Draftday

Since the first MLB Amateur Draft in 1966, there have been teams picking at #62. In 2006, the Mets have the honor of selecting at 62. I thought it would be best to gather information about who the Mets would pick and what company they would be in by analyzing past number 62 picks and those players drafted before them. Just a note, when I count players who are current major leaguers, I count players on 15-day DLs but not on 60-day DLs or minor-league stints.
I'll be filling in the other players periodically tomorrow as well as analyzing each Mets pick tomorrow.

Good win tonight. Let's win today and tomorrow in the draftrooms.

2005-Stephen Head

• A first baseman/pitcher from U Mississippi drafted by the Indians. Has one of the many porn star-sounding names of #62 picks in the draft. Hit .333 or better in all three years of college. Hit .432 in the NY-Penn League last year.


• Ahead of him the Mets selected P Mike Pelfrey (#9).

2004-Jason Jaramillo

• Catcher snagged from Oklahoma State by the Phillies. Better players grabbed in the slots right below him, including Red Sox 2B Dustin Pedroia, A's C Kurt Suzuki and former Met prospect Gaby Hernandez.


• Ahead of him the Mets selected P Philip Humber (#3) and P Matt Durkin (#44).


• Current major leaguers selected ahead of Jaramillo include P Justin Verlander (#2, Tigers), P Jered Weaver (#12, Angels), P Taylor Tankersley (27, Marlins) and Huston Street (41, A's).

2003-Andre Ethier

• Outfielder picked by the A's and dealt to the Dodgers for Milton Bradley. He is playing LF against the Mets as I write this.


• Ahead of him the Mets selected OF Lastings Milledge (#12).


• Current major leaguers selected ahead of Ethier include 2B Rickie Weeks (#2, Brewers), OF Nick Markakis (#7, Orioles), P Paul Maholm (#8, Pirates), Milledge, 2B Aaron Hill (#13, Blue Jays), OF Brian Anderson (#15, White Sox), 1B Conor Jackson (#19, Diamondbacks), P Chad Cordero (#20, Expos), P David Aardsma (#22, Giants), OF Matt Murton (32, Red Sox), OF Shane Costa (#42, Royals) and P Logan Kensing (#53, Marlins).

2002-Justin Jones

• Justin was selected by the Cubs out of Kellam HS in Virginia. The highest level he has pitched at so far is High-A Fort Myers, where he spent all of last year.


• Ahead of him the Mets selected P Scott Kazmir (#15) (though I think this is a typo because there's no way the Mets would have traded him). They also traded for P Royce Ring (#18, White Sox).


• Current major leaguers ahead of Jones include P Adam Loewen (#4, Orioles), P Zack Greinke (#6, Royals), 1B Prince Fielder (#7, Brewers), P Jeff Francis (#9, Rockies), OF Jeremy Hermida (#11, Marlins), SS Khalil Greene (#13, Padres), Kazmir, OF Nick Swisher (#16, Athletics), P Cole Hamels (#17, Phillies), OF Jeff Francoeur (#23, Braves), P Joe Blanton (#24, Athletics), P Matt Cain (#25, Giants), 3B Mark Teahen (#39, Athletics), P Darrell Rasner (#46, Expos), P Dave Bush (#55, Blue Jays), OF Jeremy Reed (#59, White Sox), P Jonathan Broxton (#60, Dodgers) and P Jesse Crain (#61, Twins).


• This draft was covered by Michael Lewis in the book Moneyball. He covered the Oakland GM Billy Beane as he managed his many 1st round selections. Aside from Swisher, Blanton, and Teahen, the A's also selected IF John McCurdy (#26), P Ben Fritz (#30), C Jeremy Brown (#35) and P Stephen Obenchain (#37). None of these players made the majors.

2001-Shelley Duncan

• The Yankees selected the outfielder from U of Arizona with the 62nd pick in what was a pretty bad draft. Duncan has disappointed, hitting .240 as a 25 year-old in his first season at AA.


• Ahead of him the Mets selected P Aaron Heilman (#18) and 3B David Wright (#38).


