1971 Amateur Draft : First Round Picks

The first draft was held on June 8-9, 1965. The Major League franchises were able to choose from all high school seniors and college players.

Initially there were supposed to be three amateur drafts held each season. That original plan changed in 1964 and was reduced to two drafts with the first phase being held after High School graduations. The second phase was held in January of the following year and involved players who were drafted earlier, but were not signed by their franchise.

In 1986 the two-phase draft system was changed and instead of holding a second phase draft in January, franchises who could not sign their first round selections were awarded a supplemental first round pick the following amateur draft.

The first pick of the first round is awarded to the worst team in the American or National League. Each season the two leagues alternate the first pick and proceed through the first round in reverse order of finish from the previous season's standings.

Baseball Almanac is pleased to present the 1971 first round draft selections, the team they were chosen by, their position(s), and their college or home town at the time of the amateur draft.

"No individual player is that important. It's the name 'Dodger' that sells." - Danny Goodwin in Garvey (1983)
1971

First Round Draft Picks

# Selected By Name Position College or Hometown
1. White Sox Danny Goodwin C Peoria, IL
2. Padres Jay Franklin RHP Vienna, VA
3. Brewers Tommy Bianco SS Elmont, NY
4. Expos Condredge 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

1971 First Round Draft Picks



The players who DO NOT have links to their Major League statistics DID NOT make it to the Major League level.

Danny Goodwin was drafted first overall, but chose to attend Southern University where he studied medicine. Four year later he was drafter number one again during the 1975 Amateur Draft.

Future All-Stars not selected during the first round of the 1971 Amateur Draft included George Brett, Ron Guidry, Keith Hernandez, Rick Rhoden and Mike Schmidt.