Re-Drafting the 2005 MLB Draft Using Advanced Analytics
3 Busts
Even for a draft class that has produced several solid big leaguers, there's no escaping a few duds.
| Player | Position | WAR | Actual Pick | Re-Draft Pick | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeff Clement | C/1B | -1.2 | 3 | 33 | 30 |
| Wade Townsend | RHP | N/A | 8 | 38 | 30 |
| C.J. Henry | SS | N/A | 17 | 39 | 22 |
As alluded to previously, Clement -- the draft's third overall pick -- was the biggest bust of the group. For such a highly-touted catcher, the USC product never materialized alongside his fellow top picks. Instead, Clement rates as the first round's third-worst player to have ever played in the majors.
Clement is joined by two players who never even reached the majors. Both top-20 picks failed to live up to expectations and were merely short-term minor league experiments. Townsend was the more successful of the two, having appeared in 13 games with the Tampa Bay Rays' Double-A affiliate Montgomery Biscuits.
