1974 Amateur Draft : First Round Picks

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 1974 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.

"We're (1991 Philadelphia Phillies) twenty-four morons and a Morman (Dale Murphy)." - First Baseman John Kruk
1974

First Round Draft Picks

# Selected By Name Position College or Hometown
1. Padres Bill Almon SS Brown University
2. Rangers Tommy Boggs RHP Austin, TX
3. Phillies Lonnie Smith OF Compton, CA
4. Indians Tom Brennan RHP Lewis University
5. Braves Dale Murphy C Portland, OR
6. Brewers Butch Edge RHP Sacramento, CA
7. Cubs Scot Thompson OF Renfrew, PA
8. White Sox Larry Monroe RHP Mt. Prospect, IL
9. Expos Ron Sorey 3B Dayton, OH
10. Angels Mike Miley SS Louisiana State University
11. Pirates Rod Scurry LHP Sparks, NV
12. Yankees Dennis Sherrill SS Miami, FL
13. Cardinals Garry Templeton SS Santa Ana, CA
14. Twins Ted Shipley SS Vanderbilt University
15. Astros Kevin Drake OF Lompoc, CA
16. Tigers Lance Parrish 3B Diamond Bar, CA
17. Mets Cliff Speck RHP Beaverton, OR
18. Royals Willie Wilson OF Summit, NJ
19. Giants Terry Lee 2B San Luis Obispo, CA
20. Red Sox Eddie Ford SS University of South Carolina
21. Dodgers Rick Sutcliffe RHP Kansas City, MO
22. Athletics Jerry Johnson C Austin, TX
23. Reds Steve Reed RHP Fort Wayne, IN
24. Orioles Rich Dauer 3B University of Southern California

1974 First Round Draft Picks



The players who DO NOT have links to their Major League statistics DID NOT make it to the Major League level.

Bill Almon agreed to a contract with the San Diego Padres after they paid him $90,000 to sign; however, many sources erronously report the amount to be $100,000.

Future All-Stars not selected during the first round of the 1974 Amateur Draft included Paul Molitor, Eric Show and Bob Welch.