High School or College? What School Type Sees the Most Success in the MLB?: a FansOnlySportz Report

by Elias Meredith 7/13/2025 FansOnlySportz

Tonight, the first night of the 2025 MLB Amateur Draft will be aired on ESPN, MLB Network, and MLB.com at 6 PM. The history of the MLB Amateur Draft is relatively short, with the first ever draft being conducted on June 8, 1965 in New York City. This was 94 years after the first major baseball game. 

Since the beginning of the draft, MLB teams prioritized drafting the youngest talent in their first few selections. In 1965, only 37 percent of the first 100 players were selected out of a four-year school. In 2024, that number increased to 65 percent. That is alarming for a league that used to value youth and potential when selecting their first handful of selections in the draft. Today, MLB clubs now have focused their attention on the top players of college. This year, college players have a slight edge in the MLB.com top draft prospect list, with four-year college players making 51 of the top 100 draft prospects.

With the draft right around the corner, this feature will compare draft picks from high school and four-year colleges to see what path has been more optimal throughout MLB Draft history, in order to have at least an average career in the major leagues (5.6 years). We will be stopping mid-way through each decade dating back to the inaugural 1965 MLB Draft. We will also take a look at the highest WAR leaders from each decade they were drafted, and see what school type they were drafted from.

Without further ado, we are now on the clock!

1965 

Players out of high school that played at least six seasons in the major league level (first 100 selections): 18/89: 20.2%

Players out of a four-year college that played at least six seasons in the major league level (first 100 selections): 5/16: 31.3%

WAR Leaders of the 1960s Draft Class

1. Bert Blyleven (94.5, HS, 55th overall of the 1969 MLB Draft, RHP)

Career Accolades: 2x All-Star, 2x World Series Champion

Credit: Ron Vesely/MLB Photos via Getty Images

22 seasons, two All-Star Game appearances. Blyleven has the least amount of All-Star Game appearances for anyone who has started their career after 1961 in the Hall of Fame. The Dutchman is fifth all-time in strikeouts (3,701) and has a 3.31 career ERA with over 4,700 career innings pitched.

2. Johnny Bench (75.2, HS, 36th overall of the 1965 MLB Draft, C)

Career Accolades: 14x All-Star, 10x Gold Glove, 2x MVP, 2x World Series Champion, 1x World Series MVP, 1967 NL Rookie of the Year

Bench is undoubtedly the best catcher of all-time. Among all-time catcher ranks, Bench is second in gold gloves (10), third in home runs (356), third in extra base hits (720), and fourth in RBI (1,259). Bench did not let his last name stop him from staying on the field, playing the catcher position for over 14,000 innings throughout his 17-year career.

3. Reggie Jackson (74.0, 4-Yr, 2nd overall of the 1966 MLB Draft, OF)

Career Accolades: 14x All-Star, 5x World Series Champion, , 2x Silver Slugger

 2x World Series MVP, 1x MVP

Reggie Jackson had light tower power and was not cheated when he took a hack. Jackson's thunderous bat earned him the nickname “Mr. October”. In Game 6 of the 1977 World Series, Jackson drilled three home runs on the first three pitches he saw, propelling the Yankees to a World Series Championship. 

1975

Players out of high school that played at least six seasons in the major league level (first 100 selections): 13/75: 17.3%

Players out of a four-year college that played at least six seasons in the major league level (first 100 selections): 8/24: 33.3%

WAR Leaders of the 1970s Draft Class

1. Rickey Henderson (111.2, HS, 96th overall of the 1976 MLB Draft, OF)

Career Accolades:  10x All-Star, 3x Silver Slugger, 2x World Series Champion, 1x MVP, 1x Gold Glove, 1x ALCS MVP

Rickey Henderson's impact on the game will never be forgotten. He brought an attitude and athleticism to the game that was never seen before. Henderson played with a chip on his shoulder, and had the game to back it up. Henderson is first all-time in stolen bases (1,406), runs scored (2,295), and leadoff home runs (81). 

2. Mike Schmidt (106.9, 4-Yr, 30th overall of the 1971 MLB Draft, 3B)

   
   

   Career Accolades: 12x All-Star, 10x Gold Glove, 6x Silver Slugger, 3x MVP, 1x World Series Champion, 1x World Series MVP

Credit: Manny Millan/Sports Illustrated

The City of Brotherly Love was home to Mike Schmidt for his entire 18-year career. Schmidt leads the Phillies’ all-time rankings in multiple categories, including games played (2,404), home runs (548), RBI (1,595), extra base hits (1,505), and runs scored (1,506).

