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Famous Unsigned Draft Picks

By Mike Axisa | April 24, 2010 at 11:57am CDT

Each year, the 30 clubs will select 50 or so players in June's amateur draft, but they only end up signing around 30 of those players. Some are high schoolers that decide to go to college while others are already in college and return to school in an effort to boost their stock. There's about a million other reasons why a player can go unsigned as well.

As you can imagine, there have been several big time players who didn't sign when they were first drafted. If the Yankees had been able to sign Mark Prior when they selected him as the 43rd overall pick in the 1998 draft, might his career have played out differently?

Here's a list of some other famous players who at one point were drafted but declined to turn pro…

  • Daniel Bard: Selected in the 20th round of the 2003 draft by the Yankees.
  • Barry Bonds: Selected in the 2nd round of the 1982 draft by the Giants.
  • David DeJesus: Selected in the 43rd round of the 1997 draft by the Mets.
  • J.D. Drew: Selected by the Giants in the 20th round of the 1994 draft, then second overall by the Phillies in 1997.
  • Rich Harden: Selected by the Mariners in the 38th round of the 1999 draft.
  • Todd Helton: Selected by the Padres in the 2nd round of the 1992 draft.
  • Aaron Hill: Selected by the Angels in the 7th round of the 2000 draft.
  • Luke Hochevar: Selected in the 39th round of the 2002 draft and the supplemental first round of the 2005 draft, both times by the Dodgers.
  • Randy Johnson: Selected in the 4th round of the 1982 draft by the Braves.
  • Matt LaPorta: Selected in the 14th round of both the 2003 and 2006 drafts by the Cubs and Red Sox, respectively.
  • Tim Lincecum: Selected in the 48th round of the 2003 draft by the Cubs, then the 42nd round of the 2005 draft by the Indians.
  • Brian Matusz: Selected by the Angels in the 4th round of the 2005 draft.
  • Mark McGwire: Selected in the 8th round of the 1981 draft by the Expos.
  • Jonathan Papelbon: Selected by the A's in the 40th round of the 2002 draft.
  • David Price: Selected by the Angels in the 19th round of the 2004 draft.
  • Justin Smoak: Selected in the 16th round of the 2005 draft by the A's.
  • Mark Teixeira: Selected by the Red Sox in the 9th round of the 1998 draft.
  • Chase Utley. Selected in the 2nd round of the 1997 draft by the Dodgers.
  • Jason Varitek: Selected in the 23rd round of the 1990 draft by the Astros, and then the 1st round of the 1993 draft by the Twins.
  • Barry Zito: Selected by the Mariners in the 59th round of the 1996 draft, and then the Rangers in the 3rd round of the 1998 draft.

There's countless more examples out there, do you know of any others? 

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56 Comments

  1. Jeff Westcott

    15 years ago

    Mark McGwire was drafted by the Montreal Expos in the 8th round of the 1981 amateur draft, but did not sign.

    Reply
  2. Aaron Brock

    15 years ago

    Barry Bonds – 1982 2nd round SF Giants- did not sign, went to Arizona State. He got picked again in 1985, 6th overall by the Pirates.

    Reply
  3. danielknowsbaseball

    15 years ago

    I will always remember the JD Drew situation with Philly and the eventual backlash from Philly fans….stay classy

    Reply
  4. melonis_rex

    15 years ago

    Justin Smoak – drafted by the A’s in the 16th round in 2005, then drafted by Texas in 2008 in the 1st round

    Reply
  5. Aaron Brock

    15 years ago

    Tim Blecher – 1st overall in 1983, did not sign with the Twins,
    Jason Varitek- 21st pick in 1993, Twins opted to return for Senior year, 14th pick in 1994 for the Seattle

    Reply
  6. Guest 3198

    15 years ago

    David DeJesus was drafted by the Mets in the 43rd round of the 1997 draft.

    Reply
  7. Kevin Chambers

    15 years ago

    Slow Day.

    Reply
  8. lewisjsl

    15 years ago

    Randy Johnson was drafted by the Braves in the 2nd round of the 1983 draft but did not sign him. and two years later he went to the Expos.

