The Pick is In

Sixty years ago, Major League Baseball thought it had figured a way to keep signing bonuses reasonable: it instituted a draft.

Coming decades after the NFL (1936) and the NBA (1947) Drafts, baseball decided it could save money by preventing its teams from bidding for a player’s service after he graduated from high school or played three seasons of college ball. In 1964, the California Angels paid University of Wisconsin outfielder Rick Reichardt a record $205,000 to sign with them. The next year there was a draft. As with the other sports, the team with the worst record picked first, followed by the second worst team, the third worst team, etc.

The 1965 draft had multiple phases: a draft in June, then more during the season. Eventually, teams selected players in January and then June. In the mid-1980s the January draft was eliminated.

The Kansas City A’s had the first pick in 1965, and selected Arizona State University outfielder Rick Monday. In the second round, the Cincinnati Reds selected catcher Johnny Bench, who was the first player from that draft to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

The draft sort of did its job – bonuses did increase when teams selected a high school player who was planning to play college ball. Rick Monday received a bonus of $104,000. In 1986, the Pittsburgh Pirates paid Bob Robertson a bonus of $186,000. Then the Baltimore Orioles offered pitcher Ben MacDonald, the first player selected in the 1989 draft, a $350,000 to skip college. In 1990, the Oakland A’s selected pitcvher Todd Van Poppel with the 14^th pick in the draft. Van Poppel planned to attend the University of Texas and pitch in the Olympic Games. The A’s enticed Van Poppel with a $500,000 signing bonus and a three-year contract worth another $700,000, bringing the signing figure to $1.2. million.

Neither MacDonald or Van Poppel achieved anywhere near the greatness the Orioles and Athletics sought.

The next “setback” baseball took regarding bonuses is when Scott Boras, agent for outfielder J.D. Drew, told teams his client would not sign for anything less than $10 million. The Phillies thought he was bluffing and selected him with the second pick in the draft, but Drew and Boras held out for a year. Drew re-entered the draft, and in 1998 the Cardinals – picking fifth in the first round – selected him and paid a bonus of $11.4 million. When healthy, Drew was an excellent player, but was described as “brittle” by one Hall of Fame baseball writer.

The owners found themselves in the same position as before the draft: it was costing too much to sign players. MLB adopted a plan of a ceiling on draft choice bonuses based on the round they’re selected.

So, after six decades, how have teams done in drafting players?

Here are the top picks for each organization since the draft was implemented. (NOTE: International players are not subjected to the draft and can sign with the highest bidder.)

There is an issue with defining what would be the “worst” draft pick each team has made. Any player selected who does not reach the major leagues could be considered a bad draft choice. A player taken high in the draft who has a mediocre career can be described as a bad draft choice. Rather than make that distinction, I’ve chose to balance the best draft pick with a draft choice who got away – the team let a younger player leave in a trade and went on to a good or great career. With two exceptions, I did not include a player who had several great seasons with a club then left the team in free agency to sign elsewhere.

(Another NOTE: players whose careers were enhanced by PEDs were left off this list; initially many of these players had great careers, but those careers were prolonged with outstanding accomplishments that were the products of the enhancing substances.)

Here are how the teams have fared since 1965:

Cincinnati Reds

Best choice: C Johnny Bench -selected in the second round of the first draft of 1965. He was the first player from the draft to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Honorable mention: OF Eric Davis, SS Barry Larkin (Baseball Hall of Fame).

Player who got away: P Trevor Hoffman. Selected in the 11^th round of the 1989 draft. Selected by the Florida Marlins in the 1992 expansion draft. Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2018.

New York Yankees:

Best choice: SS Derek Jeter. Selected in the first round in the 1992 draft. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2020.

Honorable mention: OF Aaron Judge, P Ron Guidry and P Andy Pettitte.

Player who got away: 1B Fred McGriff. Selected in the ninth round of the 1981 draft, a year later he was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays.

San Francisco Giants

Best choice: P Madison Bumgarner. Selected in the first round of the 2007 draft. Played a key role in Giants wining two World Series championships.

Honorable mention: P Tim Linceum, C Buster Posey, 3B Matt Williams.

