As drafts go, it can be argued that the Padres have had to stomach far more damaging endeavors than the 2004 fiasco. For instance, they had seven of the first 79 picks in 1999 and eight of the first 81 selections in 2007 and produced just three big leaguers out of those hauls: Left-hander Mike Bynum (7.73 ERA), infielder Eric Sogard (traded for Kevin Kouzmanoff) and left-hander Cory Luebke (two Tommy Johns).
Nevertheless, the Matt Bush draft remains the most notorious of their failures.
Because of who they passed on.
Because of Bush’s struggles on the field.