Dodgers Draft: Ranking the best players selected 29th overall

Best 29th overall picks in MLB Draft: 4) Jay Payton

The New York Mets selected outfielder Jay Payton with the 29th overall pick in the 1994 MLB draft. Payton was part of a Georgia Tech team that boasted future MLB All-Stars Nomar Garciaparra and Jason Varitek, but he failed to live up to his full potential due to a number of injuries.

Payton was a five-tool player for the Mets, who flashed his abilities in the low ranks of the minor leagues, hitting .357 as a 21-year-old, followed by an impressive season in 1995 between Double-A and Triple-A where he hit a combined .307/.356/.486 with 18 home runs and 27 stolen bases.

Unfortunately, Payton couldn’t stay healthy while climbing his way up to the major leagues. After multiple surgeries, including Tommy John, he finally made his debut with the Mets in 1998.

However, his first real big league contributions wouldn’t come until 2000 when he helped lead the Mets to the World Series as their everyday center fielder. Payton hit .291/.331/.447 that season, with 17 home runs and 62 RBIs. He finished third in Rookie of the Year voting. He had finally arrived as a major leaguer.

While Payton didn’t reach the height of his potential, after battling injuries early in his career, he put together a nice career over 12 seasons. He hit 119 home runs, drove in 522 RBIs, while batting .279 playing for six MLB teams.