Player who got away: P Zack Wheeler. Selected in the first round of the 2009 draft, he was traded to the New York Mets two years later.

Boston Red Sox

Best choice: 3BWade Boggs. Selected in the seventh round of the 1976 draft. Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005. Honorable mentions: OFs Jim Rice (Hall of Fame), Tony Conigliaro.

Player who got away: IFJeff Bagwell. Selected in the fourth round of the 1989 draft. He was traded to the Houston Astros for Larry Anderson. Inducted into Baseball Hall of Fame in 2017.

Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves

Best choice: P Tom Glavine. Selected in the second round of the 1984 draft. Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2004.

Honorable mention: 3B Chipper Jones, selected in the first round (first player chosen) of the 1990 Draft. OF Dale Murphy, selected in the first round of the 1974 draft; won consecutive MVP Awards in 1982 and 1983, hit 398 home runs.

Player who got away: P Adam Wainwright. A first-round draft choice in 2000, he was traded with two other players to St. Louis for J.D. Drew, who played one season in Atlanta. Wainwright went on to win 200 games for the Cardinals.

Chicago Cubs

Best choice: P Gregg Maddux. Selected in the second round of the 1984 draft. Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014.

Honorable mention: P Lee Smith, one of the all-time great relievers; inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2019; 3BKris Bryant. Selected in the first round of the 2013 draft. Helped Cubs end 108-year World Series drought.

Player who got Away: IF DJ LeMahieu. selected in the second round of the 2009 draft, he was traded to Colorado and went on to win two batting titles.

New York Mets

Best choice: Tie: OF Darryl Strawberry and P Dwight Gooden. Most likely would have been Hall of Famers had their careers not be derailed by drugs and alcohol; not before leading the Mets to the 1986 World Series and the 1988 NL East division with 108 wins.

Honorable mention: 3B David Wright. Selected in the first round of the 2001 draft.

Player who got away: P Nolan Ryan. Selected in the 12^th round of the 1965 draft, traded to the California Angels. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.

Houston Astros

Best choice: IF/OF Craig Biggio. Selected in the first round of the 1987 draft. Inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2015.

Honorable mention: 1B/OF Lance Berkman.

Player who got away: U Ben Zobrist. He was selected by Houston in the sixth round of the 2004 draft. He was traded with Mitch Talbot to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for Aubrey Huff and cash.  Zobrist was a valuable contributor to the 2008 Rays, who won the AL pennant in 2008.

The Los Angels of Anaheim

Best Choice: OF Mike Trout, selected in the first round of the 2009 draft. Injuries have hampered him in his later years (still active) but was considered one of baseball’s best all-around players when healthy.

Honorable mention: OF Tim Salmon.

Player who got away: OF Dante Bichette, selected in the 17^th round of the 1984 draft. After playing parts of two seasons for the Angels, he was traded for Dave Parker who played one season for the Angels. Bichette went on to become a leading power hitter in the National League.

Detroit Tigers

Top choice: SS Alan Trammell. Selected in the second round of the 1976 draft. Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2018.

Honorable mention: 2B Lou Whitaker – selected in the second round of the 1975 draft, P Justin Verlander – selected in the first round of the 2004 draft.

Player who got away: P John Smoltz, selected in the 22^nd round of the 1985 draft; traded to Atlanta in 1987. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015

Florida Marlins

Best choice: OF Giancarlo Stanton, selected in the second round of the 2007 draft.

Honorable mention: C Charles Johnson.

Player who Got away: 1B Adrian Gonzalez, selected in the first round of the 2000 draft. Traded to the Texas Rangers in 2003. Later traded to the San Diego Padres and hit more than home runs.

Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals

Best choice: OF Andre Dawson, selected in the 11^th round of the 1975 draft by Montreal. Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame 2010.

Honorable mention: C Gary Carter (Hall of Fame); OF Tim Raines, selected in the fifth round of the 1977 draft, he led the National League in steals for four consecutive years and retired with a lifetime batting average of .303; OF/IF Bryce Harper, selected in the first round – first player chosen – of the 2010 draft; has won two MVP awards.

