MLB Draft History: The Best Picks by Number, 1-10

The MLB amateur draft was first held in 1965. There's been some big hits and big misses chosen, especially in the top ten.

The list includes Hall of Famers, future Hall of Famers, and you will see that it tails off near the bottom of the list.

Here are the best players chosen by their pick number. Do you agree or disagree? I've also listed honorable mentions, although some of the pick numbers do not have any. Enjoy.

1. Ken Griffey Jr.

Name: Ken Griffey, Jr.
Drafted: No. 1 overall in 1987 by the Seattle Mariners
Teams: Mariners, Reds, White Sox

Junior. The Kid. The owner of the sweetest swing of all time. The future Hall of Famer is the best number one pick in Major League Baseball history.

Griffey was the 1997 AL MVP. He has also been an All-Star thirteen times, Gold Glover ten times, and Silver Slugger seven times.

He's fifth all-time on the home run list (619). He would undoubtedly have more (and more accolades) had it not been for injuries.

Honorable mentions: Alex Rodriguez, roided up and all, was a twelve-time All-Star, ten-time Silver Slugger, and three-time AL MVP. You can't wrong with Chipper Jones, an NL MVP, six-time All-Star, and reigning batting champion. There's also six-time All-Star Harold Baines, who is one of the greatest designated hitters ever. Don't forget Darryl Strawberry, who was an eight-time All-Star, Rookie of the Year, and four-time World Series champion. Joe Mauer, Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Hamilton, and Justin Upton have some time to make some noise.

2. Reggie Jackson

Name: Reggie Jackson
Drafted: No. 2 overall in 1966 by the Oakland Athletics
Teams: Athletics, Orioles, Yankees, Angels

Reginald Martinez Jackson. Mr. October was inducted into the Hall of Fame on the first ballot in 1993.

Jackson was the AL MVP in 1973. He has also won two Silver Slugger awards and is a fourteen-time All-Star.

He is more known for his clutch hitting, garnering two World Series MVP awards. He's also 11th on the all-time home run list with 563.

Honorable mentions: You can't go wrong with Joe Carter, famous for hitting a walkoff home run in the 1993 World Series, who was a five-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger. There's also Josh Beckett, who is a two-time World Series champion and postseason hero. Don't forget Will Clark, who was a six-time All-Star, two-time Silver Slugger, and life-time .303 hitter.

3. Robin Yount

Name: Robin Yount
Drafted: No. 3 overall in 1973 by the Milwaukee Brewers
Teams: Brewers

Robin Yount was the voted by the Brewers' fans as the Milwaukee Brewers' Hometown Hero. He spent his entire 20-year career with the Brew Crew.

Yount won the AL MVP in 1982 and 1989. He was also a three-time All-Star and three-time Silver Slugger.

Yount is a member of the 3,000 hit club, with 3,142 career hits. Yount was inducted into the Hall of Fame on the first ballot in 1999.

Honorable mentions: This was probably the closest competition, due to Paul Molitor. Molitor was also a first ballot hall of famer, who is a member of the 3,000 hit club, and a seven time All-Star. There's also five-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glover/Silver Slugger Matt Williams. Evan Longoria has a serious chance to top this list at the end of his career.

4. Dave Winfield

Name: Dave Winfield
Drafted: No. 4 overall in 1973 by the San Diego Padres
Teams: Padres, Yankees, Angels, Blue Jays, Twins, Indians

Winfield was named by ESPN as the third-best all-around athlete of all time in any sport.

Winfield was a twelve-time All-Star, seven-time Gold Glove winner, and six-time Silver Slugger winner.

Winfield was inducted into the Hall of Fame on the first ballot in 2001. He is also a member of the 3,000 hits club with 3,110 hits.

Honorable mentions: Barry Larkin, the 1995 NL MVP, was a twelve-time All-Star, nine-time Silver Slugger, and three-time Gold Glove winner. There was also roided up Kevin Brown, who was a six-time All-Star and two-time league ERA leader. You can't forger Thurman Munson, who was a seven-time All-Star, three-time Gold Glove winner, and the 1976 AL MVP.

