Click to enlarge

June drafts, 1977-1999

Top five years: 1981, 1993, 1987, 1977, 1991

Notable players (15 career WAR or more):

1977: Dave Henderson (27), Tony Phillips* (47.9)
1979: Bud Black (19.6), Tom Henke* (23.1)
1981: Mike Moore (29.4), Mark Langston (47.1), Phil Bradley (16.5)
1982: Alvin Davis (19.4), Lance Johnson* (28.6)
1984: Bill Swift (18.8)
1986: Erik Hanson (19.9)
1987: Ken Griffey (79.2)
1988: Tino Martinez (25.6)
1990: Bret Boone (21.4), Mike Hampton (27.9)
1991: Derek Lowe (19.6)
1992: Raul Ibanez (17.6)
1993: Alex Rodriguez (99.1)
1994: Jason Varitek (22.6)
1995: Jose Cruz Jr. (21.9)
1996: Gil Meche (16), Barry Zito* (30.8)
1997: Rich Harden* (15.8)

*Was not signed

There are a few obvious things that skew the data.  For one, draft sizes fluctuate through the years.  Two, through the first few years of Seattle’s existence there were three separate amateur drafts per year, though the June draft was still the biggest.  Also, starting with Griffey we start finding guys that are still adding/subtracting to their WAR totals.  The biggest skewer is including unsigned players.  It’s easy for teams to spend a late round draft pick on a high school stud that isn’t expected to sign, which every team will do.

I was quite surprised to find that Seattle’s best draft (by BaseballProjection.com’s Historical WAR) was not headlined by Alex Rodriguez or Ken Griffey Jr, but rather by Mark Langston.  However, A-Rod, who is singlehandedly putting 1993 in the discussion (only 0.8 WAR contributed by other players), will put his draft class into the lead early in the 2010 season.

Right now 1983 is the worst, but 2001 could give them a run for their money.  The only players to make the big leagues from that class to date are Rene Rivera, Bobby Livingston, Billy Sadler and David Purcey (who did not sign).  Purcey has a chance to push that class into the positive, but as of now they sit at -0.6.