Arizona Diamondbacks: Top five draft picks of all time, ranked
The Arizona Diamondbacks have developed a lot of their own talent over the years. Here are their top five draft picks ranked via WAR.
The Arizona Diamondbacks made their first draft selection in franchise history in 1996 and played their first meaningful regular-season games in 1998. In 1999 they were already division champions and by 2001 they had a World Series title to their name.
The Diamondbacks also won the National League West the following year, giving them an unprecedented three trips to the postseason in their first five years of existence.
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Even more impressive is the fact the team was built through a plethora of trades and free-agent signings. The D-Backs used the expansion draft to compile pieces and even though they had six draft classes prior to winning the World Series, there wasn’t one significant Series contributor who was drafted in the amateur draft by Arizona.
Since the World Series season, they have played nineteen seasons and won the division twice, with no other trips to the Fall Classic. Ironically they have drafted and developed some quality talent, unfortunately, while in an Arizona Diamondbacks uniform these players have not been able to push the team over the top.
They become too expensive and get traded away or sign elsewhere in free agency. Some of the names on this list have tasted postseason success, just not in a Diamondbacks uniform. Today we compile a list of the top 5 draft picks in team history.