2005 MLB Draft Revisited: 5 Biggest Losers

5. New York Mets

David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

The Mets held the ninth overall pick in 2005. After missing on their first round pick from the year before by selecting Philip Humber third overall, the Metropolitans again elected to draft a pitcher.

Mike Pelfrey may have made a name for himself in MLB, but he was by no means a bright spot on the Mets’ rotation during his seven seasons in New York. Debuting in 2006 at 22, the Wichita State Shockers alumnus started four games and went 2-1 despite a 5.48 ERA. In his 2007 season, Pelfrey made starts in April and May before being sent down. His final line through 13 starts was a 3-8 record with a 5.57 ERA and a FIP of 5.06. He walked only six fewer hitters than he struck out that season.

All in all, Pelfrey was nothing special in New York. By far his best season came in 2010 when he went 15-9 with a 3.66 ERA. If anything, he was good at eating innings for the Mets — though not quality ones. His lifetime numbers as a Met present a 50-54 record with a 4.36 ERA, a 1.46 WHIP and zero shutouts. For a top 10 pick, Pelfrey is somewhat considered a bust when you realize that pitchers like Matt Garza and Jaime Garcia were selected well after him in the draft.

Pelfrey now plays for Minnesota and has posted a 5-16 record with a 5.56 ERA in two seasons there. His career WAR is a lowly 5.4.

If anything is salvageable from the Mets’ 2005 draft, they can take solace in their 209th pick, LHP Jon Niese, and to a lesser degree, their 269th pick which they used on RHP Bobby Parnell.

Of the 48 players drafted by the club in 2005, eight of them reached the pros so far. They have posted an overall WAR of 9.6, or 1.2 per major leaguer.