For one reason or another the MLB draft isn’t quite as popular as that of the NFL or the NBA. Still, fans would do well to pay attention to who their team drafts — especially if they have the #1 overall pick. Today we decided to rank 22 #1 overall picks by their overall value. Some of these picks are perfect for the kinds of biopics that filmmakers dream of, like our #1 – #3, others are far less exciting. Agree or disagree with our rankings?
Jeff Burroughs – Washington Senators (1969)
Mr. Jeff Burroughs was one of the best pure hitters to enter this years draft. The Senators plucked him up at #1 overall but it wasn’t until Burroughs went to Texas that he’d reach his peak. Burroughs scored an MVP award in 1973 while enjoying a 16 year career. You can bet that he needs some teeth bleaching from all the smiling he’s doing.
Jeff Burroughs Washington Senators (1969)
Mike Moore – Seattle Mariners (1981)
Mike Moore was a quality talent in a weak draft so it makes sense that Seattle picked him. Moore would go on to win a Cy Young in 1989 as a member of the Oakland Athletics — the same year that the team won the World Series. Though that year’s World Series wasn’t particularly notable, Moore’s success would make any film production happy.
Mike Moore Seattle Mariners (1981)
Delmon Young – Tampa Bay (2003)
Delmon Young was barely able to drive a car when he was drafted by Tampa Bay back in 2003. Young turned into a reliable outfielder but his numbers never reached the level of his draft spot. Young would play only two years for Tampa Bay. Still, Young won’t need any dental implants for lack of smiling over a nice career of fat paychecks.
Delmon Young Tampa Bay (2003)
Justin Upton – Arizona (2005)
Justin Upton would be selected #1 overall only a couple years after his brother was drafted at #3. Upton should probably be higher up on our list but this spot feels accurate. Through 10 years in the big leagues Upton has 221 homers, 700+ RBI, and a pair of Silver Slugger awards.
Justin Upton Arizona (2005)
Josh Hamilton – Tampa Bay (1999)
Hamilton would never take the field for Tampa Bay due to his off-the-field substance abuse issues. However, when Josh Hamilton finally made his debut in 2007 (!) he was able to flash his incredible bat. Hamilton has averaged 22 homers and 78 RBI per season while scoring an MVP in 2010.
Josh Hamilton Tampa Bay (1999)
Matt Anderson – Detroit (1997)
Man, Matt Anderson is a case of what could have been. While he can definitely afford cosmetic dentistry to sharpen his pearly whites, Anderson never lived up to the prestige of his draft slot. Anderson was throwing 98 MPH out of college but Detroit overdrafted him, selecting a reliever at #1 overall. Anderson crumbled, posting a 5.19 ERA with just 26 saves over 7 seasons.
Matt Anderson – Detroit (1997)
Rick Monday – Kansas City A’s (1965)
Hop into the way-back machine! Rick Monday came out of Arizona State as a plus hitter who could work the field. He played for Kansas City in five straight seasons before going to the Cubs. Monday snagged up 241 homers and a 30.0 WAR over his career.
Rick Monday Kansas City A’s (1965)
BJ Surhoff – Milwaukee (1985)
BJ Surhoff turned into one of the most reliable catchers ever drafted this high. Surhoff never turned into a World Class player but he racked up 2,326 hits over a 19 year career. Surhoff played in Milwaukee from 1987 – 1995.
BJ Surhoff Milwaukee (1985)
Pat Burrell – Philadelphia (1998)
Pat Burrell came into the draft as one of the most coveted sluggers in college baseball. Burrell was picked up by Philly where he would play for a cool 10 years. Burrell would slap out 292 homers over 12 years of Major League baseball.
Pat Burrell – Philadelphia (1998)
Ben McDonald – Baltimore (1989)
Ben McDonald was at the top of the O’s draft board thanks to his huge frame and killer fastball which clocked in at 98 MPH. He was universally praised as one of the best pitching prospects to ever make it to the draft. McDonald’s career was cut short by shoulder problems but he still racked up a 78 – 70 record with a 3.91 ERA.
