Best #1 Pick of the last 15 Years (2000-2014)

[7jacfire]

Since the MLB season will begin soon and the draft will occur in June, which #1 pick of the last 15 years has been the best so far or will end up being the best?

[Soxfan5000]

I'd have to say as of now Joe Mauer, but will be interested to see what becomes of the Astros Correa, Appel, and Aiken.

[death2redemptions]

Joe Mauer and David Price have had the best careers and I feel I can't even put Appel and Correa into consideration because they haven't reached the majors yet. I see lots of potential in Cole. Justin Upton has had a decent career but overall he has been a let down. As for Strasburg & Harper, I'm not really sold on them yet. Strasburg has yet to reach his lofty expectations of being a dominant ace and I feel he's more of a decent #2 pitcher. Harper is young and could become the superstar that most expected him to become but with all the health issues, I just don't see it.

I think I'll go with David Price.

[speedyjg13]

Im going with Adrian Gonzalez. Consistent every year. Not even Harper can do that.

[Cardshack14]

Im going with Adrian Gonzalez. Consistent every year. Not even Harper can do that.

Same here.

[centereacan06]

Im going with Adrian Gonzalez. Consistent every year. Not even Harper can do that.

This. At least 99 RBIs for the last 8 years, as well as multiple gold gloves.

[death2redemptions]

Im going with Adrian Gonzalez. Consistent every year. Not even Harper can do that.

For some reason I completely ignored Gonzalez. He's also had a very solid career. Right up there with Joe Mauer.

[jmscoggin]

I voted Adrian because it is the only correct choice if forced to vote today. I still think that if you asked the same question but did it 20 years from now, it will be Harper.

[ToppsCollector1]

Id have to go with Price

[kyle1707]

In 5-10 years.. no question it will be Harper..

Now I have no idea

Mauer or price I guess

[SportsAutoFreak]

Mauer has won three batting titles and an MVP. It's between Mauer and Price but I voted for Mauer.

[Braswell10]

I also believe Harper will be the best on this list once his career is over.

[Highroller]

Joe Mauer and David Price have had the best careers and I feel I can't even put Appel and Correa into consideration because they haven't reached the majors yet. I see lots of potential in Cole. Justin Upton has had a decent career but overall he has been a let down. As for Strasburg & Harper, I'm not really sold on them yet. Strasburg has yet to reach his lofty expectations of being a dominant ace and I feel he's more of a decent #2 pitcher. Harper is young and could become the superstar that most expected him to become but with all the health issues, I just don't see it.

I think I'll go with David Price.

Don't see a #1 starter in Strasburg?

Career 3.02 ERA

Led the league in strikeouts last year and has a career k/9 of 10.3

Scherzer- 9.59 k/9
Kershaw- 9.43 k/9
Felix- 8.52 k/9
Price- 8.45 k/9

Career FIP of 2.84

Kershaw- 2.72
Felix- 3.14
Scherzer- 3.39
Price- 3.27

[jeff152380]

Mauer has played on the same team his whole career, so he gets the edge over Gonzalez Upton and Price.... Its too early to tell on the younger guys...

[Thommy]

How does Appel make it but god doesn't?

[TuukkaTime]

My favorite fact is that not a single #1 Pick since the draft started in 1965 has been inducted into the Hall of Fame. I only see Chipper and Griffey getting in. But that is incredible to me.

[hairyharold]

went with david price. i would say adrian if he benefited the team that drafted him. not sure if that's part of the criteria but i made it part of mine

[Twinsfan33]

Joe Mauer.

[PadresFan86]

Mauer has played on the same team his whole career, so he gets the edge over Gonzalez Upton and Price.... Its too early to tell on the younger guys...

So it's Gonzalez's fault he was traded four times?

