MLB Draft Rewind for Every Team's Best Pick from the 2018 Draft
In the weeks leading up to the 2024 MLB draft, we revisited some past classes and highlighted the best pick that each team made, running through the 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 events.
It's time for another round of strolls down draft memory lane, and after looking back at the 2016 and 2017 drafts in previous weeks, it's on to 2018.
Ahead is a deep dive into each team's best selection of the 2018 draft. Each club's best pick is chosen based on their overall accomplishments in the big leagues, not just what they did during their time with the team that drafted them. For example, Joe Ryan is the pick for the Tampa Bay Rays, even though he did not break out until after he joined the Minnesota Twins.
Only players who signed are eligible, so guys such as Matt McLain, Bryce Miller and Spencer Schewellenbach who were selected but honored their college commitments will be included down the road as part of the draft class when they did sign.
Arizona Diamondbacks: LHP Tyler Holton
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Drafted: 9th round, No. 279 overall
The D-backs lost Tyler Holton off waivers to the Tigers prior to the 2023 season, and he promptly became one of the best relievers in baseball, putting together stellar performances in 2023 (59 G, 2.11 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, 85.1 IP) and 2024 (66 G, 2.19 ERA, 0.78 WHIP, 94.1 IP).
Shortstop Matt McLain did not sign as the No. 25 overall pick, instead honoring his commitment to UCLA and going No. 17 overall to the Reds three years later.
Other Notable Picks: OF Jake McCarthy (1-39), OF Alek Thomas (2-63), RHP Ryan Miller (6-189), IF Blaze Alexander (11-339)
Athletics: OF Lawrence Butler
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Drafted: 6th round, No. 173 overall
After an early demotion to the minors following an Opening Day roster spot last year, Lawrence Butler returned to the big leagues a different player in mid-June, hitting .291/.330/.565 with 20 doubles, 20 home runs, 50 RBI and 15 steals in 84 games the rest of the way. That breakout performance was rewarded with a seven-year, $65.5 million extension.
The A's used the No. 9 overall pick in Kyler Murray, who returned to campus for his junior season of football at Oklahoma where he threw for 4,361 yards and 42 touchdowns, won the Heisman Trophy, and eventually left baseball in the rearview in favor of a NFL career.
Other Notable Picks: LHP Hogan Harris (3-85), 1B Alfonso Rivas III (4-113), RHP Gus Varland (14-413), IF Max Schuemann (20-593), IF Jonah Bride (23-683)
Atlanta Braves: RHP Victor Vodnik
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Drafted: 14th round, No. 412 overall
The Braves traded Victor Vodnik and Tanner Gordon to the Rockies in exchange for reliever Pierce Johnson at the 2023 trade deadline. Vodnik made his MLB debut later that season, and he posted a 4.28 ERA with nine saves and six holds in 64 appearances in 2024.
Right-hander Carter Stewart, who was the No. 8 overall pick, did not sign when the Braves offered him a below-slot deal. He instead inked a six-year, $7 million deal with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks in Japan.
Other Notable Picks: RHP Tristan Beck (4-112), 3B CJ Alexander (20-592), RHP William Woods (23-682)
Baltimore Orioles: RHP Grayson Rodriguez
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Drafted: 1st round, No. 11 overall
Grayson Rodriguez developed into one of the top pitching prospects in baseball during his time in the minors, peaking at No. 6 on the Baseball America Top 100 prospect list prior to the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
Injuries have kept him from developing into a bona fide ace, but he has shown plenty of upside when healthy, posting a 4.11 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 259 strikeouts in 238.2 innings over 43 starts in 2023 and 2024. The 25-year-old is currently sidelined with elbow inflammation.
Other Notable Picks: LHP Drew Rom (4-115)
Boston Red Sox: OF Jarren Duran
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Drafted: 7th round, No. 220 overall
The pick here might have been Triston Casas prior to last season when Jarren Duran broke through as one of the best all-around outfielders in baseball.
