Biggest MLB Draft Busts of All Time

Reaching the major leagues is the ultimate goal for a baseball player. It's also one of the most difficult things to accomplish. Players selected in the first round of the draft are often seen as difference makers and future faces of the franchise. Although it's virtually impossible to predict these players' futures, their potential is obvious. However, due to a variety of factors including injury, ability and maturity, some of these players never reach their ceiling. Here are the biggest MLB draft busts of all time.

Drew Henson - New York Yankees

Probably best remembered as quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys, Drew Henson was taken in the third round by the New York Yankees in the 1998 draft. Signing a six-year, $17 million contract to play for the Yankees obviously created some hype for the third baseman. Henson was hitting over .300 with the Yankees' double A affiliate before being traded to the Cincinnati Reds for pitcher Denny Neagle.

Henson was eventually traded back to the Yankees in 2001 but struggled at the triple A level. After Yankees' third baseman Aaron Boone was injured, they decided to give Henson a shot at the major leagues—a painful moment to be a New York sports fan indeed. Henson only played nine games in the majors, finishing his career with one hit. Henson quit baseball altogether in 2004 and focused on playing in the NFL, becoming one of the biggest MLB draft busts.

Bryan Bullington - Pittsburgh Pirates

Taken as the number one pick in the 2002 draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates, Bryan Bullington failed miserably to live up to the hype. Bullington was given a $4 million signing bonus, the second highest in the draft that year. Bullington was a star in high school and college, becoming the winningest pitcher at Ball State's history.

Bullington excelled early in the Pirates' single A and high A affiliates before being called up to the major leagues towards the end of the 2005 season. Bullington struggled in one appearance for the Pirates and it was soon announced he would have surgery to repair his labrum in his throwing shoulder. Bullington sat out the entire 2006 season and quickly picked up where he left off in 2007. Bullington continued to battle shoulder issues as he shuffled between the Pirates, Cleveland Indians, Toronto Blue Jays and Kansas City Royals.

Bullington always showed flashes of dominance, but was always plagued by injuries. He later played in Japan with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp. Bullington's last professional appearance was in 2015 with the Orix Buffaloes in Tokyo.

Matt Bush - San Diego Padres

Matt Bush was selected first overall in the 2004 draft by his hometown team, the San Diego Padres. Highly regarded as both a shortstop and pitcher, Bush was a star at Mission Bay High School. After struggling throughout all levels of the minor leagues, the Padres decided to convert Bush into a pitcher.

Bush had Tommy John surgery in 2007, missing the entire 2008 season. He had several off field altercations at bars, which led to his trade to the Toronto Blue Jays. After being released in 2009, Bush signed a minor league deal with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2010. His career would face another delay as Bush drunkenly ran over an elderly man and was sentenced to 51 months in prison.

Two months after his release, the Texas Rangers took a chance and signed Bush to a minor league deal in 2015. While Bush saw some success as a relief pitcher in 2016, he is still considered one of the biggest MLB draft busts of all time.

Brien Taylor - New York Yankees

Brien Taylor was taken first in the 1991 draft by the New York Yankees. In a stacked year, Taylor was selected ahead of now-Hall of Famers Pedro Martinez and Chipper Jones. After the draft, the Yankees made a point of bringing Taylor quickly through the system. Taylor achieved varying success throughout the minor leagues before injuring his throwing shoulder in a bar fight.

Taylor struggled to find a rhythm the following season, walking over 50 batters in 40 innings. Taylor pitched at the single A level in 1996 and 1997, struggling again with his control. He was then released by the Yankees after the 1998 season and had short stints with the Seattle Mariners' and the Cleveland Indians' minor league systems. Taylor retired from baseball soon after. In 2012, Taylor served 50 months in prison for cocaine trafficking.

