1988 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 1988 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.

"That was (Andy) Benes' fifth strikeout on the day. He came in with ninety-four, so he now has one-hundred four strikeouts on the season." - Broadcaster Ralph Kiner
1988

First Round Draft Picks

# Selected By Name Position College or Hometown
1. Padres Andy Benes RHP University of Evansville
2. Indians Mark Lewis SS Hamilton, OH
3. Braves Steve Avery LHP Taylor, MI
4. Orioles Gregg Olson RHP Auburn University
5. Dodgers Bill Bene RHP Cal State at Los Angeles
6. Rangers Monty Fariss SS Oklahoma State University
7. Astros Willie Ansley OF Plainview, TX
8. Angels Jim Abbott LHP University of Michigan
9. Cubs Ty Griffin 2B Georgia Tech
10. White Sox Robin Ventura 3B Oklahoma State University
11. Phillies Pat Combs LHP Baylor University
12. Red Sox Tom Fischer LHP University of Wisconsin
13. Pirates Austin Manahan SS Phoenix, AZ
14. Mariners Tino Martinez 1B University of Tampa
15. Giants Royce Clayton SS Playa del Rey, CA
16. Athletics Stan Royer 3B Eastern Illinois University
17. Indians Charles Nagy RHP University of Connecticut
18. Royals Hugh Walker OF Jacksonville, AR
19. Expos Dave Wainhouse RHP Washington State University
20. Twins Johnny Ard RHP Manatee Junior College
21. Mets Dave Proctor RHP Allen County Community College
22. Cardinals John Ericks RHP University of Illinois
23. Cardinals Brad DuVall RHP Virginia Tech
24. Brewers Alex Fernandez RHP Miami, FL
25. Blue Jays Ed Sprague 3B Stanford University
26. Tigers Rico Brogna 1B Watertown, CT

1988 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.

Did you know that Andy Benes, who also played football and basketball at the University of Evansville, was the first pitcher selected number one overall since the Minnesota Twins picked Tim Belcher during the 1983 Amateur Draft?

The San Diego Padres were able to sign Andy Benes with a $235,000 bonus — the most paid to any first round pick since the draft started in 1965.