He hit .285/.342/.492 for a 131 OPS+ with 48 doubles, 14 triples, 21 home runs, 75 RBI, 111 runs scored and 34 steals in an 8.7-WAR season, finishing eighth in AL MVP balloting. Could he be on the move this summer if the Red Sox decide to sell?
Other Notable Picks: 1B Triston Casas (1-26), RHP Thaddeus Ward (5-160), RHP Chase Shugart (12-370), RHP Ryan Fernandez (23-700)
Chicago Cubs: 2B Nico Hoerner
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Drafted: 1st round, No. 24 overall
The Cubs have often targeted college bats that could quickly reach the big leagues in recent years, with guys like Kris Bryant, Kyle Schwarber and Ian Happ going from first-round selections to big league contributors in short order.
Nico Hoerner followed a similar trajectory, making his MLB debut on Sept. 9, 2019, capping off his first full professional season. He has since developed into one of baseball's elite defenders, winning a Gold Glove in 2023 and piling up 18.8 WAR during his time in the majors.
Other Notable Picks: RHP Ethan Roberts (4-128), OF Levi Jordan (29-878)
Chicago White Sox: RHP Davis Martin
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Drafted: 14th round, No. 408 overall
Right-hander Davis Martin went 10-1 with a 2.52 ERA in 89.1 innings as a true freshman at Texas Tech in 2016, but he failed to match that level of success in the two years that followed.
He has turned out to be a productive Day 3 selection, seeing spot work in the rotation in 2022 and 2024 before earning a full-time gig this year and posting a 3.79 ERA and 1.23 WHIP in 80.2 innings.
Other Notable Picks: IF Nick Madrigal (1-4), OF Steele Walker (2-46), LHP Konnor Pilkington (3-81), RHP Jonathan Stiever (5-RHP Codi Heuer (6-168), LHP Bennett Sousa (10-288), IF Romy Gonzalez (18-528), RHP Lane Ramsey (23-678)
Cincinnati Reds: IF Jonathan India
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Drafted: 1st round, No. 5 overall
After middling production during his freshman and sophomore seasons at the University of Florida, Jonathan India exploded for a .350/.497/.717 line with 21 home runs and 52 RBI in 68 games during his junior year to vault into the top-five on draft day.
He debuted in the big leagues with a bang, logging a 116 OPS+ with 34 doubles, 21 home runs, 69 RBI and 4.1 WAR to win 2021 NL Rookie of the Year honors. However, he has tallied just 2.3 WAR in 452 games since his rookie campaign, and he was traded to the Royals for Brady Singer during the offseason.
Other Notable Picks: RHP Lyon Richardson (2-47), RHP Josiah Gray (2-72), OF Michael Siani (4-109), RHP Noah Davis (11-319)
Cleveland Guardians: OF Steven Kwan
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Drafted: 5th round, No. 163 overall
Overshadowed by teammate Nick Madrigal during his time at Oregon State, outfielder Steven Kwan quietly hit .355/.463/.457 with 50 walks and only 18 strikeouts in 316 plate appearances during his junior season.
He made his MLB debut in 2022 and finished third in AL Rookie of the Year voting while winning his first of three straight Gold Gloves in left field to begin his MLB career. With elite contact skills, standout defense and sneaky pop, he has logged a 115 OPS+ with 16.2 WAR in 507 games in the majors.
Other Notable Picks: C Bo Naylor (1-29), RHP Nick Sandlin (2-67), IF/OF Richie Palacios (3-103), RHP Cody Morris (7-223), C Bryan Lavastida (15-463), LHP Tim Herrin (29-883), IF Daniel Schneemann (33-1,003)
Colorado Rockies: RHP Jake Bird
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Drafted: 5th round, No. 156 overall
Jake Bird went 7-4 with a 2.18 ERA in 111.2 innings during his final season at UCLA, and the Rockies gave him a $50,000 bonus as one of the top seniors in the 2018 draft class.
