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2010 Major League Baseball draft
View on Wikipediafrom Wikipedia
| 2010 Major League Baseball draft | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General information | |
| Date | June 7–9, 2010 |
| Location | Secaucus, New Jersey |
| Network | MLB Network |
| Overview | |
| 1525 total selections | |
| First selection | Bryce Harper Washington Nationals |
| First round selections | 50 |
The 2010 Major League Baseball draft was held on June 7–9, 2010 at the MLB Network Studios in Secaucus, New Jersey.
First-round selections
[edit]The draft order was determined based on the 2009 MLB standings, with the worst team picking first.[1]
- Key
| All-Star | |
| * | Player did not sign |
Supplemental first-round selections
[edit]The "sandwich picks" after the first round are compensation for losses of free agents during the 2009–10 offseason.[2]
Compensation picks
[edit]- ^ Compensation for unsigned 2009 pick Matt Purke
- ^ Pick from the Seattle Mariners for loss of Type A free agent Chone Figgins
- ^ Pick from the Detroit Tigers for loss of Type A free agent José Valverde
- ^ Pick from the Atlanta Braves for loss of Type A free agent Billy Wagner
- ^ Pick from the Boston Red Sox for loss of Type A free agent John Lackey
- ^ Compensation for unsigned 2009 pick LeVon Washington
- ^ Compensation for loss of Type A free agent José Valverde
- ^ Compensation for loss of Type A free agent Marco Scutaro
- ^ Compensation for loss of Type A free agent Michael Gonzalez
- ^ Compensation for loss of Type A free agent Jason Bay
- ^ Compensation for loss of Type A free agent John Lackey
- ^ Compensation for unsigned 2009 pick James Paxton
- ^ Compensation for loss of Type A free agent Billy Wagner
- ^ Compensation for loss of Type A free agent Chone Figgins
- ^ Compensation for loss of Type B free agent Rod Barajas
- ^ Compensation for loss of Type B free agent Gregg Zaun
- ^ Compensation for loss of Type B free agent Adrián Beltré
- ^ Compensation for loss of Type B free agent Brandon Lyon
- ^ Compensation for loss of Type B free agent Marlon Byrd
- ^ Compensation for loss of Type B free agent Mark DeRosa
- ^ Compensation for loss of Type B free agent Jason Marquis
- ^ Compensation for loss of Type B free agent Fernando Rodney
- ^ Compensation for loss of Type B free agent Iván Rodríguez
- ^ Compensation for loss of Type B free agent Joel Piñeiro
Other notable selections
[edit]- Chi Chi Gonzalez, 11th round, 328th overall by the Baltimore Orioles
- Chasen Shreve, 11th round, 344th overall by the Atlanta Braves
- Adam Duvall, 11th round, 348th overall by the San Francisco Giants
- Joc Pederson, 11th round, 352nd overall by the Los Angeles Dodgers
- Robbie Ray, 12th round, 356th overall by the Washington Nationals
- Stefen Romero, 12th round, 372nd overall by the Seattle Mariners
- Kyle Ryan, 12th round, 373rd overall by the Detroit Tigers
- Danny Burawa, 12th round, 385th overall by the New York Yankees
- A. J. Griffin, 13th round, 395th overall by the Oakland Athletics
- Tommy Medica, 14th round, 424th overall by the San Diego Padres
- Nick Tepesch, 14th round, 436th overall by the Texas Rangers
- Mike Bolsinger, 15th round, 451st overall by the Arizona Diamondbacks
- Steve Wilkerson, 15th round, 473rd overall by the Boston Red Sox, but did not sign
- Chase Whitley, 15th round, 475th overall by the New York Yankees
- Cody Allen, 16th round, 480th overall by the Cleveland Indians
- Dalton Pompey, 16th round, 486th overall by the Toronto Blue Jays
- Cody Anderson, 17th round, 521st overall by the Tampa Bay Rays
- Jason Garcia, 17th round, 533rd overall by the Boston Red Sox
- Preston Claiborne, 17th round, 535th overall by the New York Yankees
- Kris Bryant, 18th round, 546th overall by the Toronto Blue Jays, but did not sign.