• Major leaguers ahead of Duncan include C Joe Mauer (#1, Twins), P Mark Prior (#2, Cubs), P Gavin Floyd (#4, Phillies), 3B Mark Teixeira (#5, Rangers), SS Chris Burke (#10, Astros), 1B Casey Kotchman (#13, Angels), OF Gabe Gross (15, Blue Jays), Heilman, P Brad Hennessey (#21, Giants), P Macay McBride (#24, Braves), SS Bobby Crosby (#25, Athletics), P Jeremy Bonderman (#26, Athletics), P Noah Lowry (#30, Giants), C Jeff Mathis (#33, Angels), P John Rheinecker (#37, Athletics), Wright, P Andy Sisco (#46, Cubs), C Rene Rivera (#49, Mariners), SS J.J. Hardy (#56, Brewers) and 3B Dallas McPherson (#57, Angels).


• NL corner infielders Chad Tracy (#218) and Ryan Howard (#140) were taken in this draft as well as Chicago Bears RB Cedric Benson (#370, Dodgers).

2000-Manny Delcarmen

• Delcarmen is a rare bright spot in this draft, often called one of the worst in history. He was selected out of West Roxbury High in MA by the Red Sox. Their native son has been up and down, but has been a successful pitcher throughout the minors for the most part.


• Ahead of him the Mets selected P Billy Traber (#16) and P Bob Keppel (#36).


• Current major leaguers selected ahead of Delcarmen include 1B Adrian Gonzalez (#1, Marlins), OF Rocco Baldelli (#6, Devil Rays), OF Joe Borchard (#12, White Sox), 2B Chase Utley (#15, Phillies), P Boof Bonser (#21, Giants), P Adam Wainwright (#29, Braves), P Aaron Heilman (#31, Twins) (did not sign), Keppel, 3B/SS Xavier Nady (#49, Padres), P Brian Tallet (#55, Indians), SS-OF Freddie Bynum (#60, Athletics) and 3B Lance Niekro (#61, Giants).


• The players selected with the picks #2-4 (P Adam Johnson, SS Luis Montanez, P Mike Stodolka) have appeared in 1 MLB game combined during the 2002-present span.

1999-John Thomas

• Drafted out of high school in Orcutt, CA, the Giants prospect has been a disappointment. He posted a 6.92 ERA in 39 games as a 24 year-old in AA New Britain. He also pitched in one game at AAA, the furthest he has ever been in baseball.


• Ahead of him the Mets did not have a draft pick.


• Current major leaguers selected ahead of Thomas include P Josh Beckett (#2, Marlins), C Eric Munson (#3, Tigers), P Barry Zito (#9, Athletics), P Ben Sheets (#10, Brewers), P Brett Myers (#12, Phillies), P Jason Jennings (#16, Rockies), OF Alexis Rios (#19, Blue Jays), OF Larry Bigbie (#21, Orioles), P Mike MacDougal (#25, Royals), OF Jason Repko (#37, Dodgers), P Jimmy Gobble (#43, Royals), SS Brian Roberts (#50, Orioles), OF Carl Crawford (#52, Devil Rays), C Ryan Doumit (#59, Pirates) and P Josh Johnson (#61, Brewers).


• Former Met folk hero Matt Ginter (#22, White Sox) and Oxymoron-in-Chief Angel Pagan (#136, Mets) were also selected in this draft.

1998-Jeff Goldbach

• A catcher drafted out of high school by the Cubs, he has failed to produce. He has played independent baseball since 2003. In his last season of organized baseball, he hit .178 for Texas' AA affiliate in 2003.


• Ahead of him the Mets drafted OF Jason Tyner (#21).


• Current major leaguers selected ahead of Goldbach include 1B Pat Burrell (#1, Phillies), P Mark Mulder (#2, Athletics), OF Corey Patterson (#3, Cubs), OF J.D. Drew (#5, Cardinals), OF Austin Kearns (#7, Reds), 3B Felipe Lopez (#8, Blue Jays), SS Adam Everett (#12, Red Sox), P Jeff Weaver (#14, Tigers), P Brad Lidge (#17, Astros), P Seth Etherton (#18, Angels), P C.C. Sabathia (#20, Indians), P Matt Thornton (#22, Mariners), OF Bubba Crosby (#23, Dodgers), OF Brad Wilkerson (#33, Expos), OF Aaron Rowand (#35, White Sox), P Mark Prior (#43, Yankees) (did not sign), C Gerald Laird (#45, Athletics), OF Adam Dunn (#50, Reds), P Matt Belisle (#52, Braves), P Gary Majewski (#59, White Sox) and P Jermaine Van Buren (#60, Rockies).


• Also drafted above Goldbach were former Met Eric Valent (#42, Phillies) and Chicago Bears third-string QB Chad Hutchinson (#48, Cardinals).

