Unlike in the other major professional sports, there is no instant return for MLB clubs with their draft picks. Teams have to wait for their amateur selections to work their way through the minor league ranks before showing what they can do against big league competition.
That said, all draft picks aren’t created equal—and some move through their respective teams’ farm systems faster than others. While college-age players typically move the quickest due to their maturity, both mentally and physically, it’s not unheard of for a player drafted out of high school to follow suit.
It’s why you’ll find a mix of college and prep stars on the slides that follow.
Selections are based on statistics that jumped off the page. Considering how many players heard their names called during the 2016 draft, it’s possible some worthy candidates for inclusion fell through the cracks.
Which 10 recent draft picks have stood out from the pack thanks to torrid starts to their professional careers? Let’s take a look.