ever wear a major league uniform while guys like Mike Piazza are drafted in the 62nd round. To illustrate the degree of difficulty in scouting and drafting hardball prospects we have dissected drafts of the past by decade. Part four in this series of pointless, time-consuming blogs takes us back to the 1990's: 1990: Chipper Jones went first overall to the Braves. A rare solid choice. The White Sox, Pirates, Expos, Twins & A's were all going after right-handed pitchers. Respectively, they drafted Alex Fernandez, Kurt Miller, Darrell Andrews, Todd Ritchie and Todd Van Poppel. The Orioles took the leftover known as Michael Mussina at #20.
1991: The Yankees took much-celebrated LHP prospect Brien Taylor with the top pick. They offered him $350,000. "Consultant" Scott Boras (unsigned players weren't allowed to have agents) told Taylor's family that Oakland's Todd Van Poppel had signed for more than a million dollars after the prior year's draft. Taylor's high school grades prevented him from playing D-1 ball, therefore the family was missing leverage. They decided to enroll Brien in a local community college. Steinbrenner was serving his suspension from the Yankees at the time but gave the front office personal a not-so-subtle hint towards his wishes: "If the Yankees let Taylor slip away they should be shot." And with that, Brien Taylor was signed for $1.5 million dollars. Two years later he suffered a torn labrum while defending his brother in a bar fight. He retired in 2000 without ever playing a game in the majors. New York City prospect Manuel Ramirez went 13th to the Indians.
1992: The Astros select Phil Nevin. Michigan high school prospect Derek Jeter goes 6th to the Yankees. 52 months later the Yankees were celebrating their first World Series title in 18 years.
1993: The Mariners take A-Rod with the top pick. Three years later he won the batting title. The major league batting title. The Royals needed a lefty for their bullpen so they grabbed Jeff Granger with the 5th pick. Billy Wagner went 12th to the Astros. Presntly, Wagner has a 337-save lead over Granger. We'll have to see how this one plays out.
1994: Mets take RHP Paul Wilson with the first pick. He goes 5-12 in his only season in New York. Marlins were looking for a shortstop, drafted Josh Booty 5th. Georgia Tech shortstop Nomar Garciaparra goes 12th to Boston.
1995: Angels take Darin Erstad with the top pick. Many teams went after RHP in the first round. Kerry Wood was the first to go (Cubs, 4th pick). Ariel Prato, Jonathan Johnson, Mike Drumright, Andy Yount and Joe Fontenot all have their names called before Roy Halladay goes to the Blue Jays at #17.
1996: Kris Benson goes first to the Pirates. Two years later he meets Anna while pitching in the Pittsburgh farm system. Seven years after that, her mouth results in the Mets trading Kris for John Maine, which means Anna Benson contributed far more to the greater good of the Mets organization than former #1 pick Tim "Crazy Horse" Fili.
1997: The Tigers pass on JD Drew, Troy Glaus, Vernon Wells and Jon Garland to take Matt Anderson, who retired in 2005 after posting a 12.60 career ERA.
1999: The Devil Rays take high school outfielder Josh Hamilton over Josh Beckett. Eight rehab stints and three suicide attempts later, Hamilton finally made his major league debut this past April for the Reds.
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