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 1987 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 easy to hit .300 with YOUR (Ken Griffey, Jr.) swing. Try doing it with mine." - Seattle Mariners Catcher Dave Valle (1993)
1987 Draft First Round Picks |
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# | Selected By | Name | Position | College or High School |
1. | Mariners | Ken Griffey, Jr. | OF | Cincinnati, OH |
2. | Pirates | Mark Merchant | OF | Oviedo, FL |
3. | Twins | Willie Banks | RHP | Jersey City, NJ |
4. | Cubs | Mike Harkey | RHP | Cal State Fullerton |
5. | White Sox | Jack McDowell | RHP | Stanford University |
6. | Braves | Derek Lilliquist | LHP | University of Georgia |
7. | Orioles | Chris Myers | LHP | Tampa, FL |
8. | Dodgers | Dan Opperman | RHP | Las Vegas, NV |
9. | Royals | Kevin Appier | RHP | Antelope Valley Junior College |
10. | Padres | Kevin Garner | RHP-OF | University of Texas |
11. | Athletics | Lee Tinsley | OF | Shelbyville, KY |
12. | Expos | Delino DeShields | SS-2B | Seaford, DE |
13. | Brewers | Bill Spiers | SS | Clemson University |
14. | Cardinals | Cris Carpenter | RHP | University of Georgia |
15. | Orioles | Brad DuVall | RHP | Virginia Tech |
16. | Giants | Mike Remlinger | LHP | Dartmouth College |
17. | Blue Jays | Alex Sanchez | RHP | UCLA |
18. | Reds | Jack Armstrong | RHP | University of Oklahoma |
19. | Rangers | Brian Bohanon | LHP | Houston, TX |
20. | Tigers | Bill Henderson | C | Miami, FL |
21. | Tigers | Steve Pegues | OF | Pontotoc, MS |
22. | Astros | Craig Biggio | C | Seton Hall University |
23. | Rangers | Bill Haselman | C | UCLA |
24. | Mets | Chris Donnels | 3B | Loyola Marymount University |
25. | Angels | John Orton | C | Cal Poly San Luis Obispo |
26. | Red Sox | Reggie Harris | RHP | Waynesboro, VA |
# | Selected By | Name | Position | College or High School |
27. | Orioles | Pete Harnisch | P | Fordham University |
28. | Expos | Tyrone Kingwood | OF | Imperial Valley College |
29. | Rangers | Mark Petkovsek | P | University of Texas |
30. | Tigers | Travis Fryman | SS | Tate High School |
31. | Angels | Dave Holdridge | P | Ocean View |
32. | Red Sox | Bob Zupcic | OF | Oral Roberts University |
# | Selected By | Name | Position | College or High School |
1987 First Round Draft Picks | Research by Baseball Almanac |
The players who DO NOT have links to their Major League statistics DID NOT make it to the Major League level. Names after twenty-six were supplemental first round picks during the 1987 Baseball Draft.
The Seattle Mariners signed Ken Griffey, Jr., the son of former Major League slugger Ken Griffey, for $169,000.
There were 1,263 players selected during the 1987 Amateur Draft and 630 of the 832 college players agreed to a contact while only 160 of the 415 high school players agreed to sign.