OnBaseMachine
05-15-2006, 11:11 AM
I didn't know whether to stick this in the minor league forum or on here, so I'll just post it here. Mods, feel free to move it if you want.
With the draft coming up I started thinking of how many steals there have been through the major league baseball draft. It seems like in the NBA and NFL that most of the star players are 1st round picks, baseball not so. A lot of MLB stars are 2nd, 3rd, 8th, and 13th, and sometimes even 40th and 50th round picks. Some guys(Piazza) are just drafted because of family ties to an organization, yet he turned in a Hall of Famer. With that being said, I have went over the top 50 hitters and pitchers (by OPS and WHIP) in 2006 and then listed their draft position.
Top 50 hitters by OPS, draft position
Albert Pujols - Selected by St. Louis Cardinals in 13th round (402nd overall) of 1999 amateur entry draft
Jim Thome - Selected by Cleveland Indians in 13th round in the 1989 Major League draft.
Jason Giambi - Selected by Oakland Athletics in 2nd round (58th overall) of 1992 amateur entry draft
Alex Rios - Selected by Toronto Blue Jays in 1st round (19th overall) of 1999 amateur entry draft
Jonny Gomes - Selected by Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 18th round (529th overall) of 2001 amateur entry draft
Nick Swisher - Selected by Oakland Athletics in 1st round (16th overall) of 2002 amateur entry draft
Travis Hafner - Selected by Texas Rangers in 31st round (923rd overall) of 1996 amateur entry draft
Casey Blake - Selected by Toronto Blue Jays in 7th round (189th overall) of 1996 amateur entry draft
Vernon Wells - Selected by Toronto Blue Jays in 1st round (5th overall) of 1997 amateur entry draft
Carlos Lee - Signed as undrafted free agent by Chicago White Sox in 1994
Chris Shelton - Selected by Pittsburgh Pirates in 33rd round (984th overall) of 2001 amateur entry draft
Miguel Cabrera - Signed as undrafted free agent by Florida Marlins in 1999
Lance Berkman - Selected by Houston Astros in 1st round (16th overall) of 1997 amateur entry draft
Morgan Ensberg - Selected by Houston Astros in 9th round (272nd overall) of 1998 amateur entry draft
Carlos Beltran - Selected by Kansas City Royals in 2nd round (49th overall) of 1995 amateur entry draft
Nick Johnson - Selected by New York Yankees in 3rd round (89th overall) of 1996 amateur entry draft
Carlos Delgado - Signed as undrafted free agent by Toronto Blue Jays in 1988
Miguel Tejada - Signed as undrafted free agent by Oakland Athletics in 1993
Brad Hawpe - Selected by Colorado Rockies in 11th round (317th overall) of 2000 amateur entry draft
Pat Burrell - Selected by Philadelphia Phillies in 1st round (1st overall) of 1998 amateur entry draft
Eric Chavez - Selected by Oakland Athletics in 1st round (10th overall) of 1996 amateur entry draft
Paul Konerko - Selected by Los Angeles Dodgers in 1st round (13th overall) of 1994 amateur entry draft
David Ortiz - Signed as undrafted free agent by Seattle Mariners in 1992
Ryan Howard - Selected by Philadelphia Phillies in 5th round (140th overall) of 2001 amateur entry draft
Derek Jeter - Selected by New York Yankees in 1st round (6th overall) of 1992 amateur entry draft
Troy Glaus - Selected by Anaheim Angels in 1st round (3rd overall) of 1997 amateur entry draft
Manny Ramirez - Selected by Cleveland Indians in 1st round (13th overall) of 1991 amateur entry draft
Josh Willingham - Selected by Florida Marlins in 17th round (491st overall) of 2000 amateur entry draft
Barry Bonds - Selected by Pittsburgh Pirates in 1st round (6th overall) of 1985 amateur entry draft
Brian McCann - Selected by Atlanta Braves in 2nd round (64th overall) of 2002 amateur entry draft
Hank Blalock - Selected by Texas Rangers in 3rd round (105th overall) of 1999 amateur entry draft
Matt Holliday - Selected by Colorado Rockies in 7th round (210th overall) of 1998 amateur entry draft
