Getting picked first overall in the MLB Draft is supposed to be a ticket to stardom, but for some players, it’s just the beginning of a nightmare.
Whether it was injuries, underperformance, or just plain bad luck, these top picks never lived up to the hype. Here are the 15 worst No. 1 overall picks in MLB Draft history.
15. Phil Nevin – 1992, Houston Astros
Phil Nevin had a decent MLB career, but the Astros took him over Derek Jeter, which is a tough pill to swallow. He bounced around teams and never became the franchise cornerstone Houston expected.
14. Shawn Abner – 1984, New York Mets
Shawn Abner was an elite prospect with all the tools but never figured it out in the majors. He played six forgettable seasons and never hit a single home run.
13. Tim Foli – 1968, New York Mets
Tim Foli had a long career, but it was mostly as a light-hitting utility infielder. The Mets passed on Thurman Munson and Bobby Grich for a guy who finished with just 25 career home runs.
12. Al Chambers – 1979, Seattle Mariners
Al Chambers played in only 57 career MLB games and hit three home runs. That’s not exactly what you hope for when you take someone first overall.
11. Mike Ivie – 1970, San Diego Padres
Mike Ivie had some decent seasons, but his fear of throwing the ball back to the pitcher kept him from ever becoming a true catcher. He carved out a career as a backup first baseman, but the Padres expected much more.
10. Jeff King – 1986, Pittsburgh Pirates
Jeff King had a couple of solid years, but he retired abruptly in the middle of his best season. When you take someone No. 1 overall, you’re hoping for more than a few decent years before an early exit.
9. Paul Wilson – 1994, New York Mets
Paul Wilson was supposed to be the Mets’ next ace, but he dealt with injuries and never found success. He finished his career with a 40-58 record and an ERA over 4.80.
8. Matt Anderson – 1997, Detroit Tigers
Matt Anderson was drafted as a flame-throwing closer but never figured out how to control his pitches. His career highlight might be injuring himself in a bullpen throwing contest.
7. Brien Taylor – 1991, New York Yankees
Brien Taylor had Hall of Fame potential, but a bar fight injury derailed his career before he ever reached the majors. He remains one of the biggest “what ifs” in draft history.
6. Danny Goodwin – 1971 & 1975, Chicago White Sox & California Angels
Danny Goodwin is the only player to be taken No. 1 overall twice, and both times, it was a mistake. He played parts of seven seasons but never became more than a backup DH.
5. Steve Chilcott – 1966, New York Mets
Steve Chilcott never played a single game in the majors. The Mets passed on Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson for a guy who never made it out of the minors.
4. Bryan Bullington – 2002, Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pirates called Bryan Bullington a “future No. 3 starter” on draft day, which should have been a red flag. He ended up with a career record of 1-9 and was out of the league in a hurry.
3. Mark Appel – 2013, Houston Astros
Mark Appel was a dominant college pitcher who never made it work in the pros. After years of struggles, he retired, then made a brief comeback in 2022, but he never lived up to his No. 1 pick status.
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2. Matt Bush – 2004, San Diego Padres
Matt Bush wasn’t just a draft bust; he was a full-blown disaster off the field. He was arrested multiple times before ever making the majors and eventually reinvented himself as a relief pitcher more than a decade later.
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1. David Clyde – 1973, Texas Rangers
David Clyde was rushed to the big leagues straight out of high school and was completely overwhelmed. What should have been a promising career turned into a cautionary tale of how not to handle a young pitcher.
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