 |
1970
The regular and secondary phases of the January draft proved more fruitful to major league clubs than the June draft. Those selected in the regular phase in January included Chris Chambliss (Cleveland, 1st round), Greg Minton (Kansas City, 3rd round) and Joel Youngblood (Cincinnati, 2nd round). In the secondary phase, Doug DeCinces was selected by Baltimore in the 3rd round, Rick Burleson by Boston in the 1st round, Bill Madlock by Washington in the 5th round and Chris Speier by San Francisco in the 1st round.
Catching prospects were a popular selection in June. Of the first four picks in the regular phase, three were catchers. San Diego took Mike Ivie as the draft's number one selection, Montreal tabbed Barry Foote with the 3rd pick and Milwaukee chose Darrell Porter with the draft's 4th selection. The Chicago White Sox may have had the most productive June draft selecting pitchers Terry Forster (2nd round) and Rich Gossage (9th round) in the regular phase and infielder Bucky Dent (1st round) in the secondary phase.
First Round - June, Regular Phase
| Pick |
Team |
Player |
Position |
College/Hometown |
| 1. | Padres | Mike Ivie | C | Decatur, GA | | 2. | Indians | Steve Dunning | RHP | Stanford U | | 3. | Expos | Barry Foote | C | Smithfield, NC | | 4. | Brewers | Darrell Porter | C | Oklahoma City, OK | | 5. | Phillies | Mike Martin | LHP | Columbia, SC | | 6. | White Sox | Lee Richard | SS | Southern U | | 7. | Astros | *Randy Scarbery | RHP | Fresno, CA | | 8. | Royals | Rex Goodson | C | Longview, TX | | 9. | Dodgers | Jim Haller | RHP | Omaha, NE | | 10. | Angels | Paul Dade | 3B-OF | Seattle, WA | | 11. | Cardinals | Jim Browning | RHP | Gadsden, AL | | 12. | Yankees | Dave Cheadle | LHP | Asheville, NC | | 13. | Pirates | John Bedard | RHP | Springfield, MA | | 14. | Senators | Charles Maxwell | 3B-SS | Kingston, OH | | 15. | Reds | Gary Polczynski | SS | West Allis, WI | | 16. | Red Sox | *Jimmy Hacker | SS | Temple, TX | | 17. | Giants | John D'Acquisto | RHP | San Diego, CA | | 18. | Athletics | Dan Ford | OF | Los Angeles, CA | | 19. | Cubs | Gene Hiser | OF | U of Maryland | | 20. | Tigers | Terry Mappin | C | Louisville, KY | | 21. | Braves | Ron Broaddus | RHP | Freeport, TX | | 22. | Twins | Bob Gorinski | SS | Calumet, PA | | 23. | Mets | *George Ambrow | SS | Long Beach, CA | | 24. | Orioles | James West | C | St. Louis, MO |
* Did not sign
1971
The June Free Agent Amateur Draft was one of the most productive. Selected in the regular phase were future all-stars Jim Rice (Boston, 1st round), Frank Tanana (California, 1st round), George Brett (Kansas City, 2nd round), Ron Guidry (New York Yankees, 3rd round), Rick Rhoden (Los Angeles, 1st round), Mike Schmidt (Philadelphia, 2nd round) and Keith Hernandez (St. Louis, 42nd round). In the secondary phase, Burt Hooton (Chicago Cubs, 1st round), Steve Rogers (Montreal, 1st round) and Steve Busby (Kansas City, 2nd round) were chosen.
Pitcher Mike Flanagan was selected in the 15th round of the June regular phase by Houston, but enrolled at the University of Massachusetts. One of the more interesting highlights of the June draft was that five quarterbacks were selected including future NFL stars Archie Manning, Steve Bartkowski and Joe Theismann. Danny Goodwin, the nation's top pick, couldn't agree to terms with the White Sox and became the first top choice who did not sign a contract.