1997-Jeff Weaver

• Weaver held out in this draft, like any self-respecting Scott Boras client would do. After being selected at 62 by the White Sox, he would go to the Tigers at #5 the next year. The righty has been a disappointment in the big leagues but is still an above-average starting pitcher in theory.


• Ahead of him the Mets drafted P Geoff Goetz (#6) and P Tyler Walker (#58).


• Current major leaguers selected ahead of Weaver include OF J.D. Drew (#2, Phillies) (did not sign), 3B/P Troy Glaus (#3, Angels), P Jason Grilli (#4, Giants), OF Vernon Wells (#5, Blue Jays), SS/P Michael Cuddyer (#9, Twins), P Jon Garland (#10, Cubs), OF Lance Berkman (#16, Astros), SS Adam Kennedy (#20, Cardinals), C Matt LeCroy (#50, Twins), P Randy Wolf (#54, Phillies), P Scott Linebrink (#56, Giants), Walker and Weaver.


• Met reliever Heath Bell was selected in Round 69 with the 1583rd overall pick by Tampa Bay.

1996-Eric Munson

• Eric Munson is a professional bum, whose highest single-season average was .240, with the Tigers. He has caught on this year as a backup catcher for Houston. Munson didn't sign here. He was selected in 1999 by the Tigers with the #3 overall pick at which point he signed on.


• Ahead of him the Mets drafted OF Robert Stratton (#13) and P Brendan Behn (#48).


• Current major leaguers selected ahead of Munson include P Kris Benson (#1, Pirates), 1B Travis Lee (#2, Twins), P Braden Looper (#3, Cardinals), P John Patterson (#5, Expos), OF Mark Kotsay (#9, Marlins), 3B Eric Chavez (#10, Athletics), P Eric Milton (#20, Yankees), P Jake Westbrook (#21, Rockies), P Gil Meche (#22, Mariners), P Chris Reitsma (#34, Red Sox), P Jason Marquis (#35, Braves), OF Jacque Jones (#37, Twins), OF Milton Bradley (#40, Expos), SS Jimmy Rollins (#46, Phillies) and OF Josh Paul (#47, White Sox).


• Selected in this draft was former Dallas/Jets QB/Pothead Quincy Carter (#52, Cubs). In this draft, Lee and Patterson used loopholes which made them free agents after not signing with the teams that drafted them. Both inked with the expansion Diamondbacks and have been disappointments to this point.

1995-Greg Wooten

• A righty drafted out of Portland State University by the Mariners who used to pitch for my hometown New Haven Ravens (who used to exist). The Mariners organization was really high on the guy, but he got shelled as a 28 year-old in AAA and is not on the big league roster.


• Ahead of him the Mets selected SS Ryan Jaroncyk (#18) and P/SS Brett Herbison (#48).


• Current major leaguers selected ahead of Wooten include OF Darin Erstad (#1, Angels), OF Jose Cruz, Jr. (#3, Mariners), P Kerry Wood (#4, Cubs), 1B/P Todd Helton (#8, Rockies), OF Geoff Jenkins (#9, Brewers), P Matt Morris (#12, Cardinals), P Mark Redman (#13, Twins), P Roy Halladay (#17, Blue Jays), SS Michael Barrett (#28, Expos), P Jarrod Washburn (#31, Angels), SS Mark Bellhorn (#35, Athletics), 2B Marlon Anderson (#42, Phillies), C Craig Wilson (#47, Blue Jays), OF Carlos Beltran (#49, Royals), 1B Sean Casey (#53, Indians) and P Brett Tomko (#54, Reds).


• Selected with the 19th pick in the draft by the Kansas City Royals? None other than toolsy outfielder Juan LeBron, who the Mets acquired in 1998 for Joe Randa. He never made the majors. Randa ruined the 2005 season.

1994-John Crowther

• This righty was drafted out of Coker College by the Toronto Blue Jays as a reliever. He spent three years in the system, at which point he apparently vanished. He resurfaced in 2005 pitching for the Sioux Falls Canaries in the Independent League. His ERA was 12.79.


• Ahead of him the Mets selected P Paul Wilson (#1), 1B/OF Terrence Long (#20), OF Jay Payton (#29) and P Sean Johnston (#35). They also used pick #63 on C Matt LeCroy, who did not sign.


