Top picks in the Major League Baseball turn out to be busts at a fairly high rate, but that's not to say that some of the greatest players in history have been selected early in baseball's draft through the years.

We took a look back through the history of the draft and decided on the best player taken at each pick from No. 1 to No. 30. In order to be considered, the player had to have signed that year.

It's worth nothing that the MLB draft didn't begin until 1965.

1. Alex Rodriguez (1993, Mariners) – While Ken Griffey Jr. and Chipper Jones are two of the greatest players ever, A-Rod (117.8 WAR) is more than 30 WAR better than those two.

Also considered: Chipper Jones (1990, Braves), Ken Griffey Jr. (1987, Mariners)

2. Reggie Jackson (1966, Athletics) – If Justin Verlander has a few more good years, we're easily taking him here.

Others: Justin Verlander (2004, Tigers), Kris Bryant (2013, Cubs), Alex Bregman (2015, Astros)

3. Robin Yount (1973, Brewers) – Yount edges Paul Molitor mostly based on the fact that Molitor was a DH for the last eight years of his career.

Others: Paul Molitor (1977, Brewers), Evan Longoria (2006, Devil Rays), Manny Machado (2010, Orioles)

4. Barry Larkin (1985, Reds) – The Hall of Fame shortstop is actually not that far ahead of his fellow No. 4s in WAR.

Others: Dave Winfield (1973, Padres), Kevin Brown (1986, Rangers), Ryan Zimmerman (2005, Nationals)

5. Buster Posey (2008, Giants) – Plenty of strong options here, but the three-time World Series winner will be remembered as quite possibly the greatest catcher ever.

Others: Dwight Gooden (1982, Mets) , Mark Teixeira (2001, Rangers) , Ryan Braun (2005, Brewers)

6. Barry Bonds (1985, Pirates) – Even the biggest of Derek Jeter stans can't argue with this.

Others: Derek Jeter (1992, Yankees), Zack Greinke (2002, Royals) Gary Sheffield (1986, Brewers)

7. Clayton Kershaw (2006, Dodgers) – The best starting pitcher of his generation gets the nod over Hall of Famer Frank Thomas here.

Others : Frank Thomas (1989, White Sox), Nick Markakis (2003, Orioles), Aaron Nola (2014, Phillies)

8. Francisco Lindor (2011, Indians) – Still plenty of work to do for Lindor, but is on track to be one of the best all-around shortstops the game has ever seen.

Others: Todd Helton (1995, Rockies), Jay Bell (1984, Twins), Jim Abbott (1988, Angels)

9. Kevin Appier (1987, Royals) – There's a case to be made for Zito, but Appier was one the most reliable starting pitchers of the 1990s.

Others: Barry Zito (1999, Athletics), Michael Cuddyer (1997, Twins), Ron Darling (1981, Rangers)

10. Mark McGwire (1984, Athletics) – Say what you will, but McGwire was one of the best pure power hitters to ever play.

Others: Robin Ventura (1988, White Sox), Madison Bumgarner (2007, Giants), Ted Simmons (1967, Cardinals)

11. Max Scherzer (2006, Diamondbacks) – Scherzer will be a Hall of Famer if he stays on this path.

Others: Andrew McCutchen (2005, Pirates), George Springer (2011, Astros), Greg Luzinski (1968, Phillies)

12. Nomar Garciaparra (1994, Red Sox) – Greatness was short-lived, but Garciaparra hit .324 from 1997-2004.

Others: Kirk Gibson (1978, Tigers), Billy Wagner (1993, Astros), Jered Weaver (2004, Angels)

13. Manny Ramirez (1991, Indians) – One of the most feared sluggers in an era defined by home runs, Ramirez had a career .996 OPS.

Others: Chris Sale (2010, White Sox), Paul Konerko (1994, White Sox), Trea Turner (2014, Padres)

14. Jason Heyward (2007, Braves) – He's tailed off in recent years, but the five-time Gold Glove winner is the leader in WAR among players taken No. 14.

