2001 MLB Draft: The Rockies could have had David Wright

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DENVER – AUGUST 8: Pitcher Mike Hampton #10 of the Colorado Rockies throws a pitch during the MLB game against the Cincinnati Reds on August 8, 2002 at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado. The Rockies won 10-3. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /

In 2001, the Colorado Rockies were coming off of a middling 82-80 season under the tutelage of their first-year manager Buddy Bell and GM Dan O’Dowd, who was entering his first full season as the Rockies GM.

Since only four games separated them and the second-place Los Angeles Dodgers (who hadn’t been to the playoffs since 1996 themselves), the Colorado Rockies decided to be big buyers in the offseason as they traded for Reds starter Ron Villone, re-signed outfielder Todd Hollandsworth, signed former All-Star left-handed starter Denny Neagle, former All-Star outfielder Ron Gant, and former All-Star left-handed starter Mike Hampton (who came in 2nd in NL Cy Young Award voting in 1999) via free agency in the 2000-2001 offseason.

As a result, they lost their 18th overall pick and 38th pick in the 1st round to the Mets for signing Hampton and the 34th overall pick for signing Neagle. So instead of having four first-round draft picks, the Rockies had just one: the very last pick in the 1st round (44th overall).

The Rockies only got the pick because they failed to sign their 1st round pick from 2000: Matt Harrington.

The free agents nor the draft picks panned out for the Colorado Rockies

The first round of the 2001 MLB Draft, there were a few very good draft picks before the Colorado Rockies would have been able to select regardless of whether or not they signed Denny Neagle or Mike Hampton.

But one of the comp picks that the Rockies had to give up panned out.

DENVER, CO – MAY 15: David Wright #5 of the New York Mets looks on during a game against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on May 15, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

The Colorado Rockies didn’t have much success in the 2001 MLB Draft

Denny Neagle and Mike Hampton didn’t pan out for the Colorado Rockies as the Rockies traded Hampton to the Marlins after just two seasons (he signed an eight-year deal). Neagle only played with the Rockies for three of his five-year contract due to injuries and Neagle getting arrested.

Among the top five picks of the 2001 draft that the Colorado Rockies did not have a crack at drafting included:

1st overall pick C Joe Mauer, Minnesota, 55.2 rWAR (six-time All-Star, five-time Silver Slugger winner, three-time Gold Glove winner, and three-time batting champion).
2nd overall pick RHP Mark Prior, Cubs, 16.6 rWAR (one-time All-Star, 3rd in NL Cy Young voting in 2003 before injuries derailed his career)
5th overall pick 3B Mark Teixeria, Texas, 50.6 rWAR (three-time All-Star, five-time Gold Glove winner, three-time Silver Slugger winner)

But one of the first-round picks that the Colorado Rockies could have drafted was future All-Star third baseman David Wright.

Wright was the player the Mets drafted with one of their comp picks from the Rockies. Wright played parts of 14 seasons in the majors (all with the Mets) and was a seven-time All-Star, a three-time finisher in the top 10 for NL MVP voting, and a two-time Gold Glove and Silver Slugger winner.

If Wright didn’t have injuries derail his career, he would be an easy Hall of Famer but he’s most likely borderline.

The Rockies, with the last pick of the first round, drafted infielder Jayson Nix. He played parts of seven seasons in the majors but only 22 games with the Rockies and a career 1.6 rWAR. Not a great pick for the Rockies.

DENVER – APRIL 18: Cory Sullivan #31 of the Colorado Rockies throws the ball against the Arizona Diamondbacks on April 18, 2005 at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado. The Diamondbacks won 5-3. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /

The Colorado Rockies didn’t sign their second-round pick in the 2001 MLB Draft.

In the second round of the 2001 MLB Draft, the Colorado Rockies, without their higher second-round pick due to signing Denny Neagle, only had one second-round pick.

It was the penultimate pick of the second round and it was only there as a comp pick for when they lost pitcher Julián Tavárez to the Chicago Cubs.

With that pick drafted left-handed pitcher David Taylor. Taylor didn’t sign and, eventually, he was drafted by the Cubs a few years later in the 7th round. He made two (2) appearances at Rookie-ball … and his career was over.

The two best players drafted above Taylor that the Rockies could have taken in the first round were J.J. Hardy and Dan Haren.

Hardy was drafted with the 11th pick of the second round by Milwaukee and he played in parts of 13 seasons in the majors. He was a two-time All-Star, a three-time Gold Glove winner, and a Silver Slugger winner. He had a career 28.1 rWAR.

Dan Haren was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals just three picks before Taylor in the second round. Haren spent parts of 14 seasons in the majors and he was a three-time All-Star and had two top 10 finishes in Cy Young Award voting.

Overall, in the rest of the draft (50 rounds), the Rockies had four of their picks make it to the majors. Three of the four picks weren’t even signed by the Rockies. The only other pick was outfielder Cory Sullivan.

Sullivan spent parts of four seasons with the Rockies from 2005 through 2008. His best season came in 2005 when he played in 139 games and he had a 0.8 rWAR season. Overall in his career, he had a 0.9 rWAR. Currently, he is a TV pre- and post-game analyst for the Rockies.

Next. Rockies '00 Draft: They could have had Yadier Molina. dark

Other than him, the Rockies literally got 22 games and -0.4 rWAR out of Jayson Nix and that is it.

Next up in our draft series is the 2002 Draft where the Rockies were a bit more successful with their picks.

Home / Colorado Rockies History

Colorado Rockies 2001 Draft: They could have had David Wright if not for Mike Hampton

The free agents nor the draft picks panned out for the Colorado Rockies

The Colorado Rockies didn’t have much success in the 2001 MLB Draft

The Colorado Rockies didn’t sign their second-round pick in the 2001 MLB Draft.

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