With the 173rd and 203rd picks in the 2024 MLB Draft, The New York Mets selected 1B Corey Collins and RHP Will Watson.
Georgia’s Corey Collins (6) hits a home run during a NCAA Athens Regional baseball game against UNCW in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, June 1, 2024. Georgia won 11-2.
6th Round: 1B Corey Collins, Georgia; Slot Value: $363,100
Collins, who the Mets drafted with the 173rd pick, was the unheralded second fiddle on a Georgia team where the majority of the attention was reserved for third-overall selection Charlie Condon.
Collins hit at the top of the lineup for the Bulldogs, bringing a mix of power and poise to the leadoff spot. He smashed 20 home runs along with a nation-leading .574 on-base percentage, making him the first ever SEC player to lead the country in that category and an eventual Second Team All-American by Baseball America.
The 6-foot-3, left hander was primarily a DH in his first two seasons and hampered by injury in his junior year before a breakout 20224 season.
Collins has experience at catcher and in the outfield, in addition to first base. While MLB Pipeline rates describes his arm as solid on their scouting report of the Georgia star, he likely projects as a first baseman or DH. MLB Pipeline said he “lacks the receiving ability to catch at the next level” and “that his lack of speed makes it difficult” for him to play in the outfield.
The 22-year-olds ability at the plate gives optimism that he can make an impact in the Mets system. Not only is Collins patient, recording 56 walks in 52 games last season, he’s got plus bat speed that allows him to hit well against fast balls. Additionally, MLB Pipeline said his shorter swing “has enabled him to make more consistent hard contact and get the most out of his plus raw power.”
Will Watson, Photo by USC Athletics
7th Round: RHP Will Watson, USC; Slot Value: $283,000
The Mets selected Watson, who only played a single season at USC, with the 203rd selection.
Watson started his college career at Division III Cal Lutheran where had a 1.82 ERA in 2022. Watson transferred to Division II San Joaquin Delta College in 2023. Another strong campaign resulted in him being selected in the 22nd round by the Seattle Mariners last season. Instead of moving to pro ball, the right-hander decided to transfer to USC; a decision that resulted in him being drafted 15 rounds earlier.
The right-hander was slated as a bullpen arm when the season began, but was eventually moved to the starting rotation, throwing the ball well over the 2024 campaign. Watson threw 50 1/3 innings over 16 appearances (nine as a starter, seven in the bullpen) and had an ERA of 3.93, 46 strikeouts and limited opponents to a .234 batting average.
Watson has a fastball that sits around 95 miles per hour, as well as a quality changeup. He projects to be a reliever at the next level, but his athletic upside doesn’t rule out him becoming a starter.
