TOP 10 MLB Draft BUSTS Of ALL TIME... Can't Miss 1st Round Prospects That NEVER MADE IT!

Welcome to another TOP 10 VIDEO and today, I count down the TOP 10 MLB DRAFT BUSTS of all time!! Some of these players looked SURE-FIRE 100% MLB STARS, but NEVER made it as productive big leaguers!!
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[@PrivateHole420]

Danny Goodwin wasn't drafted by the Cubs in 1971, he was drafted by the White Sox in 1971

[@HummBabyBaseball]

I got mixed up cuz both in Chicago, my bad

[@RRaquello]

@@HummBabyBaseball All you have to do is mention "Chicago" you don't even need to mention the team. If it's in baseball, you'll know they screwed up. Speaking as a long time White Sox fan.

[@user-hg7yw7it4s]

@@HummBabyBaseballPpppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp ApapaaaaPapapaPPPPPPp99999999000000000000000000000000pppp00000000000000pp0p000p00000000000000000000000000000ppp0000000000000000000999999990000000999900099999999999999990999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999+9pooooooo9oooooooooooooooooooooooooooo0

[@garyschwartz1958]

Cubs

[@ProvisionalPatrioticAlliance]

The great Todd Van Poppel Upper Deck Rookie card scramble of 92'. Ahhhhhh memories

[@HummBabyBaseball]

Oh yeah that card was hot!

[@commiehunter733]

I had that card too, lol

[@MikeHart72]

I was part of that scramble lol. I still have quite a few, maybe I should auction them off for 50 cents or so 😜

[@GeeEm1313]

I remember 91. But yeah.

[@TheOldTapeArchive]

He did make the Rookie Card Hype Hall of Fame. First ballot.

[@SamtheBravesFan]

3:38 What is untold in this story: Van Poppel was insistent before the draft that he wanted to go pitch in college for Texas and his high demands scared teams off. And he really blew off the Atlanta Braves, who had the first pick in the draft, and didn't speak with them directly much. They decided to pivot to their other choice: Chipper Jones, a kid out of prep Bolles School in Lakeland, Florida. I'd say that worked out well enough for them.

[@matthewcollins8602]

True I was wondering if anyone recalled that.

[@mr.picoboulevard6758]

Bolles is in Jacksonville

[@alittlehelp812]

Didn't Tim Tebow play there.

[@Boss3Nate]

@@alittlehelp812 Nease

[@KidFresh71]

What a jerk, to leave your dog at home for a month, resulting in the poor canine's death. That goes beyond cruelty. Dude must have a screw loose. Hope his time behind bars helps him get his head straight.

[@carolinatarheels7903]

He was never right on the field, from that batting stance to the way he fielded the ball, he just looked like a guy that won a contest to be on the field for the night. Never really engaged in the game.

[@smartluck100]

Forgive my ignorance, but who are you talking about?

[@KidFresh71]

@@smartluck100 Shawn Abner. Check out 12:40

[@capinkevarino9674]

Bubba Starling, Kansas City Royals. One of the top-ranked baseball draft prospects in 2011. His hometown Royals made him the fifth-overall pick in the draft. He finally reached the big leagues in 2019 at age 26, receiving semi-regular playing time. He played in 91 games with the Royals for two seasons, hitting .204/.246/.298 with five home runs.

[@RedSpartan32]

Didn’t even start to watch, and I knew Brien Taylor would be number one. I wasn’t disappointed. Actually, as a Yankee fan, I will always be disappointed.

[@jimwerther]

He actually spelled hs name Brien.

[@baroqueguitarist5673]

Well as a fellow Yankees fan we had a pretty good team in the mid 90s without him lol so it can’t sting that much. Imagine Pettite, Rivera, and a Taylor all coming up at the same time. Maybe Steinbrenner doesn’t sign Irabu. It’s actually suprising Steinbrenner didn’t try and trade Taylor back then. Maybe he did and I don’t remember.

[@mikestahlman8225]

I remember collecting his cards back then thinking it would be a big hit.

[@RedSpartan32]

@@mikestahlman8225 The Upper Deck set that came in a case modeled to look like the Toronto Skydome!

[@mamalannightshyaman]

You poor poor World Series ring starved Yankees fan

[@txbill2512]

Had the Rangers not rushed Clyde up to the majors so quickly, and given him time in the minors, it may have turned out different for him.

[@jamesanthony5681]

True. I believe Whitey Herzog said the same thing.

[@teetoo3790]

David Clyde seems he was really rushed because of their owner. Sad.

[@ericpeltz9928]

They should have listened to Billy Martin

[@iamhungey12345]

They did this for a publicity which made it worse.

[@DNSKansas]

@@jamesanthony5681 Whitey wanted him to go to the minors right away. Bob Short told him to shut up and pitch Clyde whenever he said so. That was a big reason Herzog was fired before the '73 season ended.

[@jeremystark3350]

I remember in 1990 Kevin Maas was supposed to be the next great Yankee. He had one good minor league season & was on the cover of Beckett sports card magazine. He was a huge bust. One of his best cards are worth 10 cents at best. 😁

[@Jekyll_Island_Creatures]

He had pretty good power if I remember right. Today he'd be a 30+ HR guy and hit .220

[@bradutterstrom4105]

Maas first year, 21 homers in half a season....on pace for 40 in a full season. Didn't do nearly as much after that

[@jamesage24]

I remember him tearing it up in the first half of the season. Once I saw his weird batting stance, I guessed it wouldn't be long before the pitchers figured him out.

[@vicepresidentmikepence889]

Kevin Maas isn't a bust. He was drafted in the 22nd round. If anything, Kevin Maas was a huge overachiever, who had a great rookie year

[@dandyjimbuckley]

I was stoked about Maas back in 90. After suffering some god awful Yankee teams from the late 80’s to early 90’s, anything positive was worth holding onto. Too bad he didn’t work out. I was high on Dave Eiland too. He had a decent coaching career at least.

[@michaelgerhardt7130]

Funny thing about Van Poppel is that he has a 2 year anomaly where he pitched for the Cubs and was good, had era under 3.00 each year.

