MLB Draft starts today. The Braves pick 31st.

Jun 6, 2013, 9:56 AM

They lost their first round pick by singing BJ Upton, but gained compensation pick (that 31st one) by letting Michael Bourn depart.

The Braves do a pretty good job of drafting and developing, though not always hitting a home run in the 1st round.

Three 2013 Braves were drafted by the club in the 1st round: Mike Minor (7th pick, 2009), Jason Heyward (14th, 2007), and Cory Rasmus (38th, 2006). They've gotten just as much, if not more, contributions from picks in the 2nd round (Brian McCann, Andrelton Simmons, Alex Wood) and 3rd round (Freddie Freeman, Jordan Schafer, Craig Kimbrel). Other Braves draftees who are contributing this year are Cory Gearrin (4th round), Kris Medlen (10th round), and Evan Gattis (23rd round).

Here are who I believe to be the Braves' best picks from each round:

1st round: Chipper Jones (1st overall, 1990) - maybe the best #1 overall pick by anyone, ever
Other good ones: Dale Murphy (5th, 1974), Bob Horner (1st, 1978), Adam Wainwright (29th, 2000), Heyward, Steve Avery (3rd, 1988), Kelly Johnson (38th, 2000)

2nd round: Tom Glavine (47th, 1984)
Other good ones: McCann (64th, 2002), Freeman (78th, 2007), Simmons (70th, 2010), Yunel Escobar (75th, 2005)

3rd round: Craig Kimbrel (96th, 2008)
Other good ones: Ralph Garr (52nd, 1967), Steve Bedrosian (53rd, 1978)

4th round: David Justice (94th, 1985)
Other good ones: Ron Gant (100th, 1983)

5th round: Ryan Klesko (116th, 1989)
Other good ones: Bruce Benedict (99th, 1976)

6th round: Mike Mordecai (142nd, 1989)

7th round: Rick Camp (149th, 1974)
Other good ones: Mark DeRosa (212th, 1996)

8th round: Jason Schmidt (205th, 1991)
Other good ones: Mark Wohlers (190th, 1988)

9th round: none notable

10th round: Kris Medlen (310th, 2006)
Other good ones: Tony Graffanino (264th, 1990), Wes Helms (286th, 1994)

11th round: Kevin Millwood (320th, 1993)

12th round: none notable

13th round: Mike Stanton (324th, 1987)

14th round: Garrett Jones (444th, 1999)

15th round: Tony Tarasco (425th, 1988)

16th round: Terry Harper (370th, 1973)

17th round: Jermaine Dye (488th, 1993)
Other good ones: Biff Pocoroba (401st, 1971)

18th round: John Rocker (516th, 1993)

19th round: Charles Thomas (580th, 2000) - remember that guy? Outfielder we sent to Oakland for Hudson

20th round: Glenn Hubbard (473rd, 1975)
Other good ones: Chuck James (605th, 2002)

21st round: none notable

22nd round: Tommy Hanson (677th, 2005)

23rd round: Brett Butler (573rd, 1979)
Other good ones: Gattis (704th, 2010)

Other notable late round picks:
Dusty Baker (26th round, 1967)
Mark Lemke (27th, 1983)
Adam LaRoche (29th, 2000)
Jonny Venters (30th, 2003)
Tyler Flowers (33rd, 2005)
Marcus Giles (53rd, 1996) - He was the 1512th player selected, and is the lowest-drafted player the Braves have ever signed who played in the big leagues

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MLB Draft starts today. The Braves pick 31st.

Your list lost all credibility when I saw Ryan Klesko's name

Best #1 pick

NOPE

Let's pump the brakes on Chipper

KRIS BENSON!!!!

Brian Wilson....nice!!!!!***

Hard to believe you were drafted in 89, Mike!

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