• Current major leaguers selected ahead of Crowther include Wilson, P Dustin Hermanson (#3, Padres), 2B Todd Walker (#8, Twins), P Jaret Wright (#10, Indians), SS Nomar Garciaparra (#12, Red Sox), C Paul Konerko (#13, Dodgers), OF Jason Varitek (#14, Mariners), C Ramon Castro (#18, Astros), Long, P/1B Scott Elarton (#25, Astros), Payton and 3B/P Troy Glaus (#37, Padres) (did not sign).


• Selected by the Florida Marlins with the #5 pick was SS Josh Booty, who appeared in 13 games for Florida over his career, but never succeeded as a baseball player. He went to quarterback at LSU and was a third-stringer on the Browns a couple of years ago. He has since retired.

1993-Scott Sullivan

• Sullivan was a MLB-ready reliever drafted out of Auburn. He middled his entire career in the bigs, pitching ten years and compiling a 40-28 relief record with a 3.98 career ERA. He only recorded 9 saves.


• Ahead of him the Mets selected P Kirk Presley (#8) and P Eric Ludwick (#50).


• Current major leaguers selected ahead of Sullivan include SS Alex Rodriguez (#1, Mariners), OF Trot Nixon (#7, Red Sox), P Billy Wagner (#12, Astros), 1B Derrek Lee (#14, Padres), P Chris Carpenter (#15, Blue Jays), OF Torii Hunter (#20, Twins), OF Jason Varitek (#21, Twins) (did not sign), P John Wasdin (#25, Athletics), P Jamey Wright (#28, Rockies), 3B Scott Rolen (#46, Phillies), P Jeff Suppan (#49, Red Sox), P Jay Witasick (#58, Cardinals) and 3B Greg Norton (#59, White Sox).


• A few Mets were involved in this draft. With pick #93, the Twins selected 3B Jose Valentin from Manati, PR. With pick #690, the Dodgers selected C Paul Lo Duca from Arizona State.

1992-A.J. Hinch

• Hinch was a catcher drafted by the White Sox who didn't sign. He went to Stanford and was selected by Oakland with a third rounder in 1996. He was a journeyman backup catcher who played in 4 games for Philadelphia in 2004 and hung 'em up, batting .182. Also played with KC, Oakland and Detroit.


• Ahead of him the Mets selected SS/OF Preston Wilson (#9), P/OF Chris Roberts (#18) and P Jon Ward (#30).


• Current major leaguers selected ahead of Hinch include 3B Phil Nevin (#1, Astros), SS Derek Jeter (#6), P Ron Villone (#14, Mariners), OF Shannon Stewart (#19, Blue Jays), P Rick Helling (#22, Rangers), OF Jason Kendall (#23, Pirates), OF Johnny Damon (#35, Royals), P Jon Lieber (#44, Royals), 1B/OF Todd Helton (#55, Padres) (did not sign) and 3B Jason Giambi (#58, Athletics).


• Pro Bowl Denver Broncos Safety John Lynch was drafted by the Marlins with the #66 pick as a pitcher out of Stanford. He chose football.

1991-Terrell Lowery

• Lowery, drafted by the Rangers out of Loyola Marymount, eventually made it to the big leagues in 1997 as a utility outfielder with the Cubs. He spent two years on the Cubs before signing with the Devil Rays in 1999. He played for the Giants in 2000. No news from him since. Lowery was also a Met minor leaguer. The Mets dealt Damon Buford to acquire him in 1996 but then lost him in the the Rule V draft later that year before he ever played a game for the big club.


• Ahead of him the Mets selected OF Al Shirley (#18) and P Bobby J. Jones (#41) (though Bobby M. Jones was also drafted this year). They also drafted P Bill Pulsipher with their #65 pick.


• Current major leaguers selected ahead of Lowery include SS/OF Dmitri Young (#4, Cardinals), P Shawn Estes (#11, Mariners), 3B/OF Manny Ramirez (#13, Indians), 1B Cliff Floyd (#14, Expos), OF Shawn Green (#16, Blue Jays), 1B Eduardo Perez (#17, Angels), P Aaron Sele (#23, Red Sox), P Trever Miller (#41, Tigers) and OF Scott Hatteberg (#43, Red Sox).

1990-Chris Weinke

• The Toronto Blue Jays selected the third baseman out of Cretin High School in St. Paul, Minnesota. He inked with them and spent six years in their farm system, reaching the AAA level. He got sick of it, though, and opted to go to FSU as a 24 year-old freshman. In 1998, he lead the Seminoles to #2 in the country, but suffered a season-ending neck injury. In 1999, he and the 'Noles beat Ron Mexico and Virginia Tech in the Sugar Bowl, after which they won the national championship and Weinke the Heisman Trophy. He also took FSU to the title game in 2000. Currently he backs up Jake Delhomme on the Carolina Panthers.