Prince Fielder - Selected by Milwaukee Brewers in 1st round (7th overall) of 2002 amateur entry draft
Mike Lowell - Selected by Chicago White Sox in 48th round (1352nd overall) of 1992 amateur entry draft
Adam Dunn - Selected by Cincinnati Reds in 2nd round (50th overall) of 1998 amateur entry draft
Kevin Mench - Selected by Texas Rangers in 4th round (118th overall) of 1999 amateur entry draft
Magglio Ordonez - Signed as undrafted free agent by Chicago White Sox in 1991
Chase Utley - Selected by Philadelphia Phillies in 1st round (15th overall) of 2000 amateur entry draft
Alex Rodriguez - Selected by Seattle Mariners in 1st round (1st overall) of 1993 amateur entry draft
Craig Wilson - Selected by Toronto Blue Jays in 2nd round (47th overall) of 1995 amateur entry draft
Shea Hillenbrand - Selected by Boston Red Sox in 10th round (301st overall) of 1996 amateur entry draft
Austin Kearns - Selected by Cincinnati Reds in 1st round (7th overall) of 1998 amateur entry draft
Hanley Ramirez - Signed as undrafted free agent by Boston Red Sox in 2000
Jorge Posada - Selected by New York Yankees in 24th round (629th overall) of 1990 amateur entry draft
Joe Crede - Selected by Chicago White Sox in 5th round (137th overall) of 1996 amateur entry draft
Gary Matthews Jr. - Selected by San Diego Padres in 13th round (366th overall) of 1993 amateur entry draft
J.D. Drew - Selected by St. Louis Cardinals in 1st round (5th overall) of 1998 amateur entry draft
Bobby Abreu - Signed as undrafted free agent by Houston Astros in 1990
Edwin Encarnacion - Selected by Texas Rangers in 9th round (274th overall) of 2000 amateur entry draft
Ramon Hernandez - Signed as undrafted free agent by Oakland Athletics in 1994
Breakdown of top 50:
16 first-rounders
Five second-rounders
Two third-rounders
One fourth-rounder
Two fifth-rounders
Five were taken from rounds 6-10
Six were taken from rounds 11-20
One from rounds 21-30
Two were taken from rounds 31-40
One from 41-50
Nine were signed as undrafted free agents from other countries(Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Panama).
Other notables:
Marcus Giles-53rd round
Brian Giles-17th round
Mike Piazza-62nd round
Jeff Kent-20th round
Jason Bay-22nd round
Top 50 pitchers by WHIP, draft position
Pedro Martinez - Signed as undrafted free agent by Los Angeles Dodgers in 1988
Jose Contreras - Signed as undrafted free agent by New York Yankees in 2002
Bronson Arroyo - Selected by Pittsburgh Pirates in 3rd round (69th overall) of 1995 amateur entry draft
Mike Mussina - Selected by Baltimore Orioles in 1st round (20th overall) of 1990 amateur entry draft
Roy Halladay - Selected by Toronto Blue Jays in 1st round (17th overall) of 1995 amateur entry draft
Tom Glavine - Selected by Atlanta Braves in 2nd round (47th overall) of 1984 amateur entry draft
Javier Vazquez - Selected by Montreal Expos in 5th round (140th overall) of 1994 amateur entry draft
Chris Capuano - Selected by Arizona Diamondbacks in 8th round (238th overall) of 1999 amateur entry draft
Jeremy Bonderman - Selected by Oakland Athletics in 1st round (26th overall) of 2001 amateur entry draft
Jason Schmidt - Selected by Atlanta Braves in 8th round (206th overall) of 1991 amateur entry draft
Jarrod Washburn - Selected by California Angels in 2nd round (31st overall) of 1995 amateur entry draft
Curt Schilling - Selected by Boston Red Sox in 2nd round (39th overall) of 1986 amateur entry draft
John Lackey - Selected by Anaheim Angels in 2nd round (68th overall) of 1999 amateur entry draft
David Bush - Selected by Toronto Blue Jays in 2nd round (55th overall) of 2002 amateur entry draft
Brandon Webb - Selected by Arizona Diamondbacks in 8th round (249th overall) of 2000 amateur entry draft
John Smoltz - Selected by Detroit Tigers in 22nd round (574th overall) of 1985 amateur entry draft
Greg Maddux - Selected by Chicago Cubs in 2nd round (31st overall) of 1984 amateur entry draft
Tony Armas Jr. - Signed as undrafted free agent by New York Yankees in 1994
Jake Peavy - Selected by San Diego Padres in 15th round (472nd overall) of 1999 amateur entry draft
Derek Lowe - Selected by Seattle Mariners in 8th round (215th overall) of 1991 amateur entry draft
Kenny Rogers - Selected by Texas Rangers in 39th round (815th overall) of 1982 amateur entry draft
Chris Carpenter - Selected by Toronto Blue Jays in 1st round (15th overall) of 1993 amateur entry draft
Johan Santana - Signed as undrafted free agent by Houston Astros in 1995
Dan Haren - Selected by St. Louis Cardinals in 2nd round (72nd overall) of 2001 amateur entry draft
Chris Young - Selected by Pittsburgh Pirates in 3rd round (89th overall) of 2000 amateur entry draft
Brett Tomko - Selected by Cincinnati Reds in 2nd round (54th overall) of 1995 amateur entry draft
Barry Zito - Selected by Oakland Athletics in 1st round (9th overall) of 1999 amateur entry draft
Sean Marshall - Selected by Chicago Cubs in 6th round (163rd overall) of 2003 amateur entry draft
Woody Williams - Selected by Toronto Blue Jays in 28th round (732nd overall) of 1988 amateur entry draft
John Koronka - Selected by Cincinnati Reds in 12th round (350th overall) of 1998 amateur entry draft
Wandy Rodriguez - Signed as undrafted free agent by Houston Astros in 1999
Jamie Moyer - Selected by Chicago Cubs in 6th round (135th overall) of 1984 amateur entry draft
Jon Lieber - Selected by Kansas City Royals in 2nd round (44th overall) of 1992 amateur entry draft
Brad Penny - Selected by Arizona Diamondbacks in 5th round (155th overall) of 1996 amateur entry draft
Josh Beckett - Selected by Florida Marlins in 1st round (2nd overall) of 1999 amateur entry draft
Aaron Harang - Selected by Texas Rangers in 6th round (195th overall) of 1999 amateur entry draft
Roy Oswalt - Selected by Houston Astros in 23rd round (684th overall) of 1996 amateur entry draft
Brett Myers - Selected by Philadelphia Phillies in 1st round (12th overall) of 1999 amateur entry draft
Kelvim Escobar - Signed as undrafted free agent by Toronto Blue Jays in 1992
Justin Verlander - Selected by Detroit Tigers in 1st round (2nd overall) of 2004 amateur entry draft
Chan Ho Park - Signed as undrafted free agent by Los Angeles Dodgers in 1994
Nate Robertson - Selected by Florida Marlins in 5th round (146th overall) of 1999 amateur entry draft
Clay Hensley - Selected by San Francisco Giants in 8th round (247th overall) of 2002 amateur entry draft
Freddy Garcia - Signed as undrafted free agent by Houston Astros in 1993
Jeff Francis - Selected by Colorado Rockies in 1st round (9th overall) of 2002 amateur entry draft
Tim Hudson - Selected by Oakland Athletics in 6th round (185th overall) of 1997 amateur entry draft
Aaron Cook - Selected by Colorado Rockies in 2nd round (70th overall) of 1997 amateur entry draft
Jamey Wright - Selected by Colorado Rockies in 1st round (28th overall) of 1993 amateur entry draft
Tim Wakefield - Selected by Pittsburgh Pirates in 8th round (200th overall) of 1988 amateur entry draft
Mark Mulder - Selected by Oakland Athletics in 1st round (2nd overall) of 1998 amateur entry draft
Breakdown of top 50:
11 first-rounders
10 second-rounders
Two third-rounders
0 fourth-rounders
Three fifth-rounders
10 were taken from rounds 6-10
Two were taken from rounds 11-20
Three from rounds 21-30
One from rounds 31-40
Eight were signed as undrafted free agents
Other notables:
Zach Duke-20th round
Dontrelle Willis-8th round
Andy Pettitte-22nd round
Kevin Millwood-11th round
Mark Buehrle-38th round
As you see, if you are lucky you can find a great player in late rounds, maybe because they are supposedly too short(Oswalt), not athletic enough(Shelton), or teams shy away because they think a player may play another sport(Smoltz).
With the draft coming up I started thinking of how many steals there have been through the major league baseball draft. It seems like in the NBA and NFL that most of the star players are 1st round picks, baseball not so. A lot of MLB stars are 2nd, 3rd, 8th, and 13th, and sometimes even 40th and 50th round picks. Some guys(Piazza) are just drafted because of family ties to an organization, yet he turned in a Hall of Famer. With that being said, I have went over the top 50 hitters and pitchers (by OPS and WHIP) in 2006 and then listed their draft position.
Top 50 hitters by OPS, draft position
Albert Pujols - Selected by St. Louis Cardinals in 13th round (402nd overall) of 1999 amateur entry draft
Jim Thome - Selected by Cleveland Indians in 13th round in the 1989 Major League draft.
Jason Giambi - Selected by Oakland Athletics in 2nd round (58th overall) of 1992 amateur entry draft
Alex Rios - Selected by Toronto Blue Jays in 1st round (19th overall) of 1999 amateur entry draft
Jonny Gomes - Selected by Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 18th round (529th overall) of 2001 amateur entry draft
Nick Swisher - Selected by Oakland Athletics in 1st round (16th overall) of 2002 amateur entry draft
Travis Hafner - Selected by Texas Rangers in 31st round (923rd overall) of 1996 amateur entry draft
Casey Blake - Selected by Toronto Blue Jays in 7th round (189th overall) of 1996 amateur entry draft
Vernon Wells - Selected by Toronto Blue Jays in 1st round (5th overall) of 1997 amateur entry draft
Carlos Lee - Signed as undrafted free agent by Chicago White Sox in 1994
Chris Shelton - Selected by Pittsburgh Pirates in 33rd round (984th overall) of 2001 amateur entry draft
Miguel Cabrera - Signed as undrafted free agent by Florida Marlins in 1999
Lance Berkman - Selected by Houston Astros in 1st round (16th overall) of 1997 amateur entry draft
Morgan Ensberg - Selected by Houston Astros in 9th round (272nd overall) of 1998 amateur entry draft
Carlos Beltran - Selected by Kansas City Royals in 2nd round (49th overall) of 1995 amateur entry draft
Nick Johnson - Selected by New York Yankees in 3rd round (89th overall) of 1996 amateur entry draft
Carlos Delgado - Signed as undrafted free agent by Toronto Blue Jays in 1988
Miguel Tejada - Signed as undrafted free agent by Oakland Athletics in 1993
Brad Hawpe - Selected by Colorado Rockies in 11th round (317th overall) of 2000 amateur entry draft
Pat Burrell - Selected by Philadelphia Phillies in 1st round (1st overall) of 1998 amateur entry draft
Eric Chavez - Selected by Oakland Athletics in 1st round (10th overall) of 1996 amateur entry draft
Paul Konerko - Selected by Los Angeles Dodgers in 1st round (13th overall) of 1994 amateur entry draft
David Ortiz - Signed as undrafted free agent by Seattle Mariners in 1992
Ryan Howard - Selected by Philadelphia Phillies in 5th round (140th overall) of 2001 amateur entry draft
Derek Jeter - Selected by New York Yankees in 1st round (6th overall) of 1992 amateur entry draft
Troy Glaus - Selected by Anaheim Angels in 1st round (3rd overall) of 1997 amateur entry draft
Manny Ramirez - Selected by Cleveland Indians in 1st round (13th overall) of 1991 amateur entry draft
Josh Willingham - Selected by Florida Marlins in 17th round (491st overall) of 2000 amateur entry draft
Barry Bonds - Selected by Pittsburgh Pirates in 1st round (6th overall) of 1985 amateur entry draft
Brian McCann - Selected by Atlanta Braves in 2nd round (64th overall) of 2002 amateur entry draft
Hank Blalock - Selected by Texas Rangers in 3rd round (105th overall) of 1999 amateur entry draft
Matt Holliday - Selected by Colorado Rockies in 7th round (210th overall) of 1998 amateur entry draft
Prince Fielder - Selected by Milwaukee Brewers in 1st round (7th overall) of 2002 amateur entry draft
