Will Walker Janek get drafted? Taking a look at Sam Houston State player's 2024 MLB draft projection

Walker Janek emerged as the best catcher in the 2024 NCAA baseball season, reaping major awards available for his position, including the Buster Posey Award. The six-foot Portland, Texas native had career-highs in batting average (.364), hits (80), home runs (17), stolen bases (13), on-base percentage (.476) and slugging percentage (.709).

In defense, his 414 putouts and 51 assists canceled out the six errors he made all season for a fielding percentage of .987. Those outputs were good enough to hand him the Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year and a CUSA First Team inclusion.

In three seasons with the Bearkats, Janek hit .326 and scored 140 runs, 37 home runs and 156 RBIs. His on-base and slugging rates were .430 and .580, respectively and stole 29 bases. He was able to field 1,122 putouts and 134 assists for a .987 overall fielding percentage.

The Sam Houston State catcher is a consistent first-round choice in mock drafts conducted by USA Today, Bleacher Report, MLB.com and Pitcher List, ranking between No. 24 and No. 30.

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2024 MLB draft first-round draft order ft. Walker Janek's draft projection

Here's a look at the draft order of the first round and where Janek will likely end up:

1. Cleveland Guardians

2. Cincinnati Reds

3. Colorado Rockies

4. Oakland Athletics

5. Chicago White Sox

6. Kansas City Royals

7. St. Louis Cardinals

8. Los Angeles Angels

9. Pittsburgh Pirates

10. Washington Nationals

11. Detroit Tigers

12. Boston Red Sox

13. San Francisco Giants

14. Chicago Cubs

15. Seattle Mariners

16. Miami Marlins

17. Milwaukee Brewers

18. Tampa Bay Rays

19. New York Mets

20. Toronto Blue Jays

21. Minnesota Twins

22. Baltimore Orioles

23. Los Angeles Dodgers

24. Atlanta Braves*

25. San Diego Padres

26. New York Yankees

27. Philadelphia Phillies

28. Houston Astros*

29. Arizona Diamondbacks

30. Texas Rangers*

Walker Janek is an interesting late first-round pick for the Atlanta Braves, Houston Astros and Texas Rangers. Janek could be molded into a future starting catcher by serving as a backup for the three teams' No. 1 backstops.

Sam Houston State catcher Waker Janek celebrates with his teammate (Image Source: IMAGN).

His power and defense will be his investment going to the professional ranks and the Braves, Astros and Rangers are consistent playoff contenders. These teams are looking for position players who could produce immediately in offense and defense and Janek fits the bill.

"Walker Janek has an argument to be made as the best catcher in the class. His defense is good enough to stick behind the plate with plus arm strength ... Coming from a small school is the only reason there is not more confidence in Janek’s profile, due to the perceived lack of competition," Pitcher List wrote.

Janek's power bat and defense have put him atop the 2024 MLB Top Prospects list. While such decisions are contingent upon multiple factors, the projections from multiple mock draft websites suggest a decent possibility of Walter Janek being drafted.

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Which team will pick Walker Janek in the 2024 MLB Draft? Let us know your views in the comments section.