The MLB Draft is a gamble—some picks become legends, while others fade into obscurity. But every team has that one pick since 2014 that turned out to be their biggest win. Whether it’s an ace on the mound, a slugger in the heart of the lineup, or a franchise player leading a rebuild, these draft-day decisions have paid off in a big way. Let’s rank the best of the best!

MLB Draft Hits: Ranking Every Team's Best Pick Since 2014

After signing for $1.1 million six years ago, the son of Dante Bichette quickly separated himself as a potential plus-plus hitter, winning a Minor League batting title in 2017, and that’s held up in the bigs with a career .290 average since his debut in 2019. Bichette has shown more power than expected from his Draft days, too (e.g,. his 29 homers in 2021), and his secure place at shortstop has helped the Jays secure three postseason spots since he arrived in The Show.

AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST: Toronto Blue Jays: Bo Bichette, SS (2016, second round)

Obvious hat tip to No. 1 overall pick Adley Rutschman, but we’ll give Henderson the nod as the second-rounder who currently has more WAR (13.5) than Rutschman (12.9). Both are All-Star starters in 2024 and could go down as one of the greatest 1-2 punches in Draft history.

AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST: Baltimore Orioles: Gunnar Henderson, SS (2019, second round)

Tampa Bay stayed local by taking the University of South Florida southpaw 31st overall with the pick it gained for the loss of Alex Cobb, and it hasn’t looked back since. McClanahan was one of the American League’s most dominant starters following his 2021 debut and has looked the part of a future Cy Young winner, though that journey is currently on pause while he recovers from Tommy John surgery.  Potential control issues were thought to make McClanahan a bullpen candidate in the Majors, but the former Bull has improved mightily with his strike-throwing while still showing swing-and-miss stuff with all four of his pitches.

AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST: Tampa Bay Rays: Shane McClanahan, LHP (2018, first round/compensation)

After Benintendi topped NCAA Division I with 20 homers and won the Golden Spikes Award as a sophomore, Boston ranked him No. 2 on its Draft board behind only Dansby Swanson and landed him at No. 7 overall. He joined the Red Sox 14 months later and helped them win the 2018 World Series with his bat and glove before going to the Royals in a three-team trade in February 2021. He won't reach the heights once projected for him, but he did make his first All-Star team in 2022.

AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST: Boston Red Sox: Andrew Benintendi, OF (2015, first round)

A steady starter and big-game performer at South Carolina, Montgomery fit the same profile in the big leagues. The Yankees helped him improve his velocity and his curveball after drafting him in the fourth round and ended up trading him to the Cardinals at the 2022 Trade Deadline. He helped the Rangers win the 2023 World Series before joining the Diamondbacks as a free agent.

AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST: New York Yankees: Jordan Montgomery, LHP (2014, fourth round)

Bieber stood out more with his control than his stuff at UC Santa Barbara, which he led to its first-ever College World Series appearance in 2016. He has significantly improved the velocity on his fastball and the quality of his breaking pitches as a pro, sandwiching a pair of All-Star nods in '19 and '21 around an AL Cy Young Award and pitching triple crown in '20. He's currently sidelined following Tommy John surgery in April.

AMERICAN LEAGUE CENTRAL: Cleveland Guardians: Shane Bieber, RHP (2016, fourth round)

Five years after he went second overall to Kansas City, Witt has become the no-doubt face of the franchise and will remain so for a long time after signing an 11-year, $288.8 million extension this past offseason. (The deal could push to 14 years with options.) After early inconsistencies on both sides of the game, the shortstop has become one of the game’s best five-tool talents and particularly stands out for his power and speed with exit velocities and sprint speeds that rank among the best in the game.

AMERICAN LEAGUE CENTRAL: Kansas City Royals: Bobby Witt Jr., SS (2019, first round)

No. 1 overall picks Casey Mize and Spencer Torkelson have been underwhelming for various reasons in the Majors, so instead, we turn to a fifth overall pick in Greene. Consistently healthy in 2024, the outfielder is headed to his first All-Star Game thanks to a strong eye at the plate, burgeoning power, and solid defense in left field. Still only in the midst of his age-23 season, Greene will be a key part of Detroit’s next contender in the AL Central.

AMERICAN LEAGUE CENTRAL: Detroit Tigers: Riley Greene, OF (2019, first round)

More recent first-rounders Brooks Lee and Walker Jenkins will likely surpass him at some point, but it’s hard to look past what this 6-foot-9 finesse right-hander has done in the big leagues. He throws strikes with four pitches and is a mainstay in the Twins’ rotation now, walking almost no one and missing more bats than you’d expect.

AMERICAN LEAGUE CENTRAL: Minnesota Twins: Bailey Ober, RHP (2017, 12th round)

The best college left-hander since David Price, Rodón had been the strong favorite to go No. 1 overall since his freshman season at North Carolina State in 2012, but he fell to No. 3 after becoming too reliant on his wipeout slider and not dominating as consistently as a junior. He still received the largest bonus in the 2014 Draft ($6,582,000) and earned consecutive All-Star berths in 2021-22, though half of his 10 seasons in the Majors have been curtailed by injuries. He's currently with the Yankees after signing a six-year deal in December 2022.

AMERICAN LEAGUE CENTRAL: Chicago White Sox: Carlos Rodón, LHP (2014, first round)

Drafted 13th overall, Neto ascended rapidly through the minors, debuting in April 2023. He has since solidified himself as the Angels’ everyday shortstop.

