1987 BASEBALL DRAFT: FIRST ROUND PICKS

MLB Players Selected in First Round of the 1987 Baseball Draft | Baseball Almanac

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.

Baseball Almanac Top Quote

"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

1987 Baseball Draft | Baseball Draft History

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
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
1987 First Round Draft Picks | Research by Baseball Almanac
baseball almanac flat baseball

baseball almanac fast facts

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.