Colorado’s Top 10 MLB Draft Picks

The Centennial State has shaped Major League Baseball since the draft began in 1965, producing 27 first‑round talents from Colorado high schools. Colorado players have been selected No. 1 overall multiple times, and the list of elite prospects includes a current Rockies pitcher and a World Series‑winning starter. Below is a rundown of the 27 first‑round signees, highlighted by the ten highest draft positions ever recorded.

No. 10 – Tyler Green (1991)

Tyler Green launched his pro career out of Thomas Jefferson High School before heading to Wichita State. The Philadelphia Phillies took him with the 10th overall pick in the first round. Green’s time in the minors laid the groundwork for many later Colorado draftees.

No. 9 – Matt Brunson (1993)

Matt Brunson starred at Cherry Creek High School and earned a trip to the draft. Detroit selected him ninth overall, though he never reached the majors. Brunson later returned to college football, playing for CU from 2000‑01. His dual-sport background illustrates Colorado’s versatile talent pool.

No. 8 – Kyle Freeland (2014)

Kyle Freeland attended Thomas Jefferson High School and then Evansville, earning a solid first‑round spot. The Colorado Rockies selected him eighth overall, and he remains with the club as of the 2026 season. Freeland’s durability has made him a cornerstone of the Rockies’ rotation.

No. 7 – Darrel Akerfelds (1983)

Darrel Akerfelds grew up in Columbine High School and later played at Colorado Mesa. Seattle chose him seventh overall in the first round. Akerfelds battled health issues throughout his career and passed away in 2012 after a long fight with pancreatic cancer. His story underscores the tough road many Colorado draftees face.

No. 6 – John Burke (1991)

John Burke was a pitcher for Cherry Creek High School before heading to Florida. The Houston Astros made him the sixth overall pick. After his brief major‑league stint, Burke returned to college and later was selected 27th overall by the Rockies in 1992. His career reflects the ups and downs of early‑round prospects.

No. 5 – Kevin Gausman (2012)

Kevin Gausman came up through Grandview High School and LSU before entering the draft. Baltimore took him fourth overall, launching a career that includes two All‑Star selections. Gausman was the Blue Jays’ Opening Day starter in 2026, showing how Colorado’s early picks often become league‑wide contributors.

No. 4 – Kyle Sleeth (2003)

Kyle Sleeth attended Northglenn High School and later Wake Forest. Detroit selected him third overall, but injuries halted his progress, and he never reached the majors. Sleeth’s story is a cautionary note about the physical risks of early drafts.

No. 3 – John Stearns (1973)

John Stearns played both outfield and catcher for Thomas Jefferson High School and the University of Colorado. Philadelphia took him second overall. Stearns became a four‑time All‑Star and still holds CU’s career interception record for football, a rare dual‑sport legend.

T‑1 – Jeff King (1986)

Jeff King starred at Rampart High School and Arkansas before entering the draft. Pittsburgh selected him first overall, and he enjoyed three division‑title seasons in the early 1990s. King’s career included 154 home runs, cementing his status among Colorado’s elite hitters.

T‑1 – Luke Hochevar (2006)

Luke Hochevar attended Fowler High School and Tennessee before being taken first overall by the Kansas City Royals. He later became the winning pitcher in Game 5 of the 2015 World Series, ending a 30‑year championship drought for the Royals. Hochevar’s clutch performance highlights Colorado’s impact on championship baseball.

Colorado’s draft legacy continues to grow, with a deep pool of talent feeding Major League Baseball. The state’s high schools and colleges remain key pipelines, producing both stars and stories that resonate far beyond the Rockies and Royals. As future players step up, the tradition of excellence set by these top 10 picks will likely endure for decades to come.