Pittsburgh Pirates Draft: The Five Biggest Busts since 2002

The 2016 MLB Amateur Player Draft is on June 9th, 10th, and 11th.  The Pittsburgh Pirates have three picks on day one including two first round picks.

If you are a regular reader on the site you likely have seen draft coverage ramping up.  The Pittsburgh Pirates will be picking at #22 and #41.  The organization and fan base hope that the Pirates make the best pick possible and a future star comes into the Pittsburgh Pirates organization.

The Pirates have done a pretty good job at drafting.  Since the year 2002 they have acquired many of their current starters through the draft.  This includes first rounders Andrew McCutchen in 2005, Neil Walker in 2004, Brad Lincoln 2006, Gerrit Cole in 2011, and Pedro Alvarez in 2008 (was a starter from 2010-2015).  They also have found many players later in the draft who also have contributed like Tony Watson, Jared Hughes, Jordy Mercer, Brandon Cumpton, and Casey Sadler,  among others.  From 2002-2007 Dave Littlefield was drafting as GM and since 2008 till present Neal Huntington.

However, looking at the history of our first round picks since 2002, there is only two players remaining on the roster.  Neil Walker and Pedro Alvarez have moved on to other clubs.  Not every first round pick is going to work out.  Some make it to the big leagues and do not perform while some stick round in the minors and eventually get released.   So what first round picks are the top five biggest busts since 2002?

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