Ben McDonald Baltimore (1989)
Gerrit Cole – Pittsburgh (2011)
Still only 26 years old, Cole was drafted in 2011 and debuted in 2013. In four years with the Pirates the lanky right hander has gone 47 – 30 with a 3.23 ERA. Cole has killer stuff and a long career ahead of him.
Gerrit Cole Pittsburgh (2011)
Stephen Strasburg – Washington (2009)
As you are about to find out, Washington has killed it at the top of the draft. Strasburg is a Silver Slugger winner out of the pitcher position. He’s also one of the best pitchers in all of baseball. Strasburg is 28 years old with a career record of 69 – 41 and a 3.17 ERA.
Stephen Strasburg Washington (2009)
Adrian Gonzalez – Florida (2000)
Gonzalez was the first 1B selected #1 overall. Florida dealt him as a Minor League player to Texas where he would last two seasons before becoming a star in San Diego. Gonzalez has 308 career homers and he’s still going.
Adrian Gonzalez – Florida (2000)
Darin Erstad – California Angels (1995)
Erstad won a Gold Glove in 2002, the same year he became a World Series champ. Erstad scored two All Star nods in his career as well as a historic season in 2000 when he hit .355 and racked up 240 hits.
Darin Erstad California Angels (1995)
Harold Baines – Chicago White Sox (1977)
Baines was a shock back in ’77 when he went #1 overall despite being the #5 prospect on the board. Baines would have 10 productive years in Chicago before getting dealt for a prospect named Sammy Sosa.
Harold Baines Chicago White Sox (1977)
Bryce Harper – Washington (2010)
History is still out on Bryce Harper but we expect this talented outfielder to climb up the rankings even more in a few years. At just 24 years old Harper has already won: Rookie of the Year, Silver Slugger, Hank Aaron Award, and the 2015 MVP. He had a down 2016 but we expect great things from him in the near future.
Bryce Harper Washington (2010)
David Price – Tampa Bay (2007)
Drafted right next to Madison Bumgarner, the Rays were never gonna miss with this pick. Price has turned into one of the most dominant left handers in the game — already winning a Cy Young Award.
David Price Tampa Bay (2007)
Joe Mauer – Minnesota (2001)
Mauer unseated Mark Prior for the #1 spot back in 2001 and Minnesota couldn’t have been happier. Mauer scored three career batting titles as well as an MVP award during his career. Mauer is in his 14th career year, all of which have come with Minnesota.
Joe Mauer Minnesota (2001)
Darryl Strawberry – New York Mets (1980)
Only a handful of players have won a World Series with the team that drafted them, and Mr. Strawberry is on that coveted list. Strawberry scored a 36.5 WAR over eight years with New York while winning a title.
Darryl Strawberry New York Mets (1980)
Alex Rodriguez – Seattle (1993)
A-Rod may be controversial but there is no doubting his raw talent and historic numbers. Rodriguez has a career WAR of 117.2. A-Rod was in the Majors just a year later and the rest is history. Rodriguez won 3 MVP Awards, 2 Golden Gloves, 10 Silver Sluggers, and 4 Hank Aaron Awards. Rodriguez retired with 696 home runs to his name.
Alex Rodriguez Seattle (1993
Chipper Jones – Atlanta (1991)
If you want pedigree without controversy then you can’t go wrong with Chipper Jones. Chipper spent his entire career in Atlanta, becoming the face of the franchise while racking up Hall of Fame level numbers. Chipper was great even into old age, landing a battle title at the age of 36.
Chipper Jones Atlanta (1991)
Ken Griffey Jr. – Seattle (1987)
How can you go wrong with The Kid? Ken Griffey Jr. would become the face of baseball during the height of his career, bringing fans in from all around the world. Griffey’s considered one of the greatest ever but his career was mired with injuries.
Ken Griffey Jr. Seattle (1987)
