USA TODAY High School Sports Watchlist: Class of 2024's starting 9
High school baseball prospects always create additional intrigue as the season begins, with the top prospects holding the attention of college scouts as well as the MLB pipeline. And the class of 2024 is no exception.
Among the top 20 or so talents hitting the diamond this spring, nearly all have generated buzz ahead of the MLB draft in July. Five-tool position players and a batch of electric arms fill the latest list of top=tier players to watch, including these nine from the HSS lineup card.
The battery
Catcher: Cade Arrambide, Tomball High School (Texas)
Eventually they’ll learn not to test ‘24 C Cade Arrambide (TX)
Two absolute lazers from his hand cannon at 1.83 & 1.77 to gun down a pair of runners.
Elite arm talent. @LSUbaseball #MLBDraft24 || @PBR_Texas pic.twitter.com/nm06EuvqWJ
— Shooter Hunt (@ShooterHunt) June 28, 2023
Pitcher: Cam Caminiti, Saguaro (Scottsdale, Ariz.)
Extended look here at Cam Caminiti’s (‘24, AZ) outing today and a HR. K’d 8 in 2.2 giving up 3R/1ER on 2H/2BB. 66% strikes. Up to 97 w/ the FB living more 93-95 (7 whiffs). Didn’t have his best feel for SL (77-80) or CB (74-75) today but they flashed quality shape at times… pic.twitter.com/6Q9uuAqPlw
— Perfect Game Four Corners (@PG_FourCorners) February 22, 2024
Infield
3B: Henry Allen, Auburn High School (Ala.)
.@HailStateBB recruit & ‘24 3B Henry Allen (@HenryCAllen22; @AuburnHighBSB) works a quality at-bat & laces a two-out, two-RBI single up the middle.
Quick turn of the barrel, matches plane on elevated FB, one of the top prep bats in junior class.
Auburn leads 2-0, T2. pic.twitter.com/FXJoOronAN
— Prep Baseball Alabama (@PBR_Alabama) March 10, 2023
SS: Bryce Rainer, Harvard-Westlake (Simi Valley, Calif.)
‘24 SS/RHP Bryce Rainer of @hwbaseball. #Texas commit takes this outer half fastball and smokes it through the left side for a leadoff hit in T3. Off to a strong start for Wolverines in early part of ‘24 season. #PBCASI@ShooterHunt | @prepbaseball pic.twitter.com/Y0WL6FhzdQ
— ???????????????? ???????????????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????????? (@PrepBaseballCA) February 22, 2024
2B: Ben Reiland, Orange Lutheran (Orange, Calif.)
‘24 Ben Reiland (CA) with the walk off through the pull side. High level bat to ball on display all day @California_PG @PG_Uncommitted #WWBA pic.twitter.com/AujNakv2Ib
— Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) July 21, 2022
1B: Myles Bailey, Lincoln High School (Tallahassee, Fla.)
‘24 Myles Bailey (FL)
Simple stroke with power to all fields. Minimizes movement while still delivering thunderous barrel.
Imposing presence at 6’4” 225
Ranked #2⃣2⃣ in the class #MLBDraft || @PBR_DraftHQ @FSUBaseball recruit pic.twitter.com/NJ7Ynlc6sd
— Shooter Hunt (@ShooterHunt) February 15, 2024
Outfield
OF: Konnor Griffin, Jackson Prep (Miss.)
HR No. 3 for Jackson Prep OF Konnor Griffin on the season. 400+ feet to LCF.
Through 7 games he's slashing .600/.778/1.333. Just two strikeouts in 27 PA. pic.twitter.com/bv3WL3R2bU
— Joe Doyle (@JoeDoyleMiLB) February 21, 2024
OF: Noah Franco, IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)
Noah Franco (24 @IMGABaseball) with two doubles in his next three ABs. First goes off the wall oppo & the second pulled down the line. Barrel feel on display. #PGDraft #PGHS @PGAllAmerican @PG_Draft https://t.co/dse0eNJA5g pic.twitter.com/aGla87kffH
— Perfect Game Florida (@Florida_PG) February 16, 2024
OF: PJ Morlando, Summerville (S.C.)
A potential first-round pick from Baseball America's new 2024 MLB Draft rankings: PJ Morlando.
One of the best blends of hitting ability and power in the 2024 class. Here he is hitting lefties, righties, good velo, offspeed stuff … Simple swing, big bat speed, tracks pitches… pic.twitter.com/NaET1gGcUV
— Ben Badler (@BenBadler) February 2, 2024