In Major League Baseball’s illustrious history, certain players stand out not only for their undeniable talent but also for the profound impact they’ve had on the game itself. These individuals are selected through the MLB Draft process. In this article, we dive into each baseball franchise’s best selection.
Arizona Diamondbacks – Paul Goldschmidt
The debate on this pick was between Max Scherzer and Paul Goldschmidt. Ultimately, the 2010 8th-round selection of Goldschmidt proved to be the better pick based on value. Goldie was a six-time all star for the D’Backs before being traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in 2019 and winning the 2022 National League MVP.
Atlanta Braves – Chipper Jones
Larry Wayne “Chipper” Jones was the first overall selection in the 1990 MLB Draft. Jones awarded the Braves with a 19-year career strictly with the Braves. That career included: an over .300 batting average, 8 All-Star appearances, a National League MVP, a World Series title, and an eventual induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2018.
Baltimore Orioles – Cal Ripken Jr.
When the Orioles selected Cal Ripken Jr. in the second round of the 1978 draft, they anticipated big things for him. What they got far surpassed anything they could expect. Ripken would be dubbed “The Iron Man” for breaking Lou Gehrig’s all-time consecutive games played. Oh yeah, Ripken was also a 19-time All-Star, 2-time Gold Glove winner, 2-time American League Most Valuable Player, and brought a World Series to Baltimore in 1983. Ripken was a first-ballot Hall of Famer and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2007.
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Boston Red Sox – Roger Clemens
Love him or hate him, Clemens was one of the most dominant pitchers of his era. While playing for the Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, and Houston Astros Clemens totaled 4,672 strikeouts, a 354-184 win-loss record, and an ERA of 3.12. Clemens would add 7 Cy Youngs, a 1986 American League Most Valuable Player, and two World Series titles to his impressive resume.
Chicago Cubs – Greg Maddux
While much of Maddux’s success came while he was a member of the Atlanta Braves, we cannot forget he was drafted by the Cubs in the second round of the 1984 MLB draft. While a member of the Cubs, Maddux won 133 games with a 3.61 ERA in 302 games, which included 47 complete games, 14 shutouts and 1,305 strikeouts. In 1992, Maddux won 20 games and the 1992 Cy Young Award, which was his first of four straight. Maddux also won 18 gold gloves, three-time NL leader in wins, four-time MLB leader in ERA, and a 2014 Hall of Fame induction.
Chicago White Sox – Frank Thomas
Some could argue the better value pick would be Mark Buerhle in the 38th round but there is no denying that Thomas was the best hitter in franchise history. Chicago took “The Big Hurt” in the first round of the 1989 draft. Thomas holds numerous franchise records and finished his career with an over .300 batting average, a member of the 500 home run club, 2 American League MVP awards, and a 2014 Hall of Fame induction.
Cincinnati Reds – Barry Larkin
Easily the best selection in franchise history, Larkin was born and raised in Cincinnati Ohio. Larkin played all 19 seasons for the Red which included a World Series title in 1990. Larkin was a 12-time All-Star, 3-time Gold Glove winner, and a 1995 NL Most Valuable Player. He retired from the Reds in 2004 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012.
Cleveland Guardians – Jim Thome
There were a couple of different routes we could go here with CC Sabathia, Albert Belle, or Manny Ramirez. However, Those players were taken in the first or second rounds of their respective drafts. Jim Thome was one of the best left-handed power hitters of all time and was taken in the 13th round. Thome is the Guardians’ all-time home run leader, 5-time All-Star, and a member of the 2018 Hall of Fame Class.
Colorado Rockies – Todd Helton
Helton was a two-way athlete in both baseball and football at the University of Tennessee. In fact, Helton actually ahead of Peyton Manning on the quarterback depth chart. Helton was also the 1995 Collegiate Baseball Player of the Year. Helton ultimately chose baseball and was taken in the first round of the 1995 MLB Draft. Helton’s Hall of Fame baseball career includes: 5 All-Star appearances, and 3 Gold Gloves, and owns almost every offensive Colorado Rockies statistical record.
Detroit Tigers – Justin Verlander
While Verlander has had enormous success with the Houston Astros, he also sustained a great career with the Detroit Tigers who drafted him second overall in the 2004 MLB Draft. While Verlander is still adding to his future Hall of Fame career, let’s not forget JV led the Tigers to the postseason five times, winning a Cy Young, and an MVP award as well as having three no-hitters currently on his resume, 3 total Cy Youngs, 9 All-Star appearances, and 2 World Series titles.
