2004 Draft
We'll cover the top 3 picks from Australia and New Zealand teams...
Australia
With the #1 Pick, the Sydney City Sharks select Ryan Joyce
The Dump Truck had a stellar season with Caulfield Grammar in 2003, winning MVP and Pitcher of the Year. The Sharks signed him up with a $1.5m bonus.
With the #3 Pick, the Illawarra Hawks select Jing-Quo Zhao
Zhao was a huge star for the University of Queensland. 2 Championships, 2 MVP awards, 2 Fielding Awards, 2 Best Hitter Awards, 8 Player of the Week awards, 3 Batter of the Month awards, 8 6+ RBI games, and 7 Grand Slams. The Hawks signed him up for a $1.2m bonus.
With the #4 Pick, the Queensland Firebirds select Domenic Cargeeg
The Truth was drafted last year by the Adelaide Zips with the 19th overall pick but the two ultimately couldn't work things out. He was quick to settle with the Firebirds though, taking only 6 days to sign a contract with a $885k bonus.
New Zealand
With the #2 Pick, the Wellington Lions select Domenic Brigatti
The Lions pick up local university sensation Domenic Brigatti with their pick. A dual MVP/Pitcher of the Year for the 2003 season. However, Brigatti and the Lions failed to make a deal so we'll see Brigatti in the draft next season.
With the #5 Pick, the Canterbury Red Knights select Ciaran Macrae
Macrae is a latecomer to baseball, only recording the one year in high school. But that was good enough for Canterbury to snap him up and throw a $1.8m bonus his way.
With the #6 Pick, the Tasman Sunbirds select Jason Novicki
Only one year in high school ball but Novicki was a member of the Southland Boys High School that won the New Zealand Championship. He picked up a $2m bonus from Tasman.