    Reply
  9. Guest 3199

    15 years ago

    JD Drew, selected by the Phillies second overall in 1997. Boras told the Phillies he would not sign for less than $10mil. Drew was then selected 5th overall in 1998 by the Cardinals.

    Reply
  10. cardrob

    15 years ago

    Lincecum?

    Reply
  11. Ian_Smell

    15 years ago

    Tanner Scheppers was picked by the Pirates in the second round in 2008, and then by the Rangers in the first round last year.

    Reply
  12. Ian_Smell

    15 years ago

    Also, Nick Markakis was drafted by the Reds in 2001 and 2002, and then picked in the first round by the Orioles.

    Reply
  13. bjsguess

    15 years ago

    Braves rotation … Maddux, Smoltz, Glavine, Johnson … wow.

    Happy to see that my Angels did a good job in scouting guys. Extremely disappointed that they sucked at signing them.

    Reply
  14. Ferrariman

    15 years ago

    paul molitor-28th round by the cardinals, later went 3rd overall to milwaukee.

    Reply
  15. tilbrouck

    15 years ago

    Reply
  16. tilbrouck

    15 years ago

    Tom Brady was selected by the Expos in the 18th round – 1995

    Reply
  17. cardrob

    15 years ago

    Olerud went straight to the majors after geting picked by the Blue Jays in the 3rd round but probably would not have had he signed with the mets in 86 as a 27th round pick

    Reply
  18. tilbrouck

    15 years ago

    Tom Brady was selected by the Expos in the 18th round of the 1995 draft

    Reply
  19. tilbrouck

    15 years ago

    Tom Brady was selected by the Expos in the 18th round of the 1995 draft

    Reply
  20. tilbrouck

    15 years ago

    Sorry for my duplicate posts. Errors logging in.

    Reply
  21. tilbrouck

    15 years ago

    Sorry for my duplicate posts. Errors logging in.

    Reply
  22. Yankee_Baal

    15 years ago

    Roger Clemmens was drafted by the Mets in ’82, did not sign.

    Reply
  23. Guest 3200

    15 years ago

    Brett Wallace was selected by the Jays in 2005 and ended up with them too.

    Reply
  24. Guest 3200

    15 years ago

    Brett Wallace was selected by the Jays in 2005 and ended up with them too.

    Reply
  25. ivdown

    15 years ago

    I believe Price was also drafted by the Dodgers, I just don’t know what year that was.

    Reply
  26. menaceiisobriety

    15 years ago

    Nomar Garciaparra was originally drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 5th round of the 1991 draft, but did not sign.

    Reply
  27. menaceiisobriety

    15 years ago

    Nomar Garciaparra was originally drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 5th round of the 1991 draft, but did not sign.

    Reply
  28. Garyoldman

    15 years ago

    Oh man I didn’t know Chase Utley was drafted somewhere else first, that was a close one.

    Reply
    • ivdown

      15 years ago

      Freakin Utley should be a Dodger 🙁 He decided to go to UCLA instead.

      Reply
    • ivdown

      15 years ago

      Freakin Utley should be a Dodger 🙁 He decided to go to UCLA instead.

      Reply
  29. Garyoldman

    15 years ago

    Oh man I didn’t know Chase Utley was drafted somewhere else first, that was a close one.

    Reply
  30. det9lover

    15 years ago

    Fred Lynn drafted by the New York Yankees in the 3rd round of the 1970 amateur draft.

    Reply
  31. det9lover

    15 years ago

    Fred Lynn drafted by the New York Yankees in the 3rd round of the 1970 amateur draft.

    Reply
  32. det9lover

    15 years ago

    Fred Lynn drafted by the New York Yankees in the 3rd round of the 1970 amateur draft.

    Reply
  33. det9lover

    15 years ago

    Fred Lynn drafted by the New York Yankees in the 3rd round of the 1970 amateur draft.

    Reply
    • det9lover

      15 years ago

      Sorry for the multiple posts. it kept telling me it was not going through!