- Adam Eaton, 19th round, 571st overall by the Arizona Diamondbacks
- Burch Smith, 20th round, 600th overall by the Cleveland Indians
- C. J. Riefenhauser, 20th round, 611th overall by the Tampa Bay Rays
- Cody Martin, 20th round, 615th overall by the Minnesota Twins
- Brett Bochy, 20th round, 618th overall by the San Francisco Giants
- Scott Copeland, 21st round, 628th overall by the Baltimore Orioles
- Josh Smith, 21st round, 637th overall by the Cincinnati Reds
- Kevin Shackelford, 21st round, 639th overall by the Milwaukee Brewers
- Adam Liberatore, 21st round, 641st overall by the Tampa Bay Rays
- Noel Cuevas, 21st round, 652nd overall by the Los Angeles Dodgers
- Ben Rowen, 22nd round, 676th overall by the Texas Rangers
- Evan Gattis, 23rd round, 704th overall by the Atlanta Braves
- Blake Treinen, 23rd round, 707th overall by the Florida Marlins, but did not sign
- Andrew Triggs, 24th round, 720th overall by the Cleveland Indians, but did not sign
- Erik Goeddel, 24th round, 722nd overall by the New York Mets
- Rocky Gale, 24th round, 724th overall by the San Diego Padres
- Christian Bergman, 24th round, 740th overall by the Colorado Rockies
- Casey Sadler, 25th round, 747th overall by the Pittsburgh Pirates
- Ken Roberts, 25th round, 770th overall by the Colorado Rockies
- A. J. Schugel, 25th round, 774th overall by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
- Ben Lively, 26th round, 780th overall by the Cleveland Indians, but did not sign
- Danny Muno, 26th round, 790th overall by the Chicago Cubs
- Scott Schebler, 26th round, 790th overall by the Los Angeles Dodgers
- Alex Claudio, 27th round, 826th overall by the Texas Rangers
- Brandon Cunniff, 27rd round, 827th overall by the Florida Marlins
- Marco Gonzales, 29th round, 890th overall by the Colorado Rockies, but did not sign
- Red Patterson, 29th round, 892nd overall by the Los Angeles Dodgers
- Taylor Hill, 30th round, 900th overall by the Cleveland Indians
- Josh Edgin, 30th round, 902nd overall by the New York Mets
- Shawn Tolleson, 30th round, 922nd overall by the Los Angeles Dodgers
- David Goforth, 31st round, 931st overall by the Cleveland Indians
- Aaron Judge, 31st round, 935th overall by the Oakland Athletics, but did not sign
- Kevin Kiermaier, 31st round, 941st overall by the Tampa Bay Rays
- Jason Rogers, 32nd round, 969th overall by the Milwaukee Brewers
- Matt Stites, 33rd round, 1000th overall by the Chicago Cubs
- Tyler Wilson, 35th round, 1057th overall by the Cincinnati Reds
- J. T. Riddle, 35th round, 1073rd overall by the Boston Red Sox, but did not sign
- Brock Stewart, 40th round, 1202nd overall by the New York Mets, but did not sign
- Javier J.Luque , 41st round, 1288th overall by the Chicago Cubs, but did not sign
- Chris Rearick, 41st round, 1241st overall by the Tampa Bay Rays
- Seth Maness, 41st round, 1247th overall by the Florida Marlins
- Matt Tracy, 43rd round, 1307th overall by the Florida Marlins
- A. J. Achter, 46th round, 1395th overall by the Minnesota Twins
NFL players drafted
[edit]- Russell Wilson, 4th round, 140th overall by the Colorado Rockies
- Blake Bell, 43rd round, 1303rd overall by the Detroit Tigers, but did not sign
- Golden Tate, 50th round, 1518th overall by the San Francisco Giants, but did not sign.
References
[edit]- ^ "2010 MLB Draft Order". Archived from the original on October 10, 2009. Retrieved October 10, 2009.