3. Cal Ripken Jr. (95.9, HS, 48th overall of the 1978 MLB Draft, SS)

Career Accolades: 19x All-Star, 8x Silver Slugger, 2x Gold Glove, 2x All-Star Game MVP, 2x MVP, 1x World Series Champion 

Nicknamed “The Iron Man”, Cal Ripken Jr. set the record of most consecutive games played with 2,632. He played in every single game from May 30, 1982, September 20, 1998. In that span, Ripken would perform at the highest level, competing in sixteen consecutive All-Star Games.

1985

Players out of high school that played at least six seasons in the major league level (first 100 selections): 6/41 14.6%

Players out of a four-year college that played at least six seasons in the major league level (first 100 selections): 25/57: 43.9%

WAR Leaders of the 1980s Draft Class

1. Barry Bonds (162.8, 4-Yr, 6th overall of the 1985 MLB Draft, OF)

Career Accolades: 14x All-Star, 12x Silver Slugger, 8x Gold Glove, 7x MVP, 2x Batting Title

The all-time WAR leader, all-time home run leader, all-time walks leader, most MVP Awards and Silver Slugger Awards in MLB History. For Bonds, greatness runs in the family. Bonds is the cousin of Reggie Jackson, son of Bobby Bonds, and godson of Willie Mays.

2. Roger Clemens (139.2, 4-Yr, 19th overall of 1983 MLB Draft, RHP)

Career Accolades: 7x Cy Young Award Winner, 7x ERA Title, 2x World Series Champion, 2x Pitching Triple Crown Winner, 1x MVP, 1x All-Star Game MVP

Clemens is third all-time in strikeouts (4,672) , ninth all-time in wins (354), and has the most Cy Young Awards in MLB history with seven. Clemens is also the only player in MLB history to have two 20+ strikeout outings. That’s what you call dominance. 

3. Greg Maddux (106.6, HS, 31st overall of the 1984 MLB Draft, RHP)

Credit: John Cordes/Icon Sportswire

Career Accolades: 18x Gold Glove, 8x All-Star, 4x ERA Title, 4x Cy Young Award Winner, 1x World Series Champion

While Clemens was the ace of the AL, Maddux was the ace of the NL in the 80s and 90s. Both Clemens and Maddux were hard to hit, but the beauty of baseball is they did it in two different ways. Clemens was a flamethrower, who attacked hitters with velocity. Maddux, on the other hand, used movement and location to make up for his lack of velocity. Maddux mastered this technique, and it resulted in hardware and unbelievable durability throughout his 23 year career.  He was unpredictable, he could throw each of his pitches for a strike in any count, and he made hitters look silly while doing it.

1995

Players out of high school that played at least six seasons in the major league level (first 100 selections): 13/61: 21.3%

Players out of a four-year college that played at least six seasons in the major league level (first 100 selections): 17/37: 46.0%

WAR Leaders of the 1990s Draft Class

1. Álex Rodríguez (117.6, HS, 1st overall of the 1993 MLB Draft, SS)

Career Accolades: 14x All-Star, 10x Silver Slugger, 3x MVP, 2x Gold Glove, 1x World Series Champion, 1x Batting Title

Rodríguez led Major League Baseball in doubles and batting average in his age 20 season. From 1996-2009, A-Rod averaged 41 home runs and 120 RBI per season, while slashing .307/.393/.581. Enough said.

2. Albert Pujols (101.5, 2-Yr, 402th overall of the 1999 MLB Draft, 1B)

   

   Credit: Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

Career Accolades: 11x All-Star, 6x Silver Slugger, 3x MVP, 2x World Series Champion, 2x Gold Glove, 1x Batting Title, 1x NLCS MVP, 2001 NL Rookie of the Year

Pujols, the most recent member of the 700 home run club, will fly into the Hall of Fame when he is eligible in 2028. He is second all-time in RBI (2,218), fourth all-time in home runs (703), and tenth all-time in hits (3,384). 

3. Derek Jeter (71.3, HS, 6th overall of the 1992 MLB Draft, SS)

Career Accolades: 14x All-Star, 5x World Series Champion, 5x Silver Slugger, 5x Gold Glove, 1x World Series MVP, 1x World Series MVP, 1996 AL Rookie of the Year

“The Flip”, “Mr. November”, “The Dive”. “Mr. 3,000”. Derek Jeter’s career is filled with storybook moments. Jeter also became the first player to represent the Jordan Brand in the MLB in 1999. Safe to say that he lived up to Jordan's standard.

