1989 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 1989 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.

"I wish they'd let us put on the mask and shin guards. Pitchers shouldn't be left out there alone with him (Frank Thomas)." - Cleveland Indians Pitcher Dennis Martinez (1994)
1989

First Round Draft Picks

# Selected By Name Position College or Hometown
1. Orioles Ben McDonald RHP Louisiana State University
2. Braves Tyler Houston C Las Vegas, NV
3. Mariners Roger Salkeld RHP Saugus, CA
4. Phillies Jeff Jackson OF Chicago, IL
5. Rangers Donald Harris OF Texas Tech
6. Cardinals Paul Coleman OF Frankston, TX
7. White Sox Frank Thomas 1B Auburn University
8. Cubs Earl Cunningham OF Lancaster, SC
9. Angels Kyle Abbot LHP Long Beach State University
10. Expos Charles Johnson C Fort Pierce, FL
11. Indians Calvin Murray 3B Dallas, TX
12. Astros Jeff Juden RHP Salem, MA
13. Royals Brent Mayne C Cal State Fullerton
14. Giants Steve Hosey OF California State University, Fresno
15. Dodgers Kiki Jones RHP Tampa, FL
16. Red Sox Greg Blosser OF Sarasota, FL
17. Brewers Cal Eldred RHP University of Iowa
18. Pirates Willie Greene SS Gray, GA
19. Blue Jays Eddie Zosky SS California State University, Fresno
20. Reds Scott Bryant OF-RHP University of Texas
21. Tigers Greg Gohr RHP Santa Clara University
22. Dodgers Tom Goodwin OF California State University, Fresno
23. Red Sox Mo Vaughn 1B Seton Hall University
24. Mets Alan Zinter C University of Arizona
25. Twins Chuck Knoblauch SS Texas A&M University
26. Mariners Scott Burrell RHP Hamden, CT

1989 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 Baltimore Orioles wasted little time with their first pick overall as they paid him (Ben McDonald) a $350,000 signing bonus, awarded him with a three-year $1.1 million contract, and had him pitching in the Major Leagues by the following season.

Did you know that the Baltimore Orioles were the first team since the draft began in 1965 to have the first pick and be in first place at the same time?