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Baseball history is filled with superstars who have reached the highest individual honor, induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.
Every franchise hopes its MLB draft selection becomes the next face of the league and its organization. Unlike the NFL or NBA, MLB draft picks often spend several years in the minor leagues before reaching the majors.
The Chicago White Sox own the No. 1 overall pick of the 2026 MLB Draft after winning the draft lottery. The much-awaited event will be held Saturday, July 11, and Sunday, July 12, in Philadelphia as part of MLB All-Star Week. Saturday will feature Rounds 1-4, while Rounds 5-20 take place on Sunday. The first 10 selections of Round 1 will be televised on NBC and streamed on Peacock beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday. MLB Network picks up the coverage of picks 11-40 before the remainder of the draft moves to mlb.com, MLB.TV and MLB+.
Draft positions influence expectations, but does not determine a player’s destiny. Many MLB players drafted outside the top 100 picks of the draft are Hall of Famers today, while a few No. 1 picks never reached the major leagues.
MORE: Franchise-changers: Ranking all-time best MLB Draft picks by team impact
Following are nine Hall of Famer players who started out as afterthoughts in the MLB draft.
Former New York Mets former catcher Mike Piazza waves to fans at Citi Field. | Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Mike Piazza is regarded as the greatest offensive catcher in MLB history. Piazza is also the lowest-drafted player to reach Cooperstown. The Los Angeles Dodgers selected him as the 1,390th overall pick in the 62nd round of the 1988 MLB Draft. In the 16 seasons, he hit 427 home runs and a .308 lifetime average. Piazza was a 12-time All-Star, 10-time Silver Slugger winner and 1993 National League Rookie of the Year. After Piazza’s retirement in 2008, he pursued various international ventures and was also the manager for the Italian National Team during the 2023 World Baseball Classic. The Hall of Fame inducted Piazza in 2016.
Former Atlanta Braves pitcher John Smoltz speaks before the American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament. | Reno Gazette Journal via Imagn Images
John Smoltz is the only pitcher in MLB history to achieve both 200 career wins and 150 saves. The Detroit Tigers selected him with the 574th overall pick in the 22nd round of the 1985 draft, although he played 20 of his 21 seasons with the Atlanta Braves. He finished his career with 213 wins, 154 saves and a 3.33 ERA along with 3,084 strikeouts. In 1996, Smoltz won the Cy Young Award for posting a 24-8 record with 276 strikeouts. Post retirement, Smoltz is the lead game analyst for Fox Sports. The Hall of Fame welcomed Smoltz in 2015.
Iowa Cubs manager Ryne Sandberg during the team’s media day in 2010. | The Des Moines Register via Imagn Images
The 511th overall pick of the 1978 MLB Draft by the Philadelphia Phillies, Ryne Sandberg became the face of the Chicago Cubs throughout the 1980s and 1990s. He was the 1984 NL MVP, hitting .314 with 19 triples and 114 runs. His 282 career home runs included a league-leading 40 homers in 1990. Sandberg won nine consecutive Gold Glove awards from 1983 to 1991. Sandberg is a 10-time All-Star and seven-time Silver Slugger winner. He joined the Hall of Fame in 2005. Sandberg passed away on July 28, 2025, at the age of 65.
Dave Parker is greeted by his Milwaukee Brewers teammates after hitting a two-run homer against the Cleveland Indians at County Stadium in 1990. | Journal Sentinel
The Pittsburgh Pirates selected Dave Parker, “The Cobra,” with the 324th overall pick in the 14th round of the 1970 draft. How did the 1978 NL MVP, a five-tool player if ever there was one, last that long? Well, he suffered a severe knee injury playing football during his senior season in high school. Parker finished his 19-year MLB career with 339 home runs and 1,493 RBIs. He was a seven-time All-Star and won three Gold Gloves and three Silver Sluggers. Parker collected a pair of World Series crowns, one with the Pirates and another with the Athletics. He joined the Hall of Fame on July 27, 2025, about a month after he passed away.
