The 2024 MLB Draft is underway in Fort Worth, Texas, with Mississippi players set to hear their names through Tuesday.
This article will be updated, in chronological order, throughout the 20-round draft as players from Mississippi, currently playing for Mississippi colleges and universities, or committed to Mississippi schools come off the board.
Konnor Griffin, SS, Jackson Prep – Rd. 1, No. 9 overall (Pittsburgh Pirates)
While many teams feel more comfortable drafting from the college ranks, Griffin was too good of a prospect for the Pittsburgh Pirates to pass up at No. 9 overall. The Gatorade National Player of the Year is easily one of the most decorated prep players in the history of the game. Griffin led the Patriots to their seventh consecutive state title, batting .559 with nine home runs and 39 RBI as a senior. He was as much a threat on the mound and on the base paths, compiling a perfect 10-0 record as a pitcher and breaking the Mississippi high school state record with 87 stolen bases. He has a decision to make, though – attend LSU as a freshman or jump straight to the professional level.
Braden Montgomery, OF, Madison Central/Texas A&M – Rd. 1, No. 12 overall (Boston Red Sox)
Although an ankle injury heading into the College World Series may have resulted in a slight fall for Montgomery, the No. 8 ranked prospect, the former Mississippi Gatorade Player of the Year still managed to crack the top 12 and go to the Boston Red Sox. After transferring from Stanford to spend his junior season in College Station, Montgomery batted .322 with 27 home runs – tied for 11th most in the country. The two-way player has also shown glimpses on the mound. However, he is expected to find a role as an outfielder on the professional level. It’s worth noting that Montgomery’s camp probably had a feeling the star would hear his name called early as Montgomery was one of six players who attended the MLB Draft in person this year.
Jurrangelo Cijntje, BHP, Mississippi State – Rd. 1, No. 15 overall (Seattle Mariners)
Moving up the board based on his potential – considering he can top 95 miles per hour with both arms – the star out of Mississippi State has found a home with the Seattle Mariners. Cijntje, who steadily climbed prospect rankings over the past few weeks, cleaned up a clunky freshman campaign in Starkville by going 8-2 with a 3.67 earned run average as a sophomore. Like Montgomery, Cijtnje must have had a feeling he would be taken high in the first round as he also attended the draft in person.
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