He moved to the bullpen almost immediately in pro ball where his high-effort delivery and two-pitch repertoire were a better fit. He made his MLB debut in 2022, and is enjoying a breakout season this year with a 2.63 ERA and 10.9 K/9 in 37 appearances.
Other Notable Picks: LHP Ryan Rolison (1-22), IF Terrin Vavra (3-96), RHP Ryan Feltner (4-126), C Willie MacIver (9-276), IF Coco Montes (15-456)
Detroit Tigers: LHP Tarik Skubal
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Drafted: 9th round, No. 255 overall
There were 134 pitchers taken ahead of Tarik Skubal in the 2018 draft, including three by the Tigers who took Casey Mize with the No. 1 overall pick, but the left-hander has developed into the best of the bunch and arguably the best pitcher in baseball.
The Seattle University product won AL Cy Young honors last season when he led the AL in ERA (2.39), strikeouts (228) and pitching WAR (6.4), and he is putting up even better numbers across the board in 2025.
Other Notable Picks: RHP Casey Mize (1-1), OF Parker Meadows (2-44), IF Kody Clemens (3-79), RHP Garrett Hill (26-765)
Houston Astros: SS Jeremy Peña
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Drafted: 3rd round, No. 102 overall
The Astros entrusted Jeremy Peña with the starting shortstop job heading into the 2022 season after Carlos Correa departed in free agency, and he answered the call by logging a 5.0-WAR rookie season that was capped off by ALCS and World Series MVP honors.
He followed that up with strong seasons in 2023 and 2024, though short of his rookie-level production, but he has taken a significant step forward this year with a 143 OPS+ and 4.5 WAR in 82 games. The 27-year-old could be an early extension candidate as a centerpiece on the Astros roster.
Other Notable Picks: 1B/OF Seth Beer (1-28), C César Salazar (7-222), RHP Shawn Dubin (13-402), RHP J.P. France (14-432), LHP Jonathan Bermúdez (23-702), IF/OF David Hensley (26-792)
Kansas City Royals: LHP Kris Bubic
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Drafted: 1st round, No. 40 overall
The Royals had four picks inside the first 40 in the 2018 draft, and they used them all on college pitchers, taking Brady Singer (No. 18, Florida), Jackson Kowar (No. 33, Florida), Daniel Lynch IV (No. 34, Virginia) and Kris Bubic (No. 40, Stanford).
Singer looked like the best of the bunch during strong seasons in 2022 and 2024, but he was traded to the Reds during the offseason, and Bubic has been the breakout pitcher of 2025 stepping into his rotation spot. The 6'3" southpaw has a 2.25 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 101 strikeouts in 96 innings over 16 starts after pitching exclusively out of the bullpen a year ago.
Other Notable Picks: RHP Brady Singer (1-18), RHP Jackson Kowar (1-33), LHP Daniel Lynch IV (1-34), RHP Jonathan Bowlan (2-58), OF Kyle Isbel (3-94), LHP Austin Cox (5-152), RHP Jonathan Heasley (13-392), OF Nate Eaton (21-632)
Los Angeles Angels: RHP Kyle Bradish
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Drafted: 4th round, No. 121 overall
Injuries have limited him the past two seasons, but Kyle Bradish was one of the best pitchers in baseball during a breakout 2023 campaign, finishing 12-7 with a 2.83 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 168 strikeouts in 168.2 innings to check in fourth in AL Cy Young voting.
The Angels traded him along with three other prospects to the Orioles prior to the 2020 season in exchange for Dylan Bundy.
Other Notable Picks: OF Jordyn Adams (1-17), RHP Austin Warren (6-181), RHP Andrew Wantz (7-211), RHP Cooper Criswell (13-391), RHP Kyle Tyler (20-601)
Los Angeles Dodgers: OF James Outman
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Drafted: 7th round, No. 224 overall
Outfielder James Outman was one of the best rookies in baseball during the 2023 season, posting a 114 OPS+ with 23 home runs, 70 RBI, 16 steals and 3.4 WAR in 151 games to finish third in NL Rookie of the Year voting. However, he has hit just .144/.251/.281 in 183 plate appearances the last two seasons, and the emergence of Andy Pages has pushed him down the organizational depth chart.
