2002 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 2002 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.

"Tall, lanky build. Strong upper body. Quick, whipping arm action with fastball that tails into right-handed hitters. Little effort in delivery. Late break to curveball. Plenty of arm strength." - Major League Baseball Scouting Report
2002

First Round Draft Picks

# Selected By Name Position College or High School
1. Pirates Bryan Bullington RHP Ball State University
2. Devil Rays B.J. Upton SS Greenbrier Christian Academy
3. Reds Christopher Gruler RHP Liberty Union High School
4. Orioles Adam Loewen LHP Fraser Valley Christian High
5. Expos Clinton Everts RHP Cypress Falls High School
6. Royals Zack Greinke SS Apopka High School
7. Brewers Prince Fielder 1B Eau Gallie High School
8. Tigers Scott Moore SS Cypress High School
9. Rockies Jeff Francis LHP University of British Columbia
10. Rangers Drew Meyer SS/2B University of South Carolina
11. Marlins Jeremy Hermida RF Wheeler High School
12. Angels Joe Saunders LHP Virginia Tech
13. Padres Khalil Greene SS Clemson University
14. Blue Jays Russ Adams SS University of North Carolina
15. Mets Scott Kazmir LHP Cypress Falls High School
16. Athletics Nick Swisher 1B Ohio State University
17. Phillies Cole Hamels LHP Rancho Bernardo High School
18. White Sox Roger Ring LHP San Diego State University
19. Dodgers James Loney 1B Lawrence Elkins High School
20. Twins Denard Span CF Tampa Catholic High School
21. Cubs Robert Brownlie RHP

Rutgers University

22. Indians Jeremy Guthrie RHP Stanford University
23. Braves Jeff Francoeur CF Parkview High School
24. Athletics Joe Blanton RHP University of Kentucky
25. Giants Matt Cain RHP Houston High School
26. Athletics John McCurdy SS University of Maryland
27. Diamondbacks Sergio Santos SS Mater Dei High School
28. Mariners John Mayberry 1B Rockhurst High School
29. Astros Derick Grigsby RHP NE Texas Community College
30. Athletics Benjamin Fritz RHP California State University, Fresno

2002 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.

Awards won by Bryan Bullington prior to being drafted as the first round / first pick included: 2001 USA National Team; Louisville Slugger Freshman All-America; Baseball America Freshman All-America Second Team; 2001 American Baseball Coaches Association/Rawlings All-Mideast Region First Team; 2000 Baseball Coaches Association All-Mideast Region Second Team; 2002 and 2001 MAC Pitcher of the Year; 2002, 2001 and 2000 First Team All-MAC; 2000 MAC Freshman of the Year; 2002 Verizon/CoSIDA Academic All-District Five; National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Pitcher of the Week April 16, 2002; Four time MAC Pitcher of the Week.

Baseball America's 2002 College All America Team was comprised of the following players: Tony Richie (catcher), Yaron Peters (first base), Russ Adams (second base - 14th pick overall), Jeff Baker (third base), Khalil Greene (shortstop - 13th pick overall), Sam Fuld (outfield), Bobby Malek (outfield), Steve Stanley (outfield), Rickie Weeks (designated hitter), Jesse Crain (utility player), Bryan Bullington (starting pitcher - 1st pick overall), Jeremy Guthrie (starting pitcher - 22nd pick overall), Tim Stauffer (starting pitcher), Brad Sullivan (starting pitcher), and Royce Ring (relief pitcher).