1987 Major League Baseball draft


The Major League Baseball Draft is the process by which Major League Baseball teams select athletes to play for their organization. High school seniors, college juniors and seniors, and anyone who had never played under a professional contract were considered eligible for the draft. The 1987 MLB Draft took place as a conference call to the Commissioner of Baseball's office in New York from June 2–4. As opposed to the National Football League Draft which appeared on ESPN, no network aired the MLB Draft.
The American League and the National League alternated picks throughout the first round; because an NL team drafted first in the 1986 MLB Draft, an AL team had the first selection in 1987. Having finished 67–95 in 1986, the Seattle Mariners had the worst record in the AL and thus obtained the first overall selection. The second selection went to the Pittsburgh Pirates, who had the worst record in the NL.
With the first overall pick, the Mariners drafted Ken Griffey, Jr. from Moeller High School. Griffey, Jr. became a 13-time All-Star and helped Seattle make its first postseason appearance in franchise history. Mark Merchant, the second overall pick, however, never played in a major league game. Two years after he was drafted, the Pirates traded Merchant to Seattle. Chicago White Sox' first overall selection Jack McDowell won the 1993 Cy Young Award as Chicago made a League Championship Series appearance that year. The total number of athletes drafted, 1,263, broke a record for the most players ever chosen in a draft. In total, 27 All-Stars were selected in 1987, although not all signed a professional contract., only three players from the draft has been elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame– Craig Biggio, Griffey, Jr, and Mike Mussina, though Mussina did not sign in this draft.

Background

As with prior drafts, the team with the worst overall record from the previous season selected first, with teams from the AL and NL alternating picks. If two or more teams had the same record, the team with the worse record from two seasons prior would draft higher. Because the Pittsburgh Pirates of the NL selected first overall in 1986 Major League Baseball Draft, an AL team had the first pick in the 1987 draft. The final two selections in the first round both came from American League teams, as the AL had two more organizations than the NL.
The date of the draft was set for June 2–4, and would occur as a conference call to the Commissioner of Baseball's office in New York. Unlike the 1987 NFL Draft, which aired on ESPN, no network televised the MLB draft. High school seniors, college juniors and seniors, and anyone who had never played under a professional contract were considered eligible to be drafted. For the first time, junior college players would also be included in the June draft; in years past, teams would select junior college players in a separate draft.
Selections could be transferred or added if a team signed a certain type of free agent: the Elias Sports Bureau ranked players as either type-A, type-B, or type-C, based on the athlete's performance over the past two seasons. If a "type-A" player became a free agent, the team that lost the type-A player would receive the first-round draft pick from the team that signed the player, as well as a "sandwich pick" between the first and second rounds. If a "type-B" became a free agent, the team that lost him would receive a second-round pick from the team that signed the player. If a "type-C" became a free agent, the team that lost him would receive a compensation pick between the second and third rounds. The top 13 selections were considered "protected picks" and exempt from this rule.
With a record of 67–95, the Seattle Mariners ended the 1986 Major League Baseball season with the worst record in the AL and thus obtained the first overall selection. The Mariners never had a winning record in the twelve years since the franchise's creation, and during the 1986 season, changed managers three times. In the NL, the Pirates finished with the league's worst record for the second year in a row and were given the second overall pick. The 1986 World Series champion New York Mets drafted third-to-last, with the runner-up Boston Red Sox selecting last.