- ^ "5 Tool Talk - Feature: 2010 Free Agent Draft Pick Compensation". Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved April 5, 2010.
External links
[edit]
- Top 50 Prospects for 2010 Draft at Draft America
- MLB Agents for Top 50 Players Selected at SportsAgentBlog.com
- 2010 Major League Baseball draft at ESPN
2010 Major League Baseball draft
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
The 2010 Major League Baseball draft was the 46th annual amateur player selection meeting, conducted by Major League Baseball teams to choose eligible high school, college, and junior college players, and it took place from June 7 to 9 at the MLB Network Studios in Secaucus, New Jersey.[1] The draft consisted of 50 rounds and 1,525 total selections, marking a significant event in MLB's talent acquisition process during a period of increasing emphasis on international scouting and player development.[2][1]
The Washington Nationals held the first overall pick and selected highly touted outfielder/catcher Bryce Harper from the College of Southern Nevada, a junior college phenom who signed for a $6.25 million bonus and quickly became one of the league's premier stars.[3][4] Subsequent top selections included right-handed pitcher Jameson Taillon (second overall, Pittsburgh Pirates, from The Woodlands High School), shortstop Manny Machado (third overall, Baltimore Orioles, from Brito Miami Private High School), and shortstop Christian Colon (fourth overall, Kansas City Royals, from the University of Southern California), forming the core of a draft class renowned for its depth and future impact.[5]
This draft is widely regarded as one of the strongest classes in modern MLB history, as highlighted in recent discussions, producing exceptional talent depth across rounds with at least 10 All-Stars emerging from the first round and compensatory picks alone, including superstars like Bryce Harper, Manny Machado, and Christian Yelich.[6] Notable off-field elements included several high picks who did not sign, such as right-handers Barret Loux (sixth overall, Arizona Diamondbacks), Karsten Whitson (ninth overall, San Diego Padres), and Dylan Covey (14th overall, Milwaukee Brewers), due to medical or commitment issues, which highlighted the risks in evaluating amateur talent.[1] Overall, the class produced over 20 players who debuted in the majors and contributed to numerous playoff runs, underscoring its lasting legacy in the sport.[7]
Among the top selections, the Washington Nationals chose Bryce Harper first overall, a catcher-outfielder from the College of Southern Nevada renowned for his plus-plus raw power, exceptional bat speed, and above-average athleticism, positioning him as a cornerstone for their rebuilding efforts.[12][22] The Pittsburgh Pirates followed by drafting high school right-hander Jameson Taillon second, highlighting his elite velocity with a fastball that reached 99 mph, sharp curveball, and projectable frame, aligning with their strategy to invest in high-upside pitching talent.[23][12] Similarly, the Baltimore Orioles selected shortstop Manny Machado third overall from Brito High School, valuing his polished plate approach, plus bat speed, and potential for above-average power, which fit their focus on versatile infield prospects with defensive upside.[12][24]
Further down, teams balanced college polish with prep potential; for instance, the Cleveland Indians took left-hander Drew Pomeranz fifth from the University of Mississippi for his mid-90s fastball and advanced changeup, while the Oakland Athletics selected outfielder Michael Choice tenth from the University of Texas at Arlington, noted for his plus power and speed from the left side.[22] The Chicago White Sox's thirteenth pick, left-hander Chris Sale from Florida Gulf Coast University, stood out for his wiry frame, high-90s fastball, and devastating slider, representing a low-risk college arm with ace projection.[25] Overall, the round emphasized pitching depth—14 of the 30 picks were pitchers—and favored high school athletes for their developmental ceilings, particularly among teams like the Astros and Rangers seeking foundational pieces for contention windows.[26][27]
