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Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (7) runs to the dugout before a game against the New York Mets at Kauffman Stadium. Peter Aiken-Imagn Images

Best American League draft picks of the last decade

By David Hill, Seth Carlson, Allen Settle | Last updated Jul 14, 2025 11:51 AM ET

Making the right selections in the MLB Draft can prove to be franchise-altering for teams. With the 2025 Draft underway (Rounds 1-3 took place Sunday, with Rounds 4-20 to be completed Monday), Yardbarker's MLB writers took a look at the best draft pick each club has made in the last decade.

(Records and stats are entering play on Monday.)

AL East

Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette (11) doubles against the Chicago White Sox during the eighth inning at Rate Field. Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Baltimore Orioles (43-52) | SS Gunnar Henderson | Selected with the 42nd overall pick in 2019 by the Orioles, Henderson has blossomed into a bona fide star at one of the most important positions in the game. The 24-year-old could potentially be worth 20 bWAR for his career by the end of 2025, and that’s just over his first four seasons.

Boston Red Sox (53-45) | OF Jarren Duran | It’s too early to go with a top prospect outfielder, Roman Anthony, at this juncture, but veteran Jarren Duran fits the bill here. A seventh-round pick in 2018 out of Cal State Long Beach, Duran has proved to be a steal by the Red Sox, developing into an All-Star outfielder, and is now the subject of potential trade rumors this summer.

New York Yankees (53-43) | C Austin Wells | Landing a quality backstop is not easy in MLB, let alone through the draft. However, the Yankees seem to have found their long-term solution behind the plate in Austin Wells, their first-round draft pick in 2020, who is enjoying consecutive seasons of above-average offensive production (104 OPS+ in 2024 and 103 OPS+ so far in 2025).

Tampa Bay Rays (50-47) | RHP Joe Ryan | You might’ve noticed that Joe Ryan is starring with the Minnesota Twins these days (2.72 ERA in 18 starts in 2025), but that doesn’t take away from him being one of Tampa’s best draft selections of the past decade. A seventh-rounder in 2018 (like the aforementioned Duran), Ryan is showing what made him such a coveted asset, both when the Rays took him and when the Twins subsequently acquired him for designated hitter Nelson Cruz back in 2021.

Toronto Blue Jays (55-41) | SS Bo Bichette | The Blue Jays don’t have a great track record in the draft over the last decade, but 2016 second-rounder Bo Bichette has shone at times during his nine-year career in Toronto. Even with some inconsistency, though, Bichette has the highest WAR of any Blue Jays draft pick over the last 10 years and is in the midst of a bounceback campaign in 2025, with a 110 OPS+. -- Seth Carlson

AL Central

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Garrett Crochet (35) throws during the first inning at Fenway Park. Eric Canha-Imagn Images

Chicago White Sox (32-65) | LHP Garrett Crochet | Crochet never appeared in a minor league game before making his major league debut as a reliever. Finally inserted into the rotation in 2024, he quickly emerged as one of the best young starters in the majors. Crochet has taken another step forward in his first season in Boston, emerging as a potential Cy Young candidate.

Cleveland Guardians (46-49) | RHP Gavin Williams | The Guardians have not exactly drafted well over the past decade, with just three first-round picks reaching the majors. Williams has been the best of that bunch despite his command issues keeping him from taking a step forward.

Detroit Tigers (59-38) | OF Riley Greene | Although the Tigers have had several first-round draft picks listed amongst the top prospects in the game, Greene has been the only one to truly live up to expectations. He has followed his breakout 2024 season with another stellar performance this year, cementing his place as a cornerstone for the resurgent Tigers.

Kansas City Royals (47-50) | SS Bobby Witt Jr. | Witt was expected to be a franchise player when he was selected with the second pick in the 2019 MLB Draft. He has managed to exceed those expectations, emerging as a perennial All-Star and MVP candidate.

Minnesota Twins (47-49) | OF Brent Rooker | The Twins' best draft pick in the last decade played all of 65 games in Minnesota. Rooker appeared to be a bust, bouncing through three different organizations before the A’s selected him off the waiver wire. The late bloomer is a two-time All-Star with a pair of 30 home run seasons as he has become a key part of the A’s lineup. -- David Hill

AL West

Seattle Mariners pitcher George Kirby (68) pitches in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Athletics (41-57) | Jacob Wilson | Shortstop Jacob Wilson and his all-world contact abilities narrowly edge out first baseman Nick Kurtz and Tyler Soderstrom. All things considered, the Athletics have found several gems in the draft over the past decade.

Houston Astros (56-40) | Alex Bregman | Former third baseman and 2015 draft pick Alex Bregman is the only Astros selection of note. Thankfully, they found a franchise cornerstone, three-time All-Star, and two-time World Series Champion.

Los Angeles Angels (47-49) | Zach Neto | Shortstop Zach Neto is the clear pick for the Angels. He is a rare bright spot (and future building block) amidst a slew of underwhelming selections.

Seattle Mariners (51-45) | George Kirby | Co-aces Logan Gilbert and George Kirby face off for the honor of best Mariners draft pick from the last decade. While Gilbert has logged more innings (760 to 560.2) and career WAR (10.2 to 7.2), Kirby’s lower ERA (3.50 to 3.62) and elite control give him the slightest of advantages.

Texas Rangers (48-49) | Wyatt Langford | Outfielder Wyatt Langford and current Royals ace Cole Ragans are the two names that rise above the rest. While Ragans has accumulated a higher WAR during his four-year MLB career (7.1), Langford and his 6.4 WAR (in just two years) have earned the nod. -- Allen Settle

David Hill

Based in the mountains of Vermont, Dave has over a decade of experience writing about all things baseball. Just don't ask his thoughts on the universal DH.

Seth Carlson

Seth Carlson is an experienced writer and editor based in the NYC area with a particular love for all things baseball. He has a demonstrated history of delivering insightful analysis and engaging content across multiple outlets and industries. Seth brings his expertise and commitment to high-quality coverage to Yardbarker’s readers.

Allen Settle

Allen Settle is a lifelong baseball fan who has never given up on his passion. You can find his writing at Yardbarker and Prospects1500. He is a former writer at Fansided’s Marlin Maniac and Rising Apple

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