The following are the top first-round picks for each National League team in the last five years. If a team had multiple first-round selections, only the first one will be listed in the table. The corresponding statistics are through May 30.
The Diamondbacks have the No. 22 pick this year. In five years of the amateur draft, the team has yet to draft a player who has made it to the major-league level. Nick Bierbrodt, who has bounced between levels for the past few years, is excelling at Triple-A this year, and Jack Cust, their power-hitting outfield prospect, is hitting very well there in his first season at that level.
|
Arizona's five first-round draft picks
|
|
Year
|
Pick (No.)
|
Pos.
|
Pres. level
|
2001 stats
|
| '00
|
No pick
|
|
|
|
|
'99
|
Corey Myers (4)
|
3B
|
So. Bend (A)
|
.304-3-20
|
|
'98
|
No pick
|
|
|
|
|
'97
|
Jack Cust (30)
|
OF
|
Tucson (AAA)
|
.253-10-32
|
|
'96
|
N. Bierbrodt (30)
|
LHP
|
Tucson (AAA)
|
3-1, 1.15 ERA
|
For the second consecutive season, the Braves have two picks in the first round of the draft. Atlanta has its own pick at No. 29, and it also has the Dodgers' No. 24 as compensation for LA signing free agent Andy Ashby. Last year, the Braves used their draft picks on pitcher Adam Wainwright and infielder Scott Thorman. Wainwright has pitched at Single-A Macon this season, and Thorman has not played.
|
Atlanta's last five first-round draft picks
|
|
Year
|
Pick (No.)
|
Pos.
|
Pres. level
|
2001 stats
|
| '00
|
Adam Wainwright (29)
|
P
|
Macon (A)
|
5-5, 4.80 ERA
|
|
'99
|
No first-round pick
|
|
|
|
|
'98
|
No first-round pick
|
|
|
|
|
'97
|
Troy Cameron (29)
|
SS
|
M. Beach (A)
|
.236-6-30
|
|
'96
|
A.J. Zapp (27)
|
1B
|
G'ville (AA)
|
.250-5-23
|
Time to get excited: Chicago has the No. 2 pick in the draft and has done a good job recently with its picks. Corey Patterson, their No. 3 pick from 1998, is on the cusp of making the major-league squad. Luis Montanez looks like a future star, and Jon Garland is in the majors across town with the White Sox.
|
Chicago's last five first-round draft picks
|
|
Year
|
Pick (No.)
|
Pos.
|
Pres. level
|
2001 stats
|
| '00
|
Luis Montanez (3)
|
SS
|
Lansing (A)
|
.263-2-26
|
|
'99
|
B. Christensen (26)
|
RHP
|
W. Tenn. (AA)
|
2-1, 6.48 ERA
|
|
'98
|
Corey Patterson (3)
|
OF
|
Iowa (AAA)
|
.275-5-19
|
|
'97
|
Jon Garland (10)
|
RHP
|
ChiSox (MLB)
|
2-2, 5.14 ERA
|
|
'96
|
Todd Noel (17)
|
RHP
|
Hasn't played
|
|
Cincinnati will have the No. 20 pick in Tuesday's draft. The team has watched their last five No. 1 picks slowly-but-surely progress through the minor leagues. Brandon Larson, the No. 14 overall pick from 1997, has finally made the major-league club, but has struggled early in place of the injured Aaron Boone. Austin Kearns is not exactly blowing people away with his numbers in double-A, but the team is optimistic that he'll continue to make strides.
|
Cincinnati's last five first-round draft picks
|
|
Year
|
Pick (No.)
|
Pos.
|
Pres. level
|
2001 stats
|
| '00
|
D. Espinoza (23)
|
SS
|
Dayton (A)
|
.243-1-15
|
|
'99
|
Ty Howington (14)
|
LHP
|
Dayton (A)
|
1-0, 1.00 ERA
|
|
'98
|
Austin Kearns (7)
|
OF
|
Chatt. (AA)
|
.242.-3-19
|
|
'97
|
B. Larson (14)
|
3B
|
Reds (MLB)
|
.121-0-1
|
|
'96
|
John Oliver (25)
|
OF
|
Released
|
|
The Rockies don't have a No. 1 pick this year. If they did, perhaps they'd pick another right-handed pitcher, as they did each of the past five years in the first round. Matt Harrington didn't sign with the team, and is now struggling in the Northern League and is unlikely to get the money he was looking for when he turned down $5 million from Colorado. Jake Westbrook is the sole first-rounder since 1996 for the Rockies to make the major leagues, and he's currently up and down between the majors and Triple-A Buffalo for the Indians.
