How have the #1 Overall Draft Picks done in the Fingers League?
It is easy to see that position players drafted first overall have outperformed their pitching counterparts. Despite that fact there hasn't been a position player drafted #1 since Season 7.
Below is a look at how #1 Draft Picks have done in the Majors.
PITCHERS
Eight pitchers have been the first overall draft pick. Six of those have played in the Major Leagues. They have pitched in a combined 593 games with a record of 174-189. Only one has made an All-Star appearance. The jury is still out on many of these players because only three have pitched more than 650 innings and the other three have thrown under 115 innings each.
The Best (So far): Brad Tebeau - Season 8 #1 Pick - Tebeau is the lone All-Star of the pitchers. He owns a 47-29 record in 112 starts.
Will Become the Best: Leon Padgett - Season 12 #1 Pick - Padgett was probably better than most major league starters after 1.5 pro seasons. He's in the big leagues now at age 22. Has some serious splits and two nasty pitches. Those ratings should only get higher too.
POSITION PLAYERS
Five of the six position players chosen first signed with their teams. Three of the five will be Hall of Famers. Combined they have brought home some serious accolades: 4 MVP Awards, 18 All-Star appearances, 11 Silver Sluggers, 3 Gold Gloves and one Rookie of the Year.
Hall of Famers: Clarence Black, Santos Lopez, Chuck Moore - Seasons 2, 5, 6 #1 Picks
Black is approaching 500 HRs and an automatic HoF bid. He is also closing in on 2,000 career hits. Quite possibly will finish in the top three all-time in career games played, hits, home runs, RBIs, runs scored and walks.
Lopez is an MVP Award away from owning every piece of hardware that a position player can win. He has 3 WS rings, 6 All-Star appearances, 4 Silver Sluggers, 1 Gold Glove and Rookie of the Year. He's only 28 years old. Imagine the numbers when he's 36.
Moore is the only one to match the great Pedro Alvarez's power. He hits a HR every 2.5 games and he plays EVERY game. This season has started out otherworldly. The offensive numbers are off the charts.
