San Diego Padres: The 5 worst draft picks of the 2000s

By Rylie Smith | Jul 14, 2022

Matt Antonelli of the San Diego Padres (R) tags out Xavier Paul of the Los Angeles Dodgers (L/#75) sliding into second base during the second Major League Baseball game in China on March 16, 2008 at the Wukesong Baseball Stadium in Beijing, venue for the 2008 Olympics baseball event. Some 11,890 fans saw the second game of a two-game series between California rivals, with the San Diego Padres defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-3. Both teams are using only a half dozen players who will be on the opening day 25-man roster. AFP PHOTO/Frederic J. BROWN (Photo credit should read FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images) /

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PEORIA, AZ – FEBRUARY 22: Matt Antonelli #62 of the San Diego Padres poses for a portrait during spring training on February 22, 2008 at the Peoria Sports Complex in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

2006 — Padres select Matt Antonelli in Round 1, Pick 17

Matt Antonelli was drafted by the Padres in 2006 in the first round from Wake Forest University. He was drafted as a third baseman with a $1.575 million bonus. His MLB career was short-lived through only one season.

He played in San Diego in 2008 and didn’t stand out. Over 57 at-bats, he hit .193/.292/.281 for an OPS of .573. After, he played in the minors for a few seasons until 2013. In the minors, he hit .258/.368/.395 for an OPS of .763.

At the end of 2010, Antonelli was granted free agency and was signed and released by a few teams without success in coming back into MLB.

He, unfortunately, appeared to lose steam after 2007. He played decent in the majors, but showed a lot more potential prior. In 2007, he had his best season and hit .307/.404/.491 for an OPS of .895. After that, he produced an OPS of less than .700 during all but one season.

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