• Ahead of him the Mets selected OF Jeromy Burnitz (#17) and SS Aaron Ledezma (#57).


• Current major leaguers selected ahead of Weinke include SS/P Larry Jones (#1, Atlanta), OF Tony Clark (#2, Tigers), C Mike Lieberthal (#3, Phillies), OF Carl Everett (#10, White Sox), Burnitz, P Mike Mussina (#20, Orioles), P Steve Karsay (#22, Blue Jays), OF Rondell White (#24, Expos) and P Bob Wickman (#44, White Sox).


• This draft went a record 101 rounds.

1989-Kevin Castleberry

• Second baseman drafted by the Braves out of University of Oklahoma. Never made it to the bigs, but had the honor of being traded for Danny Heep near the end of his career.


• Ahead of him the Mets selected C Alan Zinter (#24) and P Tom Engle (#54).


• Current major leaguers selected ahead of Castleberry include 1B Frank Thomas (#9, White Sox) and P Todd Jones (#27, Astros). Other notables ahead of him include 1B Mo Vaughn (#23, Red Sox) and SS Chuck Knoblauch (#25, Twins).


• Former UConn star and NBA journeyman Scott Burrell was drafted with pick #26 in the first round. He did not sign.

1988-Billy Ashley

• A 6'7" outfielder selected by the Dodgers from Belleville, Michigan, Ashley had a relatively long though unheralded major league career. He played from 1992-1997 with the Dodgers. He spent 1998 with the Boston Red Sox before calling it a career. Career average of .233, best season (1996) had 9 HR and 27 RBI in 110 AB.


• Ahead of him the Mets selected P Dave Proctor (#21) and P Jeff Seale (#51).


• Current major leaguers selected ahead of Ashley include SS Royce Clayton (#15, Giants), SS/OF Brian Jordan (#29, Cardinals) and P/OF Arthur Rhodes (#34, Orioles). Notable major leaguers selected ahead of Ashley include P Andy Benes (#1, Padres), P Jim Abbott (#8, Angels), 3B Robin Ventura (#10, White Sox), 1B Tino Martinez (#14, Mariners), P Charles Nagy (#17, Indians), 1B/P Rico Brogna (#26, Tigers).


• Speaking of 62... In the 62nd round of this draft, the LA Dodgers selected 1B Mike Piazza with their pick.

1987-Alex Arias

• Drafted as a third baseman by the Cubs out of New York, NY, Arias signed and spent 1992-2002 as a utility infielder in the bigs. He won a World Series ring with Florida in 1997 and also played for the Cubs, Phillies, Yankees and Padres.


• Ahead of him the Mets selected 3B Chris Donnels (#24), OF Todd Hundley (#39) and P Pete Schourek (#56).


• Active major leaguers selected ahead of Arias include OF Ken Griffey, Jr. (#1, Mariners), P Mike Remlinger (#16, Giants) and C Craig Biggio (#22, Astros). Other notable major leaguers selected ahead of him include P Jack McDowell (#5, White Sox), P Kevin Appier (#9, Royals), P Pete Harnisch (#27, Orioles), OF Albert Belle (#47, Indians) and OF Derek "Operation Shutdown" Bell (#49, Blue Jays).


• Future major leaguer Orlando Palmeiro was drafted in Round 57, Pick #1213.

1986-Rod Robertson

• This man's first name is Rod. Come now, if that isn't a porn star first name I don't know what is. Drafted as a SS by the Phillies, Rod never made it to the bigs.


• Ahead of him the Mets selected OF/1B Lee May (#21) and C Fritz Polka (#49).


• Active major leaguers selected ahead of Robertson are SS Gary Sheffield (#6, Brewers) and P Roberto Hernandez (#16, Angels). Other notables drafted ahead of him include 3B Matt Williams (#3, Giants), P Kevin Brown (#4, Rangers), P Kevin Tapani (#40, Athletics) and OF Todd Zeile (#55, Cardinals).


• With the 821st overall pick, the Mets selected P Scott Erickson. Although he did not sign, he paid us back (or got his payback) by pitching for the team in two horrible starts in 2004.

1985-Jeff Oller

• Never made it to the big leagues and didn't find any info on him as a SS drafted out of HS in LA by the Expos.


• Ahead of him the Mets drafted SS Gregg Jefferies (#20)(!!) and OF Scott Servais (#48).


