5 biggest draft busts in Mets history

2) Biggest NY Mets first-round draft bust: Shawn Abner

There is a difference between getting picked first and second overall in the draft. In 1984, the Mets had their pick at the top of the draft. They went with outfielder Shawn Abner. He’d never play a single game for the Mets. With three other clubs, Abner would appear in 254 games and bat .227/.269/.323.

Abner ended up as one of the players the Mets traded away in the deal for Kevin McReynolds. Also included was yet another guy named Kevin Brown—this one never made it to the majors.

Abner was one of the biggest busts of the 1980s. Life after baseball hasn't been any better with an arrest for animal cruelty. Later in the first-round of the draft we find quality players such as Bill Swift, Jay Bell, and Mark McGwire. Imagine Big Mac on the Mets roster replacing Keith Hernandez.

1) Biggest NY Mets first-round draft bust: Steven Chilcott

I’ve seen his name listed both ways. Steve Chilcott or Steven Chilcott. Whichever one he prefers, the first overall pick from the 1966 MLB Draft is the biggest bust the Mets have ever selected.

Chilcott stands out from these others because of his failure to even reach the majors. More painful, the second pick in the draft was Reggie Jackson. Mets fans would’ve even settled for Ken Brett, Gary Nolan, or Richie Hebner who were taken after.

For Chilcott, it was a shoulder injury in the minors which completely derailed his path toward stardom. It’s the one thing no amount of talent can cure. It will be hard for the Mets to ever have a worse draft pick.