[@SamtheBravesFan]

Yep, being a decent reliever for once.

[@vinniebarusa]

I had forgotten about that. Yes he did!

[@HummBabyBaseball]

Yeah, I almost didn't put him on the list because of that but he was SUCH a HUGE prospect that I wanted to mention him.

[@michaelgerhardt7130]

@@HummBabyBaseball I do agree, 2 years of decent middle relief is no where near what Van Popple should have been.

[@davidaltman8831]

@@SamtheBravesFan yeah he had one good year with the reds as a reliver to

[@DDDDD760]

I worked at a summer baseball camp in the late ‘80’s - early ‘90’s and met many Yankees coaches - Brien Taylor’s biggest bust (outside of the fight) was that he refused to go to Winter Ball as he felt that he was too good. He was totally uncoachable!

[@jamesanthony5681]

Interesting.

[@kimkelly5512]

He should have run into Billy Martin!

[@MadMetsFan]

He also came across as kind of a mama's boy too

[@margaretjiantonio939]

I remember Steinbrenner didn't really wanted him. I saw him pitch in the minors. He threw hard but he was wild.

[@jamesanthony5681]

@@margaretjiantonio939 The old man didn't want him? But George signed him to that big contract, no?

[@fredaaron762]

Every team knew that Reggie Jackson was the best player available in the 1966 draft. But when the General Manager of the Mets, M. Donald Grant (the same guy who drove Tom Seaver out of town), was a racist who didn't like the fact that Reggie dated white women. So he picked Steve Chilcott instead, claiming the organization lacked depth at the catching position. This was nonsense, since the Mets had just gotten a great defensive catcher from the Astros named Jerry Grote and also ended up taking Duffy Dyer in the same 1966 draft. This showed that there were other options.

[@HummBabyBaseball]

Good insight, I didn't know that

[@margaretjiantonio939]

They used to call the METS Grant's Tomb

[@margaretjiantonio939]

The METS were referred to the team as Grants Tomb.

[@TheBatugan77]

That's weird, because the Mets had their share of black players early on. I'm a Yankee fan, but went to Shea often.

[@Pocketrocket-pj1us]

@@TheBatugan77 Interesting. I would love to see a video on this but I doubt many white management guys would openly admit to this type of thing. Still, hit me up if you ever find a video or article about it. Cheers from Canada

[@Dulcimerist]

Glad that you have Todd Van Poppel on this list. When I think of #1 pick busts, he comes to mind first since I was in my early teens and collecting baseball cards. I didn't get in on the hype of him or Ben McDonald when my friends were after their rookie cards like crazy.

[@totalrobot]

I wasted so much money on boxes of early 90's baseball cards back then. UGH.

[@jasonschwartz9481]

Van Poppel was also huge because he was the first player to have a million dollar signing bonus if I remember correctly.

[@Dulcimerist]

@@totalrobot Yeah, the bottom fell out. I got burned out on all of the brands there suddenly were, and stopped after 1991. I miss the days of only Topps, Fleer, and Donruss.

[@Jason-si8iu]

@@Dulcimeristvan poppel was drafted ahead of chipper l think

[@Dulcimerist]

@@Jason-si8iu Chipper was #1 overall that year, followed by Tony Clark. For some reason (maybe the hype) I thought Van Poppel had been #1 overall. Mike Mussina was drafted six picks behind Van Poppel.

[@sirstewartwallace3917]

Brady Aiken deserves a mention. The Astros picked him first couldn't sign him due to money disputes and a bad physical. The next year, Cleveland ignored the warnings and picked him with their first round pick. Aiken never made it out of Single-A due to elbow injuries and underwhelming performances and retired after being released last year, not pitching again after April 2019. Meanwhile, the Astros got the #2 pick the next year as a result of not singing Aiken and picked Alex Bregman.

[@Josh-ut4wv]

I am surprised Mark Appel wasn't there either but intresting thing about that pick and why it might not be here is since he was the number 1 pick if the team is unable to sign him they get a top 5 pick the next year so that draft they had two top 5 picks (one for sucking and the other because of him) Alex Bregman was signed and so was Kyle Tucker which means had the Astros not signed him they would have lost either Bregman or Tucker which is while it was a bust it all worked out well there.

[@mj23allday247]

I had so many Todd Van Poppel and Brien Taylor rookie cards. Thought I was set for life. Even had the gold foil Topps Brien Taylor in a giant brick card holder 😂

[@Boyso5407]

I remember that card and how coveted it was at the time. That gold card will live in infamy

[@dennisbedard9850]

I remember a player named Danny Walton. Was named minor league player of the year by the sporting news in 1969. They put him on the front cover of one of their issues. He bounced around and never lived up to his potential. For diehard Red Sox fans, who can forget Billy Rohr in 1967. Pitched a one hitter his first time out and fizzled after that. I think David Clyde should be hight up on this list. The hoopla surrounding his first start was akin to the second coming.

[@kittallmadge]

Walton had a strong first couple of months with the Brewers in 1970, our first fan hero. Then pfffttt.

[@kmslegal7808]

I remember Walton well. Without looking it up he hit 15 or 20 home runs over the first half of the season. He had immense power. I remember a homer he hit to left center in old Yankee Stadium over the 457 ft marker. I never saw anyone hit one into those left center field bleachers. I guess the pitchers adjusted but he didn't

[@Legnerps]

Walton was leading the american league in home runs after the first two weeks i think it was eight and i think he finished with fifteen. I also am pretty sure he was on the cosports illustrated that month. billy roar yeah i remember him...watched elston howard break up his no hitter in the ninth inning.

[@RRaquello]

I remember the Yankees picked up Walton from the Brewers with the hope they could get him to reach his potential. They were picking up a lot of guys like that in those days, either failed prospects of other teams (Billy Cowan was another), or guys who had been good, but were injured and on the way out, like Pete Ward, Ron Hansen and Steve Barber. They also had their own red hot prospect who fizzled like Jerry Kenney, Terry Whitfield, Otto Velez and Rusty Torres.

[@Dulcimerist]

1:37 - Todd Van Poppel 3:37 - Bryan Bullington 5:30 - Brooks Kieschnick 7:36 - Danny Goodwin 9:47 - David Clyde 11:38 - Shawn Abner 12:51 - Steve Chilcott 14:15 - Al Chambers 16:10 - Adam Johnson 17:24 - Brien Taylor

[@jcngokai-76]

I remembered watching Todd Van Poppel back in the day, his fastball was so straight that he earned the nickname of Todd Van Popcorn as once you hit a home run off him, the hits kept on coming.

[@joemckim1183]

Brien Taylor never made it to the majors and after his career ended got arrested for cocaine trafficking.

[@Jason-si8iu]

@@joemckim1183 hope he kicked his brother ass

[@jasonschwartz9481]

@@jcngokai-76 I saw him pitch one game for Oakland and twice here in Pittsburgh. I was playing independent ball for Allentown when I saw him as a Pirate. I remembered that he was, I think, the first player to sign a 1mil bonus out of highschool, so I was curious as to what happened. Watching that fast ball, along with how he couldn't locate anything, it was so obvious. Like, it was possibly the last movement I had seen on a fast ball in a pro player that I can remember. And, he was hanging everything when he wasn't missing the strike zone. Honestly, at that point in his career, he would have been hit at ANY level of pro ball. He eventually learned to pitch a bit more with the Cubs, but he was still wild. Too bad he didn't get more time in the minors to teach him another grip on the fastball...

[@jaymoon5906]

What about Rick asadorian ofcthe redsox he was also supposed to be a cant miss

[@markb20]

Brien Taylor... what a catastrophe. Made so much larger because he was a Yankee prospect with that record signing bonus of over $1 mil. I remember the 60 Minutes story done on his record bonus and incredible talent. And also remember the 60 Minutes "update" added when he got in the fight that ended his career.

[@imagine9265]

Violent tendency issues is in his DNA .. and his entire race based on the American prison system

[@markb20]

@@imagine9265 All I know is his brother that got into the fight was a loser with prior arrests, and the fight took place at a dive bar. Draw your own conclusions.

[@sidviscous5959]

@@markb20 If you grow up in a certain kind of lifestyle it can be hard to escape. It's just a damn shame . . .

[@bluemoon-20]

@@sidviscous5959 very true

[@sidviscous5959]

@@bluemoon-20 somebody should make a movie. It's a true American Tragedy. It has everything . . .

[@rsuriyop]

Terrific list. More than half of these guys I’ve never even heard of. So thanks for shedding some light on them. For me personally, I see guys like Cory Snyder (4th overall pick, 0.7 career WAR) and Bubba Starling (5th overall pick, -1.8 career WAR in less than 2 seasons) as being worthy of inclusion on this list as well.

[@vinniebarusa]

Yeah I remember Cory Snyder. He hit well against the Rangers. But then again, that says more about the Rangers than it does Snyder.

[@gregroeper2976]

I thought Cory Snyder was going to have an All-Star career. He was a good athlete, had good power numbers his first 2 years in the bigs, not to mention a cannon arm in right field. But he had too many holes in his swing, which pitchers took advantage of , relegating him to becoming a journeyman player for the rest of his career.

[@deathmetal11111]

I don't think it's fair to call Cory Snyder a bust. He had a few 20+ HR and one 30+ HR season. By 1980's standards he was a good ball player for a few years. It's only looking back at his career and seeing his low OBP and worthless defense that his WAR comes out so low.

[@norespectgiven2u]

For some reason I always think Kevin Maas. Don't remember how hyped he was MLB wide, but as a young Yankees fan, he was supposed to be the second coming.....lol

[@ROZAKRIU]

I remember when the Braves picked Bob Horner #1 overall in 1978. They brought him immediately to the big leagues, never played an inning in minor league. He homered in his first game....Bob had the potential to be a great, great hitter....but he had so many wrist injuries they destroyed his potential....still, nevertheless...Bob had a decent career...once hitting 4 homers in one game...I still remember that compact swing, how quick his bat was.... O well, what might have been

[@nickthompson318]

My grandfather complained about Bob Horner constantly.

[@RAMEZERONROMESHKUDRAKENZERWM]

@@nickthompson318 I got frustrated so much with Horner....You could see his potential but it fizzled due to his injuries......I do remember after leaving the Braves he went to the Cardinals....St.Louis needed a power hitter.....I don't remember the circumstances but Bob didn't provide or fill the Cardinals' need.....They later got Jack Clark who DEFINITELY answered all the Bird's expectations....he was a great power hitter..... I don't remember what happened to B.H. but I think I'll now check into it

[@TheBatugan77]

Bob got a little bit chubby. Then, a lot chubbier.

[@RAMEZERONROMESHKUDRAKENZERWM]

@@TheBatugan77 RIGHT...BOB LEFT ARIZONA AND CAME DOWN TO US GEORGIA FOLKS.....WE TAUGHT HIM HOW TO EAT COLLARD GREENS HAMMOCKS, BLACK-EYED PEAS AND FAT BACK......ALAS; WE RUINED LOTS OF NICE YANKEE BOYS WHO CAME DOWN....THUS THE WORST TEAM IN BASEBALL FOR DECADES

[@sludge8506]

Horner did well in Japan.

[@orangehoof]

I was expecting Mark Appel to be on this list. Not a draft bust but these stories remind me of the guy who had an entire MLB career in one day and retired with a 1.000 batting average. John Paciorek, the older brother of big leaguers Tom and Jim Paciorek, was a late season call-up for the 1963 Houston Colt .45s. In the last game of the season, Sept. 29, 1963 against the Mets, Paciorek got into the starting lineup and made his big league debut. Paciorek went 3-f0r-3 with two walks, four runs scored and three RBIs. The next spring, he hurt his knee and never again returned to the majors.

[@whoishec7615]

He’s definitely a draft bust

[@PHN-2024]

Mark Appel appeared in 6-games in relief for a Phillies this season (2022). So, if the Phillies Win the World Series over the Astros, Mark Appel could possibly get a WS Championship Ring.

[@fionam3554]

@@whoishec7615 there was no draft in those days, so he isn't.

