19 MLB First-Round Draft Picks You Completely Forgot About

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

Chicago White Sox pitcher Joe Savery poses for a portrait during photo day at Camelback Ranch.
Mark J. Rebilas / Imagn Images

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

Texas Rangers relief pitcher Matt Bush throws a pitch against the Toronto Blue Jays in the 8th inning during game three of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball series at Rogers Centre.
Dan Hamilton / Imagn Images

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

San Diego Padres pitcher Christian Friedrich (53) throws a pitch during the second inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park.
Jeff Hanisch / Imagn Images

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

Washington Nationals relief pitcher Jacob Turner (38) pitches against the Seattle Mariners in the seventh inning at Nationals Park. The Mariners won 4-2.
Geoff Burke / Imagn Images

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

San Francisco Giants left fielder Tyler Colvin (10) bats against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. The Giants won 6-4.
Joe Camporeale / Imagn Images

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

Chicago Cubs third baseman Josh Vitters reacts after being tagged out at home by the Colorado Rockies during the eighth inning at Wrigley Field. The Cubs won 5-3.
Jerry Lai / Imagn Images

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

Chris Lubanski
YouTube / farmsystem

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

Middle Tennessee State standout pitcher Dewon Brazelton shows off his pitching form during a photo shoot on campus April 10, 2001. He has an 8-1 record and 0.96 ERA that is the lowest in the nation this season so far. Mtsu
Freeman Ramsey / Imagn Content Services, LLC

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

Houston Astros catcher Eric Munson (13) during batting practice before their game against Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.
Kirby Lee / Imagn Images

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

Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Bryan Bullington (41) pitches in the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim.
Gary A. Vasquez / Imagn Images

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

Matt Hobgood
Wikipedia

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

Bill Bene
Wikipedia

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

Kansas City Royals player Mike Stodolka against the Texas Rangers at Suprise Stadium.
Mark J. Rebilas / Imagn Images

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

John Van Benschoten
YouTube / York Revolution

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

Chris Gruler
YouTube / ScottsdaleRestaurants.com

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

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Jeff Clement against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field.
Mark J. Rebilas / Imagn Images

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.

Read More: 15 NFL First-Round Picks Who Should’ve Never Heard Their Name That Early

3. Clint Everts

Clint Everts
YouTube / MLB Prospect Portal

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.

Read More: 19 NFL First-Round Draft Busts That Nobody Saw Coming

2. Colt Griffin

Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Jonathan Griffin (73) looks on during the second inning against the Chicago Cubs at Hohokam Park.
Matt Kartozian / Imagn Images

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.

Read More: 15 NFL First-Round Picks Who Were Basically Just Combine Hype

1. Steve Chilcott

Steve Chilcott
Amazin’ Avenue

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.

Read More: The 15 Worst No. 1 Overall Picks in MLB Draft History

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