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The MLB draft does not get the recognition and exposure that the NBA and NFL does. Occurring in the middle of the season, very few casual baseball fans turn in to watch event, as it is more for the die-hards. However, like its counterparts, it does feature its share of draft busts.
The MLB draft certainly is an interesting one, as we often see a multitude of players not work out. When looking at old drafts, I can guarantee there will be at least one name you have never heard of that was selected before a superstar. A great example of this is a guy by the name of Greg Reynolds. Sure, some baseball naturalists and Rockies fans may remember the name, but for the most part he was forgotten. Reynolds was selected second overall in the 2006 draft, ahead of the likes of Clayton Kershaw, Evan Longoria and Max Scherzer. Reynolds tallied together a 6-11 record in MLB with a 7.01 ERA.
This is because the draft does not get the exposure it should. Unless you are a special case like Bryce Harper, chances are casual sports fans will not recognize you. Admittedly, I am at fault for this too. I can tell you the Dodgers’ last three first round selections, but cannot tell you who went first overall this year. However, I can tell you that there have been some pretty bad draft busts in this decade, especially considering who they were selected ahead of.
Obviously, it is far too soon to label the 2013-2016 choices as busts, as anything can happen to their careers. However, we will look at the drafts from 2010 to 2012, and look at who exactly was a poor selection in that first round. So there you have it, let’s take a look at the biggest bust from each draft from 2010 until 2012.
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2010: Barret Loux
As you can see, I could not obtain a picture of Barret Loux from USA Today Sports to use for this slideshow. Loux was selected sixth overall by the Diamondbacks in 2010. Loux was a pitcher for the Texas A&M Aggies, and I presume a good one at that, due to his sixth overall selection. The Diamondbacks didn’t sign Loux due to a failed physical, instead opting for the seventh overall pick the next year.
Loux has not seen a minute of game time at the MLB level, and failed to really get anything going for his career. He declared to become a free agent, then signing with the Texas Rangers in 2011. However, in 2012 Loux was dealt to the Cubs in the deal that sent Geovany Soto to the Rangers. There, Loux played two seasons of minor league ball before having Tommy John surgery, which forced him to play independent baseball.
Loux was the recipient of unlucky injuries. Tommy John forced him out of 2014, and recurring elbow issues forced him to only pitch in three games in 2015. His numbers were never great, as his only standout year was in 2012 when he collected a 14-1 record with the AA Frisco RoughRiders. Now playing in an independent league, we can likely assume Loux’s MLB chances are gone. That may be a tough pill to swallow for Arizona, as he was selected before the likes of Matt Harvey, Chris Sale and Christian Yelich.
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2011: Danny Hultzen
Danny Hultzen was the second overall pick in the 2011 MLB Draft behind only Gerrit Cole. While Cole is seeming to pan out nicely, Hultzen, on the other hand, has not. Despite being pictured in a Seattle Mariners cap, Hultzen is currently a free agent. As a matter of fact, Hultzen is not playing at all in 2017, opting instead to return to the University of Virginia to finish his education. Hultzen has said he wants to return to baseball in 2018, but after a severely disappointing minor league career and yearlong break, it may never come to fruition for the left-handed pitcher.
Hultzen missed a majority of the 2013 and the entire 2014 season due to repeated injury. In that time Hultzen pitched a combined seven games. However, he did come back after the injury. Still, 2015 and 2016 proved to be major disappointments for Hultzen, as he pitched in five games over the two seasons. It is sad to see, too, because Hultzen had great numbers before suffering the injury. While the future may possibly be bright, it is hard to argue that the Mariners definitely lost this deal as Hultzen is no longer with the team.
That sting becomes all the more painful when considering who Hultzen was selected ahead of. The dynamic shortstops Francisco Lindor and Javier Baez were both selected behind Hultzen. Even great arms were taken after Hultzen in the likes of Sonny Gray and the late Jose Fernandez. Overall, it is fair to say the Mariners had a dud with this selection.
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2012: Mark Appel
Mark Appel may now be a member of the Philadelphia Phillies with many optimistic about his improvements, but in 2012 he was originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates. Appel was selected eighth overall that season, refusing to sign with Pittsburgh in favor of returning to for his senior year at Stanford. While the Pirates did get Austin Meadows, a top-10 prospect, with their compensation pick, they did still miss out on great selections from that class.
Appel has had a decent minor league career, and after the Phillies tweaked his mechanics many are hopeful for great things to come. He was selected first overall in the next draft class, and stayed with the Houston Astros organization until last season. Appel has posted a combined 4.80 ERA during his tenure in minor league ball, but at age 25 he has some time to turn it around. However, that window is quickly closing, so Appel must make amends fast.
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As for the Pirates, as previously stated they did end up getting a top-10 prospect the next year with their compensation pick. However, it cannot be ignored that they missed out in this draft class, and could have taken a proven talent over a potential one. The Pirates missed out on Addison Russell, Corey Seager and Michael Wacha – all of whom have been All-Stars. The biggest blow in this list is Seager, as he has already proven to be a superstar in the making.
