What do Domonic Brown and Mickey Moniak have in common?

Last week, reader Jason Green reminded me that I had forgotten to mention Brown as a Phillies’ outfielder who made the All-Star team since 1970. I also forgot to include Jayson Werth, who made the team in 2009.

Brown and Moniak are two of the topics discussed in this week’s Behind the Plate column, which will look at one man’s list of biggest busts for the Phillies, Yankees and Mets - as well as some other facets of the game.

Phailing (Failing) Phillies ... Over the years, the Phillies haven’t had a very solid track record in the first round of the draft dating back to 1967. In that year, the team selected left-handed pitcher Phil Meyer as their top pick and 14th overall. Meyer was highly regarded at the time, and the team figured he could make an immediate impact.

However, Meyer spent 1967-72 in the Phils’ minor league system and his final year was in Mexico in 1973.

There was also catcher Trey McCall (1985 top pick, 16th overall), and outfielder Chad McConnell (1992 top pick, 13th overall), who both never got higher than A ball.

Outfielder Jeff Jackson was the fourth pick overall in 1989, and the Phils believed they had another Garry Maddox. But Jackson couldn’t advance past Reading from 1989-94, and spent the 1994-98 seasons in Independent baseball. The Phillies passed over Frank Thomas to draft Jackson.

Reggie Taylor was another five-tool outfielder with high marks in 1995, but Taylor bottomed out. In two years and 14 games with the Phils, he hit a combined .056. He had two years with the Reds, but hit a subpar .240.

Then there was right-hander Tyler Green, who was a stud at Wichita State. The Phils stayed with Green despite his inconsistencies, and he managed only an 18-25 career record.

As for Brown, he was the top pick in 2006, and was another heralded wunderkind. He made the big club in 2010, and hit . 210 in 35 games. He struggled through his next two seasons, but the Phils refused to pull the plug. Brown broke through in 2013 with 27 homers and 83 RBIs with a .272 average, and an All-Star invite.

Still, Brown couldn’t maintain his level of play over the next two years, and the Phils decided to cut the cord at the end of the 2015 season. Brown signed with Toronto in 2016, but he never played in the majors again. He spent two years in the Mexican League and one in the Dominican League before he left the game in 2019.

Finally, there was outfielder Mickey Moniak, the top overall pick in 2016 and regarded as a savior for a 100-loss team the previous season. After nearly five years in the minors, Moniak finally surfaced in 2020, and could only hang for 34 games and hit. 219. He was traded to the Angels in August of 2022 for Noah Syndergaard, and he apparently has found his touch with the Angels.

Some others who came to mind were pitchers Brad Brink and Gavin Floyd, who found his career after being traded to the White Sox. Floyd was traded for Freddie Garcia, who also was a bust.

Some other busts (not drafted) include catcher Lance Parrish, outfielder Danny Tartabull, infielder/outfielder Rex Hudler (sound familiar?) and pitcher Adam Eaton, who was a bust after the Phillies signed him as a free agent. Third baseman David Bell and Wes Helms both can be added, as they tried to replace Scott Rolen.

Bronx Busts ... Over the years, the Yankees didn’t have many high-profile draft picks due to their usual free-agency frenzy. However, pitcher Brien Taylor is often viewed as the biggest draft dud.

Taylor was the overall No. 1 pick in the 1991 draft, and the Yankees had a high ceiling for him after their 67-win season in 1990. Drafted as a high school senior, Taylor had a 98-mph fastball and struck out 213 batters in 88 innings with an ERA of 0.48 during his senior year. He signed for a then record $1.55 million.

But Taylor struggled with control and injuries in their farm system and never advanced above AA ball in seven seasons. He was released in 1998 and had cups of coffee with Seattle and Cleveland before he was out of baseball in 2000.

Along the free agency path, some Yanks who should have been yanked were pitcher Don Gullett, who signed a six-year deal that was cut short due to arm injuries and a retirement at 27; pitchers Ed Whitson, Carl Pavano, Jaret Wright, and Rawly Eastwick - who all faltered in pinstripes; outfielder Mel Hall - who never lived up to his billing; outfielder Dave Collins - whose speed and batting average never adjusted to the Big Apple; and infielder Kevin Youkilis - whose Red Sox’s production was behind him.

The Yanks always had trouble with free-agent pitcher signings, and you can add A.J. Burnett and Kevin Farnsworth to the list. You can probably think of a few more.

Mets Messes ... Like the Yankees, the Mets haven’t had their share of high-profile draft picks over the years.

Some that come to mind are pitchers Jason Isringhausen, Bill Pulsipher, and Paul Wilson - who all were high picks in the 1990s and viewed as upcoming “Generation K” pitchers for the club. Unfortunately, all of their careers were shortened by injuries and a lack of production.

Outfielder Lastings Milledge was considered to be an impact player as a top pick in 2003 and made the parent club in 2006. Milledge had adequate numbers, but his off-the-field antics - recording a rap song with foul language among other antics - soon gained him a ticket out of town.

Shawn Abner, another highly touted outfielder in 1984, never played a game for the Mets, as he was sent to the Padres in the Kevin McReynolds deal in 1986.

Outfielder Jason Bay is regarded as possibly the biggest bust signing (a four-year, $66 million contract) and fellow free agents outfielders George Foster, Moises Alou, Curtis Granderson, Vince Coleman, and pitchers Oliver Perez and Brett Saberhagen make the cut.

Add Bobby Bonilla, whose well-known contract settlement still earns him $1 million each year until 2035.

All-Star Shot ... In the feed I had from my streaming service, the game sounded like it was played behind a jet plane warming up, and it seemed listless. The pre-inning, and in-game interviews were annoying. Also, the Nike uniforms for both teams have taken away from the identity of each player.

Maybe I’m wrong, but I’m a purist and traditionalist. Keeping the game in its basic form doesn’t appear to be a bad idea.

Manager of the Year ... It’s early, but Dodgers’ manager Dave Roberts should get some consideration. The Dodgers’ pitching staff has been riddled with injuries, and the starting eight has had plenty of new faces. If LA wins the West, the often maligned Roberts should be considered.

Hot Rumor ... The Phillies are the latest team in the running for the Angels’ Shohei Ohtani ... stay tuned.

Feedback ... Your comments, thoughts, and ideas will be shared. Please email tnsports@tnonline.com