We’ve started using the offseason to look back at previous drafts and go through a redraft exercise. While five-year look backs of the 2019 and 2020 classes are fun exercises that still require a bit of projection to get things right, a 15-year review is significantly more settled.
To that end, we’re taking a look back at the 2010 draft class and doing the same redraft exercise. Many players in this draft class have completed decade long big league careers, while a handful are still plugging along in their 30s in variety of roles.
The 2010 draft was headlined by junior college sensation Bryce Harper who gave the Nationals back-to-back easy selections at the top of the draft after they took righthander Stephen Strasburg the year before.
The first round of the 2010 draft also featured three players to not get signed, making it the first time since 1989 when that many first-rounders didn’t reach deals with their respective clubs. Those players were RHP Barret Loux (Diamondbacks, sixth), RHP Karsten Whitson (Padres, ninth) and RHP Dylan Covey (Brewers, 14th).
For this exercise we’re only including players who signed, but some of the bigger “what ifs” from this class include 1B Aaron Judge (Athletics, 10th round), 3B Kris Bryant (Blue Jays, 11th round) and RHP Kevin Gausman (Dodgers, 27th round).
1. Nationals — OF Bryce Harper
- Actual Pick: OF Bryce Harper
- Original Drafting Team (Round.Pick): Nationals (1.1)
Harper is one of the most talented and hyped amateur prospects of all-time. Despite his massive expectations, he’s largely lived up to them. He’s one of four players in this draft class to exceed 50 bWAR, he’s a career .281/.389/.522 hitter with a 143 OPS+ and he’s a two-time MVP with eight all-star appearances. Since his first major league season in 2012, Harper is seventh in home runs (336), fifth in runs (1,082) and eighth in wRC+ (142). In addition to his consistent regular season exploits, Harper has been a reliable offensive force in the playoffs—especially in his Phillies tenure—and is a career .280/.394/.622 hitter in 53 postseason games with 17 home runs.
From his 2010 draft scouting report: “Harper has done some incredible things on a baseball field, like hitting 500-foot home runs, throwing runners out at first from the outfield, and scoring from second base on a passed ball. He’s received more attention and unfounded criticism than any amateur player in years. Perhaps the biggest question now…