[@whoishec7615]

@@fionam3554 are you ok? I don’t think that you “thought” anything through before you wrote this comment…..mark Appel went number 1 in the 2013 draft and is definitely a bust…..idk why you would even say that there wasn’t a draft class in those times when 9 yrs ago is not a very long time ago…..I’m all for weed and shit but you should lay off from hard drugs….water is more like it

[@fionam3554]

@@whoishec7615 I was referring to Paciorek

[@michaelrotter1134]

Once again Erik very good stuff. Keep up the great work, looking forward to your next one

[@jasonschwartz9481]

I've got to say that what David Clyde did in his first two seasons was pretty incredible. It wasn't the right move by management, but right out of highschool? That's amazing. Reading about him it was definitely the injury that messed up his career. Had he pitched with modem medicine I think he retains all of his stuff and goes on to have a tremendous career. Regardless, he still performed unbelievably as an 18/19 year old pitcher.

[@johncook8720]

I remember the hoopla re David Clyde very well. Its amazing just in itself that right out of high school for a brief period he did pitch well. Unfortunately injuries quickly followed, it wouldve been interesting to see how his career mightve gone without them.

[@suncitypro1]

Clyde got exploited to sell tickets! He put butts in the seats and it cost him a real career! Shame on the sorry ass owner of the Rangers! I’ve always felt sorry for him!

[@oldmanballer5088]

Lyle was bought up for ticket sales and that hurt him he should’ve never been there taht early. They killed his career. He needed innings in the minors to strengthen his arm. Sad really I think he’d would’ve been a force if they hadn’t used him to sell tickets.

[@user-nx8pe6pc3h]

The Rangers ruined Clyde. They brought him up way to early for ticket sells. He was not ready to come up.

[@MadMetsFan]

David Clyde individually has nothing to be ashamed of.

[@tomservo5607]

Mark Appel was drafted 8th overall in 2012 and then 1st overall in 2013. His MLB stats to date are 0-0 1.74 ERA WAR 0.3

[@SamtheBravesFan]

It was a big deal that he even made the majors this year.

[@dannycomellas]

He absolutely should've been on this list

[@HummBabyBaseball]

He didn't make the list because he hasn't technically retired yet..

[@RRaquello]

That 1.74 ERA looks pretty good.

[@michaelbaucom4019]

It just shows that scouting/talent evaluation is as much art as it is science And defining " bust " is entirely subjective...a #1 choice that only has a journeyman/mediocre, but fairly long career(The Matt Bush example at the beginning of the video)..if Bush weren't a #1 choice, he'd be considered a relative success. One #1 Choice who some called a failure, but, actually had a decent career: Jeff King, #1 choice of the Pittsburgh Pirates.(played in (1980s-1990s)..he had 154 HRs in 11 seasons... Another #1 who was a bust, but found some success as a manager: Clint Hurdle

[@winddmmy]

taylor refused to go to the afl before he got in that fight if he had done what the yankees wanted him to do he would not have in that bar.

[@Royal_G80]

I grew up in the Bay Area and remember all the hype about Todd Van Poppel. Everyone thought he was going to be the A's next great pitcher!

[@sludge8506]

Remember The Four Aces?

[@MadMetsFan]

I would say that Todd Van Poppel was the most hyped Major League prospect I've seen in my lifetime. I didn't see too much of him because he was on the West Coast, but from what I saw his stuff was really good but there was very little movement to it. And movement is something you can't teach a pitcher. I never really understood why the scouts never caught on to that.

[@Heathcoatman]

Surprised Darren Dreifort isnt on this list. He deserves an honorable mention at least. Drafted 2nd overall in 1993 (right behind Arod), he is one of the very few players who went straight to the Majors. He wasnt very good (ERA over 6 his first year, a little better the next) and was injured quite a bit off and on. When his rookie contract was up, his agent (Scott Boras, of course)convinced the Dodgers that he could develop and claimed the Rockies were going to take him and make him a star, the dodgers caved and gave him 55mil over 5 years (this is a huge contract in the 90s, especially for a guy who already hadnt lived up to the hype) but was pretty effective in 1997 as a setup reliever. Then the dodgers made him a starter where he regressed back to bust. I guess, like Van Poppel he did hang around many years and even had 1 good year, but 2nd overall, he is considered one of the Dodgers biggest busts.

[@Heathcoatman]

He was taken 8 picks ahead of Kieschnick, who did make this list

[@TheLeadSled]

Talk about a miss, we had a player on my high school team a pitcher that was throwing high 90's in 12th grade with a wicked curve ball, I know I batted against him in practice. Anyway he was invited to the Phillies tryouts, he didn't go, simply put he father said he was to lazy, just didn't feel like it. I was flabbergasted that he didn't even try, he went on to become a firefighter, but man what a missed opportunity. So even those these players didn't fulfill their potential at least they tried, my teammate didn't even do that much in the end.

[@eamonkelley3811]

The fact that Harrisburg High School formerly known as John Harris High produced a number 1 overall pick is crazy. That program for decades now notoriously goes winless every year.

[@Football__Junkie]

I had all the #1 draft pick cards for Todd Van Poppel and Brien Taylor. Every year I always wondered “when are these guys gonna play in the bigs?” I never knew Taylor injured his shoulder. Growing up I just thought all MLB teams were bad at picking players since it seemed like every year the top draft picks sucked except for Griffey and Arod

[@seanboy316]

David Clyde was picked before Hall of Famers Robin Yount and Dave Winfield, at the 3 and 4 slots in the 1973 Draft.

[@jblank2215]

These types of bust lists always bring me back to Sean Burroughs. Back to back little league world series champion, son of a former AL MVP, drafted 9th overall. He hit for a decent enough average but could just never get the power going at the MLB level. Grew up playing just down the street from him and everyone thought he was HOF bound. That kid could crush a ball.

[@bnegs521]

Yeah that wooden bat the ball doesnt bounce quite the same

[@SamtheBravesFan]

I remember watching Sean on TV.

