The 2026 MLB Draft is set to begin on July 11th, and as we look back at the past decade, it's fascinating to see the impact of these picks. Here's a breakdown of each club's best Draft pick from the past 10 years, with a focus on the players who have made a significant impact on their respective organizations.
American League East
- Blue Jays: Bo Bichette, SS (2016, second round) - A potential plus-plus hitter, Bichette has a career .290 average and has shown power, as evidenced by his 29 homers in 2021. His three-year, $126 million deal is a testament to his value.
- Orioles: Gunnar Henderson, SS (2019, second round) - Henderson tops Adley Rutschman in career bWAR and wRC+, showcasing his defensive prowess and offensive capabilities.
- Rays: Joe Ryan, RHP (2018, seventh round) - Ryan's journey from a Cape Cod League All-Star to a two-time All-Star for Minnesota is remarkable. His 13.8 bWAR is impressive for a seventh-round pick.
- Red Sox: Roman Anthony, OF (2022, supplemental second round) - Anthony, once seen as a power-over-hit guy, has become a potential superstar. His .292/.396/.463 rookie season and three-year, $126 million deal are impressive.
- Yankees: Cam Schlittler, RHP (2022, seventh round) - Schlittler's dominance in his first two years at Northeastern, followed by a stellar 2025 season, has made him an All-Star and a postseason hero.
American League Central
- Guardians: Shane Bieber, RHP (2016, fourth round) - Bieber's control and velocity improvements have led to multiple All-Star nods and an AL Cy Young Award in 2020.
- Royals: Bobby Witt Jr., SS (2019, first round) - Witt's 11-year, $288.8 million contract extension showcases his impact. He's a five-tool talent with power and speed.
- Tigers: Tarik Skubal, LHP (2018, ninth round) - Skubal's dominance and back-to-back AL Cy Young Awards make him a standout pick.
- Twins: Brent Rooker, OF (2017, supplemental first round) - Rooker's All-Star appearances and 30-home run seasons with the A's make him a success story.
- White Sox: Garrett Crochet, LHP (2020, first round) - Crochet's journey from the bullpen to a starting role, with two All-Star appearances, is impressive.
American League West
- Angels: Zach Neto, SS (2022, first round) - Neto's steady performance and back-to-back 5+ WAR seasons make him a solid pick.
- Astros: Jeremy Peña, SS (2018, third round) - Peña's defensive prowess and offensive impact, including a Gold Glove and Championship Series MVP, are remarkable.
- A's: Nick Kurtz, 1B (2024, first round) - Kurtz's Rookie of the Year and Silver Slugger Award in 2025, along with his All-Star starting nod, showcase his talent.
- Mariners: Cal Raleigh, C (2018, third round) - Raleigh's 60 homers and All-Star/Silver Slugger Award-winning season make him a standout.
- Rangers: Wyatt Langford, OF (2023, first round) - Langford's impressive batting average and power, along with his quality defense, make him a valuable asset.
National League East
- Braves: Michael Harris II, OF (2019, third round) - Harris' 17.1 WAR and NL Rookie of the Year in 2022 showcase his talent.
- Marlins: Michael King, RHP (2016, 12th round) - King's journey from a reliever to a quality starter is impressive.
- Mets: Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF (2020, first round) - Crow-Armstrong's elite defense and power make him a potential MVP candidate.
- Nationals: Jesús Luzardo, LHP (2016, third round) - Luzardo's stability as a rotation option and All-Star appearance are notable.
- Phillies: Bryson Stott, SS (2019, first round) - Stott's double-digit homers and steals, along with his postseason success, are impressive.
National League Central
- Brewers: Jacob Misiorowski, RHP (2022, second round) - Misiorowski's lightning-armed fastball and improved control make him a potential NL Cy Young contender.
- Cardinals: JJ Wetherholt, INF (2024, first round) - Wetherholt's offensive and defensive capabilities, along with his all-around hitting, make him a franchise cornerstone.
- Cubs: Nico Hoerner, SS (2018, first round) - Hoerner's reliability and Gold Gloves showcase his impact.
- Pirates: Paul Skenes, RHP (2023, first round) - Skenes' dominance and Cy Young Award in 2025 make him a standout.
- Reds: Andrew Abbott, LHP (2021, second round) - Abbott's impressive WAR and All-Star appearance showcase his talent.
National League West
- D-backs: Corbin Carroll, OF (2019, first round) - Carroll's speed and dynamic play, along with his 30-30 season, make him a standout.
- Dodgers: Will Smith, C (2016, first round) - Smith's all-around excellence and World Series-winning home run showcase his impact.
- Giants: Bryan Reynolds, OF (2016, second round) - Reynolds' All-Star appearances and defensive prowess make him a success story.
- Padres: James Wood, OF (2021, second round) - Wood's power and success as a power hitter make him a standout.
- Rockies: Hunter Goodman, C (2021, fourth round) - Goodman's power potential and All-Star/Silver Slugger Award-winning season showcase his talent.
