Guardians’ Chris Antonetti Describes New Situation With Top Draft Pick

Next year, Cleveland will have the first overall pick in the MLB Draft for the first time in franchise history, and is expected to have its largest draft pool in franchise history.

When the Cleveland Guardians won the 2024 MLB Draft Lottery, they were granted the first overall pick of the MLB Draft for the first time in franchise history.

Over the past 10 years, the average draft position for the Guardians’ first selection has been 25.4, with an average signing bonus just over $2.3 million.

These are both set to be eclipsed when Cleveland makes its first choice in July.

This past Thursday, Guardians President of Baseball Operations Chris Antonetti made an appearance on 92.3 The Fan’s show “Afternoon Drive,” discussing the new situation the first draft pick brings.

“Well, it’s an exciting opportunity for us. Because where we’ve typically been picking in the draft, we don’t spend a whole lot of time focusing on the very top of the board. Simply because those players just aren’t going to be available to us. And this year is entirely different. The entire landscape of high school and college baseball is available to us.”

This year, the Pittsburgh Pirates, who had the first choice, had the most bonus pool money to spend on draft picks at nearly $16.2 million.

Antonetti explained that Cleveland will need to make the most of its large expected draft pool.

“It’s up to us to figure out the right guy for us, and how do we maximize not only the number one pick, but the total pool space that we have to allocate across all of our picks, which will be one of the largest in the last few years. And certainly the largest draft pool that we’ve ever had.”

In all, the organization is looking forward to this historic opportunity.

“It’s a great opportunity for us as a franchise to add a great deal of talent to the organization, and one we’re excited to start digging into.”