Right-hander J.T. Ginn did not sign as the No. 30 overall pick, honoring his commitment to Mississippi State and eventually slipping to the second round in 2020 as a draft-eligible sophomore.
Other Notable Picks: RHP Michael Grove (2-68), RHP Braydon Fisher (4-134), RHP Stephen Kolek (11-344), C Hunter Feduccia (12-374), RHP Justin Hagenman (23-704), OF Drew Avans (33-1,004)
Miami Marlins: LHP Alex Vesia
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Drafted: 17th round, No. 507 overall
The Marlins trading away Alex Vesia after five appearances during the abbreviated 2020 season is a dark horse pick for their worst trade in the past five years, as he has since developed into a terrific late-inning arm for the Dodgers.
In 268 appearances since the start of the 2021 season, he has logged a 2.61 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 12.2 K/9 with 11 saves, 65 holds and 4.3 WAR as one of the better lefty setup relievers in baseball.
Other Notable Picks: C Nick Fortes (4-117), RHP Chris Vallimont (5-147), RHP Eli Villalobos (14-417)
Milwaukee Brewers: 2B Brice Turang
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Drafted: 1st round, No. 21 overall
Brice Turang vs. Drew Rasmussen was one of the more difficult debates in this exercise, so the tie goes to the player who is still suiting up for the Brewers in 2025 and enjoying a career year in the process.
Turang was a 4.7-WAR player last year when he took home NL Platinum Glove honors, but he hit just .254/.316/.349 for an 87 OPS+ along the way. This year, he is batting .289/.361/.380 for a 110 OPS+ with 18 extra-base hits, 17 steals and 3.2 WAR through 81 games.
Other Notable Picks: LHP Aaron Ashby (4-125), RHP Drew Rasmussen (6-185), C/OF David Fry (7-215), RHP Reese Olson (13-395), LHP Clayton Andrews (17-515)
Minnesota Twins: C Ryan Jeffers
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Drafted: 2nd round, No. 59 overall
There is still a reasonable chance that Trevor Larnach ends up being the best pick from this draft class for the Twins if he can turn the potential he has shown into more consistent production.
For now, the nod goes to UNC Wilmington product Ryan Jeffers, who flew through the minors to make his MLB debut during the 2020 season. After looking like a glove-first backstop early on, he posted a 133 OPS+ over 335 plate appearances in 2023, and followed that up by slugging a career-high 21 home runs in a 2.1-WAR season a year ago.
Other Notable Picks: OF Trevor Larnach (1-20), OF DaShawn Keirsey Jr. (4-124), RHP Cole Sands (5-154), RHP Josh Winder (7-214), IF/OF Michael Helman (11-334), LHP Cody Funderburk (15-454)
New York Mets: RHP Tylor Megill
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Drafted: 8th round, No. 230 overall
Who would have guessed the answer here would be anyone but Jarred Kelenic?
The Mets took Tylor Megill in the eighth round after two seasons pitching primarily in relief at the University of Arizona, and quickly moved the towering 6'7" right-hander into a starting role.
He has spent parts of the last five seasons in the Mets rotation, posting a 4.46 ERA with 435 strikeouts in 409.2 innings, and he still has club control through the 2027 season and an extremely team-friendly $1.98 million salary this year.
Other Notable Picks: OF Jarred Kelenic (1-6), RHP Simeon Woods Richardson (2-48), RHP Bryce Montes de Oca (9-260), RHP Allan Winans (17-500), C Hayden Senger (24-710)
New York Yankees: OF Brandon Lockridge
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Drafted: 5th round, No. 157 overall
The Yankees do not have much to show for their 2018 draft class, with outfielder Brandon Lockridge (59 G, -0.4 WAR) and infielder Mickey Gasper (30 G, -0.3 WAR) the only players who have seen more than a handful of games of action in the majors. Lockridge is hitting .216/.258/.261 in 95 plate appearances this year as part of the revolving door in left field for the Padres.
