Which colleges have the most first-round MLB draft picks? - ESPN

Published 8 hours ago• 3 minute read

Jul 14, 2025, 02:13 AM

The first MLB amateur draft took place in 1965. In the decades since, a few colleges have distinguished themselves as the top baseball programs in the country in relation to the event.

No program has produced more first-round MLB draft picks than Stanford. The Cardinal had a player selected in the first round in 2023 (Tommy Troy, No. 12 by the Arizona Diamondbacks) and 2024 (Malcolm Moore, No. 30 by the Texas Rangers).

Stanford also had a notable second-round pick in 1981 in John Elway. The Hall of Fame quarterback was drafted by the New York Yankees with the 52nd pick, six spots ahead of San Diego State's Tony Gwynn.

Check out the colleges with the most all-time first-round MLB draft picks below.

Note: The list includes first-round picks in the primary draft, including compensatory and supplemental picks. Players who were drafted in the first round twice are counted twice. Players selected in secondary drafts are not included.

Most recent: Malcolm Moore, No. 30 by the Texas Rangers in 2024

Notable pick: Mike Mussina, No. 20 by the Baltimore Orioles in 1990

Most recent: Spencer Torkelson, No. 1 by the Detroit Tigers in 2020; Alika Williams, No. 37 by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2020

Notable pick: Barry Bonds, No. 6 by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1985

Most recent: Ty Madden, No. 32 by the Detroit Tigers in 2021

Notable pick: Roger Clemens, No. 19 by the Boston Red Sox in 1983

Most recent: Enrique Bradfield Jr., No. 17 by the Baltimore Orioles in 2023

Notable pick: David Price, No. 1 by the Tampa Bay (Devil) Rays in 2007

Most recent: Jamie Arnold, No. 11 by the Athletics in 2025

Notable pick: Buster Posey, No. 5 by the San Francisco Giants in 2008

Most recent: Liam Doyle, No. 5 by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2025; Gavin Kilen, No. 13 by the San Francisco Giants in 2025; Andrew Fischer, No. 20 by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2025; Marcus Phillips, No. 33 by the Boston Red Sox in 2025

Notable pick: Todd Helton, No. 8 by the Colorado Rockies in 1995

Most recent: Matt McLain, No. 17 by the Cincinnati Reds in 2021

Notable pick: Chase Utley, No. 15 by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2000

Most recent: Kade Anderson, No. 3 by the Seattle Mariners in 2025

Notable pick: Alex Bregman, No. 2 by the Houston Astros in 2015

Most recent: Luke Stevenson, No. 35 by the Seattle Mariners in 2025

Notable pick: B.J. Surhoff, No. 1 by the Milwaukee Brewers in 1985

Most recent: Jac Caglianone, No. 6 by the Kansas City Royals in 2024

Notable pick: Brad Wilkerson, No. 33 by the Montreal Expos in 1998

Most recent: Jurrangelo Cijntje, No. 15 by the Seattle Mariners in 2024

Notable pick: Rafael Palmeiro, No. 22 by the Chicago Cubs in 1985

Most recent: Kevin Parada, No. 11 by the New York Mets in 2022