Slowly but surely all of the 2024 MLB mock draft's are making their way in front of our eyes. The Atlanta Braves will make their first selection in the number 24 slot, and hope to draft another big-time prospect like they did with Hurston Waldrep last year.
This year's draft class offer a number of exciting hitters and pitchers once again. However, the MLB Draft is much different from other sports, and it's a real challenge to predict who the Braves might grab on a yearly basis.
That becomes even more challenging when you consider they are drafting in the late stages of the first round this season. The Braves also never lean one way or another in terms of prospect type. They've gone powerful college bat, filthy college arm, and elite high school arm in the Alex Anthopoulos era.
Although, they typically lean college prospect nothing is set in stone for Braves scouts. No one though Waldrep would fall to them last year, so they will hold out hope they can snag another talented player despite their 24th spot in the draft order. In an exciting piece of news, the latest ESPN mock draft has Atlanta taking an ambidextrous pitcher.
Braves predicted to select switch-pitcher out of Mississippi State
Atlanta selecting one of the most talked about draft prospects in this year's class would certainly be fun. However, Jurrangelo Cijntje is worthy of the hype that follows. He throws in the 90s from each side, and most mock drafts have him being taken before Atlanta would pick.
In his sophomore season at Mississippi State, Cijntje has thrown 90.2 innings with a 3.87 ERA, 113 Ks, 30 BBs, and 1.103 WHIP. Strong numbers considering the competition level of SEC baseball (Tennessee faces Texas A&M in the CWSC this weekend).
Jurrangelo Cijntje causally pumps in the mid-90s with BOTH arms 😯
— Baseball Quotes (@BaseballQuotes1) March 22, 2024
pic.twitter.com/oNqfrNFo4u
The story of Cijntje's ambidexterity is shared here, but most scouts agree he is stronger from the right side. He reaches upper 90s and offers a tighter breaking ball from the right-hand side. Cijntje has expressed his interest in continuing to pitch from both sides in professional baseball, but it remains to be seen if the pro team that drafts him will allow that.
Of course a switch-pitcher isn't completely unheard of as Pat Venditte served as a decent bullpen arm for a few years. However, Cijntje offers quite a bit more upside from each arm he pitches with. It's hard to pencil in what the Braves will do in any draft, but should they go this route and select Cijntje fans will certainly be in for a unique experience.