Re-Drafting the 2006 MLB Draft Using Advanced Analytics
Busts
Which players take a nosedive down the draft board?
| Player | Position | WAR | Actual Pick | Re-Draft Pick | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greg Reynolds | RHP | -0.9 | 2 | 30 | 28 |
| Billy Rowell | 3B | N/A | 9 | 34* | 25 |
| Kasey Kiker | LHP | N/A | 12 | 34* | 21 |
Greg Reynolds was the second player off the board in 2006, but in 2017, we know that wouldn't be the case. Through three major league stints, Reynolds totaled just 6 wins in 21 starts and last pitched in the bigs in 2013. Certainly not what the Rockies
expected with the number-two overall pick.
The two other players never even made it to the big leagues. For that reason, they have no WAR to speak of and are tied at 34th, or dead last, among all first-round selections. The highest either player made it was to Double-A, where Kiker was the more successful of the two with 8 wins and 11 losses in 30 starts.