[PejaD]

Best-to-worst:
- Mauer, MVP winner and still with drafted team
- Price, CY winner and still an ace
- Upton, All-Star still in prime of his career and many good years w/DBacks
- AGon, all-star for many years, but not with Marlins
.... now the bad....
- Aiken, likely wasted year and doubtful to be drafted #1 again
- Beckham, questions about effort and injuries have him as a future utility IF at best
- Bullington, a value pick by the old cheap Bucs
- Bush, only place he might be an all star now is the prison league

[TheTimeIsNow]

Agon all the way!

[Skipscards]

My favorite fact is that not a single #1 Pick since the draft started in 1965 has been inducted into the Hall of Fame. I only see Chipper and Griffey getting in. But that is incredible to me.

Straw would have been the first if he hadn't let his nose get in the way.

[jmscoggin]

Straw would have been the first if he hadn't let his nose get in the way.

He still breaks my heart.

[fiskaaron]

1. Mauer
2a. AGon
2b. Price

Who was the #1 pick in 02, 03, 04 and 08?

[exitmusicblue]

He still breaks my heart.

You're breakin' my, breakin' my, breaking my HeeAaaAart...
- Jewel, "Foolish Games"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RmgiSL1djg

[Skipscards]

He still breaks my heart.

Mine too. Still love 83 Traded.

[death2redemptions]

I voted Adrian because it is the only correct choice if forced to vote today. I still think that if you asked the same question but did it 20 years from now, it will be Harper.

You could make an argument if going by basic statistics but based on sabermetrics Joe Mauer has compiled a better career by about 8 WAR in the same amount of time in the majors.

Based on the fact that Mauer played gold glove defense at a premium position (well, up until last year) & Gonzalez fields the easiest position in baseball, I'm going with Mauer. A career .400+ OBP is pretty darn good as well.

[rats60]

My favorite fact is that not a single #1 Pick since the draft started in 1965 has been inducted into the Hall of Fame. I only see Chipper and Griffey getting in. But that is incredible to me.

Mauer will be a Hall of Famer in my opinion.

[jmscoggin]

You could make an argument if going by basic statistics but based on sabermetrics Joe Mauer has compiled a better career by about 8 WAR in the same amount of time in the majors.

Based on the fact that Mauer played gold glove defense at a premium position (well, up until last year) & Gonzalez fields the easiest position in baseball, I'm going with Mauer. A career .400+ OBP is pretty darn good as well.

I may have overstated my position a little too strongly. Mauer certainly has had a fine career. I still take Adrian though, imagine how good his numbers would be if he had played his prime outside of San Diego. Your defensive argument is sound though, it is the only thing that is even giving me pause.

Mauer will be a Hall of Famer in my opinion.

Not if he retired today.

[Skipscards]

Mauer will be a Hall of Famer in my opinion.

Not if he retired today.

Probably not, but maybe. He's already done things no other catcher has done. He'd be borderline even now. If he just accumulates some numbers for a few years, he'll be a lock. If he had a career ending injury this season, even then he'd get a lot of votes. I'd put him a hair below guys like Kiner and Puckett without looking too closely.

[jmscoggin]

Probably not, but maybe. He's already done things no other catcher has done. He'd be borderline even now. If he just accumulates some numbers for a few years, he'll be a lock. If he had a career ending injury this season, even then he'd get a lot of votes. I'd put him a hair below guys like Kiner and Puckett without looking too closely.

I still say no but that is if today or tomorrow. For reference, Puckett has 764 more hits, 98 more hr's, 396 more rbi's and 323 more runs. Granted, even though he only played one more year, 12 vs 11, Puckett did have far more at bats. I think Mauer plays a few more years and does enough to get in but no way he deserves it as of right now.

[Wolves4Life]

I'd have to say as of now Joe Mauer, but will be interested to see what becomes of the Astros Correa, Appel, and Aiken.

Technically Aiken wasn't a number 1 pick...at least not yet unless he goes 1 in 2015. You have to sign to be a real #1 pick.