[@qwerty52676]

He had two decent seasons. More than the other guys on the list

[@jasona9]

blank 80, As a San Diego Padres fan I remember Sean Burroughs. Great fielding third baseman, but NO POWER. The Padres had Phil Nevin at that time. Phil is best remembered as a Padres first baseman and backup catcher, but he took over at third base once Bruce Bochy benched George Arias. He didn't have Sean's fielding and throwing ability, but he could HIT. Due to this, Sean never became the full-time 3B for the Padres. I recall there was talk of converting him to 2B, but I don't think that materialized.

[@jasona9]

@@bnegs521 I remember Padres 3B legend Ken Caminiti talking about that. He mentioned in an interview that it took several years for him to learn to hit with a wood bat.

[@23ofSeptember]

Todd Van Popple was the Ken Griffey Jr of the 1991 Upper Deck cards.

[@bnegs521]

And I had 2 as a little kid. I thought I really had something 🥴

[@23ofSeptember]

@@bnegs521 Yup, it was that $1,000,000 signing bonus!

[@BarnabyBaltimoron]

Great list! You could honestly make an entire series on MLB draft busts. I don’t think any other major league sport has nearly as many busts as baseball. Most likely because we draft 17 yo kids in high school.

[@anadraham2995]

This was a FANTASTIC episode‼️‼️‼️ Great voice too 👍

[@imandan1966]

No Billy Beane?

[@elc1960]

I remember all of these guys except Chilcott, but he was signed before I was a baseball fan. I'm familiar with all the other guys. Another commenter before me mentioned Clint Hurdle, who got a massive amount of hype with the Royals, but he was never able to maintain a full time job with them, being mostly a platoon player at 1B and in the outfield and pinch-hitting. He even tried catching for a while. He also spent time with the Cardinals, Reds, Mets and Phillies.

[@tvgator1]

Yep. Hurdle even made the cover of SPORTS ILLUSTRATED on his hype. Good manager though.

[@elc1960]

@@tvgator1 Yep. The highlight of his playing career was being a member of the AL Champion Royals in 1980. If he'd been able to hit lefty pitching or been a better defensive player he might've lasted longer in the bigs. But yeah, Hurdle was a good solid manager.

[@jefflewis4]

Jackson says he was told the Mets chose Chilcott over him because his girlfriend he planned to marry at the time was a Mexican woman who looked white. The Mets didn't want to deal with the potential social issues of the relationship. It was 1966, interracial marriage was still illegal in some parts of the US.

[@khaldounelbey3968]

@@jefflewis4 True story.

[@RRaquello]

Living in New York in the mid-80's, all you heard was that Gregg Jefferies was the greatest hitter to come into baseball since Ty Cobb. Some guys aren't exactly busts, but are so over-hyped by their own teams that they can never possibly live up to their press notices. Jefferies ended up being a good player, so he shouldn't be called a bust. But ask Met fans about him and you won't hear anything nice.

[@jesusbueno2463]

Bill Bene, the Dodgers number draft 1 pick in '88 out of Cal State L.A.? Never made it to the Majors. Drafted ahead of some "unknown" ballplayer in the 62nd round. 🤔 Mike Piazza.

[@jab1289]

ESPN's Page 2 did an article in 2006 called The 100 Worst Draft Picks Ever: Here is what they said about Bene: "No, that's not Billy Beane, the Oakland general manager. This guy was a hard-throwing right-hander who was wilder than Charlie Sheen on vacation in Cancun during spring break. Bene rarely pitched at Cal State Los Angeles, but the Dodgers clocked him at 100 mph and took him over such future big leaguers as Jim Abbott, Robin Ventura, Tino Martinez and Alex Fernandez. At one point, the Dodgers wouldn't let him pitch batting practice to live batters and had him pitch to a department-store mannequin. Career totals in the minors: 18-34, 5.45 ERA, 516 innings, 543 walks, 502 strikeouts."

[@jerryklooster438]

Another really good post. Keep up the good work.

[@carolinatarheels7903]

Where’s Ben McDonald. Huge hype coming out of LSU and so much so that Upper DECK “supposedly “ issued an error card in their 1990 set. That card was huge money back in the day. McDonald had an okay career but nowhere near what was expect of him. Others would be Tim Costo, Ben Grieve, Doug Million, and my favorite, Monty Farris who put up huge numbers in college hitting with Robin Ventura at Oklahoma State and Team USA in 1988 but once he didn’t have Ventura struggled. Same draft, Willie Ansley. Huge power number in high school and the Astros wanted to pair him with Eric Anthony. They both turned out to be huge busts.

[@waynejohanson1083]

He probably just missed the cut. He could be perhaps number 11 on the list.

[@ousamaabdu794]

Big Ben fastball was a little too straight to dominate MLB competition

[@luvmuppets]

How about doing a video on the reverse- players who barely made it through the draft who became all-time greats? A la Albert Pujols and Mike Piazza.

[@HummBabyBaseball]

I did it with my new video! kzbin.info/www/bejne/bWqVpHpjl62rjJY

[@Rockhound6165]

Piazza was drafted by the Dodgers because Lasorda was friends with his family. The fact that he grew up in Phoenixville which is a piss shot away from Philadelphia and the Phillies scouts knew nothing about him says all you need to say about the post Paul Owens/Dallas Green Phillies scouting system.

[@miknak5254]

Excellent video clip. I have been a Braves fan since 1980's, and I'm giddy every time I hear the name Van Poppel. Bobby Cox, then GM, was trying hard to sign Van Poppel, but Van Poppel wasn't interested in lowly Braves at the time. So, Bobby went after Chipper Jones instead. Thank you very much!

[@teetoo3790]

Great knowledgeable video. Just subscribed.

[@HummBabyBaseball]

Thank you!

[@markellzey1531]

The first two I thought of before watching this was Ben McDonald and Brien Taylor. McDonald's ommision is a glaring one to me.

[@HummBabyBaseball]

I thought McDonald had an okay career, certainly a bust but not a MASSIVE insane bust.. he will probably be in the follow-up video though.

