New York Mets best first-round draft pick at every position

First Baseman – Ike Davis

Ike Davis may be the closest player you find on this list to being usurped. Dominic Smith’s career with the Mets isn’t over yet as of 2020. For now, it’s Davis and his .241 batting average and 68 home runs that earns the nod.

Davis wasn’t a superb player for the Mets, but he did give them some memorable years including his 32 home run campaign in 2012. His career with the organization all began in 2008 when he was selected 18th overall.

Second Baseman– Wally Backman

Originally drafted as a shortstop like many second basemen are, Wally Backman went on to have a solid career with the Mets. To this day, people still want him to become the manager. That’s more of a discredit to their thinking than it is to his leadership abilities.

The 16th overall pick in the 1977 draft played for the Mets for nine seasons and was part of their amazing run in the 1986 World Series. He hit .283 for the club in his time here, setting a career-high in 1986 with a .320 average in the regular season. Although light-hitting, he was a valuable piece to the championship puzzle.

Third Baseman – David Wright

Shut it down. Shut it all down. The greatest first-round pick in Mets history is this guy, Mr. David Wright. The former Captain of the Metropolitans was a supplemental first-round pick in 2001, landing with New York as the 38th overall selection.

Wright’s triumphs with the Mets include multiple franchise records. He never wore another big league uniform and could easily be the face of the franchise for the next few decades. The seven-time All-Star is the unquestioned best third basemen in team history and an easy selection to carve into the Mets Mount Rushmore.

Shortstop – Tim Foli

The Mets have drafted a couple of shortstops. Many changed positions as Backman did. I wanted to include Gregg Jefferies here, but he never actually played his old amateur position. To keep some level of control to this roster, we’re going to have to select Tim Foli.

Foli had an interesting Mets career after getting drafted first overall in 1968. He was involved in the Rusty Staub trade but returned for the 1978 season. He never did live up to his lofty expectations. During his time in Flushing, he hit just .243 in 773 trips to the plate.