2024 MLB Draft: Helium Watch

We’re in the thick of draft season now. To break up our positional previews, we’re going to highlight some helium profiles. If you’re unfamiliar with the term, it’s typically reserved for prospects that rise late in the cycle, and/or emerge suddenly. Here are five names to watch who have gained significant steam throughout the spring. For each prospect, you’ll find their name, position, school, and current ranking on the MLB Consensus Draft Board.

Ryan Waldschmidt, OF, Kentucky (31)
Waldschmidt is an all-round prospect who transferred from Charleston Southern to Kentucky after his sophomore season. Despite not having a carrying tool, he can chalk up value in a number of different ways.

It's a little bit of everything at the plate, as strong bat-to-ball skills combine with good on-base ability (in his first 29 games of 2024, Waldschmidt has walked 22 times and struck out just 16). There's sneaky pull-side power here, too, with a line-drives-to-all-fields impact at the plate.

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?https://t.co/YwQE2KVTIU (@SECNetwork)#WeAreUK x #SECBSB | @ryanwaldy21 pic.twitter.com/zH2NVd5VZk

— Kentucky Baseball (@UKBaseball) May 23, 2024

Waldschmidt has good speed, which aids him defensively and on the bases. In the outfield, he takes efficient routes and has a good shot to stick in center as a pro. Waldschmidt missed the beginning of 2024, recovering from a torn ACL. Through Regional play, Waldschmidt had a .359/.482/.657 line with 14 home runs, 24 stolen bases, and almost as many walks as strikeouts. He’s a first-rounder for me.

Kellon Lindsey, SS, Hardee HS, FL (37)
Lindsey simply appeared on the consensus board one day this spring in a top-35 slot.. A two-sport star who is committed to Florida to play football and baseball, the shortstop/outfield profile is underpinned by some of the most impressive athleticism in the entire class.

There's a ton of projection left in Lindsey's frame. He's already posted 80-grade run times that should translate to him being a plus defender, whether he sticks at short or in center, in addition to being a menace on the base paths.

Lindsey has also received rave reviews for his offensive improvements thus far in 2024. Quick hands, excellent bat-to-ball skills, good barrel control, and an emerging ability to backspin the baseball make Lindsey a serious helium prospect and someone who could have significant impact as a first-round pick come July. He’s the type of athlete I’d expect the Dodgers to target.

Tyson Lewis, SS, Millard West HS, NE (39)
Lewis is a left-handed hitting prep shortstop prospect, in a class in which that demographic is a significant weakness. The Arkansas commit has gained a ton of strength in the last year, which has translated into better bat speed and more power.

Lewis has a quick swing supported by lightning-fast hands that (at present) profiles as a line-drive machine. While some don't love his high hand placement, it's been working well. His athletic frame offers plenty more upside in terms of future power, if he's able to get to his newfound bat speed with more consistency.

Defensively, Lewis has plus speed and great quickness, which aids his defense at shortstop. Solid actions and an above-average arm give him a good chance to stick there as a pro. This is a potential power-speed combination that won't remain on the board for long in July. There’s some steam connecting Lewis with the Diamondbacks and their slew of picks starting late in the first round.

Jurrangelo Cijntje, RHP/LHP, Mississippi State (43)
No. Your eyes do not deceive you. Cijntje is a switch pitcher. The native of Curaçao has a glove that fits both hands.

A natural left-hander, Cijntje is better as a right-handed pitcher and will likely stick there as a professional. He's been on the radar as a prospect for a while, due to his unique skill set, but there's a unique athlete in this profile, too.

From the right side, the fastball sits in the 93-95 mph range and has touched 97 mph, with good carry. There's an above-average slider with good bite and an average changeup. From the left side, it's less velocity and more of a fastball-slider combination. If he does make it to the majors using both arms and has to navigate the Pat Venditte Rule, he'll always be choosing to pitch righty when a switch-hitter comes up.

While Cijntje doesn't have an ideal frame, he's stocky and strong, and has made a good deal of progress with his control in 2024--although the command of his pitches could still improve. An incredibly unique profile, it'll be fascinating to see what a drafting organization does here. My bet is a starting role from the right side to begin with. He’s in contention to be a first-round pick.

Dax Whitney, RHP, Blackfoot HS, ID (84)
It's not often that senior evaluators travel to Idaho to see a prospect ahead of the MLB draft, but that's exactly the case for Dax Whitney, one of the biggest pop-up prospects in the 2024 class.

Whitney hadn't had a ton of exposure on the showcase circuit, preferring to play for his legion team instead, but he has evaluators pouring in after a pop in both movement and velocity this spring. He has a great pitcher's frame, at 6-foot-5, 190 pounds, with plenty to dream on in terms of future projection. That's all added up to be a clean, repeatable delivery that has him consistently throwing strikes and pounding the zone.

On the mound, he throws a fastball that sits 92-94 mph, but can grab as high as 96 mph. That's backed up by an excellent 12-6 curveball, a shorter slider with real tilt, and an emerging changeup that he's shown consistent feel for.

Whitney is one of the biggest up-arrows and buzziest names ahead of the draft this spring. He went from not ranked on this board to debuting at 81. There's a good chance he's a top-50 pick in July, with the combination of size, stuff, and polish that's easy to dream on.

What do you make of some of the rapid risers in this year’s draft class? Any other names you’d throw into the mix? Join our draft discussion in the comments below.

Check out our 2026 mock draft board, updated regularly, and with detailed player write-ups!