The MLB Draft is just around the corner, and that means it's time to dig into the numbers. With the Atlanta Braves holding the ninth overall pick in the 2026 draft, we decided to take a closer look at what history tells us about that specific spot in the modern era—since 1987.
We've tracked every player selected ninth overall, the team that picked them, and their career bWAR. For context, a "N/A" means the player never reached the big leagues, while a 0.0 indicates they played but didn't produce above replacement level. We're excluding players drafted after 2020 to give a fair historical picture.
Between 1987 and 2019, 30 players were drafted and signed at the ninth spot (we're not counting Kyler Murray, who walked away before playing a single minor league game).
The All-Stars and Standouts
Kevin Appier leads the pack—a one-time All-Star with an ERA title to his name. Barry Zito took it a step further, winning a Cy Young Award and earning three All-Star nods. Javier Báez (three-time All-Star), Ian Happ (one-time All-Star, four Gold Gloves), and Geoff Jenkins (one-time All-Star) round out the top five.
By the Numbers
Eight players from the ninth pick have produced 10 or more career WAR, with Shea Langeliers knocking on the door to make it nine. On the flip side, six players never made it to the majors—and that's not counting Karsten Whitson or Murray, who never suited up for the teams that drafted them.
A Spot of Mixed Results
Let's be honest: the ninth pick hasn't been a gold mine. Despite being a lottery selection, it's produced more solid regulars than superstars. Ian Happ, for example, is a great player—but he's more of a dependable starter than a franchise cornerstone.
Still, the future could rewrite the narrative. Konnor Griffin, taken ninth in 2024, has the tools to become one of the game's elite. Shea Langeliers has already emerged as one of the top-hitting catchers in baseball, and Happ remains productive at 31.
History may not be on the Braves' side when it comes to finding a superstar at pick nine, but the draft is all about defying the odds. And with the right gear and the right mindset, anything can happen on the diamond.