Ranking the Last 20 No. 1 Overall MLB Draft Picks From Worst to First

Ranking the Last 20 No. 1 Overall MLB Draft Picks From Worst to First

In every sport, the only good thing about being the worst team in the league is the number one pick in the draft. Of course, in MLB and every other professional sport deciding on the right person to draft will never be an exact science.

In MLB you can either end up with a player who’s destined for the Hall of Fame or someone who never makes it into the majors. That’s why we’re gonna rank the last 20 first-overall selections.

First overall MLB draft picks from worst to first:

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Number 20: Brady Aiken

TORONTO, CANADA – JUNE 7: Grae Kessinger #16 of the Houston Astros wears a patch that reads ‘Debut’ on his jersey during today’s MLB game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on June 7, 2023 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)

The Astros and Brady Aiken would never reach a contract agreement in 2014. This essentially made it a complete waste of the number one pick.

Number 19: Mark Appel

HOUSTON, TX – JUNE 19: Houston Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow (R) introduces first overall draft pick Mark Appel to the media after signingAppel to the team prior to the start of the game between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on June 19, 2013 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

As Houston’s number one overall pick in 2013 Mark Appel has seen just one season in MLB and that didn’t come until 2022. Even then he only saw 10 innings pitched which means Appel can certainly be viewed as a bust.

Number 18: Casey Mize

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – SEPTEMBER 06: Casey Mize #12 of the Detroit Tigers delivers a pitch against the Minnesota Twins during the first inning of the game at Target Field on September 6, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)

The Detroit Tigers went with Casey Mize first in the 2018 draft. With his debut coming in 2020 they’d certainly like to see more out of him. His 188.2 innings and 4.29 ERA don’t feel worthy enough of the best pick in the draft.

Number 17: Luke Hochevar

OAKLAND, CA – APRIL 20: Luke Hochevar #44 of the Kansas City Royals pitches against the Oakland Athletics on April 20, 2008 at McAfee Coliseum in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Kansas City took Luke Hachevar off the board first in 2006. His career unfortunately for the Royals didn’t live up to his draft spot. With a 4.98 ERA and 3.8 WAR in nine seasons isn’t what Kansas City was expecting.

Number 16: Spencer Torkelson

TAMPA, FLORIDA – MARCH 05: Spencer Torkelson #73 of the Detroit Tigers bats in the second inning against the New York Yankees in a spring training game at George M. Steinbrenner Field on March 05, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)

A .662 OPS and negative 0.3 WAR is bad for any MLB player but especially the number one pick in the draft. Unfortunately, that’s what the Tigers have gotten from their 2020 pick.

Also Read: All 30 MLB Teams’ Best Draft Pick In Their History

Number 15: Henry Davis

PITTSBURGH, PA – JULY 18: Catcher Henry Davis, who was selected first overall in the 2021 MLB draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates, poses for photos on the field after signing a contract with the Pirates at PNC Park on July 18, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)

The 2021 first-round pick made his debut in 2023. So far for the Pirates Davius has slashed .221/.314/.364 but still has plenty of time for improvement in his young career.

Number 14: Matt Bush

ARLINGTON, TX – MAY 13: Matt Bush #51 of the Texas Rangers sits in the dugout before the Texas Rangers take on the Toronto Blue Jays at Globe Life Park in Arlington on May 13, 2016 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

Bush didn’t make his MLB debut until 2016 despite being drafted in 2004. He’s gone on to toss 211 innings and produce a 3.75 ERA for the Texas Rangers and Milwaukee Brewers.

Number 13: Mickey Moniak

CLEARWATER, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 25: Mickey Moniak #78 of the Philadelphia Phillies looks on in the fourth inning during the spring training game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Spectrum Field on February 25, 2020 in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)

The Phillies took outfielder Mickey Moniak in 2015 at the start of the draft. He would make his debut in 2020 and is currently on the Los Angeles Angels. his 94 OPS+ and 1.1 WAR have certainly been underwhelming.

Number 12: Tim Beckham

ST. PETERSBURG, FL – SEPTEMBER 19: Infielder Tim Beckham #29 of the Tampa Bay Rays sets to bat against the Texas Rangers September 19, 2013 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

A seven-year career without any major accolades can still be a fine career for any MLB player but not the first overall pick. Tim Beckham went to the Rays in 2008 and with a 98 career OPS+, it is something they might regret.

Number 11: Royce Lewis

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JUNE 17: Number one overall draft pick Royce Lewis speaks at a press conference on June 17, 2017 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)

The top pick in 2017 made his debut last year in 2022 but has seen limited time since then. With just 140 plate appearances he’s hitting .319/.343/.839 which is a small sample size but an extremely positive one.

