1983 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 1983 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.

"The guy (Roger Clemens) was blessed with a thirty-one million dollar arm and a pea-sized brain." - Sportswriter Mike Barnicle in The Boston Herald (1996)
1983

First Round Draft Picks

# Selected By Name Position College or Hometown
1. Twins Tim Belcher RHP Mt. Vernon Nazarene College
2. Reds Kurt Stillwell SS Thousand Oaks, CA
3. Rangers Jeff Kunkel SS Rider University
4. Mets Eddie Williams 3B San Diego, CA
5. Athletics Stan Hilton RHP Baylor University
6. Cubs Jackie Davidson RHP Everman, TX
7. Mariners Darrel Akerfelds RHP Mesa College
8. Astros Robbie Wine C Oklahoma State University
9. Blue Jays Matt Stark C Hacienda Heights, CA
10. Padres Ray Hayward LHP Oklahoma State University
11. Indians Dave Clark OF Jackson State University
12. Pirates Ron DeLucchi OF Moraga, CA
13. White Sox Joel Davis RHP Jacksonville, FL
14. Expos Rich Stoll RHP University of Michigan
15. Tigers Wayne Dotson RHP Lubbock, TX
16. Expos Brian Holman RHP Wichita, KA
17. Mariners Terry Bell C Old Dominion University
18. Dodgers Erik Sonberg LHP Wichita State University
19. Red Sox Roger Clemens RHP University of Texas
20. Mets Stan Jefferson OF Bethune-Cookman College
21. Royals Gary Thurman OF Indianapolis, IN
22. Phillies Ricky Jordan 1B Sacramento, CA
23. Angels Mark Doran OF University of Wisconsin
24. Cardinals Jim Lindeman 3B Bradley University
25. Orioles Wayne Wilson RHP Redondo Beach, CA
26. Brewers Dan Plesac LHP North Carolina State University

1983 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.

The Minnesota Twins might have chosen Tim Belcher with their first pick, but they were unable to sign him to a Major League deal so he remained in college until he graduated in 1987.

Did you know that Tim Belcher was not the first player selected as a first round / first pick to remain in school? Review the 1971 Amateur Draft for complete details and an amazing fact about that particular player.