1978 Major League Baseball Draft
Encyclopedia
First round selections
| = All-Star | = Baseball Hall of Famer |
The following are the first round picks in the 1978 Major League Baseball draft.
| Pick | Player | Team | Position | School |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bob Horner | Atlanta Braves 1978 Atlanta Braves season - Offseason :* December 8, 1977: Willie Montañez was traded by the Braves to the New York Mets as part of a four-team trade. Adrian Devine, Tommy Boggs, and Eddie Miller were traded by the Texas Rangers to the Braves. The Rangers sent Bert Blyleven to the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the Mets sent John... |
3B | Arizona State University |
| 2 | Lloyd Moseby Lloyd Moseby Lloyd Anthony Moseby was a Major League Baseball player. A center fielder, and good all-around athlete, Moseby's nickname Shaker was said to stem from his ability to get away from or "shake" players who attempted to defend him on the basketball court.Born in Portland, Arkansas, Moseby graduated... |
Toronto Blue Jays 1978 Toronto Blue Jays season The 1978 Toronto Blue Jays season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Blue Jays finishing 7th in the American League East with a record of 59 wins and 102 losses.- Offseason :* October 25, 1977: Phil Roof was released by the Blue Jays.... |
1B | Oakland High School Oakland High School (California) Oakland Senior High School is a public high school in California. Established in 1869, it is the oldest high school in Oakland, California and the sixth oldest high school in the state.-Background:... (Oakland, CA) |
| 3 | Hubie Brooks Hubie Brooks Hubert Brooks, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball player. During his career, he played as a third baseman, shortstop and right fielder for the New York Mets , Montreal Expos , Los Angeles Dodgers , California Angels and Kansas City Royals .Brooks played varsity baseball... |
New York Mets 1978 New York Mets season The 1978 New York Mets season was the 17th regular season for the Mets, who played their home games at Shea Stadium. Led by manager Joe Torre, the team had a 66–96 record yielding a sixth place finish in the National League East.-Offseason:... |
SS | Arizona State University Arizona State University Arizona State University is a public research university located in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area of the State of Arizona... |
| 4 | Mike Morgan Mike Morgan Michael Thomas Morgan is a former right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball. He competed for twelve different teams over 25 years, and is one of only 29 players in baseball history to date to have played Major League baseball over four decades... |
Oakland Athletics 1978 Oakland Athletics season The 1978 Oakland Athletics season involved the A's finishing 6th in the American League West with a record of 69 wins and 93 losses. Prior to the season, owner Charlie Finley nearly sold the team to buyers who would have moved them to Denver.- Offseason :... |
RHP | Valley High School Valley High School (Nevada) For schools of the same name, see Valley High SchoolValley High School is a public school that also offers two widely recognized magnet programs: the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and Middle Years Programme; and the Academy of Hospitality and Tourism in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A,... (Las Vegas, NV) |
| 5 | Andy Hawkins Andy Hawkins Melton Andrew "Andy" Hawkins is a former Major League Baseball pitcher.A right-handed starter, Hawkins spent most of his career with the San Diego Padres, and also played for the New York Yankees and briefly for the Oakland Athletics... |
San Diego Padres 1978 San Diego Padres season The 1978 San Diego Padres season was the tenth in franchise history. The team finished in fourth place in the National League West with a record of 84-78, 11 games behind the first-place Los Angeles Dodgers.- Offseason :... |
RHP | Midway High School Midway High School Midway High School is the only high school in the Midway Independent School District, which serves the Waco, Texas area. Although the school is located in southwestern Waco, most students live in the suburbs of Woodway and Hewitt.... (Hewitt, TX) |
| 6 | Tito Nanni Tito Nanni Tito Angelo Nanni is a former professional baseball player. Over his career, Nanni primarily played first base and outfield. Nanni played in the Seattle Mariners organization for the majority of his career, but also spent part of a season in the California Angels organization, and the Toronto Blue... |
Seattle Mariners 1978 Seattle Mariners season The 1978 Seattle Mariners season was the second in franchise history. The Mariners ended the season by finishing 7th in the American League West with a record of 56 wins and 104 losses.- Offseason :* March 27, 1978: Bob Galasso was released by the Mariners.... |
OF | Chestnut Hill Academy High School (Philadelphia, PA) |
| 7 | Bob Cummings | San Francisco Giants 1978 San Francisco Giants season The 1978 San Francisco Giants season was a season in Major League Baseball. The Giants finished third in the National League West with a record of 89 wins and 73 losses.- Offseason :... |
C | Brother Rice High School (Chicago, IL) |
| 8 | Nick Hernandez | Milwaukee Brewers 1978 Milwaukee Brewers season The 1978 Milwaukee Brewers season involved the Brewers finishing third in the American League East with a record of 93 wins and 69 losses.- Offseason :... |
C | Hialeah High School Hialeah High School Hialeah High School is a secondary school located at 251 E 47th Street in Hialeah, Florida, USA.-History:Hialeah High School opened its doors to students and staff in 1953 to serve the growing communities of Northwestern Miami-Dade County. It is one of the oldest secondary schools in the county,... (Hialeah, FL) |