First Round - June, Regular Phase
| Pick |
Team |
Player |
Position |
College/Hometown |
| 1. | White Sox | *Danny Goodwin | C | Peoria, IL | | 2. | Padres | Jay Franklin | RHP | Vienna, VA | | 3. | Brewers | Tom Bianco | SS | Elmont, NY | | 4. | Expos | *C. Holloway | SS | Huntsville, AL | | 5. | Royals | Roy Branch | RHP | St. Louis, MO | | 6. | Phillies | Roy Thomas | RHP | Lompoc, CA | | 7. | Senators | Roger Quiroga | RHP | Galveston, TX | | 8. | Cardinals | Ed Kurpiel | 1B-LHP | Hollis, NY | | 9. | Indians | David Sloan | RHP | Santa Clara, CA | | 10. | Braves | Taylor Duncan | SS | Sacramento, CA | | 11. | Tigers | Tom Veryzer | SS | Islip, NY | | 12. | Astros | Neil Rasmussen | SS | Arcadia, CA | | 13. | Angels | Frank Tanana | LHP | Detroit, MI | | 14. | Mets | Rich Puig | 2B | Tampa, FL | | 15. | Red Sox | Jim Rice | OF | Anderson, SC | | 16. | Cubs | Jeff Wehmeier | RHP | Indianapolis, IN | | 17. | Athletics | Sugar Bear Daniels | RHP | Detroit, MI | | 18. | Giants | Frank Riccelli | LHP | Syracuse, NY | | 19. | Yankees | Terry Whitfield | OF | Blythe, CA | | 20. | Dodgers | Rick Rhoden | RHP | Boynton Beach, FL | | 21. | Twins | Dale Soderholm | SS | Miami, FL | | 22. | Pirates | Craig Reynolds | SS | Houston, TX | | 23. | Orioles | Randy Stein | RHP | Pomona, CA | | 24. | Reds | *Mike Miley | SS | New Orleans, LA |
* Did not sign
1972
The Montreal Expos had perhaps their best draft in franchise history. The Expos grabbed outfielder Ellis Valentine in round two of the June regular phase and then selected catcher Gary Carter one round later. The Pirates also did well, selecting pitcher John Candelaria in round two and second baseman Willie Randolph in round seven.
Some of the significant picks from the regular phase in June included Rick Manning (Cleveland) and Scott McGregor (New York Yankees) in round one. Also selected in the first round were Chet Lemon (Oakland), Larry Christenson (Philadelphia) and the number one pick, Dave Roberts (San Diego). Roberts went directly to the Padres starting third base position from the University of Oregon campus. The biggest steal was pulled off by the Texas Rangers when they selected infielder Mike Hargrove from Northwestern State University in the 25th round.
First Round - June, Regular Phase
| Pick |
Team |
Player |
Position |
College/Hometown |
| 1. | Padres | Dave Roberts | 3B | U of Oregon | | 2. | Indians | Rick Manning | SS | Niagara Falls, NY | | 3. | Phillies | Larry Christenson | RHP | Marysville, WA | | 4. | Rangers | Roy Howell | 3B | Lompoc, CA | | 5. | Expos | Bob Goodman | C | Memphis, TN | | 6. | Brewers | Danny Thomas | 1B | Southern Illinois U | | 7. | Reds | Larry Payne | RHP | Bedias, TX | | 8. | Twins | *Dick Ruthven | RHP | Fresno State U | | 9. | Astros | Steve Englishbey | OF | Houston, TX | | 10. | Angels | Dave Chalk | 3B | U of Texas | | 11. | Braves | Preston Hanna | RHP | Pensacola, FL | | 12. | White Sox | Mike Ondina | OF | Rancho Cordova, CA | | 13. | Mets | Richard Bengston | C | Peoria, IL | | 14. | Yankees | Scott McGregor | LHP | El Segundo, CA | | 15. | Cubs | Brian Vernoy | LHP | Westminster, CA | | 16. | Red Sox | Joel Bishop | SS | Sacramento, CA | | 17. | Dodgers | John Harbin | SS | Newberry College | | 18. | Royals | Jamie Quirk | SS | Whittier, CA | | 19. | Giants | Rob Dressler | RHP | Portland, OR | | 20. | Tigers | Jerry Manuel | SS | Rancho Cordova, CA | | 21. | Cardinals | Dan Larson | RHP | Alhambra, CA | | 22. | Athletics | Chet Lemon | SS | Los Angeles, CA | | 23. | Pirates | Dwayne Peltier | SS | Anaheim, CA | | 24. | Orioles | Ken Thomas | C | Bellville, OH |
1973
Four dominating players of the late 70s and 80s were selected in the June regular phase. Infielder Robin Yount (Milwaukee) and outfielder Dave Winfield (San Diego) were first-rounders, while outfielder Fred Lynn (Boston) and infielder Eddie Murray (Baltimore) were second and third-round selections, respectively.
