Ask BA #1 Overall Picks this Decade

[Codasco07]

How would you rank the No. 1 overall draft picks this decade, at the time and not what they became? Assume that Stephen Strasburg goes first overall this year.

Brian Oliver
Alexandria, Va.

I suspect we'll be examining the David Price vs. Stephen Strasburg debate in greater depth come Draft Preview time in May. They're 1-2 on the list of No. 1 picks of the 2000s, though Justin Upton isn't far behind.

1. David Price, lhp, Rays (2007)
Gets the nod over Strasburg because he's a lefty and faced tougher college competition.
2. Stephen Strasburg, rhp, Nationals (projected 2009)
How did this happen? Kirk Kenney has the details here.
3. Justin Upton, of, Diamondbacks (2005)
Talk that he'd be the No. 1 pick began when he was 14-year-old Area Code Games sensation.
4. Joe Mauer, c, Twins (2001)
Mauer wasn't even the consensus top prospect in 2001, rating behind Mark Prior and Mark Teixeira.
5. Delmon Young, of, Rays (2003)
His bat has yet to live up to expectations, but he's also still just 23.
6. Tim Beckham, ss, Rays (2008)
Potential five-tool shortstop emerged as 2008's top prep prospect with a strong showcase circuit in 2007.
7. Bryan Bullington, rhp, Pirates (2002)
Pittsburgh only billed him as a potential No. 3 starter after passing up B.J. Upton to take him. Whoops.
8. Luke Hochevar, rhp, Royals (2006)
BA's No. 7-rated pitcher in the 2006 draft, behind Tim Lincecum, Clayton Kershaw and Joba Chamberlain.
9. Adrian Gonzalez, 1b, Marlins (2000)
Give Florida credit for seeing more in Gonzalez than most clubs, who viewed him as a mid-first-rounder.
10. Matt Bush, ss, Padres (2004)
San Diego botched this pick in so many ways, though his arm and defense were enticing tools.

Does anyone else understand why Adrian Gonzalez is 9th? It seems to me he should probably be 5th.

 

[ru4scuba]

Does anyone else understand why Adrian Gonzalez is 9th? It seems to me he should probably be 5th.

Yeah... putting Bullington and Hochevar over an All-Star gold glove winning first baseman who's going to give you around 30 HRs seems a little off. I would put him above Delmon Young and Beckham at this point but I know BA looks at upside more than anything else.

 

[andyduke86]

How would you rank the No. 1 overall draft picks this decade, at the time and not what they became? Assume that Stephen Strasburg goes first overall this year.

Brian Oliver
Alexandria, Va.

I suspect we'll be examining the David Price vs. Stephen Strasburg debate in greater depth come Draft Preview time in May. They're 1-2 on the list of No. 1 picks of the 2000s, though Justin Upton isn't far behind.

1. David Price, lhp, Rays (2007)
Gets the nod over Strasburg because he's a lefty and faced tougher college competition.
2. Stephen Strasburg, rhp, Nationals (projected 2009)
How did this happen? Kirk Kenney has the details here.
3. Justin Upton, of, Diamondbacks (2005)
Talk that he'd be the No. 1 pick began when he was 14-year-old Area Code Games sensation.
4. Joe Mauer, c, Twins (2001)
Mauer wasn't even the consensus top prospect in 2001, rating behind Mark Prior and Mark Teixeira.
5. Delmon Young, of, Rays (2003)
His bat has yet to live up to expectations, but he's also still just 23.
6. Tim Beckham, ss, Rays (2008)
Potential five-tool shortstop emerged as 2008's top prep prospect with a strong showcase circuit in 2007.
7. Bryan Bullington, rhp, Pirates (2002)
Pittsburgh only billed him as a potential No. 3 starter after passing up B.J. Upton to take him. Whoops.
8. Luke Hochevar, rhp, Royals (2006)
BA's No. 7-rated pitcher in the 2006 draft, behind Tim Lincecum, Clayton Kershaw and Joba Chamberlain.
9. Adrian Gonzalez, 1b, Marlins (2000)
Give Florida credit for seeing more in Gonzalez than most clubs, who viewed him as a mid-first-rounder.
10. Matt Bush, ss, Padres (2004)
San Diego botched this pick in so many ways, though his arm and defense were enticing tools.

Does anyone else understand why Adrian Gonzalez is 9th? It seems to me he should probably be 5th.

Maybe because most clubs viewed him as a mid first roudner and he is a first baseman as the story says. Obviously you didn't carefully read the question. The caveat is that they are being ranked according to how they were viewed on draft day.

 

[Craig - 21hawk]

Does anyone else understand why Adrian Gonzalez is 9th? It seems to me he should probably be 5th.

Yeah... putting Bullington and Hochevar over an All-Star gold glove winning first baseman who's going to give you around 30 HRs seems a little off. I would put him Delmon Young and Beckham at this point but I know BA looks at upside more than anything else.

But the question was to "rank the No. 1 overall draft picks this decade, at the time and not what they became." So I assume they just threw the picks into a basket and ranked each player based on the view of them at the time of their draft for this 'draft'.

Craig

 

[All The Hype]

Does anyone else understand why Adrian Gonzalez is 9th? It seems to me he should probably be 5th.

Yeah... putting Bullington and Hochevar over an All-Star gold glove winning first baseman who's going to give you around 30 HRs seems a little off. I would put him above Delmon Young and Beckham at this point but I know BA looks at upside more than anything else.

Agreed, Gonzalez is one of the most underrated players in the game.

 

[Jaypers]

A-Gonz needs to be traded to a contender to really show off his talent.

That, and to give Blanks a chance of course.

 

[ru4scuba]

But the question was to "rank the No. 1 overall draft picks this decade, at the time and not what they became." So I assume they just threw the picks into a basket and ranked each player based on the view of them at the time of their draft for this 'draft'.

Craig

Opps... I glossed over the question.

 

[Codasco07]

But the question was to "rank the No. 1 overall draft picks this decade, at the time and not what they became." So I assume they just threw the picks into a basket and ranked each player based on the view of them at the time of their draft for this 'draft'.

Craig

Opps... I glossed over the question.

As did I.

 

[Craig - 21hawk]

But the question was to "rank the No. 1 overall draft picks this decade, at the time and not what they became." So I assume they just threw the picks into a basket and ranked each player based on the view of them at the time of their draft for this 'draft'.

Craig

Opps... I glossed over the question.

As did I.

It's understandable. The question is rather poorly drafted.

Craig

 

[darocker80]

A-Gonz needs to be traded to a contender to really show off his talent.

That, and to give Blanks a chance of course.

of course