[Skipscards]

I still say no but that is if today or tomorrow. For reference, Puckett has 764 more hits, 98 more hr's, 396 more rbi's and 323 more runs. Granted, even though he only played one more year, 12 vs 11, Puckett did have far more at bats. I think Mauer plays a few more years and does enough to get in but no way he deserves it as of right now.

True. Which is why I said a hair below. Puckett also had the benefit of being the best player on Championship teams. That being said, Mauer is a catcher which closes the gap a bit. As of right now, Mauer is probably what, a top 15 catcher of all time? (Maybe even top 10).

[Skipscards]

Technically Aiken wasn't a number 1 pick...at least not yet unless he goes 1 in 2015. You have to sign to be a real #1 pick.

Technically he was picked #1. What does signing have to do with anything? The answer to the question of who was picked #1 in any given year is the player who was picked before anyone else. In 2014 the first player selected was Aiken. Seems pretty simple.

[dthimesch]

Joe Mauer-

At this time he may be the only Hall of Famer on that list.

[jmscoggin]

Technically Aiken wasn't a number 1 pick...at least not yet unless he goes 1 in 2015. You have to sign to be a real #1 pick.

This is asinine but at least you are consistent.

[death2redemptions]

I still say no but that is if today or tomorrow. For reference, Puckett has 764 more hits, 98 more hr's, 396 more rbi's and 323 more runs. Granted, even though he only played one more year, 12 vs 11, Puckett did have far more at bats. I think Mauer plays a few more years and does enough to get in but no way he deserves it as of right now.

While this is true, Mauer played at a position where offense isn't at a premium so that closes the gap quiet a bit. Regardless, I think Puckett was a better overall player even with the difference of positions.

[SDcardguy24]

Technically Aiken wasn't a number 1 pick...at least not yet unless he goes 1 in 2015. You have to sign to be a real #1 pick.

#DoesntMatterStillCounts

[Wolves4Life]

If Aiken goes anything but 1 in 2015 that is the number he will be remembered by not #1.

[Wolves4Life]

This is asinine but at least you are consistent.

It's the truth, Hate all you want. He didn't sign therefore he's not #1.

[Wolves4Life]

Technically he was picked #1. What does signing have to do with anything? The answer to the question of who was picked #1 in any given year is the player who was picked before anyone else. In 2014 the first player selected was Aiken. Seems pretty simple.

How many #1 picks didn't sign of the players people mentioned?

[awz50]

AGON or Mauer

[sjorgen5]

Mauer as of now

[jmscoggin]

It's the truth, Hate all you want. He didn't sign therefore he's not #1.

It is so hard to tell where your idiocy ends and your trolling begins.

[death2redemptions]

It is so hard to tell where your idiocy ends and your trolling begins.

http://i822.photobucket.com/albums/zz150/JDfromAZ10/wTpI5_zpshsbbm7ti.gif (http://s822.photobucket.com/user/JDfromAZ10/media/wTpI5_zpshsbbm7ti.gif.html)

[CoEnt85]

Not the best yet but I think Harper will end up as the best once it's all said and done.

[ageofreason13]

To this point I think David Price has been the best, he's the only one listed that has played in a World Series. I'd rank them like this:

1. Price
2. Gonzalez
3. Mauer
4. Strasburg
5. Upton
6. Harper
7. Cole
8. Correa
9. Appel


I want to put Harper higher, but the injuries have kept him from taking the next step.

[jmscoggin]

To this point I think David Price has been the best, he's the only one listed that has played in a World Series.

Price has had a great career so far and is a solid choice but the World Series part has me scratching my head. There have been a lot of scrubs that have been lucky enough to make it to the WS. Just making it doesn't mean that a player is great. If championships equal greatness, Chone Figgins > Ted Williams.

[death2redemptions]

Price has had a great career so far and is a solid choice but the World Series part has me scratching my head. There have been a lot of scrubs that have been lucky enough to make it to the WS. Just making it doesn't mean that a player is great. If championships equal greatness, Chone Figgins > Ted Williams.

