2024 MLB Draft Profile: James Tibbs III

[Hector Rodriguez]

James Tibbs is one of the best hitters in all of college baseball and is having a monster season for the FSU Seminoles. Could he be Miami's first draft pick under this new regime?

Overview

Position: OF

Height: 6’0″

Weight: 201 pounds

School: Florida State

James Tibbs III is a 6’0”, 201-pound outfielder who plays for the Florida State Seminoles. Tibbs is one of the top pure hitters in the 2024 draft class. The Peach State native has raked in all three seasons at Florida State and is currently having his best season yet.

Coming out of high school, Tibbs was a blue-chip prospect and one of the top signees in Florida State’s 2021 recruiting class. On Perfect Game, Tibbs was the 108th-ranked prospect and the 19th-ranked outfielder in his class. He was also the ninth-ranked prospect and #2 outfielder in Georgia.

In his freshman season, Tibbs earned a starting outfield role for the Seminoles. Tibbs played in 56 games and started in 45. He slashed .300/.411/.553 with 51 hits, thirteen doubles, ten home runs, 32 RBIs, and a .964 OPS. Tibbs was named a Second Team Freshman All-American.

In his sophomore season, Tibbs started in all 54 games and was arguably the best hitter on FSU’s roster. Tibbs slashed .339/.471/.682 with 66 hits, fourteen doubles, 17 home runs, 43 RBIs, 48 walks, and a 1.153 OPS. He was also a Cape Cod All-Star and won the league's home run derby.

During the 2024 season, Tibbs has been incredible at the plate for one of the best teams in college baseball. He is slashing .387/.494/.848 with 74 hits, 17 doubles, 23 home runs, 76 RBIs, 37 walks, and a 1.342 OPS.

Tibbs is an excellent hitter with plus power and has improved his plate approach. The lefty has only struck out 21 times in 50 games and has walked sixteen more times than he has struck out.

Unfortunately, Tibbs doesn’t provide much value with his defense and speed.

 

Strengths

• 60-grade hit tool
• Plus power numbers
• Raked in the Cape Cod League
• Confident and smart hitter at the plate
• Shows improvement every season

 

Weaknesses

• Limited defensively
• Below-average speed
• Has struggled against offspeed pitches in the past

 

Pro Comparison: Andrew Vaughn

Projection: Top 20 pick (25th on the 2024 MLB Mock Draft Consensus Board as of May 15)

 

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Bottom Line

For the latest Miami Marlins rebuild to be more successful than the previous one, the Marlins need to improve their evaluation of draft prospects, especially hitting prospects.

James Tibbs III is a high-floor option who could quickly get through their minor league system. However, the draft is an inexact science. The same characteristics applied to their 2022 first-rounder, Jacob Berry, and he has struggled in the minors.

 

Check out the rest of our 2024 MLB Draft Profile series.

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