Dodgers' third-round draft steal earns ideal MLB comp with massive exit velocity

Even though the MLB-highlighted, star-studded, main event part of the 2024 Draft concluded on Sunday night, there were, in fact, two more days and 18 more rounds (plus compensation picks) for the 30 teams to get through to complete their draft classes.

The Dodgers didn't have a second- or fifth-round pick, so they'll add 18 new players to their farm system. In the first round, they selected high school shortstop Kellon Lindsey, whose speed ratings are off the charts. With LA picking 23rd, they were certainly at a disadvantage in terms of the year's top talent, but they did manage to scoop up a few diamonds in the rough.

In the third round, with the 98th overall pick, they took third baseman Chase Harlan, a high school player from Pennsylvania. Joe Doyle, an analyst at FSS Plus, called it an "enormous win" and likened Harlan to the Rangers' Josh Jung, a first-rounder in 2019 for Texas and an instrumental part of their World Series victory last season.

Dodgers selected Pennsylvania HS 3B Chase Harlan in the third round of 2024 MLB Draft

Harlan is committed to Clemson in the fall, and with a slot value of $745,000, the Dodgers could have to dip deeper into their bonus pool and do a little persuading in order to get him to go pro instead of going into the draft again after he's played some college ball.

However, he was present at the MLB Draft Combine in June, where he hit the longest home run and posted the second-highest exit velocity of any prospective prospect (453.4 feet, 112.4 MPH), so his eyes might be firmly on working his way through the organization as soon as he's able to.

Doyle spoke highly of Harlan's "bat speed and compact stroke" and wrote that he could break into professional ball as a third baseman or move to the outfield. The Dodgers don't have a single third baseman in their 30 top prospects this season (and only a few shortstops, hence the Lindsey pick), so it makes sense that they'd want to diversify their potential infield offerings in a few years' time.

Jung's been hurt most of this season, but he was an All-Star and placed fourth in Rookie of the Year voting last season. If the Dodgers can turn Harlan into a player that even gets close to touching that kind of rookie excellence, then they've got a winner.