What Happened to the Top 10 Picks of the 2015 MLB Draft?

The top signings of 2015 MLB Draft had a mix of stars, a few solid contributors and busts. The unpredictable career of a baseball player is reflected in this list.

Rajat Srivastava
October 20, 2025
5 min read

What Happened to the Top 10 Picks of the 2015 MLB Draft? — Imagn Images

The 2015 MLB Draft’s top 10 picks had a wide mix of results as an athlete. Players like Alex Bregman, Kyle Tucker, and Dansby Swanson became franchise stars, leading championship teams. Some of them like Andrew Benintendi and Ian Happ, grew into reliable contributors for their teams. Meanwhile, Brendan Rodgers and Dillon Tate carved useful roles for themselves. However, disappointments like Tyler Jay, Carson Fulmer, and Cornelius Randolph highlighted the draft’s challenges and diverse career paths.

10. Cornelius Randolph - Philadelphia Phillies

Randolph was signed as one of the top players for his batting skills but struggled to adapt in the minors. He never advanced past Double-A, despite the opportunities. He couldn’t develop the power and hitting consistency expected of him. Eventually, he moved to the other leagues. His career never developed, making him one of the biggest misses from the 2015 draft.

9. Ian Happ - Chicago Cubs

Happ became a reliable player for the Cubs, known for his all-round skills in the outfield and ability to provide power. He grew into a Gold Glove defender and contributed as a middle of the order bat. While he had consistency issues at the plate, Happ has remained a valuable player for Chicago. He has been a solid and long term contributor that every team looks for in the draft.

8. Carson Fulmer - Chicago White Sox

Fulmer reached the majors quickly but had issues with control and consistency. Once considered a future star, he instead changed a few teams as a spot starter and reliever. While he showed flashes of his potential, he never lived up to his draft billing. Fulmer has been a classic example of how difficult it is to predict the long term success of a pitcher in MLB.

7. Andrew Benintendi - Boston Red Sox

Benintendi quickly moved through the minors and played a major role by delivering delivering important postseason hits in Boston’s 2018 World Series championship. He was known for his contact hitting and solid defense and he later played for the Royals, Yankees and White Sox. Though not a superstar, he became a solid player with all-round skills in the outfield, making him one of the success stories amongst the top signings of the 2015 draft.

6. Tyler Jay - Minnesota Twins

Jay was one of the biggest disappointments of the draft. Drafted as an outstanding player at college level, he struggled with accuracy and battled injuries that hampered his development. Despite spending years in the minors, he could never make his place in the major league. Though he had potential, his career shows how risky it is for the teams to invest in pitching talents early in the draft.

5. Kyle Tucker - Houston Astros

Tucker developed into a star outfielder for Houston. He is highly regarded for his power, speed and solid defense. He became a Silver Slugger and played a key role in the Astros’ championship teams. His consistency in hitting, impactful playoff performances, and capability to play in all three outfield positions made him a true franchise player. He has been one of the biggest hits of the 2015 draft.

4. Dillon Tate - Texas Rangers

Originally signed as a top pitching prospect at the college level, Tate battled injuries and inconsistency, which led to several transfers early in his career. He eventually found more success as a reliever with the Baltimore Orioles by settling into a bullpen role. Though he wasn’t able to live up to his top five draft expectations, he showed perseverance in carving out a role for himself in MLB.

3. Brendan Rodgers - Colorado Rockies

Rodgers took time to adapt to MLB but eventually found his place as Colorado’s second baseman. He showed his talent by winning a Gold Glove in 2022, with strong defensive skills. While injuries impacted his growth as player, he showcased power and solid hitting whenever he has been healthy. Though he cannot be called a superstar, Rodgers was definitely a solid contributor for the Rockies.

2. Alex Bregman - Houston Astros

Bregman became one of Houston’s top star, leading the Astros to multiple playoff runs and two World Series titles. His power, along with his sharp eye at the plate has helped him to give clutch performances for his team. Bregman has also been a two time All-Star. Despite his occasional injuries, his ability to perform for Houston in big games has made him one of the most valuable picks of the 2015 draft.

1. Dansby Swanson - Arizona Diamondbacks

Swanson was traded to Braves very early in his career where he developed into a reliable shortstop and a leader for them. He was a key part of Atlanta’s 2021 World Series win, contributing defensively and with impactful hitting. Later, he signed with the Cubs, where he continued his role as a steady player. Though not a superstar bat, his consistency along with his defensive excellence, have made him one of baseball’s most respected infielders.