|
Last five first-round draft picks
|
|
Year
|
Pick (No.)
|
Pos.
|
Pres. level
|
2001 stats
|
| '00
|
Matt Harrington (7)
|
RHP
|
Did not sign
|
|
|
'99
|
J. Jennings (16)
|
RHP
|
C. Spgs (AAA)
|
3-4, 5.89 ERA
|
|
'98
|
Matt Roney (28)
|
RHP
|
Asheville (A)
|
3-5, 6.32 ERA
|
|
'97
|
Mark Mangum (18)
|
RHP
|
Harrisburg (AA)
|
1-4, 4.91 ERA
|
|
'96
|
J. Westbrook (21)
|
RHP
|
Indians (MLB)
|
0-0, 7.20 ERA
|
After picking No. 1 and No. 2 the last two seasons in the major-league draft, the Marlins will be without a first-round pick on Tuesday. In its short history, the team has had success drafting players for their organization.
Last season, with the No. 1 overall pick, Florida selected Adrian Gonzalez. In his short pro career, the first baseman has made an impact with Single-A Kane County. And in 1999, Josh Beckett, who has been outstanding in the Marlins' farm system, was the No. 2 overall pick.
|
Marlins' last five first-round draft picks
|
|
Year
|
Pick (No.)
|
Pos.
|
Pres. level
|
2001 stats
|
| '00
|
Adrian Gonzalez (1)
|
1B |
Kane (A)
|
.344, 9, 54
|
|
'99
|
Josh Beckett (2)
|
P
|
Brevard (A)
|
5-0, 1.32
|
|
'98
|
Chip Ambres (27)
|
OF
|
Kane (A)
|
.313, 3, 26
|
|
'97
|
Aaron Akin (12)
|
P
|
Hasn't played
|
|
|
'96
|
Mark Kotsay (9)
|
OF
|
Padres (MLB)
|
.277, 3, 18
|
Houston has the No. 10 pick in the first round, the highest draft position the Astros have had in a while, but the club's draft record has still been pretty impressive. In 1997, the team chose Lance Berkman out of Rice University. And in 1998, they picked pitcher Brad Lidge, who has emerged as a big-league prospect at Double-A Round Rock this season.
|
Houston's last five first-round draft picks
|
|
Year
|
Pick (No.)
|
Pos.
|
Pres. level
|
2001 stats
|
| '00
|
Robert Stiehl (27)
|
P |
Lexington (A)
|
2-2, 1.58 ERA
|
|
'99
|
No first-round pick
|
|
|
|
|
'98
|
Brad Lidge (17)
|
P
|
R. Rock (AA)
|
2-0, 1.73 ERA
|
|
'97
|
Lance Berkman (16)
|
OF
|
Astros
|
.343-14-39
|
|
'96
|
Mark Johnson (19)
|
P
|
Toledo (AAA)
|
5-4, 3.43 ERA
|
The Dodgers won't have a first-round pick for the second time in three seasons. That could be a good thing, as Los Angeles' draft record with the top pick over the last five years doesn't really stand out. In 1996, the Dodgers drafted Damian Rolls with the first pick, but he is no longer with the organization. Ben Diggins, Bubba Crosby and Glenn Davis don't seem to be close to reaching the major-league level.
|
Los Angeles' last five first-round draft picks
|
|
Year
|
Pick (No.)
|
Pos.
|
Pres. level
|
2001 stats
|
| '00
|
Ben Diggins (17)
|
P
|
Wilmington (A)
|
1-0, 4.80 ERA
|
|
'99
|
No first-round pick
|
|
|
|
|
'98
|
Bubba Crosby (23)
|
OF
|
Jaxville (AA)
|
.282-2-18
|
|
'97
|
Glenn Davis (25)
|
1B
|
Jaxville (AA)
|
.254-6-26
|
|
'96
|
Damian Rolls (23)
|
INF
|
Devil Rays (MLB)
|
.313-1-6
|
The Brewers have the No. 12 pick in the draft, and wouldn't it be great if they could find another Ben Sheets? Sheets was their No. 10 pick two years ago, and is now the best rookie pitcher in the big leagues. Their top pick from 1997, Kyle Peterson, returned from an injury to make his first major-league start since 1999 on Sunday, June 3. It's a little early to evaluate last year's top choice, David Krynzel.