Fun fact: Catcher Austin Wells was also drafted by the Yankees in the 35th round of the 2018 draft out of high school. Two years later, he was the team's first-round pick as a draft-eligible sophomore out of the University of Arizona.
Other Notable Picks: C Anthony Seigler (1-23), RHP Franklin German (4-127), LHP Josh Maciejewski (10-307), IF Mickey Gasper (27-817)
Philadelphia Phillies: 3B Alec Bohm
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Drafted: 1st round, No. 3 overall
Matt Vierling has developed into a valuable utility player for the Tigers and Logan O'Hoppe is one of the best power-hitting catchers in baseball with 17 home runs in 69 games for the Angels this season, but Alec Bohm is still the pick here for the Phillies.
The Wichita State product has not delivered on what was expected to be 30-homer power, and his production has been inconsistent, but he still has a 103 OPS+ over 2,791 plate appearances and he started the All-Star Game in 2024.
Other Notable Picks: IF/OF Matt Vierling (5-137), RHP James McArthur (12-347), C Logan O'Hoppe (23-677)
Pittsburgh Pirates: RHP Braxton Ashcraft
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Drafted: 2nd round, No. 51 overall
After pitching almost exclusively as a starter in the minors, Braxton Ashcraft has been used as a multi-inning reliever in his first MLB action this season. The 25-year-old has a 1.56 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 14 strikeouts in 17.1 innings, tallying two wins and two holds in nine appearances.
Right-hander Gunnar Hoglund did not sign as the No. 36 overall pick out of high school in 2018, and after three years at Ole Miss he went No. 19 overall in the 2021 draft.
Other Notable Picks: OF Travis Swaggerty (1-10), SS Connor Kaiser (3-86), C Grant Koch (5-144), RHP Mike Burrows (11-324), RHP Colin Selby (16-474), LHP Cam Alldred (24-714), LHP Joe Jacques (33-984)
San Diego Padres: 2B/SS Xavier Edwards
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Drafted: 1st round, No. 38 overall
Xavier Edwards was traded twice before finding a home on the Marlins infield, going from the Padres to the Rays in the deal that brought Jake Cronenworth to San Diego, and then to Miami in a four-player deal prior to the 2023 season.
He hit .328/.397/.423 for a 128 OPS+ in 303 plate appearances last season while supplanting Tim Anderson as the Marlins starting shortstop, and continues to be a productive high-contact, zero-power table-setter.
Other Notable Picks: LHP Ryan Weathers (1-7), IF Owen Miller (3-84), RHP Dylan Coleman (4-111), RHP Steven Wilson (8-231), LHP Erik Sabrowski (14-411), RHP Reiss Knehr (20-591)
San Francisco Giants: RHP Ryan Walker
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Drafted: 31st round, No. 916 overall
Georgia Tech catcher Joey Bart was expected to be the heir to Buster Posey behind the plate in San Francisco after he went No. 2 overall following a junior campaign where he hit .359/.471/.632 with 16 home runs in 57 games.
Instead, it's 31st-round steal Ryan Walker who has developed into the best pick from this draft class. After a strong rookie campaign in 2023, he was lights out last season with a 1.91 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 11.1 K/9 in 76 appearances.
Other Notable Picks: C Joey Bart (1-2), RHP Sean Hjelle (2-45), RHP Jake Wong (3-80), RHP Keaton Winn (5-136), 3B David Villar (11-316), LHP Jacob Lopez (26-766)
Seattle Mariners: C Cal Raleigh
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Drafted: 3rd round, No. 90 overall
Right-hander Logan Gilbert would be the pick for almost any other team, posting a 3.59 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 785 strikeouts in 754.2 innings while earning an All-Star selection and leading the AL with a 0.89 WHIP in 2024.
However, he takes a back seat to Cal Raleigh, who is in the midst of one of the greatest seasons in recent memory by a catcher. He became the first catcher since Mike Piazza with back-to-back 30-homer seasons last year while also winning a Platinum Glove, and this season he has crushed 33 home runs in 84 games to pace the majors.
