The NY Mets draft where rounds 30 and 44 had the most success in the Big Apple

The MLB Draft is only 20 rounds these days, but in the past it used to last somewhere between infinity and a gazillion. We know the story of how Mike Piazza was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the unheard of 62nd round of the 1988 Draft. In 1993, the New York Mets selected a pair of players you’ll remember in more reasonable yet still high rounds 30 and 44.

First up for the Mets in this draft was the 8th overall pick. Kirk Presley, a high school pitcher who ran into injury problems, never made it out of the lower minor leagues. Their next two picks, Erick Ludwick and Mike Welch, got to the majors but had ERAs over 8.00. One of the more successful picks came in round four with Billy Koch. However, the future closer didn’t sign with the Mets.

In the 1993 draft, the Mets ended up with their two most important picks in rounds 30 and 44. Unheard of when it comes to draft expectations, those picks rewarded the Mets with a popular outfielder and a longtime depth piece.

The best picks the Mets made in the 1993 draft were Benny Agbayani in the 30th round and Vance Wilson in the 44th

Benny Agbayani was no doubt a fan favorite and a part of the reason was because of how unlikely it was for him to ever reach the majors. 30th round picks aren’t supposed to be big league success stories. He was the “everyman” in so many ways. Clutch as well, his 1.3 bWAR in the big leagues is the third best of any player taken by the Mets in that year’s draft.

It’s Vance Wilson, the 44th round selection, who topped Agbayani for second-place. 1,225 players were taken before him. His lifetime 3.7 bWAR was only outmatched by Koch.

Agbayani debuted for the Mets in 1998 but became a regular the following season. A regular at all three outfield positions with left field being his primary spot, his walk-off home run in Game 3 of the 2000 NLCS is what he is remembered for most.

Second on the list? Forgetting how many outs there were.

Wilson had a much less memorable career. He debuted with a game in 1999, 4 more in 2000, and 32 more in 2001. By the time he became a regular backup in 2002, the Mets were on the decline. He did hit well for a backup catcher and rated strongly on defense. A .254/.303/.384 slash line with the Mets, his real strength was throwing out base runners. He led the league with 49% in 2002. His worst was 34.4% in his final year with New York in 2004. The league was at 28%.

The MLB Draft is probably the biggest crapshoot in all of sports. Picks 30 and 44 outshining everyone else by a large sum proves it.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow