Player

Drafted/Signed by:

Draft Position

Barry Bonds Pirates First Round
Jason Giambi A's

Second Round

Manny Ramirez Indians

First Round

Larry Walker Expos Not drafted
Todd Helton Rockies First Round
Lance Berkman Astros 4
Luis Gonzalez Astros 4
Cliff Floyd Expos First Round
Ryan Klesko Braves 5
J. D. Drew Cards First Round
Edgar Martinez Mariners Not Drafted
Sammy Sosa Rangers Not Drafted
Mark Grace Cubs 24
Rich Aurilia Rangers 24
Alex Rodriguez Mariners First Round
Juan Gonzales Rangers Not Drafted
Albert Pujols Cards 13
Phil Nevin Astros First Round
Moises Alou Pirates First Round
Carlos Delgado Jays Not Drafted
Sean Casey Indians Second Round
Jim Thome Indians 13
Brian Giles Indians 17
John Olerud Jays 3
J Vander Wal Expos 3
Troy Glaus Angels First Round
Jeff Bagwell Red Sox 4
Chipper Jones Braves First Round
Charles Johnson Marlins First Round
Mike Sweeney Royals 10
Doug Mientkiewicz Twins 5
Raul Mondesi Dodgers Not Drafted
Jeromy Burnitz Mets First Round
Ichiro Suzuki Mariners Not Drafted
Bobby Higgenson Tigers 12
Ray Lankford Cards 3
Vladimir Guerrero Expos Not Drafted
Ellis Burks Red Sox First Round
Robin Ventura White Sox First Round
Pat Burrell Phillies First Round
Bret Boone Mariners 5
Scott Brosius A's 20
Shannon Stewart Jays First Round
Randy Velarde White Sox 19
Robbie Alomar Padres Not Drafted
Shawn Green Jays First Round
Jose Valentin Padres Not Drafted
Todd Walker Twins First Round
Jay Bell Twins First Round
Jim Edmunds Angels 7
Fred McGriff Yankees 9
Mark Grudzielanek Expos 11
Tony Clark Tigers First Round
Frank Menechino White Sox 45
Andruw Jones Braves Not Drafted
Craig Biggio Astros First Round
Rich Hidalgo Astros Not Drafted
Rafael Palmeiro Cubs First Round
Magglio Ordonez White Sox Not Drafted
Derek Jeter Yankees First Round
Mike Lowell Yankees 20
Neifi Perez Rockies Not Drafted
Carlos Lee White Sox Not Drafted
Carl Everett Yankees First Round
Jose Posada Yankees 24
Reggie Sanders Reds 7
Alex Ochoa Orioles 3
Preston Wilson Mets First Round
Jose Cruz Mariners First Round
Scott Rolen Phillies Second Round
Jason Varitek Mariners First Round
Bobby Abreu Astros Not Drafted
Greg Vaughn Brewers Free Agent
Ben Davis Padres First Round
Mike Piazza Dodgers 67

31 of the 75 were first or second round draft picks; 16 were not drafted at all.

Mariners, Astros: 6; Yankees, White Sox, 5; Indians, Expos, Jays 4;

Rangers, Cards, Padres, Braves, Twins: 3; Red Sox, A's, Rockies, Pirates,  Mets, Angels, Dodgers, Phillies, Tigers, Cubs: 2

Marlins, Royals, Reds, Orioles, Brewers,: 1

Giants, Diamondbacks, Devil Rays: 0

What does this chart demonstrate? Well, it may be hard to find the cream, but the cream comes from all over. Less than half the players listed are first or second round draft picks. Nearly 20% of the players were not procured through the draft program at all.

Second, it demonstrates that although the Yankees have a lot of money, they've drafted well, too. And if the Mariners had not lost a couple of the players on this list due to stupid personnel moves, they'd be the unquestioned "King of the Top Position Player Acquisitions."

Third, it confirms how bad the Orioles have been at drafting solid players, right there with a bunch of teams who have seen mostly bad times in the 90's and early 00's.

 

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