There are many collecting projects out there. Some collect a particular player. Some go after cards of their favorite team. Some pursue more broad topics like Hall of Famers or Cy Young Award winners. But one pursuit I don’t see much in the hobby, whether on social media or on the PSA Set Registry, is a collection of No. 1 MLB Draft Picks. So I decided to put together a guide to collecting rookie cards of the top picks from 1965-2021.
Some require some investment due to the success of the player (i.e. Ken Griffey, Jr.) but many require only a search of the quarter or 50-cent box at your local LCS. This guide provides a look at rookie cards with a brief backstory on each player.
2021: Henry Davis C, Pirates
Rookie Card: 2021 Bowman Chrome Draft #BDC-48; 2021 Bowman Draft; 2021 Bowman's Best #92 This pick was a surprise to many as the Pirates decided to select the catcher from Louisville. Catcher has not always been a popular pick at the top of the draft, but Davis was the second catcher selected first in the last three seasons. He played at three minor league levels in 2022, making it to Double-A Altoona.
2020: Spencer Torkelson 3B, Tigers
Rookie Card: 2020 Bowman Draft #BD-121; 2021 Donruss Optic #RP14; 2022 Topps Now #48 He was drafted as a third baseman in 2020 but played first base at Arizona State. He struggled as a rookie, batting .203 with eight home runs and 28 RBI in 110 games last year and will be looking to break out in 2023. He hit .267 at three levels in 2021 while hitting 30 home runs with 91 RBI.
2019: Adley Rutschman C, Orioles
2019 Bowman Chrome Draft #BCD-1; 2019 Panini Prizm Draft Picks #1; 2020 Bowman Chrome #BCP50 There is usually a lot of debate around the No. 1 pick. In 2019, everybody believed Rutschman would be the pick, even though he was the first catcher selected first since 2001. He made his MLB debut in 2022, batting .254 with 13 home runs and 42 RBI in 113 games and enters 2023 as one of the top catchers in