These picks often focused on high-potential prospects, particularly high school athletes, who carried elevated risk due to signability issues stemming from strong college scholarship offers. For instance, Noah Syndergaard (pick 38) was prized for his 6-foot-4 frame, mid-90s fastball, and power curveball, though scouts noted secondary pitch inconsistencies that required development. Similarly, Taijuan Walker (pick 43) drew attention as a 6-foot-4 right-hander with plus velocity reaching 97 mph but needed to improve command to mitigate his high school rawness. Such selections emphasized long-term upside over immediate polish, aligning with the draft's emphasis on projectable talent amid economic bonus pool constraints introduced that year.[28]
Background and Context
Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for the 2010 Major League Baseball draft were defined under MLB Rule 4, which governed the First-Year Player Draft and restricted participation to amateur players who had not previously signed a professional contract with a Major or Minor League club. Eligible individuals included residents of the United States (including territories such as Puerto Rico), Canada, or those attending high schools, junior colleges, or four-year colleges in these regions.[8][9] High school players qualified upon graduation or if they were eligible to withdraw from school to pursue professional baseball, generally applying to graduating seniors. Players at four-year colleges became eligible after completing their junior year or upon turning 21 years old, whichever occurred first, while junior college participants qualified after finishing at least one year of attendance. Foreign-born players residing outside the U.S., Canada, and U.S. territories were excluded from the Rule 4 draft and instead pursued professional opportunities through MLB's separate international signing system.[8][9] For the 2010 draft, held June 7–9, these criteria remained consistent with longstanding MLB rules, with primary focus on high school seniors, college juniors and seniors, and junior college athletes entering the pool. No formal declaration process was required; eligibility arose automatically from a player's educational and residency status at the time of the draft, allowing teams to select based on current amateur standing without prior notification from the player. The collective bargaining agreement in effect through 2011 had not yet implemented reforms to amateur signing structures, preserving the standard eligibility framework without notable alterations.[9][8]Pre-Draft Hype and Rule Changes
The 2010 Major League Baseball draft generated significant anticipation, particularly around outfielder Bryce Harper of the College of Southern Nevada, who emerged as the consensus top prospect. At age 16, Harper had already been featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated as "The Chosen One," drawing comparisons to basketball phenom LeBron James due to his prodigious power and athleticism.[10] His decision to leave high school early and enroll in junior college specifically accelerated his eligibility for the 2010 draft, allowing him to enter at age 17 rather than waiting until 2011.[11] Other highly touted prospects included shortstop Manny Machado from Brito Miami Private High School and pitcher Jameson Taillon from The Woodlands High School, both of whom were projected as top-three selections for their advanced tools and potential as franchise cornerstones.[12] Under the 2006-2011 Collective Bargaining Agreement, MLB introduced recommended signing bonus slot values for draft picks to curb escalating spending, assigning approximate amounts based on selection position without formal penalties for exceeding them.[13] This system aimed to standardize negotiations and promote fiscal restraint among teams. Additionally, the Type A and Type B free agent classifications from the 2009 offseason influenced the draft order, as teams forfeiting picks for signing eligible players reshuffled compensatory selections; for instance, the Boston Red Sox surrendered their first-round pick (No. 29 overall) to the Los Angeles Angels after signing Type A free agent John Lackey to a five-year, $82.5 million contract.[14] Pre-draft scouting reports and mock drafts emphasized debates between high school talents like Machado and Taillon, valued for their upside but carrying developmental risks, and college standouts such as Florida's first baseman Matt Harvey, who offered more immediate polish. Publications like Baseball America and MLB Pipeline highlighted these dynamics in their rankings, with Harper universally slotted first, followed closely by Taillon and Machado in most projections.[15]Draft Execution
