1999 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 1999 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.

"It's an honor to be considered this high. I'm just glad they (Tampa Bay Devil Rays) took me. I'm not worried about it. I handle pressure pretty good. I just have to do what I've done my whole life." - Josh Hamilton (June 2, 1999)
1999

First Round Draft Picks

# Selected By Name Position College or Hometown
1. Devil Rays Josh Hamilton OF Raleigh, NC
2. Marlins Josh Beckett RHP

Spring, Texas

3. Tigers Eric Munson C University of Southern California
4. Diamondbacks Corey Myers SS Scottsdale, AZ
5. Twins B.J. Garbe OF Moses Lake, WA
6. Expos Josh Girdley LHP Jasper, Texas
7. Royals Kyle Snyder RHP University of North Carolina
8. Pirates Bobby Bradley RHP West Palm Beach, FL
9. Athletics Barry Zito LHP University of Southern California
10. Brewers Ben Sheets RHP N.E. Louisiana University
11. Mariners Ryan Christianson C Riverside, CA
12. Phillies Brett Myers RHP Jacksonville, FL
13. Orioles Mike Paradis RHP Clemson University
14. Reds Ty Howington LHP Vancouver, WA
15. White Sox Jason Stumm RHP Centralia, WA
16. Rockies Jason Jennings RHP Baylor University
17. Red Sox Rick Asadoorian OF Whitinsville, MA
18. Orioles Richard Stahl LHP Covington, GA
19. Blue Jays Alex Rios 3B/OF Guaynabo, PR
20. Padres Vince Faison OF Lyons, GA
21. Orioles Larry Bigbie OF Ball State University
22. White Sox Matt Ginter RHP Mississippi State University
23. Orioles Keith Reed OF Providence College
24. Giants Kurt Ainsworth RHP Louisiana State University
25. Royals Mike MacDougal RHP Wake Forest University
26. Cubs Ben Christiansen RHP Wichita State University
27. Yankees David Walling RHP University of Arkansas
28. Padres Gerik Baxter RHP Edmonds, WA
29. Padres Omar Ortiz RHP Texas-Pan Am University
30. Cardinals Chance Caple RHP Texas A&M University

1999 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 choice by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays was their first number one selection in franchise history and their selection, Josh Hamilton, was the first high school player selected first overall since Alex Rodriguez during the 1993 Amateur Draft.

Did you know that twenty of the top thirty selections were pitchers! Is this because of the growing offensive numbers? Share your opinion on our baseball message boards.

     

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