MLB Draft: The Top Number One Picks All-Time
By Ron Juckett
Before getting into the Top 10 at the moment, here is a brief look at four players now in Major League Baseball with a shot of cracking the list:
The Tampa Bay Devil Rays grabbed Vanderbilt’s David Price with the first pick in 2007. Now with the Boston Red Sox, Price won 82 games with Tampa over seven seasons along with the 2012 American League Cy Young Award. Price has finished second twice for the AL Cy and his career WAR of 29.3 is second-best for pitchers, only behind 1988 selection Andy Benes’ 31.7.
The Arizona Diamondbacks selected Justin Upton out of Chesapeake’s Great Bridge High School in 2005. In six seasons with Arizona, Upton made two National League All-Star teams and slugged for power. Now with the Detroit Tigers, the left fielder still features power and speed and owns a career WAR of 24.6. That is good enough for 17th on the list
With the honor, or the misfortune, of having the top pick in back-to-back years, the Washington Nationals turned their franchise around by drafting Stephen Strasburg with the first pick of 2009 and Bryce Harper in 2010.
Coming out of San Diego State, Strasburg debuted in 2009 with hoopla reserved for heads of state. After Tommy John surgery cut his 2010 season short, he developed into the pitcher the Nats drafted. A career 64-37 record with 1011 strikeouts earned him a contract extension of seven-years and $175 million. His career WAR of 17 should double as he hits his prime.
Out of the College of South Nevada, the Nats turned heads taking Harper. They guessed correctly on the emotional outfielder. Winning the NL Rookie of the Year in 2012 and the NL MVP in 2015, Harper crushes the ball gets on base and has a real chance of reaching the HOF. A three-time All-Star, this five-tool right fielder has taken the game by storm. With a career WAR of 21.8, it is hard to believe he is just 23.
Next: An Angel in the Outfield