Date and Location
The 2010 Major League Baseball draft took place over three days, from June 7 to 9, at Studio 42 in the MLB Network facilities in Secaucus, New Jersey.[16] Day 1, encompassing the first round and supplemental picks, began with a preview show at 6 p.m. ET and live selections starting at 7 p.m. ET, while Days 2 and 3 covered the remaining rounds via online streaming.[17] This studio-based event limited in-person attendance to representatives from all 30 MLB clubs, including former players and executives who contributed to the broadcast.[16] The draft marked MLB Network's second year providing television coverage, featuring live broadcasts of the opening rounds with enhanced production elements such as commentary from baseball legends like Tommy Lasorda and Billy Williams.[16] Unlike earlier drafts, which often involved non-televised, paper-based submissions of picks, the 2010 event introduced real-time announcements, including an opening statement by Commissioner Bud Selig, and pick-by-pick streaming on MLB.com for all rounds.[18][17] Viewership for the televised portions was notably high, driven by widespread anticipation surrounding top prospect Bryce Harper, who was widely expected to be the No. 1 overall selection.[16] The format emphasized interactivity, with online tools offering scouting reports and live updates, further distinguishing it from the more subdued proceedings of previous years.[17]Selection Order Determination
The selection order for the 2010 Major League Baseball draft was determined primarily by the reverse order of the 2009 regular-season standings among non-playoff teams, with the team posting the worst record receiving the first overall pick. Ties in records were broken by the teams' performance in the 2008 season. Consequently, the Washington Nationals earned the No. 1 pick with their league-worst 59–102 record in 2009, followed by the Pittsburgh Pirates at No. 2 (62–99), the Baltimore Orioles at No. 3 (64–98), and the Kansas City Royals at No. 4 (65–97). Playoff qualifiers selected after the non-contenders, in reverse order of their finishing positions within their divisions or wild-card standings. Compensation picks were awarded based on free agent signings from the previous offseason and failures to sign prior draftees, altering the order for several teams. Under the then-current rules, teams signing Type A free agents—defined by Elias Sports Bureau rankings as the top 20% of eligible players based on the prior two seasons' performance—without offering a qualifying arbitration offer forfeited their first-round pick, which was reassigned to the losing team; both clubs then received additional supplemental picks. For instance, the Boston Red Sox forfeited their original No. 29 overall selection to the Los Angeles Angels upon signing pitcher John Lackey, a Type A free agent from the Angels.[19] In contrast, for Type B free agents (ranked 21–40% by Elias), the losing team received a supplemental pick without the signing team forfeiting a primary first-round selection. An example includes the San Diego Padres gaining a supplemental pick after catcher Yorvit Torrealba, a Type B free agent, signed with the Texas Rangers.[20] Additional supplemental picks were granted to teams like the Texas Rangers for not signing their 2009 first-rounder, Matt Purke.[1] The main first round consisted of 32 picks (accounting for some compensation adjustments), followed immediately by 18 supplemental picks numbered 33 through 50, which were distributed to teams in reverse order of standings among those eligible for compensation.[21] The full draft spanned 50 rounds and resulted in 1,525 total selections across all rounds.[1] Unlike the current system, no lottery was used to determine the top picks, as that reform was not implemented until 2021.Round 1 Selections
Primary First-Round Picks
