MLB Stars Taken Late in Draft

A List of Baseball's Best Late-Round Draft Surprises

Dec 26, 2008 Darek Truesdale

Even with so much attention shown to first round draft picks in every organization, there are always future stars found in the late rounds of MLB's Amateur Draft.

Here is a list of some of baseball's current superstars, all of whom were drafted in the late, double-digit rounds of their respected drafts:

1.) Albert Pujols:

Drafted in the 13th round (402nd overall) by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1999, Albert Pujols became one of the biggest late-round gems in draft history. While he only hit a combined 19 homeruns for three different minor league teams in 2000, Pujols has hit at least 32 homeruns in each of his eight major league seasons in St. Louis. He’s also tallied eight straight 100 RBI seasons to go along with a .334 career batting average. When it’s all said and done, Pujols may end up being the greatest hitter in baseball history. Not bad for a guy selected in the 13th round.

2.) Jake Peavy:

The 15th round, 472nd overall pick in June of 1999 already has a Cy Young under his belt to go along with 86 wins through seven seasons. Before that, Peavy was 35-20 as he made his way up the organizational ladder, taking him five seasons to reach San Diego. Known as one of the games best strikeout pitchers, Peavy has whiffed 1,256 batters to go along with a 3.25 career ERA. Though Peavy’s future in San Diego remains in speculation, there is no speculation that the other 29 teams that passed on Peavy for 14+ rounds would love to have a mulligan on that one.

3.) Ian Kinsler:

Though he isn’t a household name yet, Ian Kinsler, a former 17th round, 496th overall draft pick, has the look of a superstar in the making. Signing with the Rangers after being drafted twice by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2000 (29th round) and 2001 (26th round), Kinsler spent five seasons in the minors, where he compiled a .303 batting average with 46 homeruns, 187 RBIs and 56 stolen bases. In three seasons with Texas, he has hit .290 with 52 homeruns, 187 RBIs and 60 stolen bases. In a league where power hitting second basemen are at a premium, Kinsler’s power, combined with his speed, make him a definite draft day steal in 2003.

4.) Jermaine Dye:

It took eight long seasons for the 488th overall pick (17th round) in 1993 to finally reach the majors with the Atlanta Braves. In those eight seasons, Jermaine Dye posted 61 homeruns while driving in 292 baserunners. In 13 major league seasons, Dye has hit 298 homeruns and has driven in 991 baserunners. In one of those 13 seasons (2005), he was the World Series MVP for the Chicago White Sox, who swept the Houston Astros, 4-0, to claim their first title since 1917. Dye drove in the only run of the series-clinching game. At 34, Dye continues to prove to teams that he should’ve been drafted higher.

5.) Jason Bay:

Known mainly as the guy that replaced the disgruntled Manny Ramirez in Boston, Jason Bay had to have been considered a long shot at making the majors, let alone being a star in it. Drafted in the 22nd round (645th overall) by the Montreal Expos in 2000, Bay was in the minors for five seasons before finding a home in Pittsburgh’s outfield in 2004. Before his promotion, Bay was a .301 career minor league hitter with 54 homeruns and 230 RBIs. Since then, he’s batted .282 with 149 homeruns and 491 RBIs in six major seasons. Bay has also been selected to two All-Star games and is now the man patrolling in front of the Green Monster at Fenway Park. Perhaps the national stage of Boston is where Bay can prove that he’s better than a 22nd round pick.

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The 2007 MLB Draft board