The 2016 MLB Draft came with a ton of hype—some would say too much. Now, looking back, it’s obvious that not every pick delivered. This piece digs into the biggest misses from that draft, poking at what went sideways and how those choices still haunt certain teams. Some players just never hit their stride, while others got hit hard by injuries. Let’s get into it.
High Hopes and Missed Opportunities
The MLB Draft is always something of a roll of the dice. Teams pour resources into young talent, hoping they’ll grow into stars. The 2016 draft? Same story. Plenty of players were hyped as the next big thing. But as time marched on, it became painfully clear that several picks fizzled out.
Top Picks Who Fell Short
The Philadelphia Phillies grabbed Mickey Moniak with the first overall pick. In high school, Moniak looked like a sure thing. But once he hit pro ball, things got bumpy. He’s shown flashes, sure, but he just can’t seem to put it all together in the majors.
The Cincinnati Reds picked Nick Senzel at number two. Senzel’s bat and versatility got scouts excited. Sadly, injuries have stalked him throughout his career. The Reds wanted a difference maker, but Senzel just hasn’t been able to stay on the field long enough to deliver.
Injuries Derailing Careers
Injuries are brutal, and the 2016 draft class had its share of bad luck. The Oakland Athletics took A.J. Puk, hoping for an ace. But injuries, including Tommy John surgery, kept him off the mound for long stretches.
The Case of Riley Pint
Riley Pint, picked by the Colorado Rockies, looked like a can’t-miss prospect with his electric fastball. But health issues have dogged him from the start. The Rockies gambled on Pint, yet he’s still fighting through injuries and command problems.
Underwhelming Performances
It’s not all about injuries; sometimes guys just don’t perform. Corey Ray went fifth overall to the Milwaukee Brewers. He had speed, he had power, but he’s never put it together in the big leagues. The Brewers are still waiting for that breakout that hasn’t come.
Dalton Jeffries and the A’s
The Oakland A’s tried their luck with Dalton Jeffries. He looked solid in the minors, but his big-league outings have been rough. Expectations were high, but so far, Jeffries hasn’t made the leap everyone hoped for.
Looking Ahead
When you look back at the 2016 MLB Draft, it’s hard not to feel a bit let down by some of those picks. Maybe that’s just how the draft goes—no guarantees, just a lot of hope and guesswork. The stumbles from 2016 might sting, but they also push teams to scout smarter, develop better, and maybe, just maybe, get luckier next time.
Future Drafts
The MLB Draft? It’s always a gamble. Teams swing and miss, then try to figure out what went wrong.
They’ve got to learn from those mistakes. That’s really the only way to get better at finding players who might actually make a difference in the majors.
If you’re curious about where things went sideways in 2016, check out the full article on 2016 MLB Draft Biggest Misses.
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