This year’s MLB Entry Draft will be relatively new ground for the Tampa Bay Rays. Having a pick so late in the first round hasn’t happened since they played their first couple of drafts before the Devil Rays took the field. Looking back at the 30th pick of the drafts since 2000, here’s the type of talent we can expect to see when the pick rolls around.
2000 – Atlanta Braves – 3B Scott Thorman
2001 – SF Giants – LHP Noah Lowry
2002 – Oakland A’s – RHP Ben Fritz
2003 – KC Royals – C Mitch Maier
2004 – Texas Rangers – RHP Erick Hurley
2005 – St. Louis Cardinals – SS James Greene
2006 – St. Louis Cardinals – RHP Adam Ottavino
2007 – New York Yankees – RHP Andrew Brackman
2008 – Boston Red Sox – SS Casey Kelly
Judging by that talent, it’s hard to have high expectations for this pick. Going back even further, the only names worth mentioning are Jack Cust, Brian Jordan and Travis Fryman, not to mention Russ Johnson and Nick Bierbrodt (only because they are ex-Rays).
But, it doesn’t have to be all bad. This is where Gerry Hunsicker earns his keep. If the Rays do it right, they can match the success that the Philadelphia Phillies had with their 30th pick in 1971. In that year, they selected then-shortstop Mike Schmidt.
