Two weeks ago I started this series looking at the biggest 1st round draft regrets for each team (with some caveats). Thus far I’ve gone over the regret of Fajita Eaters, Ball Busters, Baby Seals, Mauling Tigers, Tom Cat’s, Rollin’ Goats, Your Mom, and Pro Bowlers.
The aforementioned caveats….
– I am choosing a player that was passed if that player was taken within 3 picks of when the listed organization made a selection.
– Also, I am limiting my evaluations to first round draft selections.
– I am only choosing each player one time.
In keeping with the tradition of this series, I am going to keep the blabbing to a minimum. So here we go…..
Kelly’s Heroes
Year- Round- Pick: 2016 Round 1 pick 7
Drafted: Brady Aiken- SP- Cle
Passed On: Vlad Guerrero Jr- OF- Tor (taken 2 picks later by Mauling Tigers)
Oh Aiken. A two-time first round pick, once #1 overall, there was legit hype around that kid when he finally signed and started his pro career. He had a very mediocre first full season (and that’s being generous) before undergoing Tommy John. He is still only 23, but he’s thrown a total of 0.2 innings over the last 2 years and it’s not looking good. Vlad Jr, who was snatched 2 picks later got 500 at bats last year in the majors as a 20 year old and looks like a future superstar.
Danimals
Year- Round- Pick: N/A
Drafted: N/A
Passed On: no really, N/A
Yeah, I can’t find one. Honestly. Dan has made only 3 first round picks in his time in the CPL- Jose Abreu, Yuli Gurriel, and Nate Pearson. Maybe one day we can look back at Pearson as a bust but at this point he is a top 100 prospect with a very high ceiling. I wish I had more to say, but…I don’t. Kudos to Dan, I’m so happy for you (that’s sarcasm, by the way, you big jerk).
Scared Hitless
Year- Round- Pick: 2009 Round 1 pick 3
Drafted: Yonder Alonso- 1B- Cin
Passed On: Buster Posey- C- SF (taken 2 picks later by Raging Ferrets)
Rick has long regretted taking Alonso at pick at #3 in his first ever CPL first year player draft, so this is likely no surprise. Yonder was a big-time first base prospect who was drafted in the top 10 (#7) by the Reds. His position, draft pedigree, and bandbox home ballpark made Alonso seem like a legit candidate at the #3 spot. JK immediately slotted Alonso in at #2 on Scared Hitless’ top 10 prospects after the draft, but Alonso would never live up to expectations. He has had a long career, but has totaled only 100 homeruns across his 10 seasons. Posey, on the other hand, went on to be the best catcher in the game for a long stretch and led Dan to two World Series titles.
BROB’s Barnacles
Year- Round- Pick: 2015 Round 1 pick 7
Drafted: Rusney Castillo- OF- Bos
Passed On: Trea Turner- SS- SD (taken 2 picks later by Baby Seals)
Remember what excitement surrounded Rusney back before 2015? BP had him at #3 on their top dynasty league signees for that year, Baseball America had him as the #21 prospect in all of baseball, and Brian took him 7th overall. And yes, we all know now how hard he has flopped with that huge money Boston gave him. Two picks after Rusney, Fred grabbed Turner who has never failed to steal fewer than 33 bags while hitting .291 for his career. Oh and last year he nearly slugged .500 while helping the Nats win the World Series.
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