It’s almost that time of year again. The most wonderful time of the year. Of course, I’m talking about the MLB Draft. You know, the time of year when kids coming out of high school are compared to Hall of Famers. When every first-round pick will be an All-Star.
I’ve been following the MLB Draft since 2004. That year, the Los Angeles Dodgers had three first round picks, which became Scott Elbert, Blake DeWitt and Justin Orenduff. Not their best haul, but definitely not the worst.
Before we go looking for another superstar, let’s take a look at what’s happened in the past, so we have an idea of what to expect from the Dodgers in the future.
A Little History
For 13 years, Logan White ran the draft for the Dodgers. His first was in 2002, when he selected familiar names like James Loney, Jon Broxton and Russell Martin. The following year, White drafted Chad Billingsley, Matt Kemp, and A.J. Ellis.
White would continue to add talent to the organization, both through the draft and the international market, for more than a decade. From Clayton Kershaw and Kenley Jansen to Corey Seager to Julio Urias. White’s fingerprints are all over current Dodgers roster and will continue to be for a long time.
In 2014, after Andrew Friedman was hired as president of baseball operations, White left for the San Diego Padres. His replacement, coincidentally, came in the person of the Padres’ previous scouting director, Billy Gasparino.
This will be Gasparino’s third time running the draft for the Dodgers.
The Number 23
The Dodgers have a total bonus pool of $5,794,200 this year, which is the sixth-lowest in baseball. Their first round pick, No. 23 overall, has a slot value of $2,702,700.
The Dodgers’ second-rounder, the No. 62 pick, is the final selection with a seven-figure slot value. Los Angeles also holds the 100th pick.
The Dodgers have previously had the 23rd overall pick three times, taking Dennis Livingston in 1984, Damian Rolls in 1996 and Bubba Crosby in 1998. Livingston never reached the Majors, while Rolls and Crosby combined for a -1.8 WAR (Baseball-Reference) in 471 career games.
The best player ever drafted by any club at No. 23 is Jason Kendall, who finished his career with a 41.5 WAR.
Other notable picks at that slot include New York Yankees center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury, 1995 American League MVP Mo Vaughn, former Dodger Aaron Sele, Miami Marlins outfielder Christian Yelich and current Triple-A Oklahoma City manager Bill Haselman.
CONTINUE READING: What to possibly expect from Billy Gasparino