| 9 | Glenn Franklin | Montreal Expos 1978 Montreal Expos season The 1978 Montreal Expos season was the 10th in franchise history. The team finished fourth in the National League East with a record of 76-86, 14 games behind the first-place Philadelphia Phillies.- Offseason :... |
SS | Chipola Junior College |
| 10 | Phil Lansford | Cleveland Indians 1978 Cleveland Indians season - Offseason :* December 5, 1977: Bruce Compton and Norm Churchill were traded by the Indians to the Chicago Cubs for Dave Rosello.... |
SS | Wilcox High School (Santa Clara, CA) |
| 11 | Rod Boxberger Rod Boxberger Rodney Warren Boxberger is a former starting pitcher who is most notable for winning the 1978 College World Series Most Outstanding Player award while a junior at the University of Southern California... |
Houston Astros 1978 Houston Astros season The 1978 Houston Astros season was a season in American baseball. The team finished fifth in the National League West with a record of 74-88, 21 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers.- Offseason :... |
RHP | University of Southern California |
| 12 | Kirk Gibson Kirk Gibson Kirk Harold Gibson is a former Major League Baseball player and currently the manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks. As a player, Gibson was an outfielder who batted and threw left-handed... |
Detroit Tigers 1978 Detroit Tigers season The 1978 Detroit Tigers finished in fifth place in the American League East with a record of 88-74, 13½ games behind the Yankees. They outscored their opponents 714 to 653.- Offseason :... |
OF | Michigan State University Michigan State Spartans The Michigan State Spartans are the athletic team that represent Michigan State University. The school's athletic program includes 25 varsity sports teams. Their mascot is a Spartan warrior named Sparty, and the school colors are green and white... |
| 13 | Bill Hayes Bill Hayes (baseball) William Ernest Hayes was a catcher for the Chicago Cubs . He attended Indiana State University.... |
Chicago Cubs 1978 Chicago Cubs season - Offseason :* October 13, 1977: Keith Drumright was traded by the Cubs to the Houston Astros for Al Javier.* October 31, 1977: Bill Bonham was traded by the Cubs to the Cincinnati Reds to the Chicago Cubs for Woodie Fryman and Bill Caudill.... |
C | Indiana State University Indiana State Sycamores baseball The Indiana State Sycamores baseball team is the NCAA Division I men's baseball program of Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Indiana. They are members of the Missouri Valley Conference. The team last played in the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship in 1995. Their first season was 1896.... |
| 14 | Tom Brunansky Tom Brunansky Thomas Andrew Brunansky , nicknamed "Bruno", is a former right fielder in Major League Baseball who played from 1981 to 1994 for the California Angels, Minnesota Twins, St. Louis Cardinals, Boston Red Sox, and Milwaukee Brewers.... |
California Angels 1978 California Angels season The 1978 California Angels season involved the Angels finishing second in the American League West with a record of 87 wins and 75 losses.- Offseason :* November 21, 1977: Lyman Bostock was signed as a free agent by the Angels.... |
OF | West Covina High School West Covina High School West Covina High School is a four year comprehensive secondary school located in West Covina, California.-History:West Covina High School first opened its campus in 1956 on the old Covina High School campus on Citrus Ave. and Puente Ave. as the Spartans. In 1957, the school moved to its new... (West Covina, CA) |
| 15 | Robert Hicks | St. Louis Cardinals 1978 St. Louis Cardinals season The 1978 St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 97th season in St. Louis, Missouri and its 87th season in the National League. The Cardinals went 69-93 during the season and finished fifth in the National League East, 21 games behind the Philadelphia Phillies.- Offseason :* October 25, 1977:... |
1B | Tate High School (Pensacola, FL) |
| 16 | Lenny Faedo Lenny Faedo Leonardo Lago Faedo is a former Major League Baseball shortstop. He played all or part of five seasons in the majors, from until , for the Minnesota Twins.-External links:... |
Minnesota Twins 1978 Minnesota Twins season The Minnesota Twins finished 73-89, fourth in the American League West.- Offseason :* October 3, 1977: Jim Hughes was released by the Twins.* October 3, 1977: Steve Luebber was released by the Twins.... |
SS | Jefferson High School (Tampa, FL) |
| 17 | Nick Esasky Nick Esasky Nicholas Andrew Esasky , is a former Major League Baseball first baseman and third baseman. During his career, which spanned just over seven-and-a-half years and was spent mostly with the Cincinnati Reds , the former first-round draft pick in 1978 hit .250 with 122 home runs and 427 runs batted... |
Cincinnati Reds 1978 Cincinnati Reds season The 1978 Cincinnati Reds season was a season in American baseball. The Reds finished in second place in the National League West with a record of 92-69, 2½ games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Reds were managed by Sparky Anderson and played their home games at Riverfront Stadium... |
SS | Carol City High School (Carol City, FL) |
| 18 | Rex Hudler Rex Hudler Rex Allen Hudler is a former Major League Baseball utility player. He played a total of thirteen seasons after being a first round draft pick of the New York Yankees in 1978.-Playing career:... |
New York Yankees 1978 New York Yankees season The 1978 New York Yankees season was the 76th season for the Yankees. The team finished with a record of 100-63, finishing one game ahead of the Boston Red Sox to win their third American League East title. The two teams were tied after 162 games, leading to a one-game playoff, which the Yankees... |
SS | Bullard High School Bullard High School (Fresno, California) Bullard High School is