allotted to picks from the 11th round on. In fact, he received double that, with $150,000 counting against Boston’s bonus pool. The $300,000 bonus is in line with the 196th overall pick – which is the first pick of the seventh round.

Evan Gray — RHP — San Francisco Giants

School: St. Louis
Pick: 15th round, 448th overall
Signing bonus: $25,000

This name might be familiar to Arkansas baseball fans, as Evan Gray spent three seasons at Arkansas (2020-22) before transferring to St. Louis University, where he’s played the last two years. As a fifth-year senior, the right-hander posted a 3.41 ERA and 1.00 WHIP with 33 strikeouts in 29 innings across 19 relief appearances.

Carson Wiggins Will Play for Arkansas Baseball

Arkansas got some more big news late in the MLB Draft, as heralded signee Carson Wiggins will come to school, according to Kevin Bohannon.

The younger brother of Jaxon Wiggins, who pitched for the Razorbacks from 2021-23, Wiggins is another big right-hander with a strong arm. He’s been clocked at 99 mph and some consider him to be further developed at this point of his career than his older brother, who was a second-round pick by the Cubs last summer.

Once viewed as a potential first-round pick, Wiggins slipped some on draft boards leading up to the event, but still figured to be in line for a seven-figure signing bonus. However, no team met his asking price, so he’ll bet on himself by going to college. It helps that he turned 19 in June, meaning he’ll be a draft-eligible sophomore in 2026.

More here:

SEC Baseball Players, Signees Drafted

This is a team-by-team look at how all SEC baseball teams were impacted by the 2024 MLB Draft. It will be updated with every current player and signee selected.

Alabama

RoundPickNameTeam
126Ben HessNew York Yankees
256Carter Johnson (signee)Miami Marlins
392Gage MillerMiami Marlins
7208Greg FaroneSan Francisco Giants
12351Ian PetrutzSt. Louis Cardinals
13379Pierce GeorgeChicago White Sox
13401Colby Jones (JUCO signee)Atlanta Braves
16469T.J. McCantsChicago White Sox
17509Trent Hodgdon (portal commit)Cincinnati Reds

Arkansas

RoundPickNameTeam
15Hagen SmithChicago White Sox
251Tyson Lewis (signee)Cincinnati Reds
4117Peyton StovallCincinnati Reds
7215Mason MolinaMilwaukee Brewers
9256Jared Sprague-LottOakland Athletics
9267Hudson WhiteBoston Red Sox
9284Ben McLaughlinArizona Diamondbacks
11332Eli Lovich (signee)Chicago Cubs
11334Jake FahertyMiami Marlins
12357Brady TygartBoston Red Sox

Auburn

RoundPickNameTeam
4127Chase AllsupBaltimore Orioles
9271Tanner BaumanNew York Yankees
12359Will CannonCincinnati Reds
19562Connor Gatwood (signee)Los Angeles Angels
19577D’Marion Terrell (signee)Toronto Blue Jays
20600Chase Fralick (signee)San Diego Padres

Florida

RoundPickNameTeam
16Jac CaglianoneKansas City Royals
123Kellon Lindsey (signee)Los Angeles Dodgers
386Brandon NeelyBoston Red Sox
10288Fisher JamesonColorado Rockies
16485Jayden Dubanewicz (signee)Milwaukee Brewers
18538Ryan SlaterSan Francisco Giants
18548Michael Ross (portal commit)Minnesota Twins
19561Brendan Lawson (signee)St. Louis Cardinals
20590Colby SheltonWashington Nationals

Georgia

RoundPickNameTeam
13Charlie CondonColorado Rockies
6173Corey CollinsNew York Mets
14427J.R. Freethy (portal commit)Toronto Blue Jays
15460Erik Parker (signee)Los Angeles Dodgers
16474Brian Curley (portal commit)Pittsburgh Pirates
17511JoJo Jackson (portal commit)New York Yankees
20598Fernando GonzalezSan Francisco Giants