The primary first-round selections of the 2010 Major League Baseball draft comprised 30 picks, allocated to teams in reverse order of their 2009 regular-season standings, with no trades occurring during the round.[3][1] This structure allowed rebuilding franchises high in the order to target prospects with significant long-term potential, emphasizing athleticism, power, and velocity over immediate readiness.[12] The following table lists all primary first-round picks, including player positions and affiliations at the time of the draft:| Pick | Team | Player | Position | School/Hometown |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington Nationals | Bryce Harper | C | College of Southern Nevada |
| 2 | Pittsburgh Pirates | Jameson Taillon | RHP | The Woodlands HS (The Woodlands, TX) |
| 3 | Baltimore Orioles | Manny Machado | SS | Brito HS (Miami, FL) |
| 4 | Kansas City Royals | Christian Colon | SS | Cal State Fullerton (Fullerton, CA) |
| 5 | Cleveland Indians | Drew Pomeranz | LHP | University of Mississippi (Oxford, MS) |
| 6 | Arizona Diamondbacks | Barret Loux | RHP | Texas A&M University (College Station, TX) |
| 7 | New York Mets | Matt Harvey | RHP | University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill, NC) |
| 8 | Houston Astros | Delino DeShields Jr. | CF | Woodward Academy (College Park, GA) |
| 9 | San Diego Padres | Karsten Whitson | RHP | Chipley HS (Chipley, FL) |
| 10 | Oakland Athletics | Michael Choice | CF | University of Texas at Arlington (Arlington, TX) |
| 11 | Toronto Blue Jays | Deck McGuire | RHP | Georgia Tech (Atlanta, GA) |
| 12 | Cincinnati Reds | Yasmani Grandal | C | University of Miami (Coral Gables, FL) |
| 13 | Chicago White Sox | Chris Sale | LHP | Florida Gulf Coast University (Fort Myers, FL) |
| 14 | Milwaukee Brewers | Dylan Covey | RHP | Maranatha HS (Pasadena, CA) |
| 15 | Texas Rangers | Jake Skole | OF | Blessed Trinity Catholic School (Roswell, GA) |
| 16 | Chicago Cubs | Hayden Simpson | RHP | Southern Arkansas University (Magnolia, AR) |
| 17 | Tampa Bay Rays | Josh Sale | RF | Bishop Blanchet HS (Seattle, WA) |
| 18 | Los Angeles Angels | Kaleb Cowart | SS | Cook County HS (Adel, GA) |
| 19 | Houston Astros | Mike Foltynewicz | RHP | Minooka Community HS (Minooka, IL) |
| 20 | Boston Red Sox | Kolbrin Vitek | 2B | Ball State University (Muncie, IN) |
| 21 | Minnesota Twins | Alex Wimmers | RHP | Ohio State University (Columbus, OH) |
| 22 | Texas Rangers | Kellin Deglan | C | Langley Secondary School (Langley, BC, Canada) |
| 23 | Florida Marlins | Christian Yelich | 1B | Westlake HS (Westlake Village, CA) |
| 24 | San Francisco Giants | Gary Brown | CF | Cal State Fullerton (Fullerton, CA) |
| 25 | St. Louis Cardinals | Zack Cox | 3B | University of Arkansas (Fayetteville, AR) |
| 26 | Colorado Rockies | Kyle Parker | 1B | Clemson University (Clemson, SC) |
| 27 | Philadelphia Phillies | Jesse Biddle | LHP | Germantown Academy (Fort Washington, PA) |
| 28 | Los Angeles Dodgers | Zach Lee | RHP | McKinney HS (McKinney, TX) |
| 29 | Los Angeles Angels | Cam Bedrosian | RHP | East Coweta HS (Senoia, GA) |
| 30 | Los Angeles Angels | Chevez Clarke | OF | Marietta HS (Marietta, GA) |
Supplemental and Compensation Picks
In the 2010 Major League Baseball draft, supplemental and compensation picks were additional first-round selections granted to teams as remedies for losing Type A free agents to other clubs or for failing to sign draftees from the 2009 draft. These 20 picks, numbered 31 through 50 overall, were positioned immediately after the primary first-round selections (picks 1 through 30) and before the start of the second round, allowing compensated teams extra chances to bolster their farm systems without impacting the standard reverse-order selection process. The awards stemmed from MLB's collective bargaining agreement provisions on free agency, where teams signing qualifying free agents forfeited draft picks in exchange, while the losing teams received these slots; in total, 16 picks compensated for free agent departures, and 4 addressed unsigned 2009 selections.[1] The following table lists all supplemental and compensation picks, including the team, player, position, school or origin, and the specific reason for the award:| Pick | Team | Player | Position | School/Origin | Reason for Award |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | Tampa Bay Rays | Justin O'Conner | C | Cowan HS (Muncie, IN) | Loss of Matt Stairs (FA) |
