Sometimes, all it takes is one shot to make it big in Major League Baseball. And unfortunately for these players, that one shot ended with a strikeout—figuratively and sometimes literally.
These guys had the hype, the headlines, and a golden opportunity to become household names. But whether it was pressure, poor timing, or plain bad luck, they let that shot slip right through their gloves.
14. Jesus Montero
Once seen as the Yankees’ future behind the plate, he never lived up to the early buzz. Between inconsistent play and off-field issues, the opportunity vanished almost as quickly as it came.
13. Matt LaPorta
He was the centerpiece of the CC Sabathia trade and looked like a can’t-miss slugger. But once he got to the big leagues, the bat never really showed up.
12. Wily Mo Peña
Every time he hit a home run, it looked like it was headed for another galaxy. Unfortunately, he rarely made contact, and the league moved on quickly.
11. Brandon Wood
Angels fans waited patiently for their prized prospect to deliver the goods. But when the curtain finally rose, his bat didn’t follow the script.
10. Andrew Brackman
He was part of the Yankees’ “Killer B’s” pitching trio, and the hype was loud. But between injuries and command issues, he never found the strike zone—or a long-term MLB role.
9. Jason Neighborgall
He could throw 100 mph, but couldn’t consistently throw a strike. His story became more of a cautionary tale than a Cinderella one.
8. Joe Borchard
He was a two-sport star who chose baseball over football and received a substantial bonus for making that decision. But his swing-and-miss tendencies made fans wonder what could’ve been on the gridiron.
7. David Clyde
He was rushed straight from high school to the majors as a marketing ploy. The pressure was immense, and the results were disappointing.
6. Bubba Crosby
With a name built for baseball stardom, he was once hailed as the Yankees’ center field solution. Instead, he became a trivia question in the revolving door of New York outfielders.
5. Todd Van Poppel
He was once the pitching phenom every team wanted. But despite getting his shot, his career never quite lived up to the draft-day hype.
4. Dallas McPherson
Big power, big expectations, and big league struggles. Injuries and inconsistency quickly closed his window of opportunity.
3. Kei Igawa
The Yankees paid a substantial sum to bring him over from Japan, hoping to secure the next considerable import. What they got was a brief and baffling MLB cameo that fizzled almost instantly.
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2. Mike Olt
He had the power, the glove, and the spotlight. But the strikeouts piled up, and the breakout season everyone predicted never arrived.
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1. Rick Ankiel (as a pitcher)
He had one playoff start to prove himself, and it unraveled in legendary fashion. While he did reinvent himself as an outfielder, his first chance in the MLB ended in a meltdown that no one forgot.
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