Colorado Rockies 1999 Draft: The Rockies passed on Albert Pujols more than a dozen times

The Colorado Rockies drafted Jason Jennings in the first round of the 1999 MLB Draft

In the first round of the 1999 MLB Draft, the Colorado Rockies drafted right-handed pitcher Jason Jennings out of Baylor University in Waco, Texas.

Jennings made it to the majors within two seasons and in 2002, he won the NL Rookie of the Year Award. He went 16-8 with a 4.52 ERA in 32 starts. He had an ERA+ of 106 with a 4.68 FIP and a 1.462 WHIP.

His best season was in 2006 when he went 9-13 with a 3.78 ERA in 32 starts. He had a 130 ERA+, a 4.10 FIP, a 1.373 WHIP, and a 5.0 rWAR.

He played in the majors for parts of nine seasons and he had a career rWAR of 11.2.

The Rockies drafted him with the 16th overall pick but there were a few better MLB players drafted below him in the first round or a high draft pick in the second round. They include:

• 19th overall pick 3B Alex Rios, Toronto, 27.3 rWAR (eventually became an outfielder and a two-time All-Star. He also signed for nearly half of the signing bonus of Jennings despite only pick three picks lower)
• 50th pick (still first round) 2B Brian Roberts, Baltimore, 29.5 rWAR (two-time All-Star)
• 52nd pick (2nd round, first pick) OF Carl Crawford, Tampa Bay, 39.1 rWAR (four-time All-Star and on the 2022 MLB HOF ballot)
• 57th pick 2B Brandon Phillips, Montreal, 28.4 rWAR (three-time All-Star)