Former Cleveland player Jim Thome walks off the field after a ceremony honoring the 1995 team at Progressive Field. | Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Over a 22-year career, Jim Thome launched 612 home runs, placing him eighth on the MLB all-time list. The 333rd overall pick (13th round) of the Cleveland Indians in 1989, Thome holds the MLB record for the most career walk-off home runs with 13. Thome was a five-time All-Star, 1996 Silver Slugger winner, 2002 Roberto Clemente winner and 2004 Lou Gehrig Memorial Award winner. Presently, Thome is a prominent studio analyst for MLB Network and serves as the president of the MLB Players Alumni Association. The Hall of Fame inducted Thome in 2018.
Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan talks about Don Sanders during the Hooks South Texas Baseball Banquet at the Omni Hotel in 2019. | Corpus Christi Caller-Times via Imagn Images
Nolan Ryan struck out an MLB-record 5,714 batters and threw a record seven no-hitters. Drafted with the 226th overall pick in the 12th round of the first MLB draft in 1965 by the New York Mets, Ryan helped the Mets win the 1969 World Series before becoming a dominant ace with multiple franchises. He was one of the biggest draft steals of MLB history, earning eight All-Star selections and pitching an unprecedented 27 major-league seasons. Ryan joined the Hall of Fame in 1999.
Former Chicago Cubs player Andre Dawson throws out the ceremonial first pitch prior to a game against the San Diego Padres during the 2025 MLB playoffs at Wrigley Field. | Matt Marton-Imagn Images
Andre Dawson, drafted by the Montreal Expos with the 250th overall pick in the 11th round of the 1975 draft, is regarded as one of the most complete, fierce and respected players in MLB history. Dawson finished his 21-season career with 438 home runs and 314 stolen bases and won the 1987 MVP award despite playing for a last-place Cubs team. He also won eight Gold Gloves and was an eight-time All-Star, four-time Silver Slugger winner and 1977 NL Rookie of the Year. He later spent years working as a special assistant in the front offices of the Miami Marlins and Cubs. The Hall of Fame inducted Dawson in 2010.
Other Hall of Famers picked in the 11th round: Trevor Hoffman (1989 draft).
Former New York Yankees reliever Rich Gossage enters the stage during the 2021 National Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Cooperstown, N.Y. | Utica Observer Dispatch
Rich “Goose” Gossage amassed 310 career saves, leading the American League three times (1975, 1978, 1980). He played 22 MLB seasons with an aggressive, high-velocity style. The Chicago White Sox took Gossage with the 198th overall pick in the ninth round of the 1970 draft. He pitched 1,809 1/3 career innings with 1,502 strikeouts. He was a premium piece in the New York Yankees squad during its 1978 World Series victory, collecting two wins and a save. The Hall of Fame welcomed Gossage in 2008.
Other Hall of Famers drafted in the ninth round: Fred McGriff (1981 draft).
Former Boston Red Sox player Wade Boggs waves to the crowd prior to a game between the Boston Red Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park. | Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images
Nicknamed “Chicken Man” due to his extreme superstition of eating chicken before every game, Wade Boggs thrived in the 1980s as an elite third baseman for the Boston Red Sox. Boggs was the 166th overall pick in the seventh round of the 1976 draft. He entered the 3,000-hit club with 3,010 career hits, won five American League batting championships, including a spectacular .368 average in 1985. He was considered an on-base machine, finishing his career with a .415 lifetime OBP. As an iconic moment of his career, Boggs celebrated the 1996 World Series win by jumping on the back of an NYPD horse and riding it around the Yankee Stadium field. Boggs joined the Hall of Fame in 2005.
MORE:2026 MLB All-Star Game gear: Where to buy Ohtani, Harper, Judge jerseys, hats & shirts
The MLB draft is built on potential, but Cooperstown is earned through years of excellence. As these legends proved, draft position can shape expectations but never define a career. From first-round stars to late-round steals, each Hall of Famer turned opportunity into greatness through talent, consistency and championship success. Their journeys remind every prospect in the 2026 MLB Draft that the path from draft day to baseball immortality is always open.
Continue reading...
Every franchise hopes its MLB draft selection becomes the next face of the league and its organization. Unlike the NFL or NBA, MLB draft picks often spend several years in the minor leagues before reaching the majors.
