Some big names join the league as Larry Walker leads the way, taken 1st overall by the A's. Two of the best backstops in recent memory also come on board with Joe Mauer taken 2nd by Tampa Bay and Yadier Molina going 7th to the Royals. Will be nice to watch them strut their stuff and see how they compare to the all-conquering Campy, fresh off his NL MVP win.
Moose Mussina seems a steal for the Jays at 9th, as do Pedro's big brother Ramon Martinez at 20th for the Cards, Mark Langston for Colorado at 22nd and Mark Gubicza at 28 for the Yanks. The
Fernando Valenzuela drafted 60th overall by the Pinstripers is not the legendary pitcher but a minor-league 1B from the early 2000s. NeLer
Sam Bankhead, who goes to the Halos as the last first-rounder, is another I'll be watching closely, along with
Dick Whitworth, who goes early in Round 2.
All in all a fascinating group.
This time the Lucky Last is
Brodus Haynes, about as obscure player as could be.
Oh, and in what has become a bit of a running personal joke for me, the second George Burns from the early part of the 20th century has joined his contemporaneous namesake in the OFA. I mean, what are the odds? I will be giving both as wide a berth as possible to avoid any and all confusion...