All-Time #1 Overall Major League Draft Picks

By Patrick Mondout

Here are some great picks from round 15 or later. Mike Piazza is one of the most interesting and well know late round picks. Perhaps the greatest offensive catcher of all-time, he lasted until the 62th round - long after most teams had given up taking players. Even then he was only taken as a favor to a friend of Tommy Lasorda! 

Others, such as Ryne Sandberg, were believed to be a waste of a draft pick as they were either thought to be going to college or were committed to another sport (Sandberg as the UCLA quarterback). And speaking of the Yankees, how might they have looked in the mid-to-late 90s without 1990 late round selections Andy Pettitte and Jorge Posada?

The all-time record for the lowest drafted major leaguer belongs to Travis Phelps, who was drafted by the Devil Rays in the 89th round of the 1996 draft (he was taken 1719th overall). Since MLB now mercifully limits the draft to 50 rounds, his record is unlikely to be challenged. (Scott Seabol deserves an honorable mention as he was taken in the 88th round of the same draft by the Yankees and actually made the American League champion 2001 Yankee squad.)

For the player to be included here, they must have actually signed with the the team listed. We also have a list of players who skipped the minors after being drafted, and #1 overall picks.

 

Year	Round	Player	Team
1967	26	Dusty Baker	Braves
1969	29	Ken Griffey Sr.	Reds
1971	42	Keith Hernandez	Cardinals
1972	25	Mike Hargrove	Rangers
1978	20	Ryne Sandberg	Phillies
1979	17	Orel Hershiser	Dodgers
1979	19	Don Mattingly	Yankees
1979	23	Brett Butler	Braves
1982	15	Jose Canseco	Athletics
1982	19	Bret Saberhagen	Royals
1982	39	Kenny Rogers	Rangers
1985	22	John Smoltz	Tigers
1985	24	Mark Grace	Cubs
1987	30	Darryl Kile	Astros
1987	32	Robb Nen	Rangers
1987	58	Jeff Conine	Royals
1988	62	Mike Piazza	Dodgers
1989	20	Jeff Kent	Blue Jays
1990	22	Andy Pettitte	Yankees
1990	24	Jorge Posada	Yankees
1991	44	Jason Isringhausen	Mets
1992	24	Rich Aurilia	Rangers
1993	24	Richie Sexson	Indians
1993	25	Paul Lo Duca	Dodgers
1994	26	Corey Koskie	Twins
1994	43	Julio Lugo	Astros
1994	47	Kyle Farnsworth	Cubs
1995	20	Mike Lowell	Yankees
1996	23	Roy Oswalt	Astros
1996	53	Marcus Giles	Braves
1997	38	Scot Shields	Angels
1997	43	Orlando Hudson	Blue Jays
1998	37	Mark Buehrle	White Sox

Players such as Dan Quisenberry (Royals '75), Bruce Sutter (Cubs '71), Bobby Bonilla (Pirates '81), Mike Bordick (A's '86), Bob Dernier (Phillies '77), Frank White (Royals '71), Larry Walker (Expos '84), Andy Ashby (Phillies '86), and Eric Gagne (Dodgers '95) deserve an honorable mention as undrafted free agents.