Winfield stepped off the University of Minnesota campus -- where he lettered in three sports -- and into the Padres' outfield. He was one of three players from this draft to go directly into the bigs. Highly-touted David Clyde was chosen by Texas as the nation's number one pick. He jumped from high school to the majors and won his first game as a Ranger shortly thereafter. But the hard-throwing lefthander developed arm problems and had a short-lived career. Besides Clyde and Winfield, Arizona State's Eddie Bane (Minnesota, 11th overall) went directly to the majors.
Other selections of interest included Mike Flanagan (Baltimore), Jack Clark (San Francisco), who was drafted as a pitcher, and Lee Mazzilli (New York Mets). In the January secondary phase, Dick Ruthven (Philadelphia), Jim Sundberg (Texas) and Donnie Moore (Chicago Cubs), who was drafted as an outfielder, were chosen.
First Round - June, Regular Phase
| Pick |
Team |
Player |
Position |
College/Hometown |
| 1. | Rangers | David Clyde | LHP | Houston, TX | | 2. | Phillies | John Stearns | C | U of Colorado | | 3. | Brewers | Robin Yount | SS | Woodland Hills, CA | | 4. | Padres | Dave Winfield | OF | U of Minnesota | | 5. | Indians | Glenn Tufts | 1B | Bridgewater, MA | | 6. | Giants | Johnnie LeMaster | SS | Paintsville, KY | | 7. | Angels | Billy Taylor | OF | Savannah, Ga | | 8. | Expos | Gary Roenicke | SS | West Covina, CA | | 9. | Royals | Lew Olsen | RHP | Alamo, CA | | 10. | Braves | Pat Rockett | SS | San Antonio, TX | | 11. | Twins | Eddie Bane | LHP | Arizona State U | | 12. | Cardinals | Joe Edelen | 3B-RHP | Gracemont, OK | | 13. | Yankees | Doug Heinhold | RHP | Victoria, TX | | 14. | Mets | Lee Mazzilli | OF | Brooklyn, NY | | 15. | Orioles | Mike Parrott | RHP | Camarillo, CA | | 16. | Cubs | Jerry Tabb | 1B | U of Tulsa | | 17. | Red Sox | Ted Cox | SS | Midwest City, OK | | 18. | Dodgers | Ted Farr | C | Spokane, WA | | 19. | Tigers | Charles Bates | 1B | Cal State Los Angeles | | 20. | Astros | Calvin Portley | SS | Longview, TX | | 21. | White Sox | Steve Swisher | C | Ohio U | | 22. | Reds | Charles Kessler | OF | Claremont, CA | | 23. | Athletics | Randy Scarbery | RHP | U of S. California | | 24. | Pirates | Steve Nicosia | C | N. Miami Beach, FL |
1974
With the number one pick of the June regular phase, San Diego tabbed infielder Bill Almon from Brown University, one of six shortstops selected in round one. Twelve of the first 13 and a total of 16 first round selections went on to become major leaguers, including Lonnie Smith (Philadelphia), Dale Murphy (Atlanta), Garry Templeton (St. Louis), Lance Parrish (Detroit), Willie Wilson (Kansas City) and Rick Sutcliffe (Los Angeles).
Three players from the June regular phase were among the ones who got away. Pitcher Bob Welch (Chicago Cubs, 14th round), infielder Paul Molitor (St. Louis, 28th round) and pitcher Eric Show (Minnesota, 36th round) turned down pro offers for college scholarships.
