2020 MLB Draft: History of the No. 29 pick

It’s draft day, and while this exercise doesn’t mean anything for the 2020 (and beyond) Dodgers, it’s fun to look back at who was selected at No. 29 over the years.

Here are the last 20 selections at pick 29.

No. 29

2019: SS Logan Davidson, Athletics
2018: C Bo Naylor, Cleveland
2017: SS Chris Seise, Rangers
2016: RHP Dane Dunning, Nationals
2015: RHP Jon Harris, Blue Jays
2014: IF Alex Blandino, Reds
2013: RHP Ryne Stanek, Rays
2012: OF Lewis Brinson, Rangers
2011: 2B Joe Panik, Giants
2010: RHP Cam Bedrosian, Angels
2009: OF Slade Heathcott, Yankees
2008: 3B Lonnie Chisenhall, Cleveland
2007: OF Wendell Fairley, Giants
2006: RHP Kyle McCulloch, White Sox
2005: RHP Jacob Marceaux, Marlins
2004: RHP Matt Campbell, Royals
2003: OF Carlos Quentin, Diamondbacks
2002: RHP Derick Grigsby, Astros
2001: SS Josh Burris, Braves
2000: RHP Adam Wainwright, Braves

A few notable names here, including Wainwright, who ended up going to the Cardinals in the J.D. Drew deal (before Drew signed with the Dodgers). Quentin was a Dodger killer and, surely, No. 1 fan of Zack Greinke. Panik had like 15 minutes in the spotlight, and Brinson was the centerpiece of the Christian Yelich trade. I had Davidson on my Big Board last year, while Naylor is one of the better catching prospects in the game. But there’s a lot of misses on this list.

For fun, here are the players selected at No. 29 since the draft began (1965) who accumulated a 10 bWAR or better over the course of their careers

1994: OF Jay Payton, Mets
1983: RHP Bill Swift, Twins
1977: OF Kevin Bass, Brewers
1972: C Ellis Valentine, Expos
1971: 3B George Brett, Royals
1967: RHP Dave Kingman, Angels
1965: OF Del Unser, Twins

Ahh, one Hall-of-Famer in Brett, plus notable names like Bass and Kingman (the outfielder).

Overall, there haven’t been a ton of hits with the 29th pick. Maybe the Dodgers can help change that.

For even more fun, here are some notable players selected at No. 60 and 66 in the draft.

No. 60

2002: RHP Jonathan Broxton, Dodgers
1999: OF Ryan Ludwick, Athletics
1970: OF Fred Lynn, Yankees
1968: RHP Lynn McGlothen, Red Sox
1966: 3B Steve Garvey, Twins

Couple old friends here. The polarizing Broxton and the guy whose kids named their blog after him.

No. 66

2006: RHP Trevor Cahill, Athletics
2005: 3B Chase Headley, Padres
1995: RHP Ryan Dempster, Rangers

One old friend (Cahill), one guy I wanted the Dodgers to sign (Headley) and one good-not-great pitcher (Dempster).

——

This exercise has gone a bit better in years past. It’s hard to draft future Hall-of-Famers or even future All-Stars, but if any org can get the most out of a player taken at the end of the first round, it’s the Dodgers.