Best First Overall MLB Draft Picks

Ken Griffey, Jr., "the Kid," the Seattle Mariners drafted him to play center field in 1987. He stayed with the Mariners for 13 seasons before the Cincinnati Reds traded him in 2000. The 13-time All-Star played 22 years in the majors, hitting 630 home runs, the 6th most in MLB history. Griffey won ten Gold Glove awards and the AL MVP in 1997. The Hall of Fame voted him in in 2016, his first year eligible. He got 99.3% of the vote, the highest percentage ever in Hall of Fame history.

Larry Wayne "Chipper" Jones joined the Atlanta Braves as a short stop in the 1990 draft. Jones wore only Braves jerseys his entire career, unlike many players. Jones dealt with injury issues near 40, but he won a batting title in 2008 at age 36 with a .364 average. He was an eight-time All-Star for both average and power, hitting 468 home runs and finishing with a .303 lifetime batting average. In 1995, the Braves won the World Series, and Jones finished second in the Rookie of the Year ballots. Jones should be a first ballot Hall of Famer when he becomes eligible in 2018.

Alex Rodriguez, A. Rod, the 14-time All-Star, was drafted by the Seattle Mariners out of high school to play short stop in 1993. Rodriguez played with the Mariners for seven years before signing with the Texas Rangers. The Rangers traded A. Rod to the New York Yankees in 2004. The three-time American League MVP signed with the Yankees through 2017. Rodriguez played for the 2009 Yankee team that won the World Series. He belongs to the 3,000 hit club, the 500 home run club, and earned two Gold Glove awards. A. Rod holds the best statistics on this list. However, his name connects to illegal performance-enhancing drugs and the Biogenesis scandal. History will show how it treats Rodriguez.

Bryce Harper was selected by the Washington Nationals to play the outfield in the 2010 draft. Harper has been in the Majors for four years but played in three All-Star games. He won the NL Rookie of the Year in 2012 and was the unanimous choice for the NL MVP Award in 2015 at only 22. Harper still has much to prove, but if he stays healthy and productive, he is on track for Cooperstown.

Joe Mauer signed with the Minnesota Twins as a catcher in 2001. Mauer is the only catcher to win three batting titles and the only catcher to win the MVP award in the American League. Mauer has three Gold Gloves. The six-time All-Star plays with the Twins through the 2018 season after signing an $184 million contract in 2011, the biggest contract for a catcher ever. Injuries have slowed Mauer down recently, and the Twins moved him to first base hoping to keep him healthy.

The New York Mets drafted Daryl Strawberry in 1980 to play right field. Strawberry played for the Mets for eight seasons. He helped the 1986 team win the World Series against the Red Sox. Strawberry was also on three New York Yankee World Championship teams in 1996, 1998, and 1999. During his prime, few hitters scared Strawberry like his smooth, left-handed power swing. The eight-time All-Star had the talent for Hall of Fame status, but he received three separate suspensions for substance abuse.

The Washington Nationals selected Stephen Strasburg as a pitcher in the 2009 draft. The hurler is widelyStephen Strasburg is consideredStephen Strasburg is the "most-hyped pick in draft history." The All-Star entered the league with high expectations. Strasburg immediately showed his skill during his MLB debut on June 8, 2010, striking out 14 batters. Strasburg already had an injury history, including Tommy John surgery, which he needed two months after his first start. Strasburg returned in 2012 with an All-Star season. If he stays healthy, he can show one of the game's most electric arms.

The Tampa Bay Devil Rays drafted David Price as a pitcher in 2007. The lefty stayed with the Rays for seven seasons before the team traded him to the Detroit Tigers in 2014. The five-time All-Star won the AL Cy Young in 2012, finishing with the most wins and lowest ERA in the American League. Price signed a seven-year, $217 million deal with the Boston Red Sox on December 4, 2015.

The Tampa Bay Devil Rays drafted Josh Hamilton to play outfield in the 1999 draft. Hamilton's drug problems and injuries delayed his development; he never played for the organization. Hamilton found his footing as a Texas Ranger in 2008, when he was selected for his first of five All-Star games. Hamilton earned the AL MVP award in 2010.

Rick Monday was drafted out of Arizona State to play outfield for the Kansas City Athletics. The team moved to Oakland in 1968. Monday was the first selection in the 1965 Major League Player Draft. Monday played five full seasons with the A's before the Chicago Cubs traded him. The two-time All-Star was a solid Major Leaguer. He played 19 seasons and hit 241 home runs. Monday built a successful broadcast career mostly for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Chicago White Sox drafted Harold Baines to play outfield in 1977. TheThe story goes that White Sox owner Bill Veeck saw Baines play Little League baseball. This experience helped him decide to draft Baines as the first pick, even though he rated him as the fifth best player in the 1977 draft.The story goes that White Sox owner Bill Veeck saw Baines play Little League baseball. This experience helped him decide to draft Baines as the first pick, even though he rated him as the fifth best player in the 1977 draft.

The Arizona Diamondbacks drafted Justin Upton out of high school in 2005 to play outfield. The three-time All-Star played for the Diamondbacks five years, then the team traded him to the Atlanta Braves. Upton is a five-tool player. He recorded 190 career home runs and 115 stolen bases across nine MLB seasons. In January 2016, Upton signed a six-year, $132.75 million contract with the Detroit Tigers.

The California Angels selected Darin Erstad in the 1995 draft to play the outfield. Erstad, a two-time All-Star, lacks the highest total numbers. His 2000 season stood out. He hit .355 and recorded 240 hits. Erstad helped the World Series Champion Angels in 2002. He played center field with a gold glove. He hit .421 in the ALDS, .364 in the ALCS, and .300 in the World Series.

The Milwaukee Brewers selected B.J. Surhoff in the 1985 amateur draft to play catcher. Surhoff proved to be a very good, solid baseball player. Over 18 years in the Bigs, the All-Star played every position except pitcher. Surhoff found his best success with the Baltimore Orioles. The team elected him into the Hall of Fame in 2007. Surhoff finished his career with 2,326 hits and a lifetime .282 batting average.