First Round - June, Regular Phase
| Pick |
Team |
Player |
Position |
College/Hometown |
| 1. | Padres | Bill Almon | SS | Brown U | | 2. | Rangers | Tommy Boggs | RHP | Austin, TX | | 3. | Phillies | Lonnie Smith | OF | Compton, CA | | 4. | Indians | Tom Brennan | RHP | Lewis U | | 5. | Braves | Dale Murphy | C | Portland, OR | | 6. | Brewers | Butch Edge | RHP | Sacramento, CA | | 7. | Cubs | Scot Thompson | OF | Renfrew, PA | | 8. | White Sox | Larry Monroe | RHP | Mt. Prospect, IL | | 9. | Expos | Ron Sorey | 3B | Dayton, OH | | 10. | Angels | Mike Miley | SS | Louisiana State U | | 11. | Pirates | Rod Scurry | LHP | Sparks, NV | | 12. | Yankees | Dennis Sherrill | SS | Miami, FL | | 13. | Cardinals | Garry Templeton | SS | Santa Ana, CA | | 14. | Twins | Ted Shipley | SS | Vanderbilt U | | 15. | Astros | Kevin Drake | OF | Lompoc, CA | | 16. | Tigers | Lance Parrish | 3B | Diamond Bar, CA | | 17. | Mets | Cliff Speck | RHP | Beaverton, OR | | 18. | Royals | Willie Wilson | OF | Summit, NJ | | 19. | Giants | Terry Lee | 2B | San Luis Obispo, CA | | 20. | Red Sox | Eddie Ford | SS | U of South Carolina | | 21. | Dodgers | Rick Sutcliffe | RHP | Kansas City, MO | | 22. | Athletics | *Jerry Johnson | C | Austin, TX | | 23. | Reds | Steve Reed | RHP | Fort Wayne, IN | | 24. | Orioles | Rich Dauer | 3B | U of Southern California |
* Did not sign
1975
Catcher Danny Goodwin became the only player ever drafted first in two June drafts, as the Angels tabbed him as their top selection. Four years earlier, Goodwin had been picked by the White Sox, but chose to attend Southern University instead.
None of the four players picked after Goodwin made it to the big leagues. In fact, only 12 of the 24 first round picks did. Andre Dawson was probably the biggest name in the 1975 draft, although he was overlooked until the Expos picked him in the 10th round. Other players included Rick Cerone (New York Yankees), Lou Whitaker (Detroit), Bumb Wills (Texas), Clint Hurdle (Kansas City), Dale Berra (Pittsburgh), Glenn Hubbard (Atlanta) and Lee Smith (Chicago Cubs).
Surprisingly, the January draft yielded more future big leaguers than the June draft. The top two picks, Gene Richards and Willie Aikens, were chosen after their school, South Carolina State, dropped its baseball program.
First Round - June, Regular Phase
| Pick |
Team |
Player |
Position |
College/Hometown |
| 1. | Angels | Danny Goodwin | C | Southern U | | 2. | Padres | Mike Lentz | LHP | Kirkland, WA | | 3. | Tigers | Les Filkins | OF | Chicago, IL | | 4. | Cubs | Brian Rosinski | OF | Evanston, IL | | 5. | Brewers | Rich O'Keefe | LHP | Yorktown Hts., NY | | 6. | Mets | Butch Benton | C | Tallahassee, FL | | 7. | Indians | Rick Cerone | C | Seton Hall U | | 8. | Giants | Ted Barnicle | LHP | Jacksonville State U | | 9. | Royals | Clint Hurdle | OF | Merritt Island, FL | | 10. | Expos | Art Miles | SS | Austin, TX | | 11. | White Sox | Chris Knapp | RHP | Central Michigan U. | | 12. | Phillies | Sam Welborn | RHP | Wichita Falls, TX | | 13. | Twins | Rick Sofield | SS | Morristown, NJ | | 14. | Astros | Bo McLaughlin | RHP | David Lipscomb Col. | | 15. | Red Sox | Otis Foster | 1B | High Point College | | 16. | Cardinals | David Johnson | LHP | Gaylord, MI | | 17. | Rangers | Jim Gideon | RHP | U of Texas | | 18. | Braves | Donald Young | C | Goleta, CA | | 19. | Yankees | Jim McDonald | 1B | Los Angeles, CA | | 20. | Pirates | Dale Berra | SS | Montclair, NJ | | 21. | Athletics | Bruce Robinson | C | Stanford U | | 22. | Reds | Tony Moretto | OF | Evansville, IN | | 23. | Orioles | Dave Ford | RHP | Cleveland, OH | | 24. | Dodgers | Mark Bradley | SS | Elizabethtown, KY |
1976
The 1976 Arizona State University team, considered by many to be the best collegiate team ever, played a major role in the draft. Floyd Bannister was picked number one by the Astros while Ken Landreaux was selected sixth by the Angels. In all, 12 players from that team went on to play in the majors.
