ARLINGTON, Texas – At the end of 20 rounds of selections by the 30 teams in Major League Baseball, five players representing the WAC were chosen as part of the 2024 MLB Draft that was held from July 14-16 in Fort Worth. Grand Canyon led all WAC members with two total players chosen in the first-year player draft, with a single player each from Abilene Christian, California Baptist and Sacramento State also among the 615 overall draftees.
 
Three primary pitchers with direct conference ties were among the five draftees to make it the most popular position of all WAC players drafted. An outfielder and infielder rounded out the positions of WAC draftees. Four WAC players were drafted by current American League clubs including the Baltimore Orioles, Kansas City Royals, New York Yankees and Oakland A’s, with the remaining player selected by the Chicago Cubs of the National League.

Grand Canyon boasted a pair of standout draft selections in outfielder Tyler Wilson (Round 8, 241st overall to the New York Yankees) and right-handed pitcher Daniel Avitia (Round 12, 362nd overall to the Chicago Cubs). Abilene Christian saw left-handed pitcher Dash Albus (Round 19, 557th overall to the Kansas City Royals) picked, while right-handed pitcher Brandon Downer from California Baptist (Round 13, 399th overall to the Baltimore Orioles) also heard his name called. Sacramento State shortstop Gunner Gouldsmith (Round 19, 556th overall to the Oakland A’s) was also drafted on day three.
 
WAC In The 2024 MLB First-Year Player Draft
 
Round 8
Tyler Wilson, OF, Grand Canyon (Overall Pick 241, New York Yankees)
 
Round 12
Daniel Avitia, RHP, Grand Canyon (Overall Pick 362, Chicago Cubs)

Round 13
Brandon Downer, RHP, California Baptist (Overall Pick 399, Baltimore Orioles)
 
Round 19
Gunner Gouldsmith, SS, Sacramento State (Overall Pick 556, Oakland A’s)
Dash Albus, LHP, Abilene Christian (Overall Pick 557, Kansas City Royals)