Mike Trout: Revisiting the 2009 MLB Draft

1. Washington Nationals – Stephen Strasburg (P)

It’s hard to argue with the Nationals’ selection at the top of the draft.  As an organization looking to completely rebuild their standing in MLB, they were desperate for that cornerstone, once-in-a-lifetime pitcher to anchor their rotation for years to come.  Unfortunately, due to a series of injuries, Strasburg has only managed to start 30 or more games in just two seasons since making his debut in 2010.

Even with limiting his innings in 2012 and keeping him off of the playoff roster that season, he has not been able to stay healthy enough to be the top-of-the-rotation (TOR) starter that they sought in 2009.  To make matters worse, he has only started 3 postseason games in his 10 years with the Nationals. With all that said, he has 3 All Star Game appearances, two top-ten finishes in the Cy Young Award vote, and a contract that will pay him $38 million in 2019 and $45 million in 2023.  Strasburg is easily the most accomplished player, other than Trout, from the first round of that draft

2. Seattle Mariners – Dustin Ackley (OF)

Ackley spent 4.5 seasons with the club that drafted him in 2009.  Only managing to play in more than 140 games in two of those seasons, Ackley has not shown a consistent ability to get on base or hit for much power, and has spent the last few seasons in the Minor Leagues.  His best season was his rookie year where, in just 90 games, he managed to finish 6th in the Rookie-of-the-Year race.  The Mariners brought him back for 2019 on a minor league contract after a stint with the Yankees, but have since released him during Spring Training.

3. San Diego Padres – Donavan Tate (CF)

Tate was a two-sport star in high school and chose to forgo college football when he was taken 3rd overall in the 2009 draft.  As an athletic outfielder, Tate never managed to advance past A-Ball and left baseball in 2017 for a chance to play quarterback at the University of Arizona.  After one season, he left to return home to be closer to family.

4. Pittsburgh Pirates – Tony Sanchez (C)

Sanchez has 156 career plate appearances over a handful of seasons in MLB and is currently with the Texas Rangers.

5. Baltimore Orioles – Matt Hobgood (P)

Hobgood was unable to advance past AA ball during his career as a pitcher, and after spending time away from affiliated baseball he is attempting to make a comeback as a positional player.  He is currently unsigned.