1976 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 1976 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.

"I put weights on so when I run sprints I can see what it feels like to be Mike Scioscia." - Los Angeles Dodger Infielder Mickey Hatcher (1988)
1976

First Round Draft Picks

# Selected By Name Position College or Hometown
1. Astros Floyd Bannister LHP Arizona State University
2. Tigers Pat Underwood LHP Kokomo, IN
3. Braves Ken Smith 3B Youngstown, OH
4. Brewers Bill Bordley LHP Rolling Hills Estates, CA
5. Padres Bob Owchinko LHP Eastern Michigan University
6. Angels Ken Landreaux OF Arizona State University
7. Cubs Herman Segelke RHP South Sacramento, CA
8. White Sox Steve Trout LHP South Holland, IL
9. Expos Bob James RHP Sunland, CA
10. Twins Jamie Allen 3B-RHP Yakima, WA
11. Giants Mark Kuecker SS Brenham, TX
12. Rangers Billy Simpson OF Lakewood, CA
13. Mets Tom Thurberg OF-RHP South Weymouth, MA
14. Indians Tim Glass C Springfield, OH
15. Cardinals Leon Durham 1B Cincinnati, OH
16. Yankees Pat Tabler OF Cincinnati, OH
17. Phillies Jeff Kraus SS Cincinnati, OH
18. Royals Ben Grzybek RHP Hialeah, FL
19. Dodgers Mike Scioscia C Morton, PA
20. Orioles Dallas Williams OF Brooklyn, NY
21. Pirates Jim Parke RHP Sterling Heights, MI
22. Red Sox Bruce Hurst LHP St. George, UT
23. Reds Mark King RHP Owensboro, KY
24. Athletics Mike Sullivan RHP Woodbridge, VA

1976 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.

Did you know that Floyd Bannister was the second left-handed pitcher chosen as the first round first pick? The first was David Clyde during the 1973 Amateur Draft.

The 1976 Arizona State University baseball team had an entry at number one, another at number six, and eventually sent twelve players to the Major Leagues.

     

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