5. Dwight Gooden

Name: Dwight Gooden
Drafted: No. 5 overall in 1982 by the New York Mets
Teams: Mets, Yankees, Indians, Astros, Rays

Dr. K. Doc. Gooden burst onto the scene and was immediately one of the most dominant pitchers in the '80s decade.

Gooden was a four-time All-Star, three-time World Series champion, 1984 Rookie of the year, and the 1985 Cy Young award winner.

Had it not been for drug and alcohol problems, his career would have been better. He once had a 1.53 ERA and hurled 16 complete games in a season.

Honorable mentions: Jack McDowell was also a Cy Young Award winner and a three-time All-Star. Should-be Hall of Famer Dale Murphy was the NL MVP twice, a seven-time All-Star, five-time Gold Glove winner, and four-time Silver Slugger. Mark Teixeira or Ryan Braun could easily make a run to take over as the best fifth pick.

6. Derek Jeter

Name: Derek Jeter
Drafted: No. 6 overall in 1992 by the New York Yankees
Teams: Yankees

The Yankees Captain. Mr. November. He holds all types of Yankees' records and continues to break more.

Jeter won the 1996 Rookie of the Year award. He is a four-time World Series champion. He is also a three-time Gold Glove winner, four-time Silver Slugger, and nine-time All-Star.

Jeter is a post-season hero and won the 2000 World Series MVP. He is a sure-fire future hall of famer.

Honorable mentions: Barry Bonds, all roided up, is the home run king, seven-time NL MVP, fourteen-time All-Star, eight-time Gold Glove winner, and twelve-time Silver Slugger. Gary Sheffield, all roided up, is a nine-time All-Star and 500 home run club member.

7. Frank Thomas

Name: Frank Thomas
Drafted: No. 7 overall in 1989 by the Chicago White Sox
Teams: White Sox, Athletics, Blue Jays

Frank Thomas. The Big Hurt. Thomas was voted as the Hometown Hero for the Chicago White Sox.

Thomas is a two-time AL MVP winner. He is also a five-time All-Star and four-time Silver Slugger.

Thomas is only one of four players ever to collect 500 home runs, 1,500 RBI, 1,000 runs, and 1,500 walks while batting .300. He's a sure-fire future hall of famer.

Honorable mentions: Prince Fielder could make a run for being the best seventh pick.

8. Todd Helton

Name: Todd Helton
Drafted: No. 8 overall in 1995 by the Colorado Rockies
Teams: Rockies

Todd Helton. The Todd-father. Helton has spent his entire career with the Rockies and holds a lot of club records.

Helton is a five-time All-Star, four-time Silver Slugger, and three-time Gold Glove winner.

Helton has a career .328 batting average and once batted .372 for an entire season. He has belted over 300 home runs and has a career .427 on-base percentage.

9. Barry Zito

Name: Barry Zito
Drafted: No. 9 overall in 1999 by the Oakland Athletics
Teams: Athletics, Giants

Let's be honest, the number nine slot did not have that much of a strong crop of candidates. However, Zito has had a nice career so far.

Zito has been a three-time All-Star. He was also the 2002 Cy Young winner in the American League.

Zito is 27 games over .500 for his career record. He also has a 3.85 ERA and is rapidly approaching 1,500 strikeouts.

10. Ted Simmons

Name: Ted Simmons
Drafted: No. 10 overall in 1967 by the St. Louis Cardinals
Teams: Cardinals, Brewers, Braves

Let's be honest again, the number ten slot did not have that much of a strong crop of candidates. Simba had a good career.

Simmons was an eight-time All-Star and has won the Silver Slugger award. He also nearly had 2,500 hits and 1,400 RBI, falling just short of both.

Simmons also hit .300 seven times and has caught two no-hitters in his baseball career.

Honorable mentions: Mark McGwire, roided up, is a member of the 500 home run club. Robin Ventura was a two-time All-Star and six-time Gold Glove winner. Ben Sheets was also a four-time All-Star and Charles Johnson was a four-time Gold Glove winner. There's no doubt in my mind that Tim Lincecum will take over the top spot.