• Active major leaguers selected ahead of Oller are OF Barry Bonds (#6) and P Randy Johnson (#36). Other notables selected ahead of him include 1B Will Clark (#2, Giants), SS Barry Larkin (#5, Reds) and OF Rafael Palmeiro (#22, Cubs).


• Neon Deion was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 6th round, but did not sign.

1984-John Verducci

• Shortstop drafted by Minnesota out of Stanford, never made the bigs.


• Ahead of him the Mets selected OF Shawn Abner (#1), C Lorenzo Sisney (#29) and C Mark Brunswick (#55).


• Active players selected ahead of Verducci include P Terry Mulholland (#24, Giants), P Greg Maddux (#31, Cubs) and P Tom Glavine (#47, Braves). Other notables selected before Verducci include SS Jay Bell (#8, Twins), 1B Mark McGwire (#10, Athletics), P Norm Charlton (#28, Expos) and P Al Leiter (#50, Yankees).


• With their 12th round pick in the draft, the Mets selected future Yankee closer John Wetteland, but he did not sign.

1983-Mike Friedrich

• Shares a name with some comic book artist. But I don't think this pitcher drafted out of Texas HS by the 'Stros ever did Justice League of America.


• Ahead of him the Mets selected 3B Eddie Williams (#4), OF Stan Jefferson (#20), P Calvin Schiraldi (#27), 1B Dave Magadan (#32) and P Rick Aguilera (#58).


• There are no active MLBers selected ahead of Fried. (Clemens doesn't count.) Notables selected ahead of him include P Tim Belcher (#1, Twins) (did not sign), P Roger Clemens (#18, Red Sox) and P Dan Plesac (#26, Brewers).


• In the January draft, Jeff Wilpon was selected by the Montreal Expos in the fourth round.

1982-Tony Mack

• Drafted out of Lamar University by the Angels, he pitched in one game in 1985. Allowed 4 ER in 2.3 innings. Never pitched in the bigs again.


• Ahead of him the Mets selected P Dwight Gooden (#5), P Floyd Youmans (#33) and P Roger McDowell (#59).


• Notables selected before Mack include SS Shawon Dunston (#1, Cubs), SS Spike Owen (#6, Mariners), P Duane Ward (#9, Braves), 1B Sam Horn (#16, Red Sox), P Todd Worrell (#21, Cardinals), OF Barry Bonds (#39, Giants) (did not sign) and SS Bo Jackson (#50, Yankees) (did not sign).


• In the 39th round, the Rangers selected P/OF Kenny Rogers with pick #814 overall. The rest is history?

1981-Brad Powell

• A pitcher selected by the the Giants out of Ridge HS in New Jersey. Never made the big leagues.


• Ahead of him the Mets selected OF Terry Blocker (#4) and OF John Christensen (#38).


• Notables chosen before Powell include OF Joe Carter (#2, Cubs), SS Dick Schofield (#3, Angels), OF Kevin McReynolds (#6, Padres), P Ron Darling (#9, Rangers), Frank Viola (#37, Twins) and Tony Gwynn (#58, Padres).


• Both chosen in picks 50-60? Hall of Fame QB John Elway (#52, Yankees) and Mets catching instructor Tom Nieto (#60, Cardinals).

1980-Bart Mackle

• Catcher drafted out of Lynwood, Washington by the Indians. Never made the majors.


• Ahead of him the Mets selected OF Darryl Strawberry (#1), P Billy Beane (#23) (yes, that billy beane), OF John Gibbons (#24) and P Jay Tibbs (#27).


• Notables selected ahead of Mackle include OF Darnell Coles (#6, Mariners), OF Terry Francona (#22, Expos), OF Dion James (#25, Brewers) and 3B Glenn Wilson (#18, Tigers).


• This draft was marred by controversy as the selection of Billy Cannon Jr. by the New York Yankees was nullified due to tampering. He had written the other 25 major league clubs to say that he would attend college, but the Yankees were sent a letter explaining otherwise. When they selected him in the third round, the pick was voided and he opted to play college football at Texas A&M. Does that actually seem like something the Yankees wouldn't do?

1979-Jose DeLeon

• A pitcher selected by the Pirates out of Perth Amboy, NJ, DeLeon was a middling swingman for the bulk of his career. Career record of 86-119 with ERA of 3.76. Pitched for the Pirates as well as the White Sox, Cardinals, Expos and Phillies from 1983-1995.