[@hitmangfx7162]

Nah, McDonald was solid. He led the Brewers staff for a few years. Didn't live up to the hype in Baltimore. Too bad, would have slotted in nicely behind Mussina

[@ericbogar9665]

I remember trading a card for that Todd Ban Poppel Upper Deck and thought I was going to have some money one day. It was a slick card too. 😂

[@toneloc7910]

When Brooks Kieschnick was drafted, I remember some baseball analyst saying, "Congratulations, Cubs. You just drafted a DH".

[@ajnboilerup]

I don't know if Bullington should be on this list because he had a major injury when things were getting good. I don't count major injuries towards considering busts.

[@larrydanadavid2435]

Surprised 1997 first pick Matt Anderson (Tigers) didn’t make the list.

[@HummBabyBaseball]

I considered him, He'll be on the next one

[@diamondhead1984]

Matt Anderson really wasn't a draft bust, he was the result of a moron being the General Manager of the Detroit Tigers at the time. Simply put he was an overdraft. Probably should have been a 2nd round draft pick considering his body of work in college. I am pretty sure the other 29 MLB general managers were scratching their heads at that pick.

[@ianyoung8147]

I remember hearing about Chad Mottola (5th overall in 1992) for the Reds. He had a substantial big league career, but the person taken after him was Derek Jeter.

[@chriskelly4477]

Hmmm. A different narrator for Humm baby ? Still one of the greatest KZbin baseball channels. Love it !! ⚾

[@HummBabyBaseball]

Thank you.. I do all the work myself so I would have to pay some one else to narrate and that sounds expensive. I haven't gotten a lot of complaints so I thought it was good enough but I realize I don't have the best documentary voice and have considered looking into hiring a narrator when I feel like I can afford it.

[@ousamaabdu794]

Actually, I think him as the narrator is top notch.

[@marcoperdomo283]

Great video, just subscribed.

[@lonniemontgomery6867]

Anyone remember Ty Griffin? Played second base on the 88 Olympic team and the Cubs drafted him in the 1st round. I saw him play in AA and he may have got a call up but he never made it, obviously.

[@carolinatarheels7903]

I used to love his 1989 Topps card in his Georgia Tech jersey. I think that was the first draft card I ever pulled and thought, wow they’re putting draft picks in here now? Unfortunately he never made it above AA. Another guy in that set was Monty Farris out of Oklahoma State. Dude was a beast there with Robin Ventura and his 58 game hitting streak. The problem was he batted after Ventura and always saw the best pitches. Once the Rangers took him in the first round they quickly found out the guy couldn’t hit for power or average and I think he even got the yips.

[@matthewandress1229]

His 89 Topps card was the first card I ever got autographed when he played with the Charlotte Knights and they came to Greenville to play the Braves. I thought it was so cool!

[@edsapp6678]

Whate about Jerome Walton from the cubbies??

[@carolinatarheels7903]

@@edsapp6678 he wasn't a first round pick

[@edsapp6678]

@@carolinatarheels7903 Good thing..cause he sucked and was all hype

[@deusexwhatever8963]

Dig your videos. Love the voice. Good stuff!

[@DeidaraOfTheAkatsuki]

Ones I can think are 2nd overall picks from my Mariners. Dustin Ackley was good as a rookie, but after that he just wasn’t good. Then Danny Hutlez, can’t prevent injuries but drafted 2nd and made his Debut in 2019 as a Cub pitching a handful of inning.

[@markmccreary9605]

You should do a video on just the Pirates number one busts, mostly high if not number ones. It would make you sick.

[@SconnerStudios]

Never heard of Kieschnick before. I don't even remember him in the MVP Baseball games. Sad he never got to be a Shoehi.

[@lloydclaussen3925]

He pitched a little bit for Brewers also

[@aggiejason4305]

Kieschnick was a stud at the University of Texas

[@joemckim1183]

@@lloydclaussen3925 Brooks was a 2 way player, in addition to pitching he also played LF and was a regular pinch hitter.

[@bnegs521]

In college he once pitched a game where he threw 190 pitches! No joke!

[@TheSimplyIncrediblePodcast]

I remember Shawn Abner when he played in Lynchburg. He was the 1985 Carolina League MVP. I just knew in a few years the NY Mets outfield would be Abner, Dykstra, and Strawberry. So sad, I still have a bunch of Shawn's cards. Many of those 1985 Topps rc's.

[@jasona9]

During Shawn Abner's short time in San Diego, he did some appearances at Card Shows to sign autographs. He actually STOPPED doing them due to being disrespected by fans. In the San Diego Union Tribune newspaper, I recall Shawn commenting that a fan came up to him with a stack of his rookie cards and rolled his eyes. The card collector made a gesture to Shawn Abner like, "These cards aren't worth anything....". Anyway, it bothered Shawn enough where he mentioned the incidence to a journalist and said he was going to stop doing card shows.

[@connorchurch3518]

Mark Appel was a huge draft bust too. Was drafted 8th overall by the Pirates but didn’t sign. Astros picked him first in 2013 and he retired at 26.

[@tigersonthediamond5273]

You should do more draft bust videos ☺️👍👍

[@HummBabyBaseball]

Oh there will be a sequel!

[@JohnSmith-zw8vp]

Do one of the opposite if you haven't already...Top Ten Draft STEALS. #1 on the list should be HOFer Mike Piazza seeing as how he was drafted DEAD LAST.

[@HummBabyBaseball]

You're a genius!

[@rhocke4590]

The Brien Taylor story is one of the most interesting cautionary tales in sports history. Any podcast, news article, or KZbin video about it and I’m clicking.

[@xGodofAcidx]

I'm glad you included Ben McDonald in your other video, no list is complete without him. The way he was hyped up when I was a kid, you'd think he was the second coming of Cy Young. Still think your list is incomplete without Marty Cordova, though.

[@erickh82082]

CJ Nitkowski was another bust aside Generation K

[@yentirb1536]

I don't know if it was the music, the narration, or the content of the video, but this just made me emotional. It sucks to see such bright stars never being able to shine.