2005

Players out of high school that played at least six seasons in the major league level (first 100 selections): 10/37: 27.0%

Players out of a four-year college that played at least six seasons in the major league level (first 100 selections): 23/57: 40.4%

WAR Leaders of the 2000s Draft Class

1. Mike Trout (86.6, HS, 25th overall of the 2009 MLB Draft, OF)

Career Accolades: 11x All-Star, 9x Silver Slugger, 3x MVP, 2x All-Star Game MVP, 2012 AL Rookie of the Year 

Credit: Instagram.com (@angels)

It all started with the home run robbery of J.J. Hardy on June 27, 2012. Since then, Trout has been stacking hardware and has been a frequent visitor in the SportsCenter highlight reel. Trout is one of two players to win three MVP awards before turning 30, and is currently second in home runs among active players (394). In 2023, Trout became the ninth player in MLB History to be selected as an All-Star Game starter in ten consecutive seasons. Trout is a breath of fresh air for the game and has changed the way fans look at baseball today. 

Two words. Generational talent.

2. Justin Verlander (80.0, 4-Yr, 2nd overall of the 2004 MLB Draft, RHP)

Career Accolades: 9x All-Star, 3x Cy Young, 2x World Series Champion, 2x ERA Title, 1x Pitching Triple Crown Winner, 1x ALCS MVP

42 and topping out at 98 mph. That’s Justin Verlander. Verlander is the active leader in wins (246), innings pitched (3,492.1) and strikeouts (3,483). Say you're a first ballot Hall of Famer without saying it.

3. Clayton Kershaw (79.8, HS, 7th overall of the 2006 MLB Draft, LHP)

Career Accolades: 11x All-Star, 5x ERA Title, 3x Cy Young, 1x MVP, 1x Pitching Triple Crown Winner, 1x World Series Champion, 1x Gold Glove

On July 2, 2025, Clayton Kershaw became the 20th player of all time to reach 3,000 strikeouts. Kershaw was remarkably durable throughout his first ten seasons, averaging 194 innings pitched per season, but since 2018 Kershaw has been fighting the injury bug. Kershaw has shown resilience, refusing to quit, and that led to another milestone added to his already Hall of Fame resume. 

2015

Players out of high school that played at least six seasons in the major league level (first 100 selections): 13/50: 26.0%

Players out of a four-year college that played at least six seasons in the major league level (first 100 selections): 22/49: 45.0 %

WAR Leaders of the 2010s Draft Class 

1. Mookie Betts (72.9, HS, 172nd overall of the 2011 MLB Draft, SS)

Career Accolades: 8x All-Star, 7x Silver Slugger, 6x Gold Glove, 3x World Series Champion, 1x MVP, 1x Batting Title

Mookie is the epitome of a five tool player. He hits for power, contact, has speed, arm strength, and fielding ability. He is also one of the most versatile players in the game today. For a career, Betts has over 10,000 innings in the outfield and over 1,500 innings in the infield.

2. Manny Machado (60.7, HS, 3rd overall of 2010 MLB Draft, 3B)

Career Accolades: 7x All-Star, 2x Silver Slugger, 2x Gold Glove, 1x Platinum Glove

Instagram.com (@padres)

Machado collected his 2,000th hit Monday night, becoming the fifth active player to do so. Since signing his $300 million contract with the San Diego Padres, Machado has continued to produce power at the dish and highlight plays at the hot corner.

3. Aaron Judge (59.2, 4-Yr, 32nd overall of the 2013 MLB Draft, OF)

Career Accolades: 7x All-Star, 4x Silver Slugger, 2x MVP, 2017 AL Rookie of the Year

The Captain is on pace to win his second straight MVP Award. If Judge does, he would be the first Yankee since Roger Maris (1960,1961) to do so. Judge has a frame unlike any player in MLB history, and he uses it to his advantage both offensively and defensively. Judge is currently leading in average, OBP, SLG, and OPS. Yesterday, Judge became the fastest player in MLB history to hit 350 home runs (1,088 games). This season confirms that Judge is the best hitter in the game by far.

Results:

High School Percentages: 

73/353: 20.7%

Four-year College Percentages: 

100/240: 41.7%

Among WAR Leaders:

High School Draftees: 11

Four-year College Draftees: 6

Junior College Draftees: 1

Conclusion:

Throughout MLB draft history statistics show players have made it to a second contract when they decide to develop in college before heading to the professional level. After analyzing the numbers, it does not surprise me because of the significant leap that high school graduates take from just turning an adult to playing with grown men with families in the minors. College provides a player with on and off field development that can be used for future success.

We will see how the school type will see the most success in this year’s draft class! Tune in tonight to catch the newest prospects achieve their lifelong dream at 6pm on ESPN, MLB Network and MLB.com!

Thank you for reading!

Elias Meredith (@EAM_55)