MLB Draft Re-Draft: Reflecting on 2015 Picks After a Decade

By June 18, 2025, – A decade after the 2015 MLB Draft, this article revisits the first 30 picks, reflecting on which players have succeeded the most and how the selections might change based on their performance.

The 2015 draft is often dismissed as a “crapshoot,” but the top five players selected that year have shown remarkable talent. The Houston Astros, for example, had an exceptional draft, landing both Alex Bregman and Kyle Tucker in the first round.

Bregman, who actually went second overall, has flourished into the best player from the draft class, boasting a career Wins Above Replacement (WAR) of 42.6. After missing the prior year’s draft pick due to injury, the Astros hit a home run with Bregman, a player who proved critics wrong about his power-hitting capabilities.

Meanwhile, Tucker, selected fifth overall, is on track for a 5-WAR season at just 28 years old, indicating he could surpass Bregman in career value. These selections highlight how teams can find superstars early in the draft.

In the re-draft, Brendan Rodgers, who was actually picked third overall, shows promise, but struggles to compete with the earlier mentioned stars. His advancement in the majors has been rocky, but he’s adapting well under coaching guidance.

The article also highlights misses in the draft, pinpointing players who have not lived up to the high expectations set upon them, offering a sobering reminder that even high selections can be risky.

As teams gear up for the next draft, these revisits serve as a crucial reminder of the immense potential and unpredictability of player development. The next piece will delve deeper into the missed opportunities that navigated through the first 30 picks, presenting a broader scope of talent lost during the draft.