1972 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 1972 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.

"He (Jaime Quirk) looks like a greyhound, but he runs like a bus." - George Brett in Sports Illustrated (September 3, 1979)
1972

First Round Draft Picks

# Selected By Name Position College or Hometown
1. Padres Dave Roberts 3B University 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 Dan Thomas 1B Southern Illinois University
7. Reds Larry Payne RHP Bedias, TX
8. Twins Dick Ruthven RHP Fresno State College
9. Astros Steve Englishbey OF Houston, TX
10. Angels Dave Chalk 3B University 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

1972 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.

The San Diego Padres wasted little time when they signed Dave Roberts in June for $60,000 and had him on the field for his Major League debut by June 7, 1972.

Future All-Stars not selected during the first round of the 1972 Amateur Draft included John Candelaria, Gary Carter, Mark Hargrove, Willie Randolph and Ellis Valentine.