Here are their best picks, all players with 20-plus career WAR:įirst round: Roger Clemens (1983), Carlton Fisk (1967, January), Ellis Burks (1983, January), Jim Rice (1971), Nomar Garciaparra (1994), Bruce Hurst (1976), Jacoby Ellsbury (2005), Mo Vaughn (1989), Bob Stanley (1974, January), Rick Burleson (1970, January), Trot Nixon (1993), Aaron Sele (1991) They've succeeded in the first round and the lower rounds. No team has drafted better than the Boston Red Sox, which is especially noteworthy since the Red Sox have drafted in the top 10 just six times, and their highest pick since 1967 has been seventh (three times). Two teams - the Mariners and Expos - had two picks before Boston selected Clemens. 3 starter (though Clemens won the title game of the College World Series). Somehow 10 pitchers in what proved to be a weak first round were selected ahead of Clemens, in part because Texas coach Cliff Gustafson used Clemens as his No. Paul Central High School, but he went on to play baseball and basketball at the University of Minnesota, later becoming a first-round pick of the Padres.īest first-round pick: Roger Clemens (19th pick, 1983). The Orioles took a flyer on the two-sport star from St. The one who got away: Dave Winfield (40th round, 1969). He was Rookie of the Year in 1973 and a solid contributor for 12 seasons. The only player from Virginia State to ever make the majors, Bumbry's signing bonus was $0. Late-round gem: Al Bumbry (11th round, 1968). In 10 seasons with the Orioles, Mussina won 147 games, received Cy Young votes in seven seasons and averaged 4.8 WAR per season. The Orioles drafted Mussina out of high school (he was a first-round talent but slipped to the 11th round with his Stanford commitment). All WAR numbers are from Baseball-Reference and the invaluable research assistant that was the highly recommended "Baseball America's Ultimate Draft Book," which includes recaps and tidbits from every draft plus all the year-by-year picks.īest first-round pick: Mike Mussina (20th pick, 1990). Prior to 1987, the draft included a January phase, but this piece will focus on picks in the regular June phase as it now exists. Let's take a snapshot of all 30 teams, looking at their best first-round pick since the draft began in 1965, a late-round gem (10th round or later) and one who got away (a player they drafted but failed to sign).
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