Best and Worst Cleveland Guardians Drafts Ever

Before I start, no smart-a** remarks.  I have lumped together all the Guardians and Indians draft years.

As I have been throwing around the phrase 'worst draft ever' I thought I would take a look at all of Cleveland's drafts since the draft started in 1965 to see what the best and worst drafts really were for the Cleveland Guardians.  Before we start a couple of points of clarification.  Back in the day there was the summer regular draft, the summer second phase, the winter draft and the winter second phase draft.  I have lumped all the drafts from one year together using the methodology that Baseball Cube uses.  I only count the players we signed (Interesting Factoid: Did you know, among others, that we drafted Joe Niekro out of HS?  He didn't sign so he doesn't count, of course).  Also, I didn't include any classes after 2016 as those stories have not been completely written yet.

Here are my choices:

 BEST DRAFT CLASS EVER

 1972 - Even though this class only contained 4 players who made the majors, they were a pretty good group which included Rick Manning, Dennis Eckersley and Duane Kuiper.  Also in the group was Eric Raich who had a ML cup of coffee.

Runnerups

2016 - This class is still making its name but 8 of 41 draftees have made the majors: Benson, Jones, Civale, Beiber, Plesac, Julian Merrrywhether, Samad Taylor, Connor Capel and Tanner Tully.  They might overtake the 1972 class when all is done but right now they are a close second.

1986 - This class was led by Greg Swindell and 11 members actually played in the majors

1989 - This group was one of the strongest led by Thome and Giles and contained 10 different players who played in the majors.

1991 - This class contained only 7 players but they were Manny Ramirez, Herbert Perry, Paul Byrd, Chad Ogea, Damien Jackson and Albie Lopez with Pep Harris having a late career cup of coffee.

1967 - This class had 10 major leaguers but no stars as you can tell when Cleveland's #1 pick that year was Jack Heinneman.

WORST DRAFT CLASS EVER

1978 - This class of 63 draftees produced only one major leaguer: Chris Bando

Runnersup

1978 - Only two major leaguers: Neal Heaton and a cup of coffee for Dwight Taylor

1985 - Cups of coffee all around for Scott Jordan, Rod Nichols and the immortal Luis Medina

1983 - I am sure that Dwight Clark and Andy Allanson would argue that their class does not belong on this list but, here it is.

1977 - Three cups of coffee for Jerry Dybzinski, Kevin Rhomberg and Eric Wilkins

1982 - The trifecta of coffee cups again for Charlie Mitchell, Jim Wilson and Jeff Barkley

Man, after doing this resarch I am sure glad I wasn't following the draft that closely in the 70s.  That was a brutal time to be a Cleveland baseball draft junkie...except, of course, for 1972.  

The next time I start to say that a particular draft is the worst class ever I'll have to stop myself and ask what Chris Bando would say.