Other Notable Picks: RHP Logan Gilbert (1-14), LHP Michael Plassmeyer (4-118), RHP Joey Gerber (8-238), RHP Grant Anderson (21-628), RHP Penn Murfee (33-988)
St. Louis Cardinals: IF/OF Brendan Donovan
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Drafted: 7th round, No. 213 overall
This was a solid overall haul for the Cardinals, even if first-round pick Nolan Gorman has fallen short of expectations. Outfielder Lars Nootbaar has 9.1 WAR over five seasons, while right-hander Kyle Leahy has a 2.76 ERA and 12 holds in 35 appearances this year.
However, super-utility man Brendan Donovan is the clear choice as their best pick with a .283/.364/.410 line and 117 OPS+ over four seasons, and he could end up being the lone All-Star representative for the Cardinals later this month.
Other Notable Picks: IF Nolan Gorman (1-19), 1B Luken Baker (2-75), OF Lars Nootbaar (8-243), LHP Evan Sisk (16-483), RHP Kyle Leahy (17-513)
Tampa Bay Rays: RHP Joe Ryan
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Drafted: 7th round, No. 210 overall
Matthew Liberatore, Shane McClanahan, Taj Bradley and Joe Ryan all in the same draft class is an impressive haul by the Rays, though they ended up flipping Liberatore for Randy Arozarena and Ryan for Nelson Cruz before either made their MLB debuts.
There is certainly a case to be made that a healthy McClanahan is the best of the bunch, but to this point, Ryan has been the most consistent contributor as a staple in the Twins rotation. The 29-year-old has a 2.75 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 108 strikeouts in 98.1 innings in 2025.
Other Notable Picks: LHP Matthew Liberatore (1-16), LHP Shane McClanahan (1-31), C/IF Ford Proctor (3-92), RHP Taj Bradley (5-150)
Texas Rangers: RHP Cole Winn
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Drafted: 1st round, No. 15 overall
Only five players from the Rangers draft class have reached the majors, and they have produced a combined minus-1.5 WAR during their scattered time in the big leagues.
With a 1.59 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and two holds in 13 appearances out of the MLB bullpen this year, Cole Winn gets the nod as the team's best pick, though his 3.97 FIP might be a better indication of how he will perform going forward.
Other Notable Picks: RHP Owen White (2-55), OF Jonathan Ornelas (3-91), RHP Mason Englert (4-119), LHP Grant Wolfram (18-539)
Toronto Blue Jays: 3B/OF Addison Barger
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Drafted: 6th round, No. 176 overall
Addison Barger is having an under-the-radar breakout season for the Blue Jays this year while splitting his time defensively between third base and right field, hitting .263/.325/.493 for a 124 OPS+ with 18 doubles, 10 home runs, 30 RBI and 1.5 WAR in 62 games.
The 25-year-old also has some loud batted-ball metrics, ranking among the MLB leaders in average exit velocity (95th percentile), hard-hit rate (91st percentile) and expected slugging (90th percentile) to lend some credibility to his surface-level breakout.
Other Notable Picks: IF Jordan Groshans (1-12), OF Griffin Conine (2-52), RHP Adam Kloffenstein (3-88), OF Cal Stevenson (10-296), LHP Nick Allgeyer (12-356), IF Vinny Capra (20-596)
Washington Nationals: RHP Jake Irvin
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Drafted: 4th round, No. 131 overall
Right-hander Jake Irvin has quietly emerged as a workhorse in the Nationals rotation, making 74 starts and logging 407.2 innings since making his MLB debut on May 3, 2023.
He posted a 4.41 ERA in 187.2 innings last year, and continues to provide roughly league-average work at the back of the rotation while taking the ball every fifth day for a young Nationals squad.
Other Notable Picks: C Tyler Cropley (8-251), OF Cody Wilson (13-401), LHP Aaron Fletcher (14-431), LHP Evan Lee (15-461)
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