• Ahead of him the Mets selected P Tim Leary (#2), P Jeff Bettendorf (#28) and P Craig Jones (#54).


• Notables selected ahead of DeLeon include OF Andy Van Slyke (#6, Pirates), 1B Tim Wallach (#10, Expos), P Steve Howe (#16, Dodgers) and P Atlee Hammaker (#21, Royals).


• This was a bigtime football draft, as QBs P Dan Marino (#99, Royals), OF John Elway (#463, Royals) and OF Kurt Warner (#784, Phillies) were all selected.

1978-Michael Taylor

• I don't believe he ever made the majors, though with names as common as Michael and Taylor, it's pretty hard to tell. He was an outfielder from Columbia State Community College drafted by the Cleveland Indians.


• Ahead of him the Mets selected SS/P Hubie Brooks (#3) and 2B Brian "Not that Brian Giles" Giles (#55)


• Notables drafted ahead of Taylor include 1B Lloyd Moseby (#2, Blue Jays), OF Kirk Gibson (#12, Tigers), OF Tom Brunansky (#14, Angels), P/SS Cal Ripken, Jr. (#48, Orioles) and P Steve Bedrosian (#53, Atlanta Braves).


• In this draft, four players went directly to the majors after signing. Last year, 0 players did.

1977-Mike Fox

• Fox, a shortstop out of Fontana HS in California, was drafted by the Giants. He never reached the majors. He is not to be confused with UNC Head Coach Mike Fox, who was previously a professional baseball player.


• Ahead of him the Mets selected SS Wally Backman (#16) and OF Mookie Wilson (#42). With their #68 pick in the draft, the Mets selected SS Steve McQueen. No relation.


• Other notables selected before Fox include OF Harold Baines (#1, White Sox), P Bill Gullickson (#2, Expos), SS Paul Molitor (#3, Brewers), P Bob Welch (#20, Dodgers) and OF Dave Henderson (#26, Mariners).


• Also selected in the fifteenth round of this draft was future Boston Celtics renaissance man Danny Ainge. He played in the Blue Jays middle infield before focusing on basketball full-time.

1976-Craig Adams

• Adams was an outfielder drafted by the Indians out of Boone High School in Orlando, Florida. Keeping up with a rather common theme, he never made the majors.


• Ahead of him the Mets selected OF/P Tom Thurberg (#13), P Mike "Scuffy" Scott (#37) and 3B Curtis Baker (#61).


• Notables drafted before Adams include P Floyd "Proud Parent of Brian" Bannister (#1, Astros), OF Ken Landreaux (#6, Angels), C Mike Scioscia (#19, Dodgers), P Bruce Hurst (#22, Red Sox) and SS Alan Trammell (#26, Tigers).


• With pick #96 overall, the Athletics selected a pitcher out of Technical High School in their hometown Oakland. His name was Rickey. Rickey says the rest was history.

1975-Robert Hallgren

• An outfielder drafted out of high school in Washington state by the Astros, Hallgren topped out in the mid-minors in 1977. Never made the big leagues.


• Ahead of him the Mets selected C Butch Benton (#6), P Rodney Boxberger (#30) and P George Milke (#54).


• Notables drafted before Hallgren include C Rick Cerone (#7, Indians), OF Clint Hurdle (#9, Royals), SS Dale Berra (#20, Pirates) and P Lee Smith (#28, Cubs).


• In round 21, the Mets selected P John Tudor, who did not sign. He went on to haunt their dreams pitching in the mid-80s for the hated Cardinals.

1974-Dean Olson

• A pitcher selected out of high school by the Twins who never made it to the big leagues. What a shocker.


• Ahead of him the Mets selected P Cliff Speck (#17) and P Dwight Bernard (#41).


• Notables drafted before Olson include OF Lonnie Smith (#3, Phillies), C Dale Murphy (#5, Braves), SS Garry Templeton (#13, Cardinals), 3B Lance Parrish (#16, Tigers), OF Willie Wilson (#18, Royals) and P Rick Sutcliffe (#21, Dodgers).


• Twelve of the first thirteen players selected in this draft became major leaguers, numbers that are hardly likely nowadays.

1973-Gary Nevinger

• Nevinger was a pitcher drafted out of UGA by the Mets who never made the big leagues. Hopefully RHP Kevin Mulvey's career will turn out differently.


• Ahead of him the Mets selected OF Lee Mazzilli (#14) and P Jackson Todd (#38).