[@jasona9]

1:08 I'm a Padres fan that remembers Matt Bush. Thanks for giving him 'honorable mention' in your video. Padres' fans took the 2004 draft hard. Primarily because Justin Verlander was passed over to select Matt Bush first overall. The Padres not only missed on a Bonafide ACE, but Matt Bush proved to be a BUST due to poor play, an incredibly immature attitude, and poor off-the-field choices. The late Padres GM Kevin Towers never lived the "Bush selection" down. He was ONLY taken FIRST because he went to Mission Bay High School in San Diego, and they knew he would sign for a relatively low price. Suffice to write, the Padres being cheap benefitted the Tigers. Regardless, I'm glad Matt Bush turned his life and career around after converting to pitcher from shortstop.

[@matthewhoribe6585]

A friend told me that Bush would show up to his Sisters softball games trashed and smelling like alcohol

[@jasona9]

@@matthewhoribe6585 I recall a story when he was arrested in Peoria, Arizona during Spring Training. His immaturity was difficult for Padres fans to forgive, but he looks to have grown up a lot.

[@jirikurto3859]

Van Poppel was a huge deal when I was a kid and he came through Medford for the A's. The A's were also on top of the league at that point, so locally he was big deal even in a small place like Southern Oregon.

[@chrismehl9225]

I used to go to Medford to see him pitch. Thanks for that memory

[@l.rongardner2150]

I remember Brian Bickerton, a left-handed pitcher from neighboring Santana high school (in San Diego) who was the 7th pick in the first round of the 1967 MLB draft. Although Bickerton was like a man against boys in high school, he never made the big leagues and ended with a 23-49 minor league record over 8 seasons.

[@vincentrussell6442]

I went to Santana high school in Santee CA

[@l.rongardner2150]

@@vincentrussell6442, did you ever hear of Bickerton before reading my comment? At the same time Bickerton was playing, we had a great pitcher - Larry Sweat - at my high school, Helix. Larry a left-hander like Bickerton, went something like 13-0 with an E.R.A. around 1.00, but I don't think he was even drafted or played pro ball, probably because he was kind of small and didn't throw very hard.

[@l.rongardner2150]

What I forgot to mention is that at the same time Bickerton was pitching for Santana, the third or fourth best pitcher on our Helix team was Mark Wiley, who went on to become a MLB pitcher and pitching coach. Wiley was physically big in high school but didn't throw particularly hard. Somehow, when he went on to college, he morphed into a far better pitcher.

[@carseye1219]

I remember reading something about David Clyde, who was only a few days from eligibility for his MLB pension, quit. Everybody kept telling him, "don't be stupid, hang on, that's a lot of money you're throwing away". But he walked out anyway.

[@provincialfish]

I live up in Central Ontario and even up there we were trying to get the Todd Van Popple rookie card because we thought it'd be valuable. It was around the same time everyone wanted Eric Lindros rookie cards, I bet there's a lot of both sitting in boxes in basements around here lol

[@Gronk79]

Really well researched and good job! I always remember Matt Harrington of Palmdale, CA. Drafted 5 yrs in a row, and never signed. First, 1st rd, 7th overall by Rockies, and next year 2nd pick in 2nd rd by Padres, and then 3 more yrs in a row. Eventually invited by Cubs to spring training (non-roster).

[@bnegs521]

Why didn't he sign?

[@Gronk79]

@@bnegs521 Long story. His first agent when the Rockies picked him overall #7, was an experienced MLB agent. BUT, he had never represented such a high draft pick before. The agent got into an ugly, and public, argument with the Rockies. The agent considered the Rockies "dangerous" (his public words) and advised Harrington not to sign. The next year, Harrington and his parents expected the Padres to make the same offer as an overall #7 pick, but the Padres only offered what you would pay 2nd round, #2. ESPN did a special on him. Really, confusing and convoluted affair that went on for the next 3 drafts.

[@bnegs521]

@@Gronk79 Wow drafted 5 times and never signed. Crazy. Thanks for the info

[@bnegs521]

@@Gronk79 Oh man I just looked him up. After all those contracts he and his agent turned down he was working at Costco for 11.50 an hour. I did see he recovered on an insurance policy and a settlement from that lawyer but it didnt say how much. I'm glad I read your post.

[@Gronk79]

@@bnegs521 An option that his parents did not consider(I really don't know though) Is that he lived in Calif. and was just a high school Sr. is that his parents should have gotten on the phone and got him into a top notch collage baseball program, which there about a thousand in Calf. Instead he went to play for the St Paul Saints, a independent minor league team(where JD Drew played for a year. )

[@oldfanboy]

Spot on with Brien Taylor. He was going to restore the NY Yankee glory before the Core Four.

[@DRIPSONE73]

Greg Jeffries from the Mets should have been number 1 he had minor league rookie cards going for more than anyone in the mlb for a while

[@Rockhound6165]

I would hardly call a guy who was a 2X all star, had a career batting average of .289 and 1,500 hits and who once hit for the cycle a bust.

[@robtierney2569]

@@Rockhound6165 he had a good big league career he had really high expectations is why i think people hate on him

[@Rockhound6165]

@@robtierney2569 that's not on him. He had a pretty solid career with a 19.5 WAR. Just because he didn't become the god he was thought to become isn't on him, it's on those who put those expectations on him.

[@Evom777]

Easily the most hyped of the late 80's. His 1988 cards were hitting $12 before he even played a day in he majors.

[@winns35]

I've never once watched an MLB draft. I just can't get excited for a pick I probably won't see for 6 years.

[@quinn-tessential3232]

As a Chicago area native, I cringe at hearing the name Brooks Kieschnick. He was one of several highly-touted Cubs prospects who never amounted to anything. Hee-Seop Choi was another. I've never heard of most of the players you mentioned, but I guess that's because they were busts.

[@bravesfan5760]

In 1990 the Atlanta Braves had the worst record in the National League following several losing seasons. Todd Van Poppel made it know that if they drafted him he wouldn't sign, but enroll in college instead and enter the draft later. They chose Chipper Jones with the #1 pick instead and Van Poppel was signed by the A's with the #2 pick.