Yeah, getting to the World Series is a *team* effort. No one player can bring their team to the World Series so not making it to the World Series doesn't reflect upon the performance of a single player.

[jmscoggin]

Yeah, getting to the World Series is a *team* effort. No one player can bring their team to the World Series so not making it to the World Series doesn't reflect upon the performance of a single player.

Not only that but Price is 1 - 5 with a 4.50 ERA in the post season. Probably would have been best to leave that part out of his argument. Again, solid choice in the poll outside of that.

[death2redemptions]

Not only that but Price is 1 - 5 with a 4.50 ERA in the post season. Probably would have been best to leave that part out of his argument. Again, solid choice in the poll outside of that.

lol, if anything, that hurts his argument.

[caflisch78]

Price has had a great career so far and is a solid choice but the World Series part has me scratching my head. There have been a lot of scrubs that have been lucky enough to make it to the WS. Just making it doesn't mean that a player is great. If championships equal greatness, Chone Figgins > Ted Williams.

+1 for the first notable forum reference to Chone Figgins in at least 3 years. :)!

[death2redemptions]

+1 for the first notable forum reference to Chone Figgins in at least 3 years. :)!

Scoggins is a Figgins super collector.

[speedyjg13]

Price has had a great career so far and is a solid choice but the World Series part has me scratching my head. There have been a lot of scrubs that have been lucky enough to make it to the WS. Just making it doesn't mean that a player is great. If championships equal greatness, Chone Figgins > Ted Williams.

Getting Figgy with it!!!

[jmscoggin]

+1 for the first notable forum reference to Chone Figgins in at least 3 years. :)!

Someone has not been paying attention. I use him at least once a month although usually as a comic foil. Even though I kid, I'll always love my boy 'Chony' for 2002.

[caflisch78]

Someone has not been paying attention. I use him at least once a month although usually as a comic foil. Even though I kid, I'll always love my boy 'Chony' for 2002.

Yes, I have plenty of my own "chonie" references within my inner circle as well seeing as how I was lucky enough to attend all our home games during the 02 post season. Fantastic voyage

[jmscoggin]

Yes, I have plenty of my own "chonie" references within my inner circle as well seeing as how I was lucky enough to attend all our home games during the 02 post season. Fantastic voyage

It certainly was and until this day and probably until my last, my favorite name to say is Shigetoshi Hasegawa. That was a magical summer. We better stop the Halo gushing, we have derailed the thread and are making fools of ourselves. I'm actually used to it and not ashamed but sorry to drag you down into my wormhole.

[speedyjg13]

It certainly was and until this day and probably until my last, my favorite name to say is Shigetoshi Hasegawa. That was a magical summer. We better stop the Halo gushing, we have derailed the thread and are making fools of ourselves. I'm actually used to it and not ashamed but sorry to drag you down into my wormhole.

Sadly they both left to Seattle :(

[Skipscards]

If Aiken goes anything but 1 in 2015 that is the number he will be remembered by not #1.

For 2015, sure. But for 2014, he'll always be remembered as the #1 pick. In fact, his not signing will make him an even more memorable #1 pick.

It's the truth, Hate all you want. He didn't sign therefore he's not #1.

Who are you, Bill Almon?

It is so hard to tell where your idiocy ends and your trolling begins.

The number 7 will henceforth be known as apple.

[Skipscards]

To this point I think David Price has been the best, he's the only one listed that has played in a World Series. I'd rank them like this:

1. Price
2. Gonzalez
3. Mauer
4. Strasburg
5. Upton
6. Harper
7. Cole
8. Correa
9. Appel


I want to put Harper higher, but the injuries have kept him from taking the next step.
Yeah, but Mauer is a twin who plays for the Twins.

[duwal]

Mauer has played on the same team his whole career, so he gets the edge over Gonzalez Upton and Price.... Its too early to tell on the younger guys...

I also give the edge to Mauer because of his job at catcher too with added responsibility like calling pitches, framing pitches, etc.