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The Best (and worst) of the Number One Overall Selection in the Draft


The season has officially begun and each team’s scouts have fanned out across the globe to find that “next Zhang”. We looked at the past amateur drafts and we have (un)scientifically rated the number one overall picks through the years. The ratings could change dramatically as the newer picks develop, but as of right now:

1. Ricardo Perez, New Orleans (year 3): 135-56 3.08 9MLB years, 5 time all star

Has been consistently excellent since his so-so rookie year. Signed for the lowest
bonus ($3.91) of any number one pick to date. Ricardo cashed in for a $97 million
5 year contract when KC signed him this off season. He does not have better talent
than some of the other Number One’s, he just uses what he has better than others.

2. Lou Brock, Cincinnati (year 6): 141-66 3.63 7 MLB years, 5 time all-star, 1 SS

Probably has the most talent of any pitcher drafted. It helps to have the dynamic
Cincy lineup on your side. Re-signed by Cincy for the maximum contract this off-season.

3. Brad Mintz, St. Louis (year 4): .288BA, 1563 hits, 288HR, 3 SS (at different positions),
2 Golden Gloves, 4 time All-Star. Best all-around athlete that has excelled at three
different positions.

4. Tyreace Parrott, Syracuse (year 11): .308/.388/.615 98HR 142 SB; 3 MLB seasons,
MVP; 2 All-Star; 2 Silver Slugger awards. Could be the numero uno dude by the time
his career is done.

5. Ernie Riley, Salt Lake City (year 7): 109-61 4.56 7 MLB seasons, 2 CY Young awards,
4 time All-Star, Rookie of the Year. Don’t be fooled by the high ERA…last year’s
debacle added 1.15 ERA to his career stats. Take out the lost season and the ERA is 3.41

6. Glen Cannon, Arizona (year 10) .306/.366/.560 2 All-Star; 1 GG in 3 seasons
7. Kevin Neal, Cincinnati (year 5) 91-62 3.87 ERA
8. Brandon McIntrye, SLC (year 8) .283 289HR 2 AS; 1 SS; 3 GG
9. Benji Perez, Richmond (year 12) .286/.352 100 HR in three seasons
10. Luke Wright, Santa Cruz (year 9) .278 batting average


Too New to rate:

Carlton Rader, Jacksonville (year 13) $7.99 bonus highest ever paid
Jim Stevenson, Chicago2 (year 14)
Joey Matthews, Little Rock (year 15)
JT Tucker, Madison (year 16)

LOSERS (with a capital L):

Jose Valazquez, NY2 (year 2) The 18 yr old turned down his opportunity to play and was last seen at the local dairy queen handing out ice cream cones. He did grow a little…weighs about 400 pounds now.

Olmeda Rijo, Boston (year 1) Boston was not blessed with the initial ownership, whose judgement was suspect from day 1. Rijo did slog through 8 years compiling a marvelous record of 62-118 with an ERA of 6.32. Ouch!