AMERICAN LEAGUE WEST: Zach Neto, SS – Los Angeles Angels (2022, First Round)

Drafted No. 2 overall, Bregman became a cornerstone of Houston’s success, winning two World Series titles, four pennants, and earning two All-Star nods in his first seven years.

AMERICAN LEAGUE WEST: Alex Bregman, SS – Houston Astros (2015, First Round)

Chapman, a four-time Gold Glover, was a defensive stalwart and power hitter for Oakland before moving on to the Blue Jays and Giants.

AMERICAN LEAGUE WEST: Matt Chapman, 3B – Oakland Athletics (2014, First Round)

Gilbert has emerged as one of Seattle’s top arms, earning his first All-Star selection in 2024 and compiling a 9.8 WAR—edging out fellow Mariners ace George Kirby.

AMERICAN LEAGUE WEST: Logan Gilbert, RHP – Seattle Mariners (2018, First Round)

Jung became Texas’ first rookie to start an All-Star Game and played a key role in the Rangers’ first-ever World Series win in 2023. Future stars like Evan Carter and Wyatt Langford may challenge his status, but for now, he remains the franchise’s top draft pick in recent years.

AMERICAN LEAGUE WEST: Josh Jung, 3B – Texas Rangers (2019, First Round)

The 2016 Draft produced two Cy Young winners in the fourth round—Shane Bieber and Corbin Burnes. Burnes took home the NL Cy Young in 2021 after developing a devastating cutter and refining his breaking pitches. He became a dominant force for Milwaukee before being traded to the Orioles in a blockbuster deal that netted the Brewers young talents like Joey Ortiz and DL Hall.

NATIONAL LEAGUE CENTRAL: Milwaukee Brewers: Corbin Burnes, RHP (2016, fourth round)

The Cardinals have developed plenty of elite position players, but their best pick might be a pitcher they let get away. Gallen, a UNC product, was sent to the Marlins in the Marcell Ozuna trade before blossoming into an ace with Arizona. He has finished in the top five of NL Cy Young voting twice and remains one of the league’s best starters.

NATIONAL LEAGUE CENTRAL: St. Louis Cardinals: Zac Gallen, RHP (2016, third round)

Chicago had Schwarber ranked No. 2 on their 2014 Draft board, and their faith paid off. Drafted primarily for his bat, Schwarber helped the Cubs break their 108-year World Series drought in 2016. Now a two-time All-Star, he has consistently ranked among MLB's top home run hitters, leading the NL with 46 homers in 2022.

NATIONAL LEAGUE CENTRAL: Chicago Cubs: Kyle Schwarber, OF/DH (2014, first round)

Expectations were sky-high for Skenes as the No. 1 overall pick in 2023, and he has somehow exceeded them. Making his MLB debut in 2024, he quickly established himself as a dominant force and earned an All-Star selection in his first season. If he continues on this trajectory, he could be one of the best draft picks in Pirates history.

NATIONAL LEAGUE CENTRAL: Pittsburgh Pirates: Paul Skenes, RHP (2023, first round)

A reliever in college, Abbott transitioned to a starting role in his final year at Virginia and has thrived in the Reds' rotation. Since debuting in 2023, he has been a reliable left-hander, accumulating nearly 6 WAR in just over a full season. His rapid success makes him one of the best value picks of the 2021 Draft.

NATIONAL LEAGUE CENTRAL: Cincinnati Reds: Andrew Abbott, LHP (2021, second round)

Initially overlooked due to his size, Carroll proved doubters wrong by winning the 2023 NL Rookie of the Year and leading the D-backs to a World Series appearance. Though he faced a slump in 2024, his elite speed and overall skill set make him one of the league’s most exciting young players.

9. Arizona Diamondbacks

NATIONAL LEAGUE WEST: Arizona Diamondbacks: Corbin Carroll, OF (2019, first round)

Smith emerged as one of MLB’s best catchers, starring on both sides of the ball. A key contributor to the Dodgers’ 2020 World Series run, he has since earned multiple All-Star selections. His ability to deliver in clutch moments solidifies him as one of the Dodgers’ best draft picks in recent memory.

NATIONAL LEAGUE WEST: Los Angeles Dodgers: Will Smith, C (2016, first round)

Despite having first-round talent, Reynolds fell to the second round, where the Giants scooped him up. However, they traded him to Pittsburgh in 2018 for Andrew McCutchen. Since then, Reynolds has become the Pirates’ best hitter, earning multiple All-Star selections while proving to be a franchise cornerstone.

NATIONAL LEAGUE WEST: San Francisco Giants: Bryan Reynolds, OF (2016, second round)

Drafted 13th overall, Turner never played a game for the Padres, as he was included in a trade to Washington just months later. There, he became one of the game’s best shortstops, winning a World Series with the Nationals before securing an 11-year, $300 million deal with the Phillies. His combination of speed and power remains elite.

NATIONAL LEAGUE WEST: San Diego Padres: Trea Turner, SS (2014, first round)

A Denver native, Freeland has been a workhorse for the Rockies since debuting in 2017. While pitching at Coors Field is no easy task, he has remained a steady part of Colorado’s rotation. His 17.4 career WAR is impressive given the challenges of pitching in altitude, making him one of the franchise’s best homegrown arms. This concludes the ranking of every MLB team's best draft pick since 2014. From early-round stars to late-round steals, these players have left their mark on the game, proving the importance of scouting and player development.