Houston Astros – Craig Biggio
When Houston took Craig Biggio in the 22nd round of the 1987 Draft, they had plans to use him as a catcher. What they didn’t expect was a 20-year career mostly at second base which included 7 All-Star selections, a 3,000-hit club member, 4 Gold Gloves, 5-time Silver Slugger winner, and a 2015 MLB Hall of Fame induction.
Kansas City Royals – George Brett
This was rather an easy choice as Brett is the only Kansas City Royal in the Hall of Fame. Don’t get me wrong, it is a much-deserved accolade. The third baseman had over 3000 hits, a .305 lifetime batting average, won a batting title in three different decades, made 13 All-Star Games, and won a Gold Glove and an MVP award. Brett was also pivotal in the Royal’s 1985 World Series title.
Los Angeles Angels – Mike Trout
It is hard to imagine that Mike Trout made it to pick 21 of the 2009 MLB Draft. Even though Mike Trout has not played a full season since 2016 his numbers are extremely impressive. Trout is an 11-time All-Star, 3-time AL MVP, 9-time Silver Slugger, and 2012 AL Rookie of the Year, and is destined to be Hall of Fame-bound upon his retirement.
Los Angeles Dodgers – Mike Piazza
There may be no better draft-day steal than Mike Piazza. Piazza was selected in the 62nd round of the 1988 MLB draft by Los Angeles. Piazza had a hall-of-fame career that also included stops with the Florida Marlins, New York Mets, San Diego Padres, and Oakland As. The 12-time All-Star also holds the record for most home runs by a catcher and is regarded as the greatest-hitting catcher of all time.
Miami Marlins – Giancarlo Stanton
There have been many great players drafted by the Marlins but unfortunately, much of their success happened outside of wearing a Marlins jersey. However, Stanton’s MVP season in 2017 did occur for the Marlins where he hit 59 home runs and 132 runs batted in. The 5-time All-Star is closing in on the illustrious 500 home run club.
Milwaukee Brewers – Robin Yount
“The Kid” was selected third overall in the 1973 draft. He spent his entire 20-year career in Major League Baseball as a shortstop and center fielder for the Milwaukee Brewers. Yount was a two-time AL MVP for the Brew Crew as well as being a member of the 3,000 hit club. When Yount was on the ballot for Hall of Fame eligibility, voters made the easy selection of a first-ballot Hall of Famer. Yount ended his career as the Brewers’ all-time leader in games, hits, at-bats, plate appearances, runs, doubles, triples, runs batted in, and walks.
Minnesota Twins – Kirby Puckett
Puckett may have been small in size but his baseball ability was bigger than life. Standing at just 5’8, Puckett was selected by the Twins with the third overall pick in the 1982 January draft which no longer exists. Puckett played all 12 seasons of his big league career with the Twins before being forced to retire from vision loss in one eye. That did not stop Puckett from putting up a hall of fame career which included 10 All-Star appearances, 2 World Series titles, an AL MVP, 6 Gold Gloves, and 6 Silver Slugger awards.
New York Mets – Dwight “Doc” Gooden
Doc had an outstanding rookie year when he went 17-9 with a 2.60 ERA and 276 strikeouts. Gooden’s sophomore season was even better as he won the NL Cy Young where he went 24-4 with a career-low 1.53 ERA and 16 complete games. In his third season, Gooden helped the Mets win the 1986 World Series before battling drug issues for the rest of his career. One is left to wonder what Gooden’s career could have been if it were not for the off-field issues.
New York Yankees – Derek Jeter
Jeter was the obvious choice for the best draft pick by the Evil Empire. Taken with the 6th pick in 1992, Jeter spent his entire career with the New York Yankees and when you think of the franchise, usually Jeter is the first player to pop into your brain. The Captain of the Yankees was a 14-time All-Star, and 5-time World Series Champion, won 5 Gold Gloves, and a first ballot hall of famer in 2020.
Oakland A's – Rickey Henderson
Henderson was nicknamed “The Man of Steal” and is regarded as baseball’s greatest leadoff hitter and base runner of all time. During his 25-year MLB career, Henderson accumulated 1,406 steals and 2,295 runs scored which both happen to be MLB records. Obviously, when his name came up on the 2009 Hall of Fame ballot, he was an easy first-ballot hall of famer. Not too bad for a guy selected 96th overall in the 1976 MLB Draft.