Bannister and Landreaux anchored a June draft that was one of the most talented ever. The first 10 selections went on to play in the big leagues. Among those picked in the June draft were Rickey Henderson (Oakland), Alan Trammell (Detroit), Wade Boggs (Boston), Jack Morris (Detroit), Dan Petry (Detroit), Bruce Hurst (Boston), Steve Trout (Chicago White Sox), Leon Durham (St. Louis), and Pat Tabler (New York Yankees).
Willie McGee (Chicago White Sox) and Ozzie Smith (Detroit) were selected in the seventh round but did not sign.
In the January phase, Steve Kemp of Southern California was picked first by the Tigers and Jody Davis was picked third by the Mets.
First Round - June, Regular Phase
| Pick |
Team |
Player |
Position |
College/Hometown |
| 1. | Astros | Floyd Bannister | LHP | Arizona State U | | 2. | Tigers | Pat Underwood | LHP | Kokomo, IN | | 3. | Braves | Ken Smith | 3B | Youngstown, OH | | 4. | Brewers | *Bill Bordley | LHP | Rolling Hills Estates, CA | | 5. | Padres | Bob Owchinko | LHP | Eastern Michigan U | | 6. | Angels | Ken Landreaux | OF | Arizona State U | | 7. | Cubs | Herm Segelke | RHP | South Sacramento, CA | | 8. | White Sox | Steve Trout | LHP | South Holland, IL | | 9. | Expos | Bob James | RHP | Sunland, CA | | 10. | Twins | *Jamie Allen | 3B-RHP | Yakima, WA | | 11. | Giants | Mark Kuecker | SS | Brenham, TX | | 12. | Rangers | Billy Simpson | OF | Lakewood, CA | | 13. | Mets | Tom Thurberg | OF-RHP | South Weymouth, MA | | 14. | Indians | Tim Glass | C | Springfield, OH | | 15. | Cardinals | Leon Durham | 1B | Cincinnati, OH | | 16. | Yankees | Pat Tabler | OF | Cincinnati, OH | | 17. | Phillies | Jeff Kraus | SS | Cincinnati, OH | | 18. | Royals | Ben Grzybek | RHP | Hialeah, FL | | 19. | Dodgers | Mike Scioscia | C | Morton, PA | | 20. | Orioles | Dallas Williams | OF | Brooklyn, NY | | 21. | Pirates | Jim Parke | RHP | Sterling Heights, MI | | 22. | Red Sox | Bruce Hurst | LHP | St. George, UT | | 23. | Reds | Mark King | RHP | Owensboro, KY | | 24. | Athletics | *Mike Sullivan | RHP | Woodbridge, VA |
* Did not sign
1977
The White Sox raised some brows when they passed on right-handed pitcher Bill Gullickson, a native of nearby Orland Park, IL, and selected outfielder Harold Baines as the number one pick in the country.
White Sox owner Bill Veeck had seen Baines play little league baseball in Maryland and had followed his progress through the years. After spending three seasons in the minors, Baines was a fixture in the White Sox lineup for 10 seasons.
Montreal had perhaps the best draft, choosing Gullickson second, pitcher Scott Sanderson in the third round and outfielder Tim Raines in the fifth. Other picks of interest included infielder Paul Molitor (Milwaukee), pitcher Richard Dotson (California), and catcher Terry Kennedy (St. Louis).