Kentucky

RoundPickNameTeam
PPI (1)31Ryan WaldschmidtArizona Diamondbacks
258Emilien PitreTampa Bay Rays
CBB (2)66Tyler Bell (signee)Tampa Bay Rays
7206Jackson Strong (portal commit)Detroit Tigers
10292Ryan NicholsonLos Angeles Angels
10306Trey PooserTampa Bay Rays
10314Trent Youngblood (portal commit)Arizona Diamondbacks
12373Ryan Verdugo (portal commit)Houston Astros
13390Matthew Watson (portal commit)San Diego Padres
15439Mason MooreChicago White Sox
15455Travis SmithMilwaukee Brewers
18539Jalen Hairston (JUCO signee)Cincinnati Reds
18546Dominic NimanTampa Bay Rays

LSU

RoundPickNameTeam
19Konnor Griffin (signee)Pittsburgh Pirates
124Cam Caminiti (signee)Atlanta Braves
240Tommy WhiteOakland Athletics
252Boston Bateman (signee)San Diego Padres
CBB (2)71Luke HolmanCincinnati Reds
CBB (2)73Gage JumpOakland Athletics
389Thatcher HurdNew York Yankees
5151Kale Fountain (signee)San Diego Padres
6181Griffin HerringNew York Yankees
7198Fidel UlloaColorado Rockies
8239Luke Hayden (portal commit)Cincinnati Reds
10287Nate AckenhausenKansas City Royals
11333Christian LittleSeattle Mariners
13378Justin LoerColorado Rockies

Mississippi State

RoundPickNameTeam
115Jurrangelo CijntjeSeattle Mariners
127Dante Nori (signee)Philadelphia Phillies
259Khal StephenToronto Blue Jays
382Nate DohmNew York Mets
4116Dakota JordanSan Francisco Giants
6190Brooks AugerLos Angeles Dodgers
8237Conrad Cason (signee)Boston Red Sox
9277Colby HolcombeToronto Blue Jays
12365Tyson HardinMilwaukee Brewers
13396Connor HujsakTampa Bay Rays
15437Tyler DavisKansas City Royals
15455Travis Smith (portal commit)Milwaukee Brewers
18532David MershonLos Angeles Angels
19565Cam SchuelkeCleveland Guardians

Missouri

RoundPickNameTeam
4132Tytus Cissell (signee)Arizona Diamondbacks
6191Ethan Bagwell (signee)Atlanta Braves
11330Sean Barnett (portal commit)San Diego Padres
14406Ryan MagdicOakland Athletics
15459Carter RustadBaltimore Orioles
16493Bryce MayerHouston Astros

Oklahoma

RoundPickNameTeam
3100John Spikerman*Philadelphia Phillies
5142Braden Davis*St. Louis Cardinals
8233Ryan Lambert*New York Mets
10291Bryce Madron*St. Louis Cardinals
10293Brendan Girton*New York Mets
10304Michael Snyder*Miami Marlins
12370Cody Morse (JUCO signee)Los Angeles Dodgers
16468Kevin Fitzer (portal commit)Colorado Rockies
17520Jackson Nicklaus*Los Angeles Dodgers
18527Corey Cousin (signee)Kansas City Royals
18542Thomas Mangus (JUCO signee)Chicago Cubs
20587Carter Frederick*Kansas City Royals
*Actually played in the Big 12

Ole Miss

RoundPickNameTeam
129Slade Caldwell (signee)Arizona Diamondbacks
9260Jackson RossWashington Nationals
15444Ethan LegePittsburgh Pirates
16466Connor SpencerOakland Athletics
16481Xavier RivasNew York Yankees
18537Cole TolbertBoston Red Sox
20610Hunter ElliottLos Angeles Dodgers
20612Kyler CarmackPhiladelphia Phillies

South Carolina

RoundPickNameTeam
116PJ Morlando (signee)Miami Marlins
377Cole MessinaColorado Rockies
5148Brandon Clarke (signee)Boston Red Sox
7218Eli JonesMinnesota Twins
9276Garrett GaineyTampa Bay Rays
12367Carson Messina (signee)Toronto Blue Jays

