The Major League Baseball amateur draft begins Tuesday. Though not the spectacle of the NFL or NBA versions, it's still a crucial few days for every franchise's future. Here is a look at the best players who were selected at each slot in the first round — we'll ignore the supplemental picks:

1. Ken Griffey Jr. (1987)

Griffey gets the nod over the now-tarnished Alex Rodriguez.

Honorable mention: Rodriguez (1993), Chipper Jones (1990), Joe Mauer (2001), Darryl Strawberry (1980)

2. Reggie Jackson (1966)

The Hall of Famer with 563 homers is best known for his postseason play.

Honorable mentions: Will Clark (1985), Josh Beckett (1999), Joe Carter (1981), J.R. Richard (1969)

3. Robin Yount (1973)

The two-time MVP had 3,142 career hits.

Honorable mentions: Paul Molitor (1977), Matt Williams (1986), Evan Longoria (2006)

4. Dave Winfield (1973)

He ranks 15th all-time with 1,833 career RBI.

Honorable mentions: Barry Larkin (1985), Thurman Munson (1968), Kevin Brown (1986)

5. Dale Murphy (1974)

The two-time MVP had the second-most homers and RBI during the 1980s.

Honorable mentions: Dwight Gooden (1982), Mark Teixeira (2001), Ryan Braun (2005), Jack McDowell (1987)

6. Barry Bonds (1985)

Seven MVP awards, 762 home runs and one big asterisk.

Honorable mentions: Gary Sheffield (1986), Derek Jeter (1992), Zack Greinke (2002)

7. Frank Thomas (1989)

The two-time MVP had 521 homers and a .301 career batting average.

Honorable mentions: Nick Markakis (2003), Prince Fielder (2002), Troy Tulowitzki (2005), Ray Fosse (1965)

8. Todd Helton (1995)

His power has faded but he owns a .328 career batting average.

Honorable mentions: Jim Abbott (1988), Pete Incaviglia (1985), Jay Bell (1984), Dick Ruthven (1972)

9. Barry Zito (1999)

The 2002 AL Cy Young winner has fallen on tough times since signing a huge deal with the Giants.

Honorable mentions: Kevin Appier (1987), Ron Darling (1981), John Danks (2003)

10. Mark McGwire (1984)

He had four seasons with 50 or more home runs, but let's not talk about the past.

Honorable mentions: Tim Lincecum (2006), Ted Simmons (1967), Eric Chavez (1996), Ben Sheets (1999), Carlos Pena (1998), Robin Ventura (1988)

11. Greg Luzinski (1968)

He finished in the top 10 in the MVP voting four times, including runner-up twice.

Honorable mentions: Walt Weiss (1985), Shawn Estes (1991), Max Scherzer (2006), Adam Eaton (1996), Jim Spencer (1965)

12. Kirk Gibson (1978)

His 1988 season included an MVP award and a pretty memorable walk-off home run.

Honorable mentions: Nomar Garciaparra (1994), Billy Wagner (1993), Matt Morris (1995), Jered Weaver (2004), Joe Saunders (2002)

13. Manny Ramirez (1991)

He's arguably been the game's top pure hitter the past decade. Of course, we now know he might not have been all that pure.

Honorable mentions: Paul Konerko (1994), Frank Tanana (1971), Garry Templeton (1974), Gary Nolan (1966), Aaron Hill (2003)

14. Jason Varitek (1994)

The solid-hitting catcher has played a key role in Boston's two World Series titles.

Honorable mentions: Tino Martinez (1988), Derrek Lee (1993), Cliff Floyd (1991), Scott McGregor (1972), Don Gullett (1969)

15. Chase Utley (2000)

He's already established himself as one of the best power-hitting second basemen of all-time.

Honorable mentions: Jim Rice (1971), Leon Durham (1976), Chris Carpenter (1993), Scott Kazmir (2002)

16. Lance Berkman (1997)

He's already topped 100 RBI six times in his career.

Honorable mentions: Lance Parrish (1974), Roberto Hernandez (1986), Shawn Green (1991)

17. Roy Halladay (1995)

The 2003 AL Cy Young Award winner has led the league in complete games four times.

Honorable mention: Cole Hamels (2002), Gary Matthews (1968), Charles Nagy (1988), Brad Lidge (1998)

18. Willie Wilson (1974)

The two-time All-Star outfielder was the speedy leadoff batter for Kansas City's playoff teams in the 1980s.

Honorable mention: Glenn Wilson (1980), Aaron Heilman (2001), Joe Magrane (1985), Dan Ford (1970)

19. Roger Clemens (1983)

Seven Cy Young Awards, 354 career wins and one big asterisk.

Honorable mention: Bobby Grich (1967), Mike Scioscia (1976), Alex Rios (1999)

20. Mike Mussina (1990)

CC Sabathia could pass him in a few years, but Mussina was remarkably consistent, winning at least 15 games 11 times.

Honorable mention: Sabathia (1998), Torii Hunter (1993), Bob Welch (1977), Rick Rhoden (1971)

21. Rick Sutcliffe (1974)

The 1984 NL Cy Young winner had a 171-139 career record.

Honorable mention: Gorman Thomas (1969), Todd Worrell (1982), Atlee Hammaker (1979)

22. Craig Biggio (1987)

Of his 3,060 hits, 668 were doubles — fifth-most all-time.

Honorable mention: Rafael Palmeiro (1985), Bruce Hurst (1976), Chet Lemon (1972)

23. Mo Vaughn (1989)

The 1995 AL MVP had a powerful left-handed swing made for the Green Monster in Boston.

Honorable mention: Jason Kendall (1992), Aaron Sele (1991), Jacoby Ellsbury (2005)

24. Rondell White (1990)

White was a solid outfielder who spent his prime playing in the obscurity of Montreal.

Honorable mention: Chad Billingsley (2003), Terry Mulholland (1984), Joe Blanton (2002)

25. Bill Buckner (1968)(*)

He won a batting title and had 2,715 career hits, but he's remembered most for one error.

Honorable mention: Matt Garza (2005), Matt Cain (2002), Ed Sprague (1988), Chuck Knoblauch (1989)

26. Alan Trammell (1976)(*)

One of the game's top shortstops in the 1980s.

Honorable mentions Dave Henderson (1977), Jeremy Bonderman (2001)

27. Vida Blue (1967)(*)

He was a three-time 20-game winner and won the AL Cy Young and MVP in 1971.

Honorable mention: Todd Jones (1989), Pete Harnisch (1987)

28. Lee Smith (1975)(*)

Retired as the all-time saves leader with 478.

Honorable mention: Charles Johnson (1992), Norm Charlton (1984), Michael Barrett (1995)

29. George Brett (1971)(*)

The Hall of Fame third baseman won three batting titles.

Honorable mention: Kevin Bass (1977)(ASTERISK), Dave Kingman (1967)(ASTERISK), Adam Wainwright (2000), Carlos Quentin (2003)

30. David Wells (1982)(*)

The three-time All-Star had a 10-5 record in the postseason.

Honorable mention: Brian Jordan (1988), Travis Fryman (1987), Chris Sabo (1983)(*)

31. Greg Maddux (1984)(*)

His 355 career victories ranks eighth all-time.

Honorable mention: Jarrod Washburn (1995)

32. Dave Magadan (1983)(*)

This clearly hasn't been a spot that's panned out too often. Magadan finished a 16-year career with a .390 on-base percentage.

Honorable mention: Roger Pavlik (1986)(*), Lee Lacy (1969)(*)

(*)drafted in second round

Source: baseball-reference.com

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