Shortstop Tom Goffena from Sidney, Ohio became the Toronto Blue Jays' first draft pick as he was chosen 25th in the first round. The Seattle Mariners picked 26th and took outfielder Dave Henderson from Dos Palos, CA as their first draft pick.
The Blue Jays also picked Danny Ainge out of Brigham Young University in the 15th round. Ainge, who was also drafted by the NBA's Boston Celtics, later quit baseball for a career in basketball as a player and coach.
First Round - June, Regular Phase
| Pick |
Team |
Player |
Position |
College/Hometown |
| 1. | White Sox | Harold Baines | OF | St. Michaels, MD | | 2. | Expos | Bill Gullickson | RHP | Orland Park, IL | | 3. | Brewers | Paul Molitor | SS | U of Minnesota | | 4. | Braves | Tim Cole | LHP | Saugerties, NY | | 5. | Tigers | Kevin Richards | RHP | Wyandotte, MI | | 6. | Cardinals | Terry Kennedy | C | Florida State U | | 7. | Angels | Richard Dotson | RHP | Cincinnati, OH | | 8. | Padres | Brian Greer | OF | Brea, CA | | 9. | Rangers | David Hibner | SS | Howell, MI | | 10. | Giants | Craig Landis | SS | Napa, CA | | 11. | Indians | Bruce Compton | OF | Norman, OK | | 12. | Cubs | Randy Martz | RHP | U of South Carolina | | 13. | Red Sox | Andrew Madden | RHP | New Hartford, NY | | 14. | Astros | Ricky Adams | SS | Montclair, CA | | 15. | Twins | Paul Croft | OF | Morristown, NJ | | 16. | Mets | Wally Backman | SS | Beaverton, OR | | 17. | Athletics | Craig Harris | RHP | Sierra Vista, AZ | | 18. | Pirates | Anthony Nicely | OF | Dayton, OH | | 19. | Orioles | Drungo Hazewood | OF | Sacramento, CA | | 20. | Dodgers | Bob Welch | RHP | E. Michigan U | | 21. | Royals | Mike Jones | LHP | Pittsford, NY | | 22. | Phillies | Scott Munninghoff | RHP | Cincinnati, OH | | 23. | Yankees | Steve Taylor | RHP | U of Delaware | | 24. | Reds | Tad Venger | 3B | Newhall, CA | | 25. | Blue Jays | Tom Goffena | SS | Sidney, OH | | 26. | Mariners | Dave Henderson | OF | Dos Palos, CA |
1978
In 1978, four players made the jump from amateur baseball to the major leagues, including Arizona State third baseman Bob Horner, who was selected number one overall by the Atlanta Braves. Oakland pitchers Tim Conroy and Mike Morgan, and Brian Milner of Toronto also went directly to the big leagues.
In addition to Horner, the Braves also selected future major leaguers Matt Sinatro (2nd round), Steve Bedrosian (3rd round), Rick Behenna (4th round), Jose Alvarez (8th round) and Gerald Perry (11th round).
Others drafted in June of 1978 included Lloyd Moseby and Dave Stieb (Toronto), Mike Marshall and Steve Sax (Los Angeles), Cal Ripken, Jr. and Mike Boddicker (Baltimore), Kirk Gibson (Detroit), Kent Hrbek (Minnesota) and Hubie Brooks (New York Mets).
