Bubba Starling’s home run off Brad Hand in the ninth inning Sunday was an annoying little speedbump to an eventual Tribe victory, but it was also something more. A reminder, to those who pay attention, of perhaps the greatest MLB draft first round ever.
Now, it’s too soon to say how good any of the most recent handful of drafts were or will be. And when you consider a draft writ large, all 30 or so rounds, the parameters change. But in terms of first rounds, there may never be another like 2011.
Starling was drafted 5th overall by the Royals and made his debut on July 12, becoming the 28th of the first 30 picks from 2011 to make it to the major leagues.