Player who got Away: P Randy Johnson, selected by the Montreal Expos in the second round of the 1985 draft, traded to the Seattle Mariners. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015.

Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins

Best Choice: C Joe Mauer. Selected in the first round of the 2001 draft. Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2024.

Honorable mention: OF Kirby Puckett (Hall of Fame).

Player who got away: 3B Graig Nettles. Selected in fifth round of 1965 draft, traded to Cleveland, later traded to New York Yankees and was a key player on their 1977 and 1978 World Series championship teams.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Best choice: OF Dave Parker, selected in the 14^th round of the 1970 draft. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2025.

Honorable mention: P Paul Skenes, selected in the first round of the 2023 draft. Won Rookie of the Year Award in 2024, finished third in Cy Young Award voting.

Player that who away: OF Jay Buhner, selected in the second round of the 1984 draft. Traded that same year to the New York Yankees, who traded him to the Seattle Mariners where he established himself as a top power hitter in the American League.

Baltimore Orioles

Best choice: SS Cal Ripken. Selected in the second round in the 1978 draft. Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007.

Honorable mention: 1B Eddie Murray. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2003.

Player who got away: P Josh Hader. Selected by the Orioles in the 19^th round of the 2012 draft. A year later, he was part of a package traded to Houston for P Bud Norris, then traded to the Milwaukee Brewers, where he established himself as one of the top closers in the game.

Philadelphia Phillies

Best choice: 3B Mike Schmidt. Selected in the second round of the 1971 draft, he is considered the best all-around 3Bin baseball history. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1995.

Honorable mention:2B Chase Utley, SS Jimmy Rollins.

Player who got away: IF Ryne Sandberg. Selected in the 20^th round of 1978 draft, traded to the Chicago Cubs in 1982. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005.

Seattle Pilots/Milwaukee Brewers

Best Choice: Infielder/OF Robin Yount. Selected in the first round of the 1973 draft. Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999.

Honorable mention: IF Paul Molitor. Selected in the first round of the 1977 draft. Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2004.

Player who (almost) got away: OF Gorman Thomas. Selected by the Seattle Pilots in the first round of the 1969 draft, he was traded in 1977 to the Texas Rangers for OF Ed Kirkpatrick. Kirkpatrick played a little more than a month for Milwaukee before being released at the end of spring training in 1978. The Brewers thought maybe trading Thomas was a bad idea; they purchased him back from Texas and he became a dependable power hitter.

Seattle Mariners

Best choice: OF Ken Griffey ,Jr. Selected as the first overall choice in the 1987 draft. Inducted into the Baseball Hall of fame in 2016.

Honorable mention: 1B Tino Martinez. Selected in the first round of the first round of the 1988 draft.

Player who got away: OF Adam Jones. Selected in the first round of the 2003 draft. He was traded as part of a package to Baltimore for P Eric Bedard. Won two Gold Gloves and appeared in three All-star games.

Toronto Blue Jays

Best choice: P Roy Halladay. Selected in the first round of the 1995 draft. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2019.

Honorable mention: P Dave Steib, drafted in the fifth round of the 1978 draft.

Player who got away: OF Michael Young. Selected in the fifth round of the 1997 draft, he was traded to the Texas Rangers in 2000 and played in six All-Star games.

San Diego Padres

Best choice: OF Tony Gwynn. Selected in the third round of the 1981 draft. Inducted into the baseball Hall of fame in 2007.

Honorable mention: OF Dave Winfield, inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2001.

Player who got away: SS Trea Turner. Selected in the first round of the 2014 draft. Traded to the Washington Nationals the following year. A three-time All-star, he led the league in hitting in 2020 and has twice led the league in steals.

Chicago White Sox

Best choice: 1B Frank Thomas. Selected in the first round of the 1989 draft. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014.

Honorable mention: P Jack McDowell, 3BRobin Ventura.

Players who got away: OF Bobby Bonilla. Signed by the Pirates as an amateur free agent in 1981, he was acquired by the White Sox in the 2005 Rule 5 Draft. The following year, he was traded back to the Pirates for P Jose DeLeon; P Doug Drabek, selected in the 11^th round of the 1983 draft and was traded the following year to the New York Yankees.