Danny Goodwin - California Angels

Danny Goodwin was a number one pick in two different drafts. Goodwin was first taken by the Chicago White Sox in 1971 out of high school but he chose to go to college instead. Then he was taken first overall in the 1975 draft by the Angels. Goodwin was rushed through the minor leagues as he fared well at the double A level. However, following the 1978 season, Goodwin was traded to the Minnesota Twins and was converted from catcher to first baseman.

Goodwin reached the major leagues halfway through the 1979 season and enjoyed a solid .289 average with five home runs and 27 RBI's. He didn't receive much playing time in 1980 and 1981 and struggled to hit consistently. Goodwin was released by the Twins in 1981 and was signed by the Oakland Athletics. He found success at the triple A level but struggled to put it together in the majors and later known as one of the biggest MLB draft busts. Goodwin would later play in Japan and serve as the Atlanta Braves' director of community relations.

Shawn Abner - New York Mets

Shawn Abner was the first overall pick in the 1984 draft by the New York Mets. Abner was a high school star, playing both baseball and football at Mechanicsburg Area High School in Pennsylvania. Although Abner was considered a star prospect, he slowly moved through the Mets system and was eventually traded to the San Diego Padres in 1986.

Abner was used sparingly in a reserve type role with the Padres, never reaching any level of success. Abner later played for the Angels and White Sox and retired after the 1993 season when he injured his knee with the Royals' triple A team.

Kyle Drabek - Philadelphia Phillies

Probably best known as the centerpiece in the Toronto Blue Jays' return for Roy Halladay, Drabek was plagued with control issues. Taken in the first round by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2006, there was much to like about Drabek, who was a high school star. Drabek saw varying degrees of success but continued to struggle with the walks—maybe evidence that the MLB should stop drafting high schoolers.

Following a start against the Washington Nationals, Drabek underwent a second Tommy John surgery. Drabek returned to baseball in the 2013 season, shuffling between Toronto, double A and triple A and became one of the biggest MLB draft busts. He was later placed on waivers and claimed by the Chicago White Sox in 2015. Drabek became a free agent that offseason and played for the Diamondbacks, Giants and a Mexican League team.

Josh Vitters - Chicago Cubs

When the Chicago Cubs selected Josh Vitters with the third pick in the 2007 draft, they were expecting a future star. Vitters was an All-American third baseman for Cypress High School in California and played for Arizona State. Vitters' development stalled in the minor leagues as his defense declined and pitch recognition worsened.

Vitters was thought to be part of a re-surging Cubs team that had just drafted outfield Brett Jackson, another highly touted prospect. But both became MLB draft busts, never reaching their potential and flamed out in the major leagues. Vitters barely saw any major league pitching before becoming a free agent and playing for teams in the Independent leagues—at least the Cubs still have one of the most beautiful ballparks.

Todd Van Poppel - Oakland Athletics

Todd Van Poppel was nearly taken by the Atlanta Braves with the first pick in the 1990 draft. The Braves lucked out by selecting Chipper Jones instead of one of the biggest MLB draft busts. Van Poppel slipped to the Oakland Athletics with the 14th pick. He fared well at the double A and triple A levels, but struggled with injuries from 1991-1994.

Van Poppel had a solid season in 1995, but was released the following season. He later pitched for the Tigers, Rangers and Pirates before having a couple successful seasons for the Cubs in 2000 and 2001. Van Poppel retired from baseball in 2005 with a career record of 40-52.

Paul Wilson - New York Mets

Paul Wilson was the first overall pick by the New York Mets in the 1994 draft. Wilson was a star pitcher at Florida State and was considered one of the big three prospects that included Jason Isringhausen and Bill Pulsipher. Unfortunately, he proved to be one of the biggest MLB draft busts.

Wilson reached the major leagues in 1996 and had a 5-12 record with a 5.38 ERA in 149 innings. Although Wilson pitched decently from 2000 to 2005, he continued to deal with control issues and injuries. Wilson's last season was in 2005 with the Cincinnati Reds at the age of 32.