The 2002 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 4 and 5.
This year's draft is featured in Michael Lewis' 2003 book Moneyball.
Contents |
= All-Star |
Pick | Player | Team | Position | School |
---|---|---|---|---|
31 | Greg Miller | Los Angeles Dodgers | LHP | Esperanza High School (Calif.) |
32 | Luke Hagerty | Chicago Cubs | LHP | Ball State University |
33 | Matt Whitney | Cleveland Indians | 1B | Palm Beach Gardens Community High School (FL) |
34 | Dan Meyer | Atlanta Braves | LHP | James Madison University |
35 | Jeremy Brown | Oakland Athletics | C | University of Alabama |
36 | Chadd Blasko | Chicago Cubs | RHP | Purdue University |
37 | Steve Obenchain | Oakland Athletics | RHP | University of Evansville |
38 | Matt Clanton | Chicago Cubs | RHP | Orange Coast College |
39 | Mark Teahen | Oakland Athletics | 3B | Saint Mary's College of California |
40 | Mark Schramek | Cincinnati Reds | 3B | University of Texas at San Antonio |
41 | Micah Schilling | Cleveland Indians | 2B | Silliman Institute |
The Pittsburgh Pirates selected 21-year-old right-handed pitcher Bryan Bullington with the first overall pick in the 2002 First-Year Player Draft. The 6'5", 225-pound hurler was ranked by Baseball America as having the best breaking ball and best command among all college pitchers.
In his three-year career at Ball State, Bullington posted a 29-11 record, 13 complete games and a 3.36 ERA in 46 games (42 starts). He is the university's all-time leader in strikeouts (357) and was a member of the 2001 USA National team. As a freshman, Bullington garnered all-conference honors and led the MAC in strikeouts. He was also named MAC Pitcher-of-the-Year for 2001 and 2002. Bullington set a MAC record in strikeouts and led the league in victories and ERA in 2002.
Other notable selections in the first round included Prince Fielder (Brewers), son of former Major Leaguer Cecil Fielder; and John Mayberry Jr. (Mariners), son of former Major Leaguer John Mayberry.[1]
This draft was discussed at length in the Michael Lewis book Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game, which analyzed Oakland Athletics General Manager Billy Beane's approach to player scouting and development.
Preceded by Joe Mauer |
1st Overall Picks Bryan Bullington |
Succeeded by Delmon Young |
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