• Notables selected ahead of Nevinger include Ex-Met C John Stearns (#2, Phillies), SS Robin Yount (#3, Brewers), OF Dave Winfield (#4, Padres) and OF Fred Lynn (#41, Red Sox).


• Selected with the #63 overall pick by the Baltimore Orioles? Hall of Famer and onetime Met 1B Eddie Murray.

1972-Dennis Irwin

• What a surprise. This catcher drafted by the Yankees out of Hanford High in California never made it to the big leagues.


• Ahead of him the Mets selected OF Richard Bengston (#13), OF Craig Skoglund (#37) and P Craig Swan (#61).


• Notables drafted before Irwin include P Larry Christenson (#3, Phillies), P Scott McGregor (#14, Yankees), SS Chet Lemon (#22, A's), P Bob Knepper (#43, Giants), P John Candelaria (#47, Pirates), P Dennis Eckersley (#50, Indians) and C Gary Carter (#53, Expos).


• With the 167th pick in the draft, the Pittsburgh Pirates selected a SS/C out of HS in Brooklyn. His name? Willie Randolph.

1971-Dennis Lamp

• Lamp, a pitcher drafted out of high school by the Cubs, was pretty much the definition of average as a major league player. He pitched 16 years in the big leagues, and compiled a career record of 96-96l. His ERA was a decent 3.93. He also recorded 35 saves.


• Ahead of him the Mets selected 2B Rich Puig (#14), 2B James Kidder (#38) and SS John Busco (#60).


• Notables drafted before Lamp include P Frank Tanana (#13, Angels), OF Jim Rice (#15, Red Sox), P Rick Rhoden (#20), SS George Brett (#29, Royals) and SS Mike Schmidt (#30, Phillies).


• Others drafted included future QBs OF Archie Manning (#439, Indians) and SS Joe Theismann (#764, Twins).

1970-Steve Baumiller

• Righty drafted by the Senators out of HS in West Palm Beach. Didn't sign. Went to Florida Southern, fell to pick #365 overall when drafted by the Indians in 1973.


• Ahead of him the Mets selected SS George Ambrow (#23) and P Gary Nevinger (#47).


• Notables selected ahead of Baumiller include C Darrell Porter (#4, Brewers) and P Terry Forster (#29, White Sox). It was a pretty bad draft.

1969-Rawly Eastwick

• Eastwick was a 6' 3" righty drafted out of HS in NJ by the Reds. His big league career was short, but he had a couple of successful years in relief and became the first ever winner of the Rolaids Relief Man Award in 1976. He pitched in 326 games over 8 seasons, compiling a 28-27 record with a 3.31 career ERA.


• Ahead of him the Mets drafted P Randy Sterling (#4), C Joe Nolan (#28) and C-OF Garnett Davis (#52).


• Notables selected ahead of Eastwick include OF Jeff Burroughs (#1, Senators), P J.R. Richard (#2, Astros) and P Bert Blyleven (#55, Twins).

1968-Steven Tingle

• Drafted out of HS in Kentucky, the Tinglenator never made the big leagues. Found very little on him.


• Ahead of him the Mets selected SS Tim Foli (#1), 1B Donald Dickerson (#21), C Bernard Boehmer (#41) and P Alan Dodson (#61). Foli was dealt for Rusty Staub, None of the others ever made the big leagues.


• Notables selected ahead of Tingle include C Thurman Munson (#4, Yankees), OF Bobby Valentine (#5, Dodgers), 1B Greg Luzinski (#11, Phillies), OF Gary Matthews (#17, Giants) and 1B Bill Buckner (#25, Dodgers).

1967-Tom Krawczyk

• Couldn't find anything on this Cubs SS taken from Central Michigan University. Never made the bigs.


• Ahead of him the Mets selected P Jon Matlack (#4), P Daniel Carey (#24) and OF Gary Myers (#44).


• Notables selected ahead of Krawczyk include C-OF Ted Simmons (#10, Cardinals), P Vida Blue (#27, Athletics) and OF Don Baylor (#39, Orioles).

1966-Billy Joe Cotton

• A humorously named catcher selected by the Oakland A's out of McCook High School in Nebraska who never made it to the major leagues.


• Ahead of him the Mets selected C Steve Chilcott (#1), P Byron Von Hoff (#21), P Donald Linehan (#41) and 1B-OF Mike Jorgensen (#61).


• Notables selected ahead of Cotton include Reggie Jackson (#2, Oakland A's) Richie Hebner (#15, Pirates) and Steve Garvey (#60, Minnesota Twins)

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