With 3 All-Stars and 1 HRD slugger, '24 Draft class already one for the ages

PHILADELPHIA – Four members of the Draft class of 2024 are already here, participating in All-Star Week festivities less than two years after their names were called in Fort Worth. But that may not be the most remarkable part.

Because before long, they’re going to be joined by even more stars.

First-rounders Travis Bazzana (No. 1 overall pick), Chase Burns (No. 2) and Nick Kurtz (No. 4) were all selected as All-Stars this year, while Jac Caglianone (No. 6) got the call to participate in the Home Run Derby. But as they talked about how much they’ve already accomplished, the impressive foursome pointed to the names who are right behind them – a list that starts but doesn’t end with Pirates phenom Konnor Griffin (chosen ninth overall).

“I knew that [Griffin] was a stud,” said Caglianone. “Know he’s a really good dude. And to be able to watch Bazzana, Kurtz, Burns do their thing throughout the year, and JJ [Wetherholt], it’s kind of crazy how long that list has gotten. Braden Montgomery debuting as well. Seaver [King] is not far behind. [Kaelen Culpepper] is there too. It’s going to be a lot of fun this back half. I think some guys are going to get called up here soon and we’ll be able to see them.”

He didn’t even mention second overall pick Charlie Condon (MLB Pipeline's No. 62 prospect), fifth pick Hagen Smith (No. 53) and 13th pick James Tibbs III (No. 93), or impressive young big leaguers Cam Smith (selected 14th) and Carson Benge (19th). This is unquestionably a special class.

It does seem that players are getting to the show faster these days, and there are a lot of reasons for that. But even so, an arrival like this is not normal. Three players from the 2023 Draft have made it to an All-Star Game, but only two made it in 2025. No first-rounder from 2022 has made it, and the total after four years is four All-Stars.

For the ’24 class, it’s already three All-Stars, one Derby participant and almost certainly more on the way. Perhaps more notably, Bazzana, Burns and Kurtz went first, second and fourth overall. That’s serious star power.

“It’s crazy,” said Kurtz. “We haven’t necessarily talked about it, but to know that our Draft class has turned out to be pretty special is really cool to see. There’s a number of guys who aren’t here that are just as deserving.”

There’s a certain connection between all of them, because of the shared experience of going through scouting, showcases and workouts during the Draft cycle. And then there’s the particular connection between Burns and Kurtz, both of whom starred at Wake Forest – along with shortstop King, who’s having a big year in the upper levels of the Nationals' system.

“We’ve gotten really close,” said Burns. “I play video games with him in the offseason. He’s a great guy.”

Bazzana, Burns, Kurtz and Caglianone all came from not only college baseball, but top programs in major conferences. Wetherholt also played high-level college ball, as did King and Culpepper. That helps, as do some structural changes in the game.

“I think it comes down to organizations identifying guys they think can move quickly, and then taking the opportunity to push the limits on that,” said Twins manager Derek Shelton, who has seen Caglianone and Bazzana already quite a bit in the AL Central. “Some of that has to do with where they’re at as an organization, where their club’s at, some of it is based on injury, and then a lot of it is based on performance. These kids are pushing their way to the big leagues because of how quickly and how well they’ve performed.”

And that’s really it, isn’t it? Whatever the structural reasons, these guys wouldn’t be here if they weren’t getting the job done. Bazzana, Kurtz, Burns and Caglianone have forced their way into the conversation, and they’re likely to stay there.

“When you compare it to other Draft classes, it’s already showing up incredible,” said Bazzana. “When I was in college and we were all preparing for the Draft year, it was like, 'This is such a strong group.' There [were] a bunch of guys that hit 30 home runs and dominated their conferences. So we knew that was going to be strong. … It’s a cool group, and I hope that 10 years down the road we can all be friends and call ourselves one of the greatest classes of all time.”