First two rounds

RoundPickPlayerSelected byPositionSchool
1†§Seattle MarinersOutfielderMoeller High School
2Pittsburgh PiratesOutfielderOviedo High School
3Minnesota TwinsSt. Anthony High School
4Chicago CubsCalifornia State University, Fullerton
5§Chicago White SoxStanford University
6Atlanta BravesUniversity of Georgia
7Baltimore OriolesHenry B. Plant High School
8Los Angeles DodgersValley High School
9§Kansas City RoyalsAntelope Valley College
10San Diego PadresUniversity of Texas at Austin
11Oakland AthleticsOutfielderShelby County High School
12Montreal ExposShortstopSeaford Senior High School
13Milwaukee BrewersShortstopClemson University
14St. Louis CardinalsUniversity of Georgia
15*
Baltimore OriolesVirginia Tech
16§San Francisco GiantsDartmouth College
17Toronto Blue JaysUniversity of California, Los Angeles
18§Cincinnati RedsUniversity of Oklahoma
19Texas RangersNorth Shore Senior High School
20
Detroit TigersCatcherWestminster Christian School
21Detroit TigersOutfielderPontotoc High School
22†§Houston AstrosCatcherSeton Hall University
23
Texas RangersCatcherUniversity of California, Los Angeles
24New York MetsThird basemanLoyola Marymount University
25California AngelsCatcherCalifornia Polytechnic State University
26Boston Red SoxWaynesboro High School
27§
Baltimore OriolesFordham University
28
Montreal ExposOutfielderImperial Valley College
29
Texas RangersUniversity of Texas at Austin
30§
Detroit TigersShortstopJ. M. Tate High School
31
California AngelsOcean View High School
32
Boston Red SoxOutfielderOral Roberts University
33Seattle MarinersOhio State University
34Pittsburgh PiratesOak Park and River Forest High School
35Minnesota TwinsOutfielderUniversity of Wisconsin–Oshkosh
36
Montreal ExposPflugerville High School
37Chicago White SoxOcean View High School
38Atlanta BravesCatcherCanoga Park High School
39§
New York MetsCatcherWilliam Fremd High School
40Los Angeles DodgersOutfielderGranite Hills High School
41Kansas City RoyalsSecond basemanUniversity of Kentucky
42San Diego PadresBradley University
43
California AngelsSan Diego State University
44Montreal ExposFlorida State University
45Milwaukee BrewersRed Bank High School
46St. Louis CardinalsCalifornia State University, Northridge
47§Cleveland IndiansOutfielderLouisiana State University
48San Francisco GiantsPortland State University
49Toronto Blue JaysOutfielderC. Leon King High School
50Cincinnati RedsShortstopTexas Christian University
51Texas RangersLouisiana State University
52Philadelphia PhilliesPlano Senior High School
53Detroit TigersOutfielderUniversity of Nevada, Reno
54Houston AstrosUniversity of California, Los Angeles
55
Milwaukee BrewersUniversity of Texas at Austin
56New York MetsGeorge C. Marshall High School
57California AngelsShortstopBonita High School
58Boston Red SoxUniversity of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