Mike Lowell - Selected by Chicago White Sox in 48th round (1352nd overall) of 1992 amateur entry draft
Adam Dunn - Selected by Cincinnati Reds in 2nd round (50th overall) of 1998 amateur entry draft
Kevin Mench - Selected by Texas Rangers in 4th round (118th overall) of 1999 amateur entry draft
Magglio Ordonez - Signed as undrafted free agent by Chicago White Sox in 1991
Chase Utley - Selected by Philadelphia Phillies in 1st round (15th overall) of 2000 amateur entry draft
Alex Rodriguez - Selected by Seattle Mariners in 1st round (1st overall) of 1993 amateur entry draft
Craig Wilson - Selected by Toronto Blue Jays in 2nd round (47th overall) of 1995 amateur entry draft
Shea Hillenbrand - Selected by Boston Red Sox in 10th round (301st overall) of 1996 amateur entry draft
Austin Kearns - Selected by Cincinnati Reds in 1st round (7th overall) of 1998 amateur entry draft
Hanley Ramirez - Signed as undrafted free agent by Boston Red Sox in 2000
Jorge Posada - Selected by New York Yankees in 24th round (629th overall) of 1990 amateur entry draft
Joe Crede - Selected by Chicago White Sox in 5th round (137th overall) of 1996 amateur entry draft
Gary Matthews Jr. - Selected by San Diego Padres in 13th round (366th overall) of 1993 amateur entry draft
J.D. Drew - Selected by St. Louis Cardinals in 1st round (5th overall) of 1998 amateur entry draft
Bobby Abreu - Signed as undrafted free agent by Houston Astros in 1990
Edwin Encarnacion - Selected by Texas Rangers in 9th round (274th overall) of 2000 amateur entry draft
Ramon Hernandez - Signed as undrafted free agent by Oakland Athletics in 1994
Breakdown of top 50:
16 first-rounders
Five second-rounders
Two third-rounders
One fourth-rounder
Two fifth-rounders
Five were taken from rounds 6-10
Six were taken from rounds 11-20
One from rounds 21-30
Two were taken from rounds 31-40
One from 41-50
Nine were signed as undrafted free agents from other countries(Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Panama).
Other notables:
Marcus Giles-53rd round
Brian Giles-17th round
Mike Piazza-62nd round
Jeff Kent-20th round
Jason Bay-22nd round
Top 50 pitchers by WHIP, draft position
Pedro Martinez - Signed as undrafted free agent by Los Angeles Dodgers in 1988
Jose Contreras - Signed as undrafted free agent by New York Yankees in 2002
Bronson Arroyo - Selected by Pittsburgh Pirates in 3rd round (69th overall) of 1995 amateur entry draft
Mike Mussina - Selected by Baltimore Orioles in 1st round (20th overall) of 1990 amateur entry draft
Roy Halladay - Selected by Toronto Blue Jays in 1st round (17th overall) of 1995 amateur entry draft
Tom Glavine - Selected by Atlanta Braves in 2nd round (47th overall) of 1984 amateur entry draft
Javier Vazquez - Selected by Montreal Expos in 5th round (140th overall) of 1994 amateur entry draft
Chris Capuano - Selected by Arizona Diamondbacks in 8th round (238th overall) of 1999 amateur entry draft
Jeremy Bonderman - Selected by Oakland Athletics in 1st round (26th overall) of 2001 amateur entry draft
Jason Schmidt - Selected by Atlanta Braves in 8th round (206th overall) of 1991 amateur entry draft
Jarrod Washburn - Selected by California Angels in 2nd round (31st overall) of 1995 amateur entry draft
Curt Schilling - Selected by Boston Red Sox in 2nd round (39th overall) of 1986 amateur entry draft
John Lackey - Selected by Anaheim Angels in 2nd round (68th overall) of 1999 amateur entry draft
David Bush - Selected by Toronto Blue Jays in 2nd round (55th overall) of 2002 amateur entry draft
Brandon Webb - Selected by Arizona Diamondbacks in 8th round (249th overall) of 2000 amateur entry draft
John Smoltz - Selected by Detroit Tigers in 22nd round (574th overall) of 1985 amateur entry draft
Greg Maddux - Selected by Chicago Cubs in 2nd round (31st overall) of 1984 amateur entry draft