Philadelphia Phillies – Mike Schmidt
Take your pick on the best third baseman to ever play the game. It is either George Brett or Mike Schmidt. What is even more incredible is that Schmidt was taken one pick after George Brett in the 1971 MLB Draft. The 30th overall selection would become a 12-time All-Star, 3-time NL MVP, World Series Champion, World Series MVP, 10-time Gold Glove Winner, and a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Pittsburgh Pirates – Barry Bonds
Like him or hate him, Barry Bonds is one of the greatest baseball players of all time. While much of his success happened as a member of the San Francisco Giants, let’s not forget that he was also a two-time MVP for the Pirates. Pittsburgh selected Bonds 6th overall in the 1985 Draft and his baseball resume includes 7 MVP awards, 14-time All-Star, 762 Home Runs, 514 stolen bases, and 12 Silver Slugger Awards.
San Diego Padres – Tony Gwynn
When the Padres took Tony Gwynn in the third round of the 1981 MLB Draft, no one could expect how amazing his hall-of-fame career was. Gwynn played for 20 seasons and had a career batting average of .338. Gwynn never hit below .309 in any full season that he played. Obviously, Gwynn was a 15-time All-Star, 8-time batting champion, and 7-time Silver Slugger. Gwynn’s nickname of Mr Padre only solidifies his place in Padres history.
San Francisco Giants – Buster Posey
Catcher Gerald Dempsey “Buster” Posey III was taken 5th overall in the 2008 MLB draft. The Giants knew they had something special in Posey which showed when he was given the highest rookie signing bonus ($6.2 million) in franchise history. Posey was loyal back to the Giants as he spent his entire 12-year career with them before retiring in 2021. During that career, he was a 7 time All-Star, National League MVP, 5 time Silver Slugger winner, and 3 time World Series Champion.
Seattle Mariners – Ken Griffey Jr.
Alex Rodriguez made a strong case for this spot as well. However, Rodriguez is better known for his time with the New York Yankees. Ken Griffey Jr. is no runner-up choice by any means. Taken first overall in the 1987 MLB draft, every kid grew up wanting to be Ken Griffey Jr. I mean who wouldn’t with Hall of Fame numbers like 630 home runs, 13 All-Star appearances, 10 Gold Gloves, and an AL MVP in 1997. Griffey also sports the smoothest baseball swing ever and that is not up for debate.
St. Louis Cardinals – Albert Pujols
Possibly the best draft day steal of all time, Albert Pujols was selected in the 13th round of the 1999 MLB draft. Teams had concerns about his age and position eligibility but he easily put those concerns to bed en route to becoming one of the most dangerous hitters to ever play the game. Pujols became an 11-time All-Star, 3-time NL MVP, 6-time Silver Slugger winner, and a 2-time World Series champion as well as hitting over 700 home runs in his career joining the likes of Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, and Barry Bonds.
Tampa Bay Rays – Evan Longoria
Fresh off their 25th anniversary as a franchise, the Rays have had some recent stars emerge. However, Longoria takes the spot here as Tampa’s best draft pick. Taken third overall in the 2006 MLB Draft, Longoria immediately took the league by storm winning AL Rookie of the Year. Longoria accounts for numerous records for the Rays including games played (1,435), doubles (332), home runs (261), and RBI (892).
Texas Rangers – Kenny Rogers
Rogers, who was nicknamed “The Gambler”, played 20 seasons for six different franchises. Rogers was selected in the 39th round of the 1982 MLB draft by Texas. Rogers had three different stints with the Rangers where he accomplished a perfect game, 4 out of his 5 Golden Glove awards, and was a member of the Texas Rangers Hall of Fame.
Toronto Blue Jays – Roy Halladay
“Doc” Halladay was selected 17th overall in the 1995 MLB Draft. Halladay’s career included leading the league seven times in complete games as well as earning 2 Cy Young’s as a member of the Blue Jays and Phillies. Halladay was an 8-time All-Star and one of the very few pitchers to pitch a perfect game. Halladay had his number retired by both the Phillies and Blue Jays and was elected to the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 2019.
Washington Nationals – Bryce Harper
One of the most heavily touted draft prospects in recent history, Harper was selected 1st overall in the 2010 draft. In 2012, Harper won the NL Rookie of The Year which was followed by the NL Most Valuable Player award in 2015. Harper eventually took his talents to Philadelphia where he won another NL Most Valuable Player award in 2021. Harper came into the league with enormous expectations and has proven he is capable of those expectations.