Others: Derrek Lee (1993, Padres), Tino Martinez (1988, Mariners), Jason Varitek (1994, Mariners)

15. Chase Utley (2000, Phillies) – Utley may not make the Hall of Fame, but few second basemen in history have had the kind of impact he did.

Others: Jim Rice (1971, Red Sox), Chris Carpenter (1993, Blue Jays), Richie Hebner (1966, Pirates)

16. Lance Berkman (1997, Astros) – One of baseball's great switch-hitters, Berkman is the pick here over Shawn Green.

Others: Shawn Green (1991, Blue Jays), Nick Swisher (2002, Athletics), Roberto Hernandez (1986, Angels)

17. Roy Halladay (1995, Blue Jays) – The Hall of Famer is the easy pick here.

Others: Cole Hamels (2002, Phillies), Gary Matthews Sr. (1968, Giants), Charles Nagy (1988, Indians)

18. Willie Wilson (1974, Royals) – Not a household name, but Wilson ranks 12th with 668 career steals and hit .285 in his 19-year career.

Others: Corey Seager (2012, Dodgers), R.A. Dickey (1996, Rangers), Sonny Gray (Athletics, 2011)

19. Roger Clemens (1983, Red Sox) – With 354 career wins and 4,672 strikeouts, Clemens is one of the greatest pitchers ever.

Others: Bobby Grich (1967, Orioles), Shannon Stewart (1992, Blue Jays), Alex Rios (1999, Blue Jays)

20. CC Sabathia (1998, Indians) – Sabathia, retiring after this season, should join Mussina in Cooperstown down the road.

Others: Mike Mussina (1990, Orioles) , Torii Hunter (1993, Twins), Bob Welch (1977, Dodgers)

21. Rick Sutcliffe (1974, Dodgers) – Not a particularly strong group, so the 1984 Cy Young winner is the pick.

Others: Ian Kennedy (2006, Yankees), Todd Worrell (1982, Cardinals), Gorman Thomas (1969, Pilots)

22. Craig Biggio (1987, Astros) – You can argue for Palmeiro, but Biggio played a more important position.

Others: Rafael Palmeiro (1985, Cubs), Jayson Werth (1997, Orioles), Chet Lemon (1972, Athletics)

23. Christian Yelich (2010, Marlins) – Yelich is already third in WAR here (behind Jason Kendall and Jacoby Ellsbury and the 2018 NL MVP should overtake them both in no time.

Others: Mo Vaughn (1989, Red Sox), Jason Kendall (1992, Pirates), Jacoby Ellsbury (2005, Red Sox)

24. Walker Buehler (2015, Dodgers) – We're taking Buehler's upside here.

Others: Alex Fernandez (1988, Brewers), Rondell White (1990, Expos), Chad Billingsley (2003, Dodgers)

25. Mike Trout (2009, Angels) – It's unbelievable that 24 guys were picked ahead of Trout in that draft.

Others: Matt Cain (2002, Giants), Chuck Knoblauch (1989, Twins), Matt Chapman (2014, Athletics)

26. Alan Trammell (1976, Tigers) – His Hall of Fame induction was controversial after he failed in 15 attempts on the actual ballot, but Trammell is by far the best player in this group.

Others: Dave Henderson (Mariners, 1977), Dan Plesac (1983, Brewers), Michael Chavis (2014, Red Sox)

27. Vida Blue (1967, Athletics) – The three-time 20-game winner enjoyed a fruitful 17-year career.

Others: Rick Porcello (2007, Tigers), Todd Jones (1989, Astros), Pete Harnisch (1987, Orioles)

28. Lee Smith (1975, Cubs) – Now a Hall of Famer, the one-time save king easily had the best career out of the players in this group.

Others: Charles Johnson (1992, Marlins), Colby Rasmus (2005, Cardinals), Darrin Jackson (1981, Cubs)

29. George Brett (1971, Royals) – A 13-time All-Star and three-time batting champion, it's not even fair to compare him to other players taken No. 29.

Others: Adam Wainwright (2000, Braves), Ellis Valentine (1972, Expos), Jay Payton (1994, Mets)

30. Mike Schmidt (1971, Phillies) – It's wild that Brett and Schmidt were taken back-to-back in that 1971 draft.