The Chicago White Sox own the No. 1 overall pick of the 2026 MLB Draft after winning the draft lottery. The much-awaited event will be held Saturday, July 11, and Sunday, July 12, in Philadelphia as part of MLB All-Star Week. Saturday will feature Rounds 1-4, while Rounds 5-20 take place on Sunday. The first 10 selections of Round 1 will be televised on NBC and streamed on Peacock beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday. MLB Network picks up the coverage of picks 11-40 before the remainder of the draft moves to mlb.com, MLB.TV and MLB+.
Draft positions influence expectations, but does not determine a player’s destiny. Many MLB players drafted outside the top 100 picks of the draft are Hall of Famers today, while a few No. 1 picks never reached the major leagues.
MORE: Franchise-changers: Ranking all-time best MLB Draft picks by team impact
Following are nine Hall of Famer players who started out as afterthoughts in the MLB draft.
Mike Piazza, 62nd round (1988)
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Former New York Mets former catcher Mike Piazza waves to fans at Citi Field. | Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Mike Piazza is regarded as the greatest offensive catcher in MLB history. Piazza is also the lowest-drafted player to reach Cooperstown. The Los Angeles Dodgers selected him as the 1,390th overall pick in the 62nd round of the 1988 MLB Draft. In the 16 seasons, he hit 427 home runs and a .308 lifetime average. Piazza was a 12-time All-Star, 10-time Silver Slugger winner and 1993 National League Rookie of the Year. After Piazza’s retirement in 2008, he pursued various international ventures and was also the manager for the Italian National Team during the 2023 World Baseball Classic. The Hall of Fame inducted Piazza in 2016.
John Smoltz, 22nd round (1985)
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Former Atlanta Braves pitcher John Smoltz speaks before the American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament. | Reno Gazette Journal via Imagn Images
John Smoltz is the only pitcher in MLB history to achieve both 200 career wins and 150 saves. The Detroit Tigers selected him with the 574th overall pick in the 22nd round of the 1985 draft, although he played 20 of his 21 seasons with the Atlanta Braves. He finished his career with 213 wins, 154 saves and a 3.33 ERA along with 3,084 strikeouts. In 1996, Smoltz won the Cy Young Award for posting a 24-8 record with 276 strikeouts. Post retirement, Smoltz is the lead game analyst for Fox Sports. The Hall of Fame welcomed Smoltz in 2015.
Ryne Sandberg, 20th round (1978)
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Iowa Cubs manager Ryne Sandberg during the team’s media day in 2010. | The Des Moines Register via Imagn Images
The 511th overall pick of the 1978 MLB Draft by the Philadelphia Phillies, Ryne Sandberg became the face of the Chicago Cubs throughout the 1980s and 1990s. He was the 1984 NL MVP, hitting .314 with 19 triples and 114 runs. His 282 career home runs included a league-leading 40 homers in 1990. Sandberg won nine consecutive Gold Glove awards from 1983 to 1991. Sandberg is a 10-time All-Star and seven-time Silver Slugger winner. He joined the Hall of Fame in 2005. Sandberg passed away on July 28, 2025, at the age of 65.
Dave Parker, 14th round (1970)
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Dave Parker is greeted by his Milwaukee Brewers teammates after hitting a two-run homer against the Cleveland Indians at County Stadium in 1990. | Journal Sentinel
The Pittsburgh Pirates selected Dave Parker, “The Cobra,” with the 324th overall pick in the 14th round of the 1970 draft. How did the 1978 NL MVP, a five-tool player if ever there was one, last that long? Well, he suffered a severe knee injury playing football during his senior season in high school. Parker finished his 19-year MLB career with 339 home runs and 1,493 RBIs. He was a seven-time All-Star and won three Gold Gloves and three Silver Sluggers. Parker collected a pair of World Series crowns, one with the Pirates and another with the Athletics. He joined the Hall of Fame on July 27, 2025, about a month after he passed away.