Other players to reach MLB

The following players were drafted outside of the first two rounds and played in at least one major league game:
RoundPickPlayerSelected byPositionSchool
60*Pittsburgh PiratesShortstopLewisville High School
62Chicago CubsThird basemanGeorge Washington High School
65Baltimore OriolesSan Jose State University
66Los Angeles DodgersNorthwestern University
67Kansas City RoyalsShortstopUniversity of North Carolina at Charlotte
69*Oakland AthleticsThird basemanTexas A&M University
70Montreal ExposOutfielderWestern Michigan University
71Milwaukee BrewersMiami Dade College
72§St. Louis CardinalsOutfielderModesto Junior College
74San Francisco GiantsShortstopArizona State University
77Texas RangersThird basemanUniversity of Texas at Austin
78Philadelphia PhilliesShortstopSt. Amant High School
86Pittsburgh PiratesOutfielderJackson State University
89Chicago White SoxNorth Marion High School
90Atlanta BravesOutfielderLincoln High School
91Baltimore OriolesShawnee High School
95Oakland AthleticsSanta Clara University
98*St. Louis CardinalsUniversity of Michigan
103Texas RangersSpartanburg Methodist College
104Philadelphia PhilliesLa Grange High School
105Detroit TigersOutfielderGeorgia Institute of Technology
109California AngelsMullen High School
115Chicago White SoxThird basemanSt. Thomas University
122Montreal ExposShortstopPurdue University
123Milwaukee BrewersSam Houston State University
124St. Louis CardinalsFirst basemanUniversity of Florida
125Cleveland IndiansRoger Bacon High School
127Toronto Blue JaysSouthwestern University
129Texas RangersUniversity of Louisiana at Monroe
131Detroit TigersSecond basemanUniversity of California, Los Angeles
137*Seattle MarinersUniversity of New Orleans
139Minnesota TwinsCalifornia State University, Fullerton
140Chicago CubsEastwood High School
141Chicago White SoxWilliam Penn University
144§Los Angeles DodgersCatcherUniversity of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign
146§San Diego PadresThird basemanUniversity of South Carolina
148Montreal ExposThird basemanFontana High School
149Milwaukee BrewersSecond basemanLouisiana Tech University
155Texas RangersOutfielderNavarro College
156Philadelphia PhilliesCatcherSeminole State College of Florida
164§*Pittsburgh PiratesShortstopIndiana University Bloomington
165Minnesota TwinsLouisiana State University
166Chicago CubsThird basemanWestlake High School
170Los Angeles DodgersThird basemanWillamette University
174Montreal ExposJackson State University
180§Cincinnati RedsShortstopSpartanburg Methodist College
181Texas RangersOutfielderUniversity of California, Los Angeles
182Philadelphia PhilliesDeer Park High School
185New York YankeesUniversity of South Florida
189*Seattle MarinersCatcherPatrick Henry High School
190*Pittsburgh PiratesAmerican River College
192Chicago CubsCatcherSacramento Charter High School
194Atlanta BravesFirst basemanCerritos College
198*San Diego PadresShortstopBishop Gorman High School
206*Cincinnati RedsThird basemanUniversity of Arkansas
209*Detroit TigersInfielderUniversity of South Florida
212New York MetsShortstopEastern Illinois University
214Boston Red SoxShortstopSeminole State College of Florida
221Baltimore OriolesOutfielderLouisiana State University
226*Montreal ExposCarson High School
227Milwaukee BrewersThird basemanGeorgia Institute of Technology
230San Francisco GiantsUniversity of Arizona
231*Toronto Blue JaysBraggs High School
233*Texas RangersCatcherClemson University
238New York MetsOutfielderVigor High School
245Chicago White SoxShortstopBrookdale Community College
255Cleveland IndiansShortstopTexas A&M University
257*Toronto Blue JaysShortstopWarren County High School
266Boston Red SoxUniversity of Maine
273§*Baltimore OriolesMontoursville High School
275*Kansas City RoyalsOutfielderWilliam R. Boone High School
277*Oakland AthleticsFlorida State University
291California AngelsOutfielderStanford University
292Boston Red SoxThird basemanPoway High School
295Minnesota TwinsShortstopCalifornia State University, Fresno
297Chicago White SoxUniversity of Mary Hardin–Baylor
314Houston AstrosInfielderCalifornia State University, Fullerton
323Chicago White SoxOutfielder
324§Atlanta BravesAlvin Community College
325§Baltimore OriolesOutfielderSouthern Illinois University Carbondale
330Montreal ExposCatcherUniversity of California, San Diego
331Milwaukee BrewersOutfielderCypress High School
335Toronto Blue JaysOutfielderKent County High School
342New York MetsSt. John's University
350Atlanta BravesDuncanville High School
355§Oakland AthleticsThird basemanTaft College
362Cincinnati RedsHarry S Truman College
367New York YankeesOutfielderGrambling State University
388Cincinnati RedsEl Paso High School
396*Boston Red SoxFirst basemanGlen Cove High School
405Kansas City RoyalsOutfielderEastern Kentucky University
411Cleveland IndiansPortland State University
418Houston AstrosStanford University
420New York MetsEastern Illinois University
424Pittsburgh PiratesOutfielderUniversity of Georgia
425Minnesota TwinsSecond basemanUniversity of Arizona
