15 worst draft picks in Blue Jays history

It's no secret that the Toronto Blue Jays have had plenty of misses in the MLB Draft in their nearly 50-year history.

While there have only been five general managers in Blue Jays history, they've all had plenty of head-scratching missteps that will leave you playing the 'what if' game. Here are 15 of the Blue Jays' worst draft misfires.

15 worst draft picks in Blue Jays history

15. SS Jordan Groshans: Drafted first round (No. 12 pick) in 2018, -0.1 career bWAR

Groshans signed a $3.4 million signing bonus with the Blue Jays but ended up never playing a game for in Toronto before being traded to the Marlins.

Some notable infielders who were on the board at this pick were Nico Hoerner (No. 24 pick, 17.2 bWAR) and Jeremy Pena (third round, 15.1 bWAR) along with pitching prospects like Logan Gilbert (No. 14 pick, 10.4 bWAR), Brady Singer (No. 18 pick, 9.0 bWAR) and Shane McClanahan (No. 31 pick, 8.8 bWAR).

14. RHP T.J. Zeuch: Drafted first round (No. 21 pick) in 2016, -0.6 career bWAR

In his first draft as general manager, Ross Atkins took Zeuch in the first round, which proved to be a mistake.

How much of a mistake? Well, he spent the last offseason chasing two guys who he could have taken instead in Pete Alonso (second round, 21.5 bWAR) and Corbin Burnes (fourth round, 18.9 bWAR). All-Star catcher Will Smith (No. 32 pick, 20.5 bWAR), Shane Bieber (fourth round, 17.7 bWAR), and Tommy Edman (sixth round, 19 bWAR) were also selected after Zeuch.

13. C Max Pentecost: Drafted first round (No. 11 pick) in 2014, never played in MLB

Pentecost put up decent numbers in the minors, but injuries took their toll and he retired just four years after being drafted, which is a real shame because he showcased some real potential in the minors. Unfortunately, the Blue Jays missed on drafting Trea Turner (No. 13 pick, 37.7 bWAR), Jack Flaherty, (No. 34 pick, 13.6 bWAR), Logan Webb (fourth round, 18.6 bWAR) and Dylan Cease (sixth round, 15.8 bWAR).

12.  RHP Deck McGuire: Drafted first round (No. 11 pick) in 2010, -0.2 career bWAR

McGuire never lived up to his potential, so much so that the Blue Jays allowed Oakland to purchase his contract in 2014. Cy Young Award winner Chris Sale (53.8 bWAR) went two picks later to the White Sox, while the Marlins picked up both Christian Yelich (No. 23 pick, 41.5 bWAR) and J.T. Realmuto (third round, 36.9 bWAR) later in the draft.

11. 3B Kevin Ahrens: Drafted first round (No. 16 pick) in 2007, never played in MLB / C J.P. Arencibia: Drafted in first round (No. 21 pick) in 2007, 1.9 career bWAR

The Blue Jays spent $2.7 million in signing bonus money on Ahrens and Arencibia and only had Arencibia's 1.9 career bWAR to show for it.

The Blue Jays missed out on Todd Frazier (No. 34 pick, 25.8 bWAR), Giancarlo Stanton (second round, 44.9 bWAR), and Freddie Freeman (second round, 62.6 bWAR).

10. LHP Ricky Romero: Drafted first round (No. 6 pick) in 2005, 9.9 career bWAR

Romero is the best player on this list, and had a decent career in Toronto. The problem was he didn’t have any staying power. Troy Tulowitzki (44.8 bWAR) was selected by Colorado with the very next pick, while Pittsburgh picked up 2013 NL MVP Andrew McCutchen (49.1 bWAR) with the No. 11 pick. The Yankees also picked Brett Gardner (44.3 bWAR) in the third round.

9. SS Russ Adams: Drafted first round (No. 14 pick) in 2002, 0.0 career bWAR

The first pick in general manager J.P. Ricciardi’s tenure, Adams was given the largest signing bonus in team history to that point ($1.7 million), and failed to produce at the big-league level in his five seasons in Toronto. Meanwhile, Cole Hamels, (No. 17 pick, 59.0 bWAR), and Curtis Granderson (third round, 47.4 bWAR) were taken after Adams.

The biggest miss was not picking the hometown kid Joey Votto (second round, 63.6 bWAR) who was literally playing right in Toronto at Richview Collegiate Institute. Hee signed with the Reds for $600,000 and the rest is history.

8. OF Miguel Negron: Drafted first round (No. 18 pick) in 2000, never played in MLB

There were a handful of players in this draft would go on to become World Series champions and some of the most well-known players of their generation.That includes Adam Wainwright (No. 29 pick, 45.3 BWAR), Cliff Lee (third round, 43.2 bWAR), and Yadier Molina (fourth round, 41.6 bWAR).

7. RHP Billy Koch: Drafted first round (No. 4 pick) in 1996, 5.5 career bWAR / SS Joe Lawrence: Drafted first round, (No. 16 pick) in 1996, -1.0 career bWAR

The Blue Jays got two top-20 selections in 1996 and got a grand total of 4.5 combined bWAR from them. While the 1996 draft wasn't very deep, the Blue Jays could’ve used one of those picks on a future MVP in Jimmy Rollins (second round, 47.9 bWAR).

6. RHP Alex Sanchez: Drafted first round (No. 17 pick) in 1987, -0.6 careeer bWAR

Sanchez pitched a total of 11 2/3 innings for Toronto while the Blue Jays missed out on some quality hitters taken later in the draft. That includes Hall of Famer Craig Biggio (No. 22 pick, 65.4 bWAR), and perennial power threat Albert Belle (second round, 40.1 bWAR).

5. OF Greg David: Drafted first round (No. 25 pick) in 1985, never played in MLB

Two years after missing out on Rogers Clemens, the Blue Jays overlooked another arm that would rack up over 4,800 career strikeouts. Hall of Fame pitcher Randy Johnson (101.1 bWAR) was taken in the second round by the Montreal Expos. They also missed out on drafting David Justice (40.6 bWAR), who was taken in the 4th round by Atlanta.

4. C Matt Stark: Drafted first round (No. 9 pick) in 1983, -0.5 career bWAR

The Blue Jays used a first round pick on Stark, who recorded just one hit in his MLB career. Toronto missed big time with this pick since Clemens was selected later in the first round by the Red Sox.

3. SS Augie Schmidt: Drafted first round (No. 2 pick) in 1982, never played in MLB

The Blue Jays drafted Schmidt in the hopes that he'd become a franchise cornerstone. Spoiler alert: he wasn't. Future Rookie of the Year and Cy Young winner Dwight Gooden (53.0 bWAR) was taken three picks later by the New York Mets.

2. RHP Matt Williams: Drafted first round (No. 5 pick) in 1981, 0.4 career bWAR

Williams pitched all of eight innings for Toronto and tallied a 14.63 ERA. Toronto missed out on drafting Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn (third round, 69.1 bWAR) and borderline Hall of Famer David Cone (third round, 62.3 bWAR).

1. SS Tom Goffeena: Drafted 1st round, (No. 25 pick) in 1977, never played in MLB

That's right, the first-ever MLB Draft pick in Blue Jays history never saw a game of MLB action. in the amateur draft never saw a single game of MLB action.

General Manager Pat Gillick missed out on two future Hall of Fame players in shortstop Ozzie Smith (fourth round, 76.9 bWAR) and Tim Raines (fifth round, 69.4 bWAR).