Cincinnati Reds MLB Draft grades: Everything to know about the Reds' 2024 draft picks

The 2024 MLB Draft is officially here, and the Cincinnati Reds are in a position to add to their loaded farm system. After a fortunate turn of events in the draft lottery, Cincinnati landed the second overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft.

Cincinnati's farm system has become a bit depleted over the last few seasons due to many of their top prospects graduating from prospect status at the same time. This has led to a young, exciting Cincinnati Reds team that still has a farm system with four top 100 prospects behind them.

Everything to know about the Reds draft

With the Reds striking gold in the lottery, they should have their choice among the top talent in the draft, besides whoever Cleveland lands on with the first overall pick. They will be looking to add a college player to fast track to the big leagues.

FanSided's Roger Castillo predicts that the Reds will select Charlie Condon, a third baseman and outfielder, from the University of Georgia with the No. 2 selection. Condon fits a position of need, likely playing corner outfield if selected by the Reds, while being placed on a fast track to the big leagues.

Beyond Condon, there are multiple names that the Reds could land on. One of the most likely options, if available, is the middle infielder from Oregon State, Travis Bazzana. Bazzana is a legit five tool prospect that could end up cracking the big leagues by opening day next year.

Chase Burns and Jac Caglianone are two other names to follow with this pick. Burns has an explosive, triple-digit arm with a wipeout slider to pair along with it. Caglianone is a 30-homer threat that also can touch 100 MPH from the left side on the mound. He likely won't stick as a pitcher, but that's always an option for him.

Reds MLB Draft grades: Who did the Reds select in the 2024 MLB Draft?

On Day One of the MLB Draft, the Reds hold the No. 2, 51, and 71 overall picks.

Round 1, Pick 2: Reds select RHP Chase Burns, Wake Forest University

With the second pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, the Cincinnati Reds select Chase Burns, a right-handed pitcher from Wake Forest University.

Burns is the best pitcher in the draft and he's going to be one of the most electric arms in the entire minor leagues. His fastball routinely runs up over 100 mph and he can hold that velocity through 100 pitches. His slider is an even better pitch, grading as a 70-grade offering on MLB Pipeline's 20-80 grade scale.

The righty brings energy, work ethic, and a competitive fire that can't be taught. His tools go far beyond just his impressive four-pitch arsenal.

Burns doesn't fill an immediate need for the Reds like Charlie Condon would have, but Burns' potential is through the roof. There's a world where he cracks the big leagues early next season due to his dominant fastball, slider combination.

Grade: B+

Round 2, Pick 51: Reds select SS Tyson Lewis, Millard West High School (NE)

With the 51st pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, the Cincinnati Reds selected 18 year old short stop Tyson Lewis out of Millard West High School in Nebraska.

Lewis, the reigning Nebraska Prep Player of the Year, slashed 496/.579/.912 with 8 home runs, 7 triples, and 14 doubles in 2024. He's an above average runner with a 60 yard dash time in the 6.40 second range. Lewis has shown good pop as well, registering exit velocities north of 108 MPH.

Ranked 39th in the draft according to MLB Pipeline, falling to the Reds at 51 is a steal. Cincinnati has their hands full in developing him, but he has all the raw tools to be an everyday big leaguer one day.

The Reds have made their plan obvious over the last few seasons as they have acquired a ton of shortstops, both through the draft and through trades. Lewis' athleticism should allow him to be moved around defensively in the future, providing him and the Reds with defensive flexibility as he grows and matures.

Grade: A-

Comp Balance B, Pick 71: Reds select RHP Luke Holman, Louisiana State University

With the 71st pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, the Cincinnati Reds selected right-handed pitcher Luke Holman from LSU.

Holman, 21, was rated as MLB Pipeline's 45th best prospect heading into the draft and Cincinnati was able to grab him at 71.

The LSU product put together quite an impressive junior season, where he was selected as an All-American after posting a 2,75 ERA across 16 starts and 91.2 innings. He struck out 12.5 hitters per nine innings and allowed just 5.6 hits per nine.

He's a tall, lanky right hander with a fastball in the low to mid-nineties. He complements that with a curveball, changeup and a wipeout slider. His fastball and slider command may be his best trait as he's able to pound the zone with both offerings, expanding as he gets ahead of hitters.

Cincinnati adds to their loaded farm system with a second pitcher in three picks.

Grade: A-