445*New York YankeesShortstopWindsor High School
449Seattle MarinersIndiana State University
455Baltimore OriolesFirst basemanLouisiana Tech University
462St. Louis CardinalsUniversity of Arkansas
464San Francisco GiantsShortstopUniversity of California, Santa Barbara
465*Toronto Blue JaysWichita State University
472New York MetsFord City High School
476*Pittsburgh PiratesShortstopOcean View High School
482Los Angeles DodgersInfielderFlorida State University
486Montreal ExposUniversity of Tampa
491Toronto Blue JaysRutgers University
508Los Angeles DodgersShortstopFlorida College
511§*Oakland AthleticsThird basemanLinfield College
513*Milwaukee BrewersCatcherLong Beach City College
520Philadelphia PhilliesOutfielderCalifornia State University, Northridge
522Houston AstrosCollege of the Siskiyous
524New York MetsBishop Ludden Junior/Senior High School
534Los Angeles DodgersCalifornia State University, Fresno
539Milwaukee BrewersFullerton College
547Detroit TigersArizona State University
555*Minnesota TwinsApple Valley High School
559*Baltimore OriolesThird basemanNew York City College of Technology
567Cleveland IndiansOld Dominion University
579*Seattle MarinersShortstopMcLennan Community College
588San Diego PadresShortstopPepperdine University
594San Francisco GiantsGrand Valley State University
617§*Milwaukee BrewersCatcherConroe High School
621*Toronto Blue JaysAlameda High School
643*Milwaukee BrewersOrange County High School
645Cleveland IndiansOutfielderLamar University
656*Boston Red SoxCatcherGlen Este High School
658Pittsburgh PiratesUniversity of Nevada, Las Vegas
666*San Diego PadresLa Habra High School
680§*New York MetsCatcherBarrington High School
682*Boston Red SoxColumbia River High School
696Philadelphia PhilliesQuitman High School
711§*Minnesota TwinsShortstopEl Dorado High School
726Cincinnati RedsGeorgia Perimeter College
742Los Angeles DodgersEl Camino College
746Montreal ExposThird basemanEvanston Township High School
777Toronto Blue JaysCalifornia State University, Fresno
782§Houston AstrosChaffey College
805Texas RangersTulane University
821Kansas City RoyalsSan Diego State University
831§Texas RangersLos Alamitos High School
841Chicago CubsOutfielderNew Mexico State University
846Kansas City RoyalsCatcherLos Angeles Harbor College
858Detroit TigersIndian River State College
869*Baltimore OriolesPearland High School
870*Los Angeles DodgersGeorgia Institute of Technology
884§*Houston AstrosSan Jose City College
902San Francisco GiantsCrowder High School
905*Texas RangersOutfielderGlendora High School
914*Minnesota TwinsThird basemanRancho Alamitos High School
929Philadelphia PhilliesCentral High School
938§*Chicago CubsProvidence High School
952Philadelphia PhilliesSpringfield High School
954*Houston AstrosGrossmont High School
958Seattle MarinersSecond basemanUniversity of Texas at Austin
961Chicago CubsEdison High School
978New York MetsUniversity of Houston
1,034*Cincinnati RedsShortstopGlenbard Township High School
1,041*Seattle MarinersPalm Beach State College
1,057*New York YankeesShortstopLuther Burbank High School
1,064Los Angeles DodgersLurleen B. Wallace Community College
1,097*Los Angeles DodgersPepperdine University
1,102*Toronto Blue JaysOutfielderChabot College
1,103Cincinnati RedsCatcherSpartanburg Methodist College
1,109*Seattle MarinersBonham High School
1,136*Texas RangersShortstopShoreham-Wading River High School
1,152§New York YankeesCatcherCheshire High School
1,159*Kansas City RoyalsCatcherSimi Valley High School
1,190*Seattle MarinersSouth Florida State College
1,199Pittsburgh PiratesCarthage College
1,223*Toronto Blue JaysOutfielderMiami Southridge High School
1,226§*Kansas City RoyalsThird basemanUniversity of California, Los Angeles
1,230*Kansas City RoyalsWest Seattle High School
1,247*Kansas City RoyalsInfielderCerritos College
1,249*Kansas City RoyalsNewport High School
1,258*Toronto Blue JaysUniversity of Toledo

Aftermath

The Kansas City Royals had the most picks of any team, with 74; following the Royals, the Toronto Blue Jays made 71, and the Cincinnati Reds and New York Mets made 61 apiece. The total number of players drafted, 1,263, broke a record for the most players ever selected in a draft. The previous record of 1,162 was set during the 1967 draft. The California Angels drafted the fewest future MLB players, with only four of their draftees appearing in an MLB game, while the Blue Jays and the Texas Rangers both drafted 13 future MLB players, the most of any team.
With their first overall pick, the Mariners selected Ken Griffey, Jr., an outfielder from Moeller High School. Over his 22-year career, Griffey, Jr. was elected to thirteen All-Star games, won seven Silver Slugger Awards, and helped Seattle make their first playoff appearance as a franchise during the 1995 season. Mark Merchant, whom the Pirates drafted second overall, never played in an MLB game; two years after they drafted him, Pittsburgh traded Merchant to Seattle. The Pirates made the playoffs for three consecutive seasons from 1990–1992 but lost in the National League Championship Series all three years.