During First Round Of 2024 MLB Draft
By David Glenn
North Carolina Sports Network Wake Forest had a record-setting night, East Carolina produced one of its highest draft picks in program history, and the Atlantic Coast Conference continued to underline its prominent place in the baseball world Sunday during the first round of the 2024 Major League Baseball amateur draft.
The Demon Deacons became just the second college baseball team ever to produce three top-10 picks in the same draft, joining Rice (2004). Pitcher Chase Burns, first baseman Nick Kurtz and shortstop Seaver King were selected second, fourth and 10th overall (see full list/details below), respectively.
“I couldn’t be more proud of Chase Burns, Nick Kurtz and Seaver King,” 15th-year Wake Forest coach Tom Walter said. “(Sunday) was the culmination of a lot of hard work and sacrifice. These guys have helped transform Wake baseball into a destination program and a program known for player development. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for these transformational Deacs.”
Burns, a Tennessee transfer who became the 2024 ACC Pitcher of the Year during his single season in Winston-Salem, is now the highest MLB draft pick in Wake Forest history, surpassing Kyle Sleeth (third overall in 2003). A hard-throwing right-hander, Burns posted a 10-1 record and a 2.70 earned run average this year, while setting Wake’s single-season strikeout record (191).
“Chase Burns has the chance to be a true #1 (starting pitcher) for the Cincinnati Reds,” Walter said. “Between his electric arm and compete gene, the Reds got what I believe is the best arm in the class, and Chase will be a valuable addition to the Reds staff for years to come. I’m so happy that he gets to join (2023 first-round draft pick and former Wake star) Rhett Lowder in the Cincinnati organization and look forward to watching that duo come up together.”
Kurtz, a power hitter with outstanding plate discipline, had a .306 batting average this season, with 22 home runs and 57 RBI, while setting the Deacons’ single season (78) and career (189) records for walks drawn.
“Nick Kurtz is a true pro,” Walter said. “The Oakland Athletics drafted someone whose work ethic, ability to make those around him better and consistency (are signs of) a sure-fire big leaguer. He hits the ball to all fields for power and average while also being an elite defender.”
King started all 60 Wake Forest games this season, led the Deacs in hits (78) and launched a career-best 16 home runs.
“The Nationals got a dynamic personality and a dynamic athlete in Seaver King,” Walter said. “His bat speed, raw athleticism and upside put him in a class by himself. This guy is going to be in the big leagues very quickly.”
Burns, Kurtz and King bumped the Demon Deacons’ all-time number of first-round MLB draft picks to 13. That total includes seven just in the last four years, with this year’s trio joining Rhett Lowder (2023), Brock Wilken (2023), Ryan Cusick (2021) and Jared Shuster (2020).
East Carolina made history, too, with the first-round selection of Pirates pitcher Trey Yesavage, who was chosen 20th overall.
A consensus first-team All-American, Yesavage was selected as the 2024 Pitcher of the Year in the American Athletic Conference. Nationally, he finished second in WHIP (0.87) and fewest hits allowed per nine innings (4.73), third in ERA (2.03), fifth in strikeouts (145) and victories (11), and ninth in strikeouts per nine innings (13.98).
Yesavage is now the second-highest ECU draft pick in program history, behind only 2024 MLB All-Star Jeff Hoffman (ninth overall in 2014), and the highest selection of the 10-year Cliff Godwin era in Greenville.
The ACC had six first-round draft picks this year, second to only the Southeastern Conference (seven) among collegiate leagues. Ten of the 30 first-round MLB selections came from the high school ranks.
The 2024 MLB draft marked the 33rd consecutive year at least one ACC player was selected in the opening round and the ninth straight year the ACC placed at least one draftee among the top 15 picks.
Cobb Hightower, a shortstop from East Rowan High School in Salisbury, was the first North Carolina high school prospect selected this year. He was selected in the third round by San Diego, with the #88 overall pick.
Top MLB Draft Picks With ACC/NC Connections
First Round
P Chase Burns, Wake Forest — Cincinnati, #2
1B Nick Kurtz, Wake Forest — Oakland, #4
SS Seaver King, Wake Forest — Washington, #10
OF James Tibbs III, Florida State — San Francisco, #13
3B Cam Smith, Florida State — Chicago Cubs, #14
P Trey Yesavage, East Carolina — Toronto, #20
CF Vance Honeycutt, North Carolina — Baltimore, #22
SS Griff O’Ferrall, Virginia — Baltimore, #32 (bonus pick)
Second Round
3B Tommy White, LSU (NC State) — Oakland, #40
P Jonathan Santucci, Duke — New York Mets, #46
C Jacob Mozart, NC State — Cleveland, #48
C Ethan Anderson, Virginia — Baltimore, #61
Third Round
P Josh Hartle, Wake Forest — Pittsburgh, #83
SS Cobb Hightower, East Rowan HS — San Diego, #88
OF Casey Cook, North Carolina — Texas, #103