Tony Armas Jr. - Signed as undrafted free agent by New York Yankees in 1994
Jake Peavy - Selected by San Diego Padres in 15th round (472nd overall) of 1999 amateur entry draft
Derek Lowe - Selected by Seattle Mariners in 8th round (215th overall) of 1991 amateur entry draft
Kenny Rogers - Selected by Texas Rangers in 39th round (815th overall) of 1982 amateur entry draft
Chris Carpenter - Selected by Toronto Blue Jays in 1st round (15th overall) of 1993 amateur entry draft
Johan Santana - Signed as undrafted free agent by Houston Astros in 1995
Dan Haren - Selected by St. Louis Cardinals in 2nd round (72nd overall) of 2001 amateur entry draft
Chris Young - Selected by Pittsburgh Pirates in 3rd round (89th overall) of 2000 amateur entry draft
Brett Tomko - Selected by Cincinnati Reds in 2nd round (54th overall) of 1995 amateur entry draft
Barry Zito - Selected by Oakland Athletics in 1st round (9th overall) of 1999 amateur entry draft
Sean Marshall - Selected by Chicago Cubs in 6th round (163rd overall) of 2003 amateur entry draft
Woody Williams - Selected by Toronto Blue Jays in 28th round (732nd overall) of 1988 amateur entry draft
John Koronka - Selected by Cincinnati Reds in 12th round (350th overall) of 1998 amateur entry draft
Wandy Rodriguez - Signed as undrafted free agent by Houston Astros in 1999
Jamie Moyer - Selected by Chicago Cubs in 6th round (135th overall) of 1984 amateur entry draft
Jon Lieber - Selected by Kansas City Royals in 2nd round (44th overall) of 1992 amateur entry draft
Brad Penny - Selected by Arizona Diamondbacks in 5th round (155th overall) of 1996 amateur entry draft
Josh Beckett - Selected by Florida Marlins in 1st round (2nd overall) of 1999 amateur entry draft
Aaron Harang - Selected by Texas Rangers in 6th round (195th overall) of 1999 amateur entry draft
Roy Oswalt - Selected by Houston Astros in 23rd round (684th overall) of 1996 amateur entry draft
Brett Myers - Selected by Philadelphia Phillies in 1st round (12th overall) of 1999 amateur entry draft
Kelvim Escobar - Signed as undrafted free agent by Toronto Blue Jays in 1992
Justin Verlander - Selected by Detroit Tigers in 1st round (2nd overall) of 2004 amateur entry draft
Chan Ho Park - Signed as undrafted free agent by Los Angeles Dodgers in 1994
Nate Robertson - Selected by Florida Marlins in 5th round (146th overall) of 1999 amateur entry draft
Clay Hensley - Selected by San Francisco Giants in 8th round (247th overall) of 2002 amateur entry draft
Freddy Garcia - Signed as undrafted free agent by Houston Astros in 1993
Jeff Francis - Selected by Colorado Rockies in 1st round (9th overall) of 2002 amateur entry draft
Tim Hudson - Selected by Oakland Athletics in 6th round (185th overall) of 1997 amateur entry draft
Aaron Cook - Selected by Colorado Rockies in 2nd round (70th overall) of 1997 amateur entry draft
Jamey Wright - Selected by Colorado Rockies in 1st round (28th overall) of 1993 amateur entry draft
Tim Wakefield - Selected by Pittsburgh Pirates in 8th round (200th overall) of 1988 amateur entry draft
Mark Mulder - Selected by Oakland Athletics in 1st round (2nd overall) of 1998 amateur entry draft
Breakdown of top 50:
11 first-rounders
10 second-rounders
Two third-rounders
0 fourth-rounders
Three fifth-rounders
10 were taken from rounds 6-10
Two were taken from rounds 11-20
Three from rounds 21-30
One from rounds 31-40
Eight were signed as undrafted free agents
Other notables:
Zach Duke-20th round
Dontrelle Willis-8th round
Andy Pettitte-22nd round
Kevin Millwood-11th round
Mark Buehrle-38th round
As you see, if you are lucky you can find a great player in late rounds, maybe because they are supposedly too short(Oswalt), not athletic enough(Shelton), or teams shy away because they think a player may play another sport(Smoltz).