From Kershaw to Caglianone: Best MLB Draft Picks Year by Year
A Blog By Dean
As the 2025 MLB Draft gets closer and closer, I have been digging deeper into past drafts. Recently, I re-posted a thread of the last 20 #1 overall picks. There were some stars on that list, but a lot of busts as well.
It motivated me to go and find “the best" players from every draft. Now, unlike the #1 picks, these are who I think are the best players from each draft. Someone in the comments from the thread went after me for labeling players from 15 years ago who never made the MLB as “busts.”
For this list, I picked the best player from the last twenty drafts.
Enjoy, if you disagree, jump on over to Twitter and let me know.
2024 – Jac Caglianone (1B/LHP)
MILB Stats: .317 AVG | 14 HR | 53 RBI | .970 OPS
Tough to pick who the best player from last years draft is without seeing them in the big leagues, but right now it looks like it will be Jac.
2023 – Paul Skenes (RHP)
ERA: 2.10 | K: 240 | IP: 201.2 | WAR: 8.1
Not really much of a debate here. Arguably the best pitcher in the league right now outside Tarik Skubal… Sorry Kris Bubic.
2022 – Jackson Holliday (SS)
AVG: .227 | OBP: .285 | HR: 11 | WAR: 0.7
Still raw but loaded with talent. Has had a solid sophomore campaign, and is still only 21 years old. Baltimores collapse has overshadowed his growth.
2021 – Jackson Merrill (Centerfielder)
AVG: .299 | HR: 28 | 108 RBI | WAR: 5.5
This draft was loaded, and there are a lot of guys who are just breaking into the majors (Mayer,) so this might change over the next two years. Right now, there is no debate.
2020 – Garrett Crochet (LHP)
ERA: 2.97 | K: 383 | WAR: 8.3
Originally a reliever, now a rising ace. One of 2024’s breakout stars. Spencer Torkelson’s great 2025 is not enough to put him here. Spencer Strider is a close second, but he has not been great this year.
2019 – Bobby Witt Jr. (SS)
AVG: .289 | HR: 87 | SB: 129 | WAR: 17.2
The 2019 Draft is absolutely LOADED. I plan on writing a full blog just on that year, but it is tough to not pick Bobby Witt Jr. He has been the most complete and most consistent all around player on the list.
2018 – Tarik Skubal (LHP)
ERA: 3.28 | WHIP: 1.04 | 740 SO | WAR: 13.6
I almost missed Skubal as he was so far down the list. 9th round pick is insane, and I believe it is the highest round on this list.
2017 – Hunter Greene (RHP)
ERA: 3.74 | K: 548 | IP: 437.2 | WAR: 11.1
If I am being honest, I flipped a coin between Brent Rooker and Hunter Greene. As fun as Rooker is, Greene is five years younger and has Cy Young potential.
2016 – Will Smith (C)
AVG: .263 | HR: 116 | .357 OBP | WAR: 20.7
Might be my most controversial pick. Mets fans are going to riot for Alonso, but Smith is at a premium position. No catcher in baseball gets on base more than Smith does.
2015 – Kyle Tucker (RF)
HR: 137 | RBI: 456 | WAR: 24.9
Another deep draft, and I forgot that the Astros got Bregman and Tucker in the first five picks. Now they have neither. You could argue that Bregman has had the better career to this point, but Tucker is the better overall player.
2014 – Aaron Nola (RHP)
ERA: 3.78 | IP: 1402.1 | 1831 SO | WAR: 35.3
You could go Trea Turner here and I wouldn’t argue that. When it is this close, I lean the ace pitcher.
2013 – Aaron Judge (RF)
HR: 333 | OPS: 1.023 | WAR: 56.8
No Brainer.
2012 – Corey Seager (SS)
AVG: .291 | HR: 200 | WAR: 38.4
Two-time World Series MVP. No one else in this draft class has come close to his post-season pedigree. The game is about winning rings.
2011 – Francisco Lindor (SS)
AVG: .274 | HR: 258 | WAR: 51.2
Gold Glove defense, 4x All-Star, and leadership on both sides of the ball.
2010 – Bryce Harper (OF)
HR: 344 | OPS: .908 | 1009 RBI | WAR: 52.4
Rookie of the Year. Two MVPs. Still one of baseball’s biggest stars.
2009 – Mike Trout (CF)
HR: 387 | 972 RBI | OBP: .408 | WAR: 85.8
The best player of his generation. 3x MVP and 10x All-Star.
2008 – Buster Posey (C)
AVG: .302 | HR: 158 | WAR: 45.0
2012 MVP. 3x World Series champ. Franchise cornerstone whose career got cut too short.
2007 – Madison Bumgarner (LHP)
ERA: 3.32 | Postseason: 8–3, 2.11 ERA | WAR: 37.2
The greatest postseason pitcher of his era.
2006 – Clayton Kershaw (LHP)
ERA: 2.51| Cy Youngs: 3 | WAR: 79.0
Hall of Famer. One of the greatest pitchers we’ll ever see.
2005 – Andrew McCutchen (CF)
HR: 322 | SB: 220 | WAR: 49.5
The 2005 Draft has a lot of “Very Good” players. To me, there is no Hall of Famer, but McCutchen would be the closest.
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