We are starting a series of articles leading up to the MLB draft in June. We will take a look back at the drafts from years past, showing notable picks and analysis, all the way up to Tim Beckham and the 2008 draft.
Most notable from the 1996 draft:
Notable Picks from the Rays 1996 MLB Prospect Draft:
Round Pick Name Analysis
1 29 Paul Wilder: This pick was a sign of what was to come in the next ten years: pain and heartache of losing. The first ever pick for the Rays maxed out at high-A in his very bad baseball career.
2 64 Doug Johnson This famous Florida Gators QB was the Rays second ever draft pick out of high school. He maxed out at rookie league, I would guess so he can go play QB for the Gators.
5 154 Alex Sanchez He had a decent MLB career, never more than a bench guy/pinch runner. He played in the MLB from 2001 to 2005. He suffered through a steroids suspension during his second go-round with the Rays.
16 484 Jared Sandberg This former Ray played from 2001-2003 in the Big Leagues. He now manages the Princeton Rays in the Appy League for the Rays organization.
34 1024 Dan Wheeler This Rays player, who has now became their setup man in his second time with the Rays, was one of the original Rays from 1998.
44 1313 Jason Michaels This journeyman major league OF also began his career as a Ray.
In a few days, we will move on to the 1997 draft.
