1977 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 1977 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.

"The book on me has never changed. In for effect, then soft away. What I try to do hasn't changed either. I'm looking for the ball middle-away, trying to keep it in front of me, stay inside the ball. Then, try to see the ball hit the bat. They say it's impossible. I say I've seen it." - Harold Baines
1977

First Round Draft Picks

# Selected By Name Position College or Hometown
1. White Sox Harold Baines OF St. Michaels, MD
2. Expos Bill Gullickson RHP Orland Park, IL
3. Brewers Paul Molitor SS University of Minnesota
4. Braves Tim Cole LHP Saugerties, NY
5. Tigers Kevin Richards RHP Wyandotte, MI
6. Cardinals Terry Kennedy C Florida State University
7. Angels Richard Dotson RHP Cincinnati, OH
8. Padres Brian Greer OF Brea, CA
9. Rangers David Hibner SS Howell, MI
10. Giants Craig Landis SS Napa, CA
11. Indians Bruce Compton OF Norman, OK
12. Cubs Randy Martz RHP University of South Carolina
13. Red Sox Andrew Madden RHP New Hartford, NY
14. Astros Ricky Adams SS Montclair, CA
15. Twins Paul Croft OF Morristown, NJ
16. Mets Wally Backman SS Beaverton, OR
17. Athletics Craig Harris RHP Sierra Vista, AZ
18. Pirates Anthony Nicely OF Dayton, OH
19. Orioles Drungo Hazewood OF Sacramento, CA
20. Dodgers Bob Welch RHP Eastern Michigan University
21. Royals Mike Jones LHP Pittsford, NY
22. Phillies Scott Munninghoff RHP Cincinnati, OH
23. Yankees Steve Taylor RHP University of Delaware
24. Reds Tad Venger 3B Newhall, CA
25. Blue Jays Tom Goffena SS Sidney, OH
26. Mariners Dave Henderson OF Dos Palos, CA

1977 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 when the White Sox drafted Harold Baines (who signed for a 1st round 1st pick all-time low $40,000) their General Manager Paul Richards predicted he would eventually be enshrined into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

The two final picks in the 1977 Amateur Draft were the first picks during a first round made by the two most recent franchises.

     

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