As the college baseball season begins, there might not be a more intriguing 2024 MLB Draft-eligible pitcher to watch for this spring than Wake Forest's Michael Massey.
A 20-year-old right-handed pitcher, Massey will be a feature name on a Wake Forest squad that was one of college baseball's best a year ago, and features multiple projected first rounders in the 2024 MLB Draft. Yes, the Demon Deacons are that loaded once again, as Nick Kurtz, Seaver King, Chase Burns, and Josh Hartle could all hear their names called in the first round.
However, could Massey potentially find himself in that group as well, and if so, should the Braves take a look at the right-hander in the first round at pick No. 24 overall?
Michael Massey could be an Atlanta Braves 2024 MLB Draft target
While currently at Wake Forest, Massey originally began his collegiate career as a starter at Tulane in 2022. There, the former North Gwinnett High School (GA) product would make 15 appearances, 11 of which were starts, for the Green Wave as a freshman, posting a 3-4 record with a 5.03 ERA and 52:16 K:BB ratio across 68 IP.
Transferring to Wake Forest after the 2022 season, Massey would become a full-time reliever for the Demon Deacons in 2023, which translated to a breakout sophomore campaign. Among the top late-inning pitchers in college baseball, Massey made 27 appearances, only one of which was a start, to post a 3-1 record with a 2.59 ERA and 76:16 K:BB ratio across 41.2 IP, while also holding opponents to a combined .161 AVG against with an impressive 16.4 K/9.
Having however made the transition back to the starting rotation this spring as a junior, could Massey now be set for an even better 2024?
Rated as the No. 31 overall prospect in the 2024 MLB Draft according to MLB Pipeline, Massey is one of the bigger pitchers in this draft at 6-foot-5, 230 pounds, and has an impressive three-pitch arsenal led by his fastball and breaking ball, both of which grade out as a 65 on MLB's 20/80 scale.
Michael Massey (‘24, Elig) on in relief for @WakeBaseball, he scattered the zone a bit but also struck out the side with serious electric stuff…FB 93-96 and downer CB 83-85….Deacs still lead 9-1 pic.twitter.com/yv2t5M2Twg
— PG College Baseball (@PGCollegeBall) April 26, 2023
Also owning a changeup, Massey projects as either a starter or reliever at the next level, with his on-field performance this season likely a factor into that decision for some teams.
Assuming that Massey has another strong season in 2024 as a starter to solidify himself as a first round pick as well, should the Braves take a look at the Wake Forest right-hander later this summer?
Time will obviously tell, but one thing is for certain - Keep an eye on Massey this spring.