The 10 Greatest Draft Picks in MLB History

Baseball, America’s pastime, has given fans decades of enjoyment, suspense, and remarkable talent. Part of the magic comes from the Major League Baseball Draft, where young prospects are chosen by teams hoping they might become the next Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson, or Barry Bonds. Over the years, the draft has been a gold mine for some franchises and a pitfall for others, but when teams get it right, they get it spectacularly right.

Here’s a look at the 10 greatest draft picks in MLB history, players who not only excelled individually but also shaped the fortunes of their respective teams.

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1. Ken Griffey Jr. – Seattle Mariners, 1st Overall, 1987

“The Kid” is the quintessential example of a franchise-changing draft pick. Drafted first overall by the Seattle Mariners in 1987, Griffey became one of the most exciting and productive players in baseball history. He was a 13-time All-Star, 10-time Gold Glove winner, and the 1997 American League MVP. His 630 career home runs place him sixth on the all-time list.

2. Mike Piazza – Los Angeles Dodgers, 1,390th Overall, 1988

Arguably the greatest hitting catcher in MLB history, Mike Piazza was drafted as a favor to Tommy Lasorda, his father’s friend. The Dodgers picked him in the 62nd round, making Piazza the lowest drafted player ever to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. He won Rookie of the Year in 1993 and went on to make 12 All-Star appearances.

3. Albert Pujols – St. Louis Cardinals, 402nd Overall, 1999

Drafted in the 13th round, Albert Pujols quickly showed that he was a steal. He was named the National League Rookie of the Year in 2001 and went on to have one of the most consistently excellent careers in MLB history. With three MVP awards and more than 600 home runs, Pujols cemented his place in the annals of baseball greats.

4. Derek Jeter – New York Yankees, 6th Overall, 1992

“The Captain” became the face of the New York Yankees franchise for two decades. With five World Series titles, 14 All-Star appearances, and over 3,000 hits, Jeter had an illustrious career that solidified his status as a Yankees legend and first-ballot Hall of Famer.

5. Nolan Ryan – New York Mets, 295th Overall, 1965

Nolan Ryan was a 12th-round pick by the New York Mets in 1965. Although he began his career with the Mets, his true greatness was realized after he moved on to the California Angels and later the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers. Ryan’s seven no-hitters and 5,714 strikeouts are records that still stand today.

6. George Brett – Kansas City Royals, 29th Overall, 1971

Drafted in the second round, George Brett went on to have a career that few could match. With a .305 career batting average, 3,154 hits, and the famous “Pine Tar Incident,” Brett’s career is one of the most colorful and successful in baseball history.

7. Greg Maddux – Chicago Cubs, 31st Overall, 1984

Greg Maddux is perhaps the smartest pitcher ever to grace the mound. Drafted in the second round by the Chicago Cubs, Maddux won an astonishing four consecutive Cy Young Awards and led the league in ERA four times.

8. Randy Johnson – Montreal Expos, 36th Overall, 1985

“The Big Unit” was drafted in the second round by the Montreal Expos but rose to prominence with the Seattle Mariners and Arizona Diamondbacks. The towering left-hander won five Cy Young Awards and struck out over 4,800 batters in his career, second only to Nolan Ryan.

9. Barry Bonds – Pittsburgh Pirates, 6th Overall, 1985

One of the most controversial figures in baseball history, Barry Bonds was nonetheless an extraordinary talent. He set the single-season and career home run records and won seven MVP awards, more than any other player in history.

10. Chipper Jones – Atlanta Braves, 1st Overall, 1990

Chipper Jones spent his entire career with the Atlanta Braves, providing stability and excellence at third base. An eight-time All-Star and the 1999 National League MVP, Jones amassed over 2,700 hits and 468 home runs over his illustrious career.

These players not only lived up to their potential but surpassed it, rewriting baseball records and providing unforgettable moments along the way. While the draft is a game of risk and reward, these 10 picks were grand slams that forever impacted the teams fortunate enough to have chosen them.

Categories: MLB

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