|
Milwaukee's last five first-round draft picks
|
|
Year
|
Pick (No.)
|
Pos.
|
Pres. level
|
2001 stats
|
| '00
|
David Krynzel (11)
|
OF
|
High Desert (A)
|
.301-1-22
|
|
'99
|
Ben Sheets (10)
|
RHP
|
Brewers (MLB)
|
5-4, 3.21 ERA
|
|
'98
|
J.M. Gold (13)
|
RHP
|
Hasn't played
|
(injury)
|
|
'97
|
Kyle Peterson (13)
|
RHP
|
Indy. (AAA)
|
2-4.4.50 ERA
|
|
'96
|
Chad Green (8)
|
OF
|
Mobile (AA)
|
.229-2-7
|
For the third consecutive season, the Expos will have a top 10 pick in the major-league baseball draft. In Tuesday's draft, the the organization will pick No. 6 in the first round. With that pick, ESPN.com's Jayson Stark expects the Expos to take John VanBenschoten, a first baseman from Kent State. One scout says it's "hard to say if (VanBenschoten) will be Dave Winfield or Brian Buchanan."
|
Expos' last five first-round draft picks
|
|
Year
|
Pick (No.)
|
Pos.
|
Pres. level
|
2001 stats
|
| '00
|
Justin M. Wayne (5)
|
P |
Jupiter(A)
|
1-2, 4.15
|
|
'99
|
Josh Girdley (6)
|
P
|
Vermont (A)
|
5-0, 2.95
|
|
'98
|
Josh McKinley (11)
|
SS
|
Jupiter (A)
|
.257, 0, 16
|
|
'97
|
Donnie Bridges (23)
|
P
|
Ottawa (AAA)
|
2-3, 6.32
|
|
'96
|
John Patterson (5)
|
P
|
Did not sign
|
|
|
*stats through May 30
|
The Mets have the No. 18 pick and hope to improve on some of their recent choices, as their results have been mixed. Jason Tyner is now a major-leaguer, in Tampa Bay. However, Geoff Goetz is still at double-A in the Florida organization, and he was the sixth overall pick in 1997. Robert Stratton, the outfielder they took with the No. 13 pick five years ago, is at double-A Binghamton, putting up decent numbers.
|
New York's last five first-round draft picks
|
|
Year
|
Pick (No.)
|
Pos.
|
Pres. level
|
2001 stats
|
| '00
|
Billy Traber (16) |
RHP
|
Columbia (A)
|
0-4, 3.50 ERA
|
|
'99
|
No pick
|
|
|
|
|
'98
|
Jason Tyner (21)
|
OF
|
D'Rays (MLB)
|
.167-0-0
|
|
'97
|
Geoff Goetz (6)
|
LHP
|
Portland (AA)
|
1-1, 1.37 ERA
|
|
'96
|
R.Stratton (13)
|
OF
|
Binghamton (AA)
|
.282-9-29
|
The Phillies' No. 4 pick should be plenty high enough for the team to continue their trend of evaluating and drafting talent at a very high level. It's not every team which can boast that their top picks in three consecutive seasons took the express route to the major leagues. True, the J.D. Drew signing was not exactly a high point in franchise history, but he has turned into the player the Phillies thought he would be when they drafted him No. 1 in 1997. Pat Burrell continues to improve into a similar caliber player, and both Brett Myers and Chase Utley are off to strong starts to their professional careers.
|
Philadelphia's last five first-round draft picks
|
|
Year
|
Pick (No.)
|
Pos.
|
Pres. level
|
2001 stats
|
| '00
|
Chase Utley (15)
|
2B
|
Clearwater (A)
|
.251-8-28
|
|
'99
|
Brett Myers (12)
|
RHP
|
Reading (AA)
|
5-2, 3.54 ERA
|
|
'98
|
Pat Burrell (1)
|
OF
|
Phillies (MLB)
|
.307-6-27
|
|
'97
|
J.D. Drew (2)
|
OF
|
Cards (MLB)
|
.317-17-39
|
|
'96
|
Adam Eaton (11)
|
RHP
|
Padres (MLB)
|
6-3, 5.29 ERA
|
The Pirates have the No. 8 pick this season and would like to revert to their 1996 form, when they grabbed Kris Benson with the top pick. While he's been hurt and hasn't played this season, Benson has shown that he has the stuff of an ace. Their last four picks, however, have been less stellar. Jerry Davis is beginning to look like a bust as he struggles at Double-A Altoona. Their last three picks all have pitched well at Single-A.
