First-round picks in the MLB Draft are supposed to be future stars, franchise cornerstones, and faces of the league. But not every name called early ends up etched in baseball history—or even remembered at all.
Some had short stints in the majors, others got lost in the shuffle of crowded farm systems, and a few just flat-out vanished. Here are first-round picks that once had big league dreams but ended up as baseball trivia questions.
19. Joe Savery
The Phillies used a first-round pick on Savery in 2007, hoping he’d be a reliable lefty. He bounced between roles and barely made an impact before fading out.
18. Matt Bush
Drafted first overall in 2004, Bush’s story is more off-field chaos than on-field greatness. He eventually made it to the majors as a reliever—but long after anyone expected anything from him.
17. Christian Friedrich
The Rockies grabbed Friedrich in the first round of 2008 with high hopes for his left arm. Injuries and inconsistency limited his career to a few brief seasons.
16. Jacob Turner
Turner was a top-10 pick by the Tigers in 2009 and was supposed to be a future ace. Instead, he got passed around like a hot potato and never found his footing.
15. Tyler Colvin
Colvin showed flashes of power with the Cubs but never became more than a journeyman. He was a first-round pick in 2006, but most fans wouldn’t recognize him walking down the street.
14. Josh Vitters
Vitters was a top-three pick by the Cubs in 2007 and looked like a future slugger. Instead, he barely cracked the majors and quietly disappeared from the big league radar.
13. Chris Lubanski
Lubanski was a top-five pick in 2003 and came with all the classic tools. But those tools never made it out of the minors in any meaningful way.
12. Dewon Brazelton
The Rays took Brazelton third overall in 2001, hoping for a front-line starter. What they got was a 5.47 career ERA and a name only remembered by die-hard fans.
11. Eric Munson
The Tigers thought Munson would be their power-hitting catcher of the future when they took him in the first round in 1999. Instead, he was a tweener without a clear position and struggled to stick anywhere.
10. Bryan Bullington
Bullington went first overall in 2002—a pick that still baffles Pirates fans. He ended up being a cautionary tale for why drafting for need over talent usually backfires.
9. Matt Hobgood
Taken fifth overall by the Orioles in 2009, Hobgood was viewed as a bulldog on the mound. Injuries and poor performance quickly shut the door on his career.
8. Bill Bene
Drafted by the Dodgers in 1988, Bene had a cannon for an arm and no idea where the ball was going. He never reached the majors and is mostly remembered by hardcore draft nerds.
7. Mike Stodolka
The Royals took Stodolka 4th overall in 2000, but he never panned out as a pitcher. He tried converting to a hitter late in his career, but it was too little, too late.
6. John Van Benschoten
Drafted by the Pirates in 2001 as a power hitter, they turned him into a pitcher… which went about as well as you’d expect. His MLB ERA ended up north of 9.
5. Chris Gruler
Gruler was the Reds’ top pick in 2002 and immediately ran into shoulder issues. He never threw a pitch in the majors and became another “what could have been” story.
4. Jeff Clement
A can’t-miss bat out of USC, Clement was taken 3rd overall by Seattle in 2005. Between injuries and poor timing, his MLB career barely registered.
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3. Clint Everts
Everts was picked right after Scott Kazmir in 2002, and while Kazmir had a long career, Everts didn’t come close. He spent more time in minor league box scores than on TV broadcasts.
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2. Colt Griffin
Griffin was drafted by the Royals because he could throw 100 mph in high school. Unfortunately, he had no idea where it was going and flamed out fast.
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1. Steve Chilcott
Chilcott was the No. 1 overall pick in 1966—yes, even ahead of Reggie Jackson. He never made it to the majors and remains one of the biggest “never was” stories in draft history.
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