The Ones That Got Away: National League West

Arizona

Best positional player: Ian Kinsler (2000 and 2001: Rounds 29 and 26, Picks 879 and 788). The surprising thing is that Kinsler isn’t even the best middle infielder drafted by a National League West team that didn’t sign.

Best pitcher: David Hernandez (2004: Round 34, Pick 1,016) leads a mediocre group.

Honorable mention: Hector Ambriz (2006: Round 5, Pick 147). Did sign and was a Rule 5 pick this past winter. He’s not all that interesting otherwise.

Colorado

Best positional player: Jody Gerut (1998: Round 2, Pick 71) signed and was traded three years to the day along with Josh Bard for Jacob Cruz.

Best pitcher: Jake Westbrook (1996: Round 1, Pick 21) did sign and was traded 16 months later to the Montreal Expos in a package for Mike Lansing. A few years later he would be involved in a deal (alongside Ted Lilly) for Hideki Irabu and then with Zach Day and Ricky Ledee for David Justice. He’s gotten around a bit.

Honorable mention: Micah Owings (2002: Round 2, Pick 50)

2010 draft connection: Chris Sale was the Rockies’ eighth round pick in 2007. Now he could be the first or second college arm off the board.

Los Angeles

Best positional player: Chase Utley (1997: Round 2, Pick 76). See what I meant by the Kinsler comment?

Best pitcher: David Price (2004: Round 19, Pick 568). Before Price went to Vanderbilt and became the toast of the college pitcher class in 2007.

Honorable mention: Doug Davis (1993: Round 31, Pick 858)

San Diego

They absolutely get their own list:

Todd Helton (1992: Round 2, Pick 55)
Troy Glaus (1994: Round 2, Pick 37)
Chad Cordero (2000: Round 26, Pick 769)
Mark Hendrickson (1993: Round 21, Pick 590)

2010 draft connections: Christian Colon was near signing with the Padres in 2007. After going to Cal State Fullerton he should be the first college shortstop off the board. The Pads also nabbed Tommy Toledo who underwent Tommy John surgery while at the University of Florida.

San Francisco

Best positional player: J.D. Drew (1994: Round 20, Pick 564)

Best pitcher: Brad Lidge (1995: Round 42, Pick 1,167)

Honorable mention: Barry Bonds (1982: Round 2, Pick 39). This goes against the active player rule, but hey, he’s not retired yet, right?