Jim Thome, 13th round (1989)
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Former Cleveland player Jim Thome walks off the field after a ceremony honoring the 1995 team at Progressive Field. | Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Over a 22-year career, Jim Thome launched 612 home runs, placing him eighth on the MLB all-time list. The 333rd overall pick (13th round) of the Cleveland Indians in 1989, Thome holds the MLB record for the most career walk-off home runs with 13. Thome was a five-time All-Star, 1996 Silver Slugger winner, 2002 Roberto Clemente winner and 2004 Lou Gehrig Memorial Award winner. Presently, Thome is a prominent studio analyst for MLB Network and serves as the president of the MLB Players Alumni Association. The Hall of Fame inducted Thome in 2018.
Nolan Ryan, 12th round (1965)
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Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan talks about Don Sanders during the Hooks South Texas Baseball Banquet at the Omni Hotel in 2019. | Corpus Christi Caller-Times via Imagn Images
Nolan Ryan struck out an MLB-record 5,714 batters and threw a record seven no-hitters. Drafted with the 226th overall pick in the 12th round of the first MLB draft in 1965 by the New York Mets, Ryan helped the Mets win the 1969 World Series before becoming a dominant ace with multiple franchises. He was one of the biggest draft steals of MLB history, earning eight All-Star selections and pitching an unprecedented 27 major-league seasons. Ryan joined the Hall of Fame in 1999.
Andre Dawson, 11th round (1975)
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Former Chicago Cubs player Andre Dawson throws out the ceremonial first pitch prior to a game against the San Diego Padres during the 2025 MLB playoffs at Wrigley Field. | Matt Marton-Imagn Images
Andre Dawson, drafted by the Montreal Expos with the 250th overall pick in the 11th round of the 1975 draft, is regarded as one of the most complete, fierce and respected players in MLB history. Dawson finished his 21-season career with 438 home runs and 314 stolen bases and won the 1987 MVP award despite playing for a last-place Cubs team. He also won eight Gold Gloves and was an eight-time All-Star, four-time Silver Slugger winner and 1977 NL Rookie of the Year. He later spent years working as a special assistant in the front offices of the Miami Marlins and Cubs. The Hall of Fame inducted Dawson in 2010.
Other Hall of Famers picked in the 11th round: Trevor Hoffman (1989 draft).
Rich Gossage, 9th round (1970)
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Former New York Yankees reliever Rich Gossage enters the stage during the 2021 National Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Cooperstown, N.Y. | Utica Observer Dispatch
Rich “Goose” Gossage amassed 310 career saves, leading the American League three times (1975, 1978, 1980). He played 22 MLB seasons with an aggressive, high-velocity style. The Chicago White Sox took Gossage with the 198th overall pick in the ninth round of the 1970 draft. He pitched 1,809 1/3 career innings with 1,502 strikeouts. He was a premium piece in the New York Yankees squad during its 1978 World Series victory, collecting two wins and a save. The Hall of Fame welcomed Gossage in 2008.
Other Hall of Famers drafted in the ninth round: Fred McGriff (1981 draft).
Wade Boggs, 7th round (1976)
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Former Boston Red Sox player Wade Boggs waves to the crowd prior to a game between the Boston Red Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park. | Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images
Nicknamed “Chicken Man” due to his extreme superstition of eating chicken before every game, Wade Boggs thrived in the 1980s as an elite third baseman for the Boston Red Sox. Boggs was the 166th overall pick in the seventh round of the 1976 draft. He entered the 3,000-hit club with 3,010 career hits, won five American League batting championships, including a spectacular .368 average in 1985. He was considered an on-base machine, finishing his career with a .415 lifetime OBP. As an iconic moment of his career, Boggs celebrated the 1996 World Series win by jumping on the back of an NYPD horse and riding it around the Yankee Stadium field. Boggs joined the Hall of Fame in 2005.
MORE:2026 MLB All-Star Game gear: Where to buy Ohtani, Harper, Judge jerseys, hats & shirts
Conclusion
The MLB draft is built on potential, but Cooperstown is earned through years of excellence. As these legends proved, draft position can shape expectations but never define a career. From first-round stars to late-round steals, each Hall of Famer turned opportunity into greatness through talent, consistency and championship success. Their journeys remind every prospect in the 2026 MLB Draft that the path from draft day to baseball immortality is always open.
Continue reading...
