When thinking of recent MLB Drafts that stand out based on the amount of talent in the first round alone, 2012 is a year that quickly comes to mind. That year’s MLB Draft included many of the games current greats. Here are some of the biggest names who went in the first round, each of them straight out of high school.
Byron Buxton (Appling County, GA)
Since the standout from Baxley was the first high school player selected from the United States (Puerto Rico Baseball Academy’s Carlos Correa went No. 1 overall), it’s only right to start here with Buxton, who went No. 2 overall to the Minnesota Twins. Buxton has turned in an eight-year MLB career entirely with the Twins, a span that includes a Platinum Glove, an All-Star appearance, and a career .773 OPS.
Max Fried (Harvard-Westlake, CA)
Two players were taken in the first round of the 2012 MLB Draft out of Harvard-Westlake (CA), the first of whom was Fried to the San Diego Padres at No. 7 overall. Fried has since spent six seasons with the Atlanta Braves and earned three Gold Gloves, one All-Star appearance, a World Series title, and a career 3.09 ERA.
Lucas Giolito (Harvard-Westlake, CA)
The second of those two players from Harvard-Westlake was Giolito, who was taken No. 16 overall by the Washington Nationals. Also an accomplished pitcher, Giolito has spent seven MLB seasons with the Nationals and Chicago White Sox, made one All-Star appearance, and compiled a career 4.33 ERA.
Corey Seager (Northwest Cabarrus, NC)
One of the more accomplished players to come out of the first round in the 2012 MLB Draft was Seager, who was taken No. 18 overall by the Los Angeles Dodgers from Northwest Cabarrus (NC). In eight seasons with the Dodgers and Texas Rangers, Seager has posted a career .851 OPS, along with three All-Star appearances, two Silver Slugger awards, and a World Series MVP.
Joey Gallo (Bishop Gorman, NV)
Gallo was selected No. 39 overall by the Texas Rangers out of Bishop Gorman (NV). Having so far played eight seasons with the Rangers, New York Yankees, and Los Angeles Dodgers, Gallo has made two All-Star appearances, won two Gold Gloves, and fashioned a career .794 OPS.
Lance McCullers Jr. (Jesuit, FL)
Another prominent pitcher taken early in the 2012 MLB Draft was McCullers, who was picked 41st overall by the Houston Astros. In seven seasons with the Astros, McCullers is a two-time World Series champion, one-time All-Star, and owner of a career 3.48 ERA.
Matt Olson (Parkview, GA)
A familiar name to fans of high school baseball in Georgia, Olson was taken with the No. 47 overall pick by the Oakland Athletics. Olson has played seven seasons with the Athletics and Atlanta Braves, a span that includes two Gold Gloves, one All-Star appearance, and a career .846 OPS.
Jesse Winker (Olympia, FL)
The final name on this list is Winker, who was selected No. 49 overall by the Cincinnati Reds out of Olympia (FL). In six seasons with the Reds and Seattle Mariners, Winker has made one All-Star appearance and crafted a career .836 OPS.
