The Trevor Bauer reference made me look up this (just out of curiosity, not masochism):
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That would be the 10 best first-round picks from the 2011 draft sorted by career WAR to date. [This is one use of WAR that quite serves its purpose.]
Not showing up there is Javier Baez of the Cubs, who would be considered in the top 10 for sure but hasn't built up enough WAR yet in a couple of partial seasons.
Also not showing up, because drafted in the 2nd round, is Brad Miller with 3.8.
Others not from the 1st round who would show up (I only went thru round 10):
Mookie Betts Boston 5th -- 9.1
Marcus Semien ChiSox 6th -- 4.8
Ken Giles Phillies 7th -- 3.2
Kyle Hendricks Texas 8th -- 4.8
Travis Shaw Boston 9th -- 2.9
Carson Smith with 2.7 is close.
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M's drafted Danny Hultzen at No. 2, of course.
I recall Gordon being big on Rendon and Springer, and maybe the only one anywhere putting Springer as worth No. 2 overall.
I recall being about the only SSI supporter of Cole, although it was moot since the Pirates nabbed him anyway.
Bauer was heavily advocated by others, but I was lukewarm. Jury's still out, but he doesn't look like a star. Of course, Hultzen is nothing at the moment, so you'd take Bauer over him head-to-head.
I was a Sonny Gray supporter early, although I think everyone had him slipping down to the middle of round 1 by draft day. He was right up there with Cole and Bauer at the start of the college season though.
I recall absolutely zero Jose Fernandez discussion and I actually was surprised to realize that he was in this draft. You're not supposed to take a high school pitcher in the top 5 I guess, but he's certainly one who should have been. Wow.
I remember really hoping Jackie Bradley would fall to Seattle's 2nd round pick, but Boston snagged him at No. 40. He's just starting to bust out big. He was an awesome college player -- just oozed leadership.
So the Hultzen bust is balanced somewhat by Miller and Smith -- who, at the end of the day, were the main pieces that produced Karns and Miley. Just like the Ackley bust is balanced by Seager.
Even so, there was a lot of talent there that plausibly could have been had, and the M's have squat.