St. Louis Cardinals

Best choice: C Ted Simmons. Selected in the first round of the 1967 draft. Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2000.

Honorable mention: OF Vince Coleman. Selected in the10th round of the 1982 draft. Led the National League in steals in his first six seasons.

Player who got away: P Jerry Reuss. selected in the second round of the 1967 draft, he was traded to the Houston Astros in 1972. After leaving the Cardinals he won more than 200 games.

Kansas City/Oakland Athletics

Best Choice: OF Reggie Jackson, second overall pick in the 1966 draft from Arizona State University. Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1993.

Honorable mention: Sal Bando, Vida Blue, Joe Rudi.

Player who got away: OF Andre Ethier. Selected in the second round of the 2003 draft, he was traded two years later to the Los Angeles Dodgers for  Milton Bradley and Antonio Pérez. Ethier spent the rest of his fine career with the Dodgers.

Tampa Bay Rays

Best choice: 3BEvan Longoria. selected in the first round of the 2006 draft. Won Rookie of the Year Award, several Gold Gloves.

Honorable mention: OF Carl Crawford, selected in the second round of the 1999 draft.

Player who got away: OF Josh Hamilton. Selected in the first round of the 1999 draft (first overall pick). Experienced drug and alcohol problems, he was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the Rule 5 draft and then sold on the same day to the Cincinnati Reds. A year later he was traded to Texas and had several excellent seasons.

Colorado Rockies

Best choice: 1B Todd Helton. Selected in the first round of the 1995 draft. Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2024.

Honorable mention: OF Corey Dickerson.

Player who got away: P Ubaldo Jimenez. He was a solid P for the Rockies, but he was dealt to Cleveland and the return was negligible.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Best choice: P Orel Hersheiser. Selected in the 7th round of the 1979 draft.

Honorable mention: C Mike Piazza, selected in the 62^nd round of the 1988 draft, inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016; 1B Steve Garvey, selected in the first round of the 1968 draft; P Clayton Kershaw, selected in the first round of the 2006 darft; won three Cy Young Awards; 3BRon Cey, Hit 228 home runs for Los Angeles.

Player who got away: 1B Paul Konerko. Traded to Chicago White Sox and hit 439 home runs.

NOTE: In 1968, the Dodgers might have had the best draft ever. In the three phases of the draft, the Dodgers selected Dave Lopes, Greg Zahn, Bobby Valentine, Bill Buckner, Tom Paciorek, Joe Ferguson, Doyle Alexander, Steve Garvey and Ron Cey. 

Arizona Diamondbacks

Best choice: 1B Paul Goldschmidt. Selected in the eighth round of the 2000 draft.

Honorable mention: SS Justin Upton. Selected in the first round of the 2005 draft.

Player who got away: SP Max Scherzer. selected in the first round of the 2006 draft, he was traded to the Detroit Tigers in 2009. Has won three Cy Young Awards.

Kansas City Royals

Best choice: 3B George Brett. Selected in the second round of the 1971 draft. Inducted into Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999.

Honorable mention: P Zack Greinke: selected in the first round of the 2002 draft, OF Carlos Beltran, selected in the second round of the 1995 draft.

Player who got away: P David Cone. Selected in the third round of the 1981 draft, he was traded to the New York Mets in 1987. Became a Cy Young Award winner and one of the best Ps in the game.

Washington Senators/Texas Rangers.

Best Choice: IF Mark Teixeira. Selected in the first round in the 2001 draft.

Honorable mention: P Kevin Brown.

Player who got away: P Joe Coleman. Selected in the first round of the 1965 draft by the Senators. Not exactly an unknown, Coleman had been a good P for a bad Senators team. He was part of the trade that sent Denny McClain to Washington. Coleman wound up winning 62 games in his first three seasons with the Tigers.

Cleveland Indians/Guardians

Best choice: OF Manny Ramirez. Selected in the first round of the 1991 draft. Considered one of the best right-handed hitters of his generation.

Honorable mention: IF Jim Thome (Hall of Fame).

Player who got away: P Dennis Eckersley. Selected in the third-round of 1972 draft. Traded to Boston Red Sox. Became one of the greatest relievers in history. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004.