1. Milwaukee Brewers
Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Although Ryan Braun‘s legacy is somewhat tainted now due to PED use and his future remains in question, the former fifth overall pick gave the Brew Crew six quality years of himself. He hit 34 home runs as a 23-year old rookie in 2007 and was an easy choice for NL ROY. An MVP followed in 2011, along with five consecutive All-Star appearances from 2008-12.
Reviewing the Brew
A thumb injury is being called his limiting factor last year, but it remains to be seen if it is indeed that, or the lack of PED’s in his system since he served his 50 game suspension for said drug use in 2013. If he can stay clean and experience a return to grace, the Brewers should get a lot more out of him, as he’s under club control until the 2021 season arrives. Braun turns 32 this November, so he has some prime seasons left in his bat with health on his side.
It’s the seventh round pick from the Brewers’ 2005 draft that flies under the radar. Experiencing a breakout year last season, OF Michael Brantley — presently of Cleveland Indians fame — was taken 205th overall by Milwaukee. He did not appear in any games for them, but for what it’s worth, he was a piece in the trade that brought C.C. Sabathia to the Brewers in 2008.
Lastly, the Brewers drafted RHP Andrew Bailey 475th overall that same season. He went on to save a combined 89 games for the Athletics and Red Sox from 2009-13 before signing a minor league deal with the Yankees in 2014.