2024 MLB Draft Positional Previews: Shortstop

We’re excited to ratchet up 2024 MLB Draft content in the coming weeks. We’ll start with a series of articles detailing each positional demographic. These pieces aren’t meant to be an exhaustive list. Rather, it's an overview of the caliber of talent at the position. For each player, we'll run down some basic information, in addition to some strengths and weaknesses. You’ll also find their current position on the Consensus MLB Draft Board in parentheses next to their name. 

The shortstop class in 2023 was loaded, with 12 profiles in the top 50 in an extremely talented class. This year's is a thinner crop, particularly at the college level. Several prep names have emerged this spring, particularly in the 25-50 range on the Consensus Board.

Bryce Rainer L/R, Harvard Westlake (11)
Rainer is a legitimate two-way prospect who is looking to join the likes of Pete Crow-Armstrong and Max Fried in becoming a first-round selection out of California powerhouse high school Harvard-Westlake.

On the mound, it's a pretty effortless 95-mph fastball with good life, an average curveball with good downward bite, and a slider and changeup combo that are fringe-average, emerging pitches. While it's far from a finished product on the mound, his looseness and projectability point towards a fastball that might flirt with triple digits when it's all said and done.

Offensively, there's good bat speed, lightning-quick hands, and plenty of raw power to tap into. His swing can get long, leading to some swing-and-miss in his profile. Defensively, he's an efficient mover with good quickness, who has posted above-average run times to go with a plus arm. Even if he moves off shortstop eventually, his profile should play well at third base.

It's difficult to know at the time of writing where orgs would prefer Rainer (pitcher or hitter). That will sort itself out eventually. Either way, it's a ton of tools and projectability in an easy-to-dream-on profile.

Kaelen Culpepper R/R, Kansas State (25)
Kaelen Culpepper is an exceptional athlete who shifted defensively from second or third base to shortstop in his junior season at Kansas State. With a strong offensive performance in 2024, he could provide a jolt to a weak demographic that's usually coveted (collegiate shortstops).

At the plate, Culpepper has a strong overall skill set. He generates good bat speed, although a flatter bat path hasn't produced much loft to date. Additionally, he has good contact skills and solid plate discipline, although he does expand the zone a little too much at times.

Culpepper is having a solid 2024 season in which he’s walking more and has amassed 24 extra-base hits in 50 games, in addition to 15 stolen bases. Defensively, it's a plus arm, with good defensive actions and athleticism. Regardless of whether Culpepper ends up sticking at short as a pro, or slides back to a less demanding position, it should be an above-average defensive profile. 

Wyatt Sanford L/R, Independence HS, TX (28)
Sanford is a projectable Texas prep shortstop with a strong set of tools and no real weakness in his game. Starting from a crouched stance with his weight on his back foot, a small toe tap gets Sanford going into a pretty left-handed swing. Good bat speed and quick hands give Sanford outstanding bat-to-ball skills. He maintains strong contact rates, particularly on fastballs in the zone. Sanford rarely expands the zone and doesn't chase often.

While there's not been a ton of power in the profile, Sanford has shown more pop this spring and might get to average power as he continues to grow, add weight, and loft to his swing. Defensively, it's a really solid profile. Sanford has good actions, moves efficiently, and has an above-average arm. He should have a good chance to stick at shortstop as a professional.

Caleb Bonemer R/R, Okemos HS, MI (31)
Bonemer was one of the biggest board risers on the prep side this winter after a great summer in 2023 with one of the better athletic profiles and potentially one of the most exciting power/speed combinations in the 2024 class. 

A quiet, efficient, short swing produces good bat speed and Bonemer is already showing above average in-game power (typically to the pull side) that may eventually become plus power.

Defensively, he's a solid mover with an above-average arm at shortstop who can make all the throws. He may eventually grow off shortstop to third base, but it'd be potentially plus defense there with the offensive profile to make it not matter. Bonemer has also posted plus run times, making him a threat on the base paths and in the run game.

One area of opportunity is refining his approach at the plate, as there's some swing-and-miss and a bit too much chase in the profile currently. If he can work through those needs and get the hit tool to average, it's going to be a strong overall profile and one of the first prep names to go in July.

Carter Johnson L/R, Oxford HS, MS (32)
Carter Johnson is one of the most intriguing prep profiles in the 2024 class, thanks to a well-rounded skill set in which everything grades out as average or better. At 6-foot-2, 180 pounds, there's plenty of projectability left in an already strong athletic profile. 

At the plate, Johnson has a clean, smooth, left-handed swing. Everything looks good; quick hands, consistent bat path, an ability to recognize pitches well, a hitter who uses the entire field. At the moment, the hit tool is more advanced than the power tool but there's plenty of time to add strength and in-game power in what is more of a gap-to-gap approach at present.

Johnson has average speed. Growth and increased strength may eventually move him off shortstop, even though he has the arm, defensive actions, and hands to stay there. While the defensive profile is average to above-average, the bat is exciting and Johnson is one of the most well-rounded offensive profiles of any prep in the class.

Theo Gillen L/R, Westlake HS, TX (36)
Gillen is rising quickly up draft boards after a loud start to the 2024 season in which his offensive impact is beginning to match his enormous potential and athleticism. After returning from shoulder surgery in 2022, he's grown a ton, now standing 6'3, 200 pounds in a frame that has plenty of projection.

At the plate, Gillen starts in an upright stance with a bat tip straight behind his left shoulder. A small stride gets him moving forward into his compact left-handed swing. Gillen's offensive profile is underpinned by excellent bat-to-ball skills. While his profile used to feature more line drive power, he's begun to develop more home run juice, particularly to the pull side, with a frame that suggests that more in the tank.

Defensively, Gillen is a good mover with a quick first step and good defensive actions. He might move off shortstop as he continues to grow. Additionally, much will depend on his throwing arm, which has been the subject of some of his injuries. 

Gillen has shown plus speed so there are plenty of defensive homes available (second base, or even centerfield). All of this likely won't matter too much, as Gillen has an impactful and well-rounded offensive profile that should put him in the Day One conversation.

Kellon Lindsey R/R, Hardee HS, FL (38)
Lindsey is the 'where did you come from?' prospect of the 2024 class, prep edition. 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 SS or CF, in addition to being a menace on the base paths.

Linsey has also received rave reviews for his offensive improvements thus far in 2023. 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.

Honorable Mentions: Tyson Lewis (44), Griff O’Ferrall (48), Anthony Silva (66), Tyler Bell (67), Charlie Bates (74), Kyle DeBarge (76), Sawyer Farr (78)

2024 MLB Draft Position Previews: Catcher

Who excites you from the shortstop class in 2024? Who are you higher on than other prospects? Jump into the draft conversation in the comments below.

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