Tennessee

RoundPickNameTeam
18Christian MooreLos Angeles Angels
CBA (1)34Blake BurkeMilwaukee Brewers
260Billy AmickMinnesota Twins
265Dylan DreilingTexas Rangers
376Drew BeamKansas City Royals
4120Ty Southisene (signee)Chicago Cubs
4C134Kavares TearsSan Diego Padres
5138A.J. CauseyKansas City Royals
5144Trey Snyder (signee)New York Mets
8229Aaron CombsChicago White Sox
16476Anson Seibert (signee)Detroit Tigers
16484Eric Rataczak (portal commit)Miami Marlins
17502Lucas Ramirez (signee)Los Angeles Angels
17523Ethan Wagner (signee)Houston Astros

Texas

RoundPickNameTeam
111Bryce Rainer (signee)Detroit Tigers
118Theo Gillen (signee)Tampa Bay Rays
CBA (1)37Levi Sterling (signee)Pittsburgh Pirates
242Jared Thomas*Colorado Rockies
5139Lebarron Johnson Jr.*Colorado Rockies
14407Kyle DeGroat (signee)Kansas City Royals
14413Tanner WittNew York Mets
16492Eli Trop (portal commit)Philadelphia Phillies
*Actually played in the Big 12

Texas A&M

RoundPickNameTeam
112Braden MontgomeryBoston Red Sox
245Chris CortezLos Angeles Angels
247Wyatt Sanford (signee)Pittsburgh Pirates
381Ryan PragerLos Angeles Angels
6167Tanner JonesKansas City Royals
6169Jackson AppelChicago White Sox
12346Ali CamarilloOakland Athletics
13392Evan AschenbeckChicago Cubs

Vanderbilt

RoundPickNameTeam
249Owen Hall (signee)Detroit Tigers
253Bryce CunninghamNew York Yankees
262Carter HoltonAtlanta Braves
5152Greysen CarterNew York Yankees
7201Andrew Dutkanych IVSt. Louis Cardinals
8226Davis DiazOakland Athletics
10297Devin FutrellBoston Red Sox
11318Alan EspinalColorado Rockies

Other Notable Picks

The following selections aren’t necessarily connected to the Arkansas baseball program, but do have ties to the Natural State.

  • 1st round, 29th overall – Slade Caldwell – Valley View HS (Ole Miss signee)
  • 20th round, 596th overall – Dawson Price – Eastern Oklahoma State J.C. (went to Bentonville West HS)

What to Know About the MLB Draft

Traditionally a 40-round event, the MLB Draft has been permanently shorted to 20 rounds. That has been its length the last three years.

The MLB Draft is not as straightforward as its counterparts in the NFL and NBA. In addition to making selections based on merit, teams have to consider each player’s “signability” — how likely he is to sign a professional contract.

High school and junior college prospects can choose to honor their commitments and college players with remaining eligibility can return to school if they don’t receive their desired signing bonus, giving them leverage in contract negotiations. Seniors do not have that advantage, leading to significantly smaller bonuses.

In 2012, a new wrinkle was introduced to the draft: slot values and bonus pools. Each pick in the top 10 rounds is assigned a recommended signing bonus amount – or slot value – with teams being allowed to spend up to the combined value of their top-10 round picks’ slot values – or bonus pool.

Players selected in the 11th round and beyond can receive signing bonuses up to $150,000 (previously $125,000) before it factors into the equation, with the excess counting toward the bonus pool. The signing deadline is July 30 at 4 p.m. CT this year.

If a team does not sign a player taken in the first 10 rounds, it loses that pick’s slot value from its bonus pool. That is why it’s rare for teams not to sign their early draftees, especially those with seven-figure slot values.

In the three years of the 20-round draft era, only seven of 942 players (0.74%) taken in the top 10 rounds failed to sign. It becomes more likely that players don’t sign in the back half of the draft — 6.4% in rounds 11-15 and 24.7% in rounds 16-20.

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More coverage of Arkansas baseball and the 2024 MLB Draft from BoAS…

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