Five years after the 2021 MLB Draft, it's time to take a look at each team's best pick from that year. The 2021 Draft class was a diverse group, with a mix of high-upside prospects and undervalued college arms. Here's a breakdown of each team's best pick, considering both past performance and future projection.
AL East
- Blue Jays: Matt Svanson, RHP (13th round) - Svanson was a $50,000 senior sign out of Lehigh, and his early success in the bullpen (1.94 ERA, 0.88 WHIP) is notable among a Blue Jays class with only two Major Leaguers so far.
- Orioles: Colton Cowser, OF (first round) - Cowser, signed for over $1.25 million, broke out in 2024 with 24 homers and was runner-up in AL Rookie of the Year voting.
- Rays: Carson Williams, SS (first round) - Williams' power-speed combination and defensive skill make him an upside pick, despite a 40% strikeout rate in the Majors.
- Red Sox: Marcelo Mayer, SS (first round) - Mayer, the top-rated prospect, signed for a franchise-record $6,664,000, but is still establishing himself in the big leagues.
- Yankees: Ben Rice, C (12th round) - Rice, after improving his strike zone management, led the AL with a .615 slugging percentage in 2025.
AL Central
- Guardians: Tanner Bibee, RHP (fifth round) - Bibee, known for his strike-throwing, added velocity and became a key part of the rotation with a 3.72 ERA and 545 strikeouts.
- Royals: Carter Jensen, C (third round) - Jensen, a well-rounded backstop, has emerged as the best talent from this class.
- Tigers: Jackson Jobe, RHP (first round) - Jobe, with high-spin breaking stuff and impressive fastball velocity, has been a top pitching prospect.
- Twins: David Festa, RHP (13th round) - Festa, a $125,000 signing, has double-digit big league starts in 2024 and 2025.
- White Sox: Colson Montgomery, SS (first round) - Montgomery, a basketball star turned baseball star, has homered 34 times in 123 big league games.
AL West
- Angels: Chase Silseth, RHP (11th round) - Silseth, a surprise over-slot signing, has an ERA under 2.00 in 2025 and 2026.
- Astros: Spencer Arrighetti, RHP (sixth round) - Arrighetti, after adding velocity, led American League rookies with 171 strikeouts in 2024.
- A's: Mason Miller, RHP (third round) - Miller, who overcame Type 1 juvenile diabetes, has become one of the most dominant closers in the game.
- Mariners: Bryan Woo, RHP (sixth round) - Woo, despite Tommy John surgery, has been a mainstay in the rotation with an All-Star nod and Cy Young Award votes.
- Rangers: Jack Leiter, RHP (first round) - Leiter, the top-rated pitching prospect, struggled with command early but has shown potential with 10 wins and 148 strikeouts.
NL East
- Braves: Spencer Schwellenbach, RHP (second round) - Schwellenbach, a two-way player, has a 3.23 ERA and 1.007 WHIP over 38 starts.
- Marlins: Joe Mack, C (supplemental first round) - Mack, after turning his career around, has established himself as one of the best defensive backstops.
- Mets: Christian Scott, RHP (fifth round) - Scott, coming off Tommy John surgery, has a 3.20 ERA and 30 strikeouts in 2026.
- Nationals: Daylen Lile, OF (second round) - Lile, a league-average to slightly above player, finished fifth in NL Rookie of the Year voting in 2025.
- Phillies: Andrew Painter, RHP (first round) - Painter, still figuring things out, has shown solid performance with a 2.60 ERA in his rookie year.
NL Central
- Brewers: Sal Frelick, OF (first round) - Frelick, with a Gold Glove award and improved offensive performance, is Milwaukee's everyday right fielder.
- Cardinals: Michael McGreevy, RHP (first round) - McGreevy, a control artist, has a 2.98 ERA and 1.09 WHIP with seven different pitch types.
- Cubs: Jordan Wicks, LHP (first round) - Wicks, despite inconsistent success, set Kansas State records for strikeouts.
- Pirates: Bubba Chandler, RHP (third round) - Chandler, a super-athletic former two-way player, has the potential to be the standard-bearer for the class.
- Reds: Andrew Abbott, LHP (fourth round) - Abbott, after a senior year gamble, has made at least 20 starts in each of the last three seasons and led the Draft class with 12.3 WAR.
NL West
- D-backs: Chad Patrick, RHP (fourth round) - Patrick, a swingman, has a 2.63 ERA this season and was traded twice in 2023.
- Dodgers: Justin Wrobleski, LHP (11th round) - Wrobleski, after Tommy John surgery, has settled into the middle of the Dodgers' rotation with a 3.07 ERA.
- Giants: Landen Roupp, RHP (12th round) - Roupp, a solid pitcher, has a 13-14 record and 3.61 ERA with 217 strikeouts.
- Padres: James Wood, OF (second round) - Wood, a lefty hitter, has 30-plus-homer potential and is one of the best pure sluggers in the game.
- Rockies: Hunter Goodman, C (fourth round) - Goodman, with raw power and serviceable defense, has 31 homers and an All-Star nod.