      Reply
    • det9lover

      15 years ago

      Sorry for the multiple posts. it kept telling me it was not going through!

      Reply
  34. det9lover

    15 years ago

    Fred Lynn drafted by the New York Yankees in the 3rd round of the 1970 amateur draft.

    Reply
  35. Encarnacion's Parrot

    15 years ago

    Brett Wallace was drafted by the Blue Jays in the 42nd round in 2005, but did not sign. Drafted in 2008 by the Cards in 2008, 1st round, and look who has him now..

    Reply
  36. Encarnacion's Parrot

    15 years ago

    Brett Wallace was drafted by the Blue Jays in the 42nd round in 2005, but did not sign. Drafted in 2008 by the Cards in 2008, 1st round, and look who has him now..

    Reply
  37. Chris Conrey

    15 years ago

    Pedro Alvarez was drafted and not signed by the Red Sox before the Pirates took him

    Reply
  38. jdub220

    15 years ago

    Michael Vick was drafted in the 30th round of the 2000 draft by Colorado.

    Reply
  39. jdub220

    15 years ago

    Michael Vick was drafted in the 30th round of the 2000 draft by Colorado.

    Reply
  40. jonalba

    15 years ago

    Tino Martinez was drafted by the Red Sox before he went over to Tampa University.

    Reply
  41. jonalba

    15 years ago

    Tino Martinez was drafted by the Red Sox before he went over to Tampa University.

    Reply
  42. glenmiller

    15 years ago

    Troy Glaus was a 2nd round pick of the Padres out of local Carlsbad High before he went to UCLA. Ultimately he was drafted in round 1 by the Angels. I don’t remember which year it was but the Padres could have had Helton and Glaus at the corner IF positions ahd they signed those guys.

    Reply
  43. glenmiller

    15 years ago

    troy Glaus was a 2nd round pick by the Padres out of Carlsbad High School. He didn’t sign and went to UCLA instead. The Friars could have had Helton and Glaus had they signed both players.

    Reply
  44. cardinaljohn

    15 years ago

    Will Clark June 7, 1982: Drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 4th round of the 1982 amateur draft, but did not sign.
    baseball-reference.com/players/c/clarkwi02.shtml

    Reply
  45. cardinaljohn

    15 years ago

    Will Clark June 7, 1982: Drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 4th round of the 1982 amateur draft, but did not sign.
    baseball-reference.com/players/c/clarkwi02.shtml

    Reply
  46. Trious

    15 years ago

    Have to still laugh at Tim Limp’s draft position.

    Everyone said the same thing….his throwing motion will mean he never will succeed!

    Reply
    • venn177

      15 years ago

      And now they eat their words as he clears mantle space for his third soon-to-be Cy Young.

      Reply
    • venn177

      15 years ago

      And now they eat their words as he clears mantle space for his third soon-to-be Cy Young.

      Reply
  47. hockeyman4

    15 years ago

    Stephen Drew was selected by the Pirates in the 11th round of the 2001 Draft, but did not sign.

    Reply
  48. hockeyman4

    15 years ago

    Stephen Drew was selected by the Pirates in the 11th round of the 2001 Draft, but did not sign.

    Reply
  49. Jman1213

    15 years ago

    Mark Prior was selected in the first round by the Yankees in 1998. He wanted $1.5 million, the Yanks only offered $750,000. I wonder what would’ve happened to him if he had signed with the Yanks. It’s doubtful Torre would’ve worked him like a galley slave like ol’ Dusty did. Perhaps Prior would’ve reached the promise of his early career.

    Reply
  50. Just_MLB

    15 years ago

    John Elway – Kansas City Royals – 1979 draft 18th round
    Deon Sanders – Kansas City Royals – 1985 draft 6th round
    Bo Jackson – NY Yankees – 1982 draft 2nd round
    Bo Jackson – California Angels – 1985 20th round

    footnote: Bo Jackson was drafted 5 times in 2 sports

    Bo Jackson – Tampa Bay Bucs – 1st pick 1st round 1986
    Bo Jackson – LA Raiders – 183rd pick 7th round 1987

    Reply

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