[@unkledoda420]

I always remember Kirk Presley (the 3rd cousin of Elvis). He was drafted by the Mets out of high school at #8 overall in 1993 or 94. He had what was considered one of the best high school careers ever at the time (career 37-1 record, 0.60 ERA, 22 shutouts, 5 no-hitters, 1 perfect game, can't find the test of his career stats but his senior year he had 161 K's and 16 BB in 97 innings). Threw a shutout in his first minor league game but that was about as good as it evet got for him. Wasn't terrible his 1st year 6-7 W/L 16 starts 98.2 innings 3.83 ERA. But he only pitched 14 games, 9 starts and less than 50 innings over the next 4 seasons, never got beyond A+ level, and had 3 or 4 arm surgeries. Wasn't as hyped, thus not quite as disappointing as Brien Taylor but still one i remember all these years later.

[@FBSGlobalEngineering]

That one really surprised me, because he was amazing in high school as a state champion quarterback in football and a state champion baseball pitcher. I think he was the top high school player in the state of Mississippi in both sports according to the Clarion Ledger.

[@SGBassplayer]

Knowing how pitching-heavy the Braves were in the early '90s I thank God every chance I get that they picked Chipper Jones instead of Van Poppel.

[@zesolodar]

i know you have van poppel on the list and i agree but i wish you would of mentioned something else about him which kind of helps with the bust label. . if people dont know the braves had the first overall pick and were going to take him but he wanted nothing to do with atlanta and said there was no way he would sign with atlanta and if they drafted him he would prob goto college instead. well because of that the braves took a player out of florida who turned out pretty good named chipper jones.

[@darthsmoker420]

I remember the hype on Brian Taylor I was young but I remember it. Didn't know what ever happened to him. Remember having some baseball rookie cards of him and thinking are these ever going to increase in value. Crazy story

[@dave9242]

Great video ✌️👍

[@jasonpowell6096]

Ben McDonald was overall #1 but was overused in college

[@vhhawk]

Buzz Capra was the name that came to my mind. I was a kid listening to the Braves radio broadcasts in the 1970s. All these years I thought he had been a phenom and a bust, but now that I look him up I see his career was much longer and better than I had remembered. Way to go, Buzz. And thank you for the trip to my past.

[@MikeHL78]

Yes, he certainly didn't have a great career, or anything close to that, but he led the major leagues in ERA in the one and only season he pitched enough innings to qualify for that title.

[@CoondawgPD]

I was thinking Brian Asselstine myself. But, at least Brian got the Braves to put a major league fence in the outfield.

[@RRaquello]

Being a kid in NY at the time, I remember Buzz Capra with the Mets. He got a lot of hype, but the Mets were loaded with young arms, so he was expendable. He had that one great year with the Braves, but then hurt his arm. He could have been a good #2 starter behind Niekro for a long time if he could have stayed healthy. His most famous moment with the Mets, though, was getting into a terrific fight with Reds pitcher Pedro Borbon during a playoff game at Shea Stadium in 1973.

[@joshhale9355]

I feel bad for Chilcott, I’m mainly a hockey fan and so many guys with insane potential get completely derailed by injuries and it sucks. It’s not even their fault or lack of skill, just one unlucky moment leading to a bunch of others.

[@hopehealsinternationalmini4291]

Great content!

[@CoreyInCreamCity]

Nick Neugebauer is often brought up amongst Milwaukee Brewers biggest busts. He might be one you'd want to follow up on. Great vid!

[@DionysusAlS]

It shows how capricious life can be, when getting into a random fight that probably happened out of nowhere for a stupid reason leads to your life path, which likely would have been filled with fame, glory and riches, being forever altered.

[@davidsolove9489]

Great video!!!

[@merccadoosis8847]

I wonder if you remember Costen (Cos) Shockley? He was from Delaware, signed a major contract with a big bonus at age 18 or so and was projected to be a future super star. Things didn't quite work out, however. I believe he retired at age 24. I remember having his MLB Rookie card which my mother threw away along with my entire set of the 1961 Yankees. She thought it was all garbage. Though she has long passed on, to this day I still have not forgiven her for this crime.

[@orbyfan]

I always get Todd Van Poppel confused with Bill VanBommel (or Van Bommel), who was drafted in the 8th round by Oakland in 1970, and was 39-57 in the minors (1971-1979), never making it to the major leagues.

[@jeffrapier947]

Damn, I wonder if that Van Poppel 3D coin thing would be worth anything today. I remember I had at least one as a kid.

[@Kodyow]

Brooks Kieschnick is my uncle but I was too young to see him play on tv

[@MatthewW713]

Tyler Kolek drafted #2 overall in the 2014 draft deserves a spot on the list. He never made the bigs (didn’t even make AA) and hasn’t played since 2019. Crazy draft year, Brady Aiken went 1st but didn’t sign and has also never made the big leagues

[@jab1289]

The year that Al Chambers was drafted #1 overall (1979), there was a prospect that wasn't that far away from me named John Mizerock who was drafted eighth overall by the Astros. Didn't really go on to do much for them.

[@waynejohanson1083]

Another bust for the Mariners was Mickey Brantley. He played for my Calgary Cannons in Triple A and tore up that league.

[@antbojo]

As soon as I saw Todd Van Poppel at #10, I knew right away this list was going to be juicy.

[@homedeezyfasheezy5662]

As a Texas Longhorns fan I remember the hype around Brooks Kieschnick. His name was a pretty big deal in the here in Austin back in the day.

[@kevinmoore2929]

Re: Van Popple. One of the high school clips you showed was him pitching against Abilene Cooper in the state playoffs against another "can't miss" prospect, left hander Jason Satre. His is a story that you'd find interesting.

[@teetoo3790]

A lot of these busts seemed like they were hyped by baseball card magazines back then, so we buy their cards, so that's why they feel like bigger busts.

[@ACGreyhound04]

Unlike in football, baseball prospects may take years to get up to the “big club” so their ability (or lack thereof) to change the fortunes of an organization isn’t as easy to judge, and there are many more ways for a team to mishandle a young player.

[@hiramnoone]

Van Poppel's anomalous one good, another okay two years with the Cubs notwith standing, it's amazing with those stats he actually managed to have an eleven year career in the Majors.

[@DMalltheway]

He wouldn’t have lasted in todays game with analytics