Number 10: Jackson Holliday

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – JULY 27: 2022 Baltimore Orioles first round pick, and Number 1 overall selection of the 2022 First-Year Player Draft, Jackson Holliday is introduced to the crowd before the fourth inning of the game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Tampa Bay Rays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on July 27, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

It had been four years since high schooler went first in the draft until Jackson Holliday went to the Orioles in 2022. His minor league stats jump off the page as he sits at a .983 OPS in two seasons. As the number one prospect in all of MLB Holliday seems to be on an amazing projector in the majors.

Number 9: Delmon Young

CLEARWATER, FL – MARCH 8: Delmon Young #35 of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays runs to first base against the Philadelphia Phillies on March 8, 2006 at Bright House Networks Field in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Young might not have an amazing career but he’s had a lengthy one. As the top MLB draft pick in 2003 for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays he had a ten-year career that saw 4371 plate appearances slashing .283/.316/.421.

Number 8: Adley Rutschman

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – JUNE 25: The 2019 top overall pick in the Major League Baseball draft, Adley Rutschman #35 of the Baltimore Orioles acknowledges the crowd during the fourth inning against the San Diego Padres at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on June 25, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Rutchsman has played just two seasons in the majors so far but the Orioles have to be feeling great about their 2019 top pick. After notching his first All-Star game in 2023 he’s already considered one of the best catchers in the game. Who knows if this same list is made in ten years he could be number one.

Number 7: Dansby Swanson

PHOENIX, AZ – JULY 20: Dansby Swanson of the Arizona Diamondbacks, the first overall pick in the 2015 Major League Baseball draft, talks to the media prior to a game against the Miami Marlins at Chase Field on July 20, 2015 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

As the top pick in 2015 from the Arizona Diamondbacks, Swanson has put together a serviceable MLB career since his debut in 2016 for the Atlanta Braves. He’s been an All-Star the last two seasons and even landed himself a seven-year $177 million contract this past offseason with the Chicago Cubs.

Number 6: Justin Upton

TUCSON, AZ – FEBRUARY 26: Justin Upton #10 of the Arizona Diamondbacks poses for a portrait during photo day at their minor league facility February 26, 2008 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Upton might not have ever lived up to the insane hype that led him to be the first pick in the 2005 draft but he had a good career. By the end of his 16-year career, he accumulated 325 home runs, a slash line of .261/.342/.469, four All-Stars, and finished fourth in MVP voting in 2011.

Number 5: Stephen Strausburg

PHOENIX – OCTOBER 16: Washington Nationals prospect Stephen Strasburg #37, playing for the Phoenix Desert Dogs, pitches in the Arizona Fall League game against the Scottsdale Scorpions at Phoenix Municipal Stadium on October 16, 2009 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Although his career is falling down Strausburg has been a great starting pitcher since he was drafted in 2009 by the Washington Nationals. In 1470 innings pitched he has a 3.24 ERA and a 1.096 WHIP. Add three All-Star appearances and a Silver Slugger under his belt he slots in nicely at fifth.

Number 4: Carlos Correa

KISSIMMEE, FL – FEBRUARY 21: Carlos Correa #84 of the Houston Astros poses for a portrait during photo day on February 21, 2014 at Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The Houston Astros took Carlos Correa number one overall in 2015. As soon as he was drafted, he won Rookie of the Year, which is relatively rare. Also putting two more All-Stars under his belt puts him at fourth in these rankings.

Number 3: David Price

ST. PETERSBURG – APRIL 25: Pitcher David Price #14 of the Tampa Bay Rays pitches during the game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Tropicana Field on April 25, 2010 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

Price and Cole feel like they could be interchangeable. Since being the first pick in 2007 by the Tampa Bay Rays Price has put together a great career. His best year was in 2012 winning Cy Young with an AL-leading 2.56 ERA. He also finished with five total All-Star appearances

Number 2: Gerrit Cole

PITTSBURGH, PA – JUNE 11: Gerrit Cole #45 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches in his first major league start against the San Francisco Giants during the game on June 11, 2013 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

In 2011 Cole went number one to the Pittsburgh Pirates out of UCLA. As of now many consider him to be one of the best active pitchers in MLB and it’s no surprise why.

As a six-time All-Star and two-time All-MLB first-teamer, he has certainly built up a resume that’s worthy of the number one spot in the draft.

Number 1: Bryce Harper

WASHINGTON – AUGUST 26: Bryce Harper #34 of the Washington Nationals talks to the media during a press conference at Nationals Park on August 26, 2010 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

At the age of 16 Bryce Harper was already a baseball prodigy and received his GED so he could enroll in college early. In 2010 he was drafted number one by the Washington Nationals and was considered one of the most hyped draft prospects of all time. Just two years later he would make his MLB debut at 19 and would deliver for everyone who thought so highly of him

As of now he’s a seven-time All-Star, two-time MVP, two-time Silver Slugger, and won the NL Rookie of the Year Award. There’s no question he deserves the number-one spot on this list.

Also Read: 10 Biggest MLB Draft STEALS Since 2010

Ranking the Last 20 No. 1 Overall MLB Draft Picks From Worst to First
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