First Round - June, Regular Phase
| Pick |
Team |
Player |
Position |
College/Hometown |
| 1. | Braves | Bob Horner | 3B | Arizona State U | | 2. | Blue Jays | Lloyd Moseby | 1B | Oakland, CA | | 3. | Mets | Hubie Brooks | SS | Arizona State U | | 4. | Athletics | Mike Morgan | RHP | Las Vegas, NV | | 5. | Padres | Andy Hawkins | RHP | Waco, TX | | 6. | Mariners | Tito Nanni | OF | Philadelphia, PA | | 7. | Giants | Bob Cummings | C | Chicago, IL | | 8. | Brewers | Nick Hernandez | C | Hialeah, FL | | 9. | Expos | Glenn Franklin | SS | Chipola (FL) JC | | 10. | Indians | Phil Lansford | SS | Santa Clara, CA | | 11. | Astros | Rod Boxberger | RHP | U of Southern California | | 12. | Tigers | Kirk Gibson | OF | Michigan State U | | 13. | Cubs | Bill Hayes | C | Indiana State U | | 14. | Angels | Tom Brunansky | OF | West Covina, CA | | 15. | Cardinals | Robert Hicks | 1B | Pensacola, FL | | 16. | Twins | Lenny Faedo | SS | Tampa, FL | | 17. | Reds | Nick Esasky | SS | Carol City, FL | | 18. | Yankees | Rex Hudler | SS | Fresno, CA | | 19. | Pirates | Brad Garnett | 1B | DeSoto, TX | | 20. | Athletics | Tim Conroy | LHP | Monroeville, PA | | 21. | Pirates | Gerry Aubin | OF | Albany, GA | | 22. | Orioles | Robert Boyce | 3B | Cincinnati, OH | | 23. | Phillies | Rip Rollins | 1B-RHP | Sparta, NC | | 24. | Yankees | Matt Winters | OF | Williamsville, NY | | 25. | Royals | Buddy Biancalana | SS | Greenbrae, CA | | 26. | Yankees | Brian Ryder | RHP | Shrewsbury, MA |
1979
The 1979 draft may long be remembered as the year of the football player. Among future NFL players drafted by baseball teams were Dan Marino and John Elway (Kansas City), Jack Thompson (Seattle), Curt Warner (Philadelphia), Kevin House (St. Louis) and Jay Schroeder (Toronto). Michigan quarterback Rick Leach was drafted by the Tigers in the first round and went on to a major league career.
The number one pick in the June draft went to Seattle, which selected high school outfielder Al Chambers. Perhaps the biggest steal in the draft was the Yankees' selection of Don Mattingly in the 19th round.
Other significant selections in the draft were Tim Wallach (Montreal), Steve Howe (Los Angeles), Atlee Hammaker (Kansas City), Andy Van Slyke (St. Louis), Brett Butler (Atlanta), Pete O'Brien (Texas), Von Hayes (Cleveland), Marty Barrett (Boston) and Gary Gaetti (Minnesota).
First Round - June, Regular Phase
| Pick |
Team |
Player |
Position |
College/Hometown |
| 1. | Mariners | Al Chambers | OF | Harrisburg, PA | | 2. | Mets | Tim Leary | RHP | UCLA | | 3. | Blue Jays | Jay Schroeder | C | Pacific Palisades, CA | | 4. | Braves | Brad Komminsk | OF | Lima, OH | | 5. | Athletics | *Juan Bustabad | SS | Hialeah, FL | | 6. | Cardinals | Andy Van Slyke | OF | New Hartford, NY | | 7. | Indians | Jon Bohnet | LHP | Vallejo, CA | | 8. | Astros | John Mizerock | C | Punxsutawney, PA | | 9. | White Sox | *Steve Buechele | SS | Fullerton, CA | | 10. | Expos | Tim Wallach | 1B | Cal State Fullerton | | 11. | Twins | Kevin Brandt | OF | Nekoosa, WI | | 12. | Cubs | Jon Perlman | RHP | Baylor U | | 13. | Tigers | Rick Leach | OF | U of Michigan | | 14. | Padres | Joe Lansford | 1B | San Jose, CA | | 15. | Giants | Scott Garrelts | RHP | Buckley, IL | | 16. | Dodgers | Steve Howe | LHP | U of Michigan | | 17. | Rangers | Jerry Don Gleaton | LHP | U of Texas | | 18. | Giants | *Rick Luecken | RHP | Houston, TX | | 19. | White Sox | Rick Seilheimer | C | Brenham, TX | | 20. | Reds | Dan Lamar | C | Houston, TX | | 21. | Royals | Atlee Hammaker | LHP | E. Tennessee State U | | 22. | Reds | Mike Sullivan | RHP | Clemson U | | 23. | Tigers | Chris Baker | OF | Dearborn Heights, MI | | 24. | Padres | Bob Geren | C | San Diego, CA | | 25. | Dodgers | Steve Perry | RHP | U of Michigan | | 26. | Athletics | *Mike Stenhouse | OF | Harvard U |
* Did not sign
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