1995 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 1995 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.

''This guy (Darin Erstad) plays the game mad. He plays the game the way Kirk Gibson did. He plays the game the way it's meant to be.'' - Anaheim Angels Manager Terry Collins in Baseball Weekly (1996)
1995

First Round Draft Picks

# Selected By Name Position College or Hometown
1. Angels Darin Erstad OF University of Nebraska
2. Padres Ben Davis C Malvern, PA
3. Mariners Jose Cruz, Jr. OF Rice University
4. Cubs Kerry Wood RHP Grand Prairie, TX
5. Athletics Ariel Prieto RHP Palm Springs, CA
6. Marlins Jamie Jones OF San Diego, CA
7. Rangers Jonathan Johnson RHP Florida State University
8. Rockies Todd Helton 1B University of Tennessee
9. Brewers Geoff Jenkins OF University of South California
10. Pirates Chad Hermansen SS Henderson, NV
11. Tigers Mike Drumright RHP Wichita State University
12. Cardinals Matt Morris RHP Seton Hall University
13. Twins Mark Redman LHP University of Oklahoma
14. Phillies Reggie Taylor OF Newberry, SC
15. Red Sox Andy Yount RHP Kingwood, TX
16. Giants Joe Fontenot RHP Lafayette, LA
17. Blue Jays Roy Halladay RHP Golden, CO
18. Mets Ryan Jaroncyk SS Escondido, CA
19. Royals Juan Lebron OF Arroyo, PR
20. Dodgers David Yocum LHP Florida State University
21. Orioles Alvie Shepherd RHP University of Nebraska
22. Astros Tony McKnight RHP Texarkana, AR
23. Indians David Miller 1B Clemson University
24. Red Sox Corey Jenkins OF Columbia, SC
25. White Sox Jeff Liefer 3B Long Beach State University
26. Braves Chad Hutchinson RHP Encinitas, CA
27. Yankees Shea Morenz OF University of Texas
28. Expos Michael Barrett SS Pace Academy

1995 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 Darin Erstad was the first Big Eight player to be selected as the number one pick in a Major League Baseball Rule 4 Draft?

Roger Jongewaard, the Seattle Mariners Vice President of Scouting and Player Development said, "Jose (Cruz, Jr.) will be a premium offensive player. He has above-average speed and is similar in style to his father, who was an All-Star player in the majors."