| 32 | New York Yankees | Cito Culver | SS | West Seneca West HS (West Seneca, NY) | Loss of Johnny Damon (FA) |
| 33 | Houston Astros | Michael Kvasnicka | 3B | University of Minnesota (Col.) | Loss of José Valverde (FA) |
| 34 | Toronto Blue Jays | Aaron Sanchez | RHP | Barstow HS (CA) | Loss of Marco Scutaro (FA) |
| 35 | Atlanta Braves | Matt Lipka | SS | McKinney HS (TX) | Loss of Mike Gonzalez (FA) |
| 36 | Boston Red Sox | Bryce Brentz | OF | Middle Tennessee State (Col.) | Loss of Billy Wagner (FA) |
| 37 | Los Angeles Angels | Taylor Lindsey | SS | Desert Mountain HS (AZ) | Loss of Chone Figgins (FA) |
| 38 | Toronto Blue Jays | Noah Syndergaard | RHP | Legacy HS (TX) | Failure to sign 2009 pick (James Paxton) |
| 39 | Boston Red Sox | Anthony Ranaudo | RHP | LSU (Col.) | Loss of Jason Bay (FA) |
| 40 | Los Angeles Angels | Ryan Bolden | OF | Madison Central HS (MS) | Loss of John Lackey (FA) |
| 41 | Toronto Blue Jays | Asher Wojciechowski | RHP | The Citadel (Col.) | Loss of Rod Barajas (FA) |
| 42 | Tampa Bay Rays | Drew Vettleson | OF | Central Kitsap HS (WA) | Loss of Gregg Zaun (FA) |
| 43 | Seattle Mariners | Taijuan Walker | RHP | Yucaipa HS (CA) | Loss of Adrian Beltre (FA) |
| 44 | Detroit Tigers | Nick Castellanos | 3B | Archbishop McCarthy HS (FL) | Loss of Brandon Lyon (FA) |
| 45 | Texas Rangers | Luke Jackson | RHP | Calvary Christian Academy (KY) | Loss of Iván Rodríguez (FA) |
| 46 | St. Louis Cardinals | Seth Blair | RHP | Arizona State (Col.) | Loss of Mark DeRosa (FA) |
| 47 | Colorado Rockies | Peter Tago | RHP | Dana Hills HS (CA) | Loss of Jason Marquis (FA) |
| 48 | Detroit Tigers | Chance Ruffin | RHP | University of Texas (Col.) | Loss of Fernando Rodney (FA) |
| 49 | Texas Rangers | Mike Olt | 3B | University of Connecticut (Col.) | Loss of Marlon Byrd (FA) |
| 50 | St. Louis Cardinals | Tyrell Jenkins | RHP | Henderson HS (TX) | Loss of Joel Piñeiro (FA) |
Later Round Selections
Notable Later-Round Picks
The 2010 Major League Baseball draft extended to 50 rounds, with each of the 30 teams selecting approximately 50 players, resulting in a total of 1,525 picks across all rounds. While the first round produced several high-profile talents, the later rounds (2 through 50) yielded a handful of significant contributors, though the success rate diminished sharply beyond round 10, with fewer than 5% of picks from rounds 11-50 reaching the majors and even fewer achieving All-Star status or sustained impact.[29] These selections often involved college or junior college players overlooked due to factors like positional versatility, signability concerns, or limited scouting exposure. In the second round, the San Diego Padres selected infielder Jedd Gyorko from West Virginia University with the 59th overall pick. Gyorko, a compact second baseman with power potential, slipped to the second round partly because teams questioned his defensive range at the position despite his offensive upside in college.[30] Similarly, the Milwaukee Brewers chose right-handed pitcher Jimmy Nelson from the University of Alabama at the 64th pick, viewing him as a projectable starter; his selection reflected teams' preferences for high school arms earlier in the draft over college relievers like Nelson, who had shown velocity but inconsistent command. The Atlanta Braves added shortstop Andrelton Simmons from Western Oklahoma State College at pick 70, a junior college standout whose raw defensive tools were undervalued amid a deep class of high school infielders. Deeper into the draft, the New York Mets selected right-handed pitcher Jacob deGrom from Stetson University in the ninth round, 272nd overall. DeGrom, who had primarily played shortstop and closed for the Hatters before transitioning to starting pitching in his senior year, was overlooked due to his late conversion and limited mound experience, allowing teams to prioritize established pitchers.[31] One of the draft's deepest gems came in the 31st round when the Tampa Bay Rays picked outfielder Kevin Kiermaier from Parkland College (Illinois) at the 941st overall selection. As a junior college product, Kiermaier faced skepticism about his bat despite elite athleticism and speed, falling far below pre-draft projections of rounds 8-15 because major programs like Purdue had initially passed on him after high school.[32] Overall, rounds 2 through 10 produced the bulk of later-round successes in the 2010 class, with standout defenders and power hitters emerging from college ranks, while picks beyond round 20 were rare MLB contributors, underscoring the draft's emphasis on early talent identification.[29]Signing Bonuses and Agreements