|
Pittsburgh's last five first-round draft picks
|
|
Year
|
Pick (No.)
|
Pos.
|
Pres. level
|
2001 stats
|
| '00
|
Sean Burnett (17)
|
LHP
|
Hickory (A)
|
3-4, 2.17 ERA |
|
'99
|
Bobby Bradley (8)
|
RHP
|
Lynchburg (A)
|
1-1, 3.35 ERA
|
|
'98
|
C. Johnston (15)
|
LHP
|
Lynchburg (A)
|
1-1, 4.63 ERA
|
|
'97
|
Jerry Davis (8)
|
OF
|
Altoona (AA)
|
.247-3-16
|
|
'96
|
Kris Benson (1)
|
RHP
|
Hasn't played
|
(Injury)
|
In Tuesday's major-league draft, the Padres have the No. 14 pick. They hope to improve on their recent inauspicious draft history. In 1999, the team had three first-round picks – OF Vince Faison (No. 20) and RHPs Omar Ortiz (No. 29) and Gerik Baxter (No. 28). None of the three have looked particularly promising. Kevin Nicholson got a look last year but lost his job rather quickly and was sent back to the minors. He's now in the Rockies organization.
|
Padres last five first-round draft picks
|
|
Year
|
Pick (No.)
|
Pos.
|
Pres. level
|
2001 stats
|
| '00
|
Mark Phillips |
RHP
|
hasn't played
|
|
|
'99
|
Vince Faison (20)
|
OF
|
L. Elsinore (A)
|
.190-1-9
|
|
'98
|
Sean Burroughs (9)
|
3B
|
Portland (AAA)
|
.294-1-13
|
|
'97
|
K. Nicholson (27)
|
SS
|
C. Spgs (AAA)
|
.330-1-12
|
|
'96
|
Matt Halloran (15) |
2B
|
Charlotte (AAA)
|
.238-1-8
|
The Giants have two picks, the No. 21 pick and the No. 30 pick, in Tuesday's draft. The last time they had two picks was 1998, when they drafted Tony Torcato at 19 and Arturo McDowell at No. 29. Both are presently at Single-A San Jose. In fact, only one of their first-round picks from the past five years figures to make the major-league roster anytimes soon, and that's Kurt Ainsworth, who is currently a starter at Triple-A Fresno. Jason Grilli, the fourth overall pick in 1997, is a starter for the Marlins.
|
Last five first-round draft picks
|
|
Year
|
Pick (No.)
|
Pos.
|
Pres. level
|
2001 stats
|
| '00
|
Boof Bonzer (21)
|
RHP
|
Hagerstown (A)
|
4-2, 2.95 ERA
|
|
'99
|
K. Ainsworth (24)
|
RHP
|
Fresno (AAA)
|
3-4, 6.41 ERA
|
|
'98
|
Tony Torcato (19)
|
3B
|
San Jose (A)
|
.323-2-33
|
|
'97
|
Jason Grilli (4)
|
RHP
|
Marlins (MLB)
|
2-2, 6.31 ERA
|
|
'96
|
Matt White (7)
|
RHP
|
Durham (AAA)
|
0-5, 7.80
|
The Cardinals will draft No. 28 in the first round of the major-league draft on Tuesday. The Cards had two picks in the first round last year and used them on a middle infielder and pitcher. Their first pick in 1999 was Chance Caple, but he has not played this season. Their other three picks from 1996-98, including J.D. Drew, are all playing in the major leagues.
|
St. Louis' last five first-round draft picks
|
|
Year
|
Pick (No.)
|
Pos.
|
Pres. level
|
2001 stats
|
| '00
|
Shaun B. Boyd (13)
|
INF
|
Peoria (A)
|
.164-1-4
|
|
'99
|
Chance Caple (30)
|
P
|
Hasn't played
|
|
|
'98
|
J.D. Drew (5)
|
OF
|
Cards (MLB)
|
.317-17-39
|
|
'97
|
Adam Kennedy (20)
|
SS
|
Angels (MLB)
|
.302-3-14
|
|
'96
|
Braden Looper, (3)
|
P
|
Marlins (MLB)
|
1-2, 4.07
|
| |
|
