The Best draft picks in Atlanta Braves history…

The Major League Baseball draft stands out among professional sports drafts as teams select teenagers and college students who often won’t reach their major league clubs for years, if at all. These players typically spend years in the minor leagues, enduring long bus rides and low pay. Some advance quickly, gaining playing time and recognition from scouts and fans nationwide.

A select few will become MLB stars, but draft position rarely predicts success. For instance, four top draft picks were chosen after hundreds of others, and only two were first overall selections. Notably, some stars like Nolan Ryan, Ozzie Smith, and Randy Johnson were traded before achieving Hall of Fame careers.

Despite the unpredictability, calling the draft a “crapshoot” is an overstatement. College players are slightly more likely than high schoolers to reach the majors, and third-round picks have a marginally better chance than fifth-rounders. Teams consider long-term projections and signing prospects before players start their professional careers.

To assess the success of draft picks since the inaugural 1965 draft, a list of the best picks in Atlanta Braves history was compiled using Baseball Reference data. Players were ranked by career wins above replacement (WAR), excluding unsigned picks and crediting traded players to their new teams. Data is current as of June 5, 2024.

**#10. Dusty Baker**
– Draft: 504th overall pick in 1967
– Position: Outfielder
– Games played: 2,039
– Career stats: 242 home runs, .278 batting average, .779 OPS
– WAR: 37.0

**#9. Andrelton Simmons**
– Draft: 70th overall pick in 2010
– Position: Shortstop
– Games played: 1,225
– Career stats: 70 home runs, .263 batting average, .678 OPS
– WAR: 37.1

**#8. David Justice**
– Draft: 94th overall pick in 1985
– Position: First baseman
– Games played: 1,610
– Career stats: 305 home runs, .279 batting average, .878 OPS
– WAR: 40.6

**#7. Jason Heyward**
– Draft: 14th overall pick in 2007
– Position: Outfielder
– Games played: 1,721
– Career stats: 176 home runs, .258 batting average, .749 OPS
– WAR: 41.2

**#6. Adam Wainwright**
– Draft: 29th overall pick in 2000
– Position: Pitcher
– Games played: 478
– Career stats: 200 wins, 3.53 ERA, 1.24 WHIP
– WAR: 45.2

**#5. Dale Murphy**
– Draft: 5th overall pick in 1974
– Position: Catcher
– Games played: 2,180
– Career stats: 398 home runs, .265 batting average, .815 OPS
– WAR: 46.5

**#4. Brett Butler**
– Draft: 573rd overall pick in 1979
– Position: Outfielder
– Games played: 2,213
– Career stats: 54 home runs, .290 batting average, .753 OPS
– WAR: 49.7

**#3. Freddie Freeman**
– Draft: 78th overall pick in 2007
– Position: First baseman
– Games played: 1,947
– Career stats: 328 home runs, .301 batting average, .902 OPS
– WAR: 58.2

**#2. Tom Glavine**
– Draft: 47th overall pick in 1984
– Position: Pitcher
– Games played: 688
– Career stats: 305 wins, 3.54 ERA, 1.31 WHIP
– WAR: 80.7

**#1. Chipper Jones**
– Draft: 1st overall pick in 1990
– Position: Shortstop
– Games played: 2,499
– Career stats: 468 home runs, .303 batting average, .930 OPS
– WAR: 85.3