The 2010 Major League Baseball draft featured significant financial commitments from teams to secure their selections, with signing bonuses reflecting the high value placed on top prospects. Of the 60 first-round picks, 57 ultimately signed contracts by the August 15, 2010, deadline at 11:59 p.m. ET, which allowed draftees to either join professional teams or return to college if no agreement was reached.[33] Three notable exceptions were Barret Loux (6th overall, Arizona Diamondbacks), Karsten Whitson (9th overall, San Diego Padres), and Dylan Covey (14th overall, Milwaukee Brewers), who did not sign due to medical or commitment issues and re-entered the draft in later years. This deadline pressured teams to finalize deals, resulting in a total draft spending of over $200 million in bonuses across all rounds.[34] Among the highest bonuses, the Washington Nationals signed first overall pick Bryce Harper to a five-year major league contract that included a $6.25 million signing bonus, paid in five installments, marking one of the largest guarantees for a position player in draft history at the time.[35] The Pittsburgh Pirates followed with second overall selection Jameson Taillon, a high school right-hander, for a $6.5 million bonus, the second-highest in the draft and among the top ever for a prep pitcher.[36] Third overall pick Manny Machado received $5.25 million from the Baltimore Orioles, tying for the third-largest bonus and underscoring the premium on shortstop talent.[37] These deals exceeded MLB's recommended slot values, which served as informal guidelines based on pick position to control costs, though no strict penalties existed yet for overspending—unlike the bonus pool system introduced in 2012.[38] Later-round signings highlighted strategic spending, with teams allocating above-slot money to lure high school players away from college commitments. The Florida Marlins, for instance, paid 23rd-round pick Christian Yelich—a high school first baseman—a $1.7 million bonus, well above the recommended amount for that position, to secure his services just before the deadline.[36] In contrast, first-rounder Chris Sale signed with the Chicago White Sox for $1.656 million, a relatively modest figure for the 13th overall pick given his college pedigree, reflecting negotiations influenced by his leverage as a junior college transfer.[39] For example, ninth-round pick Jacob deGrom signed with the Mets for $137,500, a standard amount for his slot despite his eventual stardom. Such over-slot deals were common for high schoolers, who comprised about 40% of first-round selections and often commanded premiums to forgo scholarships, while college players typically signed closer to or below slots to accelerate their professional careers.[40] Not all negotiations succeeded, with a few notable unsigned players re-entering the draft pool the following year. San Diego Padres' ninth overall pick Karsten Whitson, a high school right-hander committed to the University of Florida, rejected a $2.1 million offer and returned to amateur eligibility, later being selected in the 11th round by the Boston Red Sox in 2014 after college.[33] Similarly, Milwaukee Brewers' 14th pick Dylan Covey did not sign and was redrafted in 2015. These failures cost teams their picks without compensation, emphasizing the risks in pre-pool era spending. Teams like the Pirates stayed under their informal budget targets, preserving flexibility for later rounds, while others like the Nationals committed heavily to star power.[41]| Player | Team | Pick | Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bryce Harper | Washington Nationals | 1 | $6.25 million[36] |
| Jameson Taillon | Pittsburgh Pirates | 2 | $6.5 million[36] |
| Manny Machado | Baltimore Orioles | 3 | $5.25 million[36] |
| Christian Yelich | Florida Marlins | 23 | $1.7 million[36] |
| Chris Sale | Chicago White Sox | 13 | $1.656 million[36] |