1991 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 1991 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've got to get a dress for him (Dmitri Young). He reminds me of you-know-who Rodman." - Cincinnati Reds Owner Marge Schott (1999)
1991

First Round Draft Picks

# Selected By Name Position College or Hometown
1. Yankees Brien Taylor LHP Beaufort, NC
2. Braves Mike Kelly OF Arizona State University
3. Twins David McCarty OF Stanford University
4. Cardinals Dmitri Young SS Camarillo, CA
5. Brewers James Henderson RHP Ringgold, GA
6. Astros John Burke RHP University of Florida
7. Royals Joe Vitiello OF University of Alabama
8. Padres Joey Hamilton RHP Georgia Southern University
9. Orioles Mark Smith OF University of Southern California
10. Phillies Tyler Green RHP Wichita State University
11. Mariners Shawn Estes LHP Gardnerville, NV
12. Cubs Doug Glanville OF University of Pennsylvania
13. Indians Manny Ramirez OF New York, NY
14. Expos Cliff Floyd 1B Markham, IL
15. Brewers Tyrone Hill LHP Yucaipa, CA
16. Blue Jays Shawn Green OF Santa Ana, CA
17. Angels Eduardo Perez 1B Florida State University
18. Mets Alfred Shirley OF George Washington University
19. Rangers Benji Gil SS San Diego, CA
20. Reds Pokey Reese SS Columbia, SC
21. Cardinals Allen Watson LHP New York Institute
22. Cardinals Brian Barber RHP Orlando, FL
23. Red Sox Aaron Sele RHP Washington State University
24. Pirates Jonathan Farrell OF Florida Community College
25. White Sox Scott Ruffcorn RHP Baylor University
26. Athletics Brent Gates SS University of Minnesota

1991 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.

After Brien Taylor made his Minor League debut he told the media, "In high school nobody ever got on base so I've got some adjusting to do."

The New York Yankees paid Taylor, who never made it to The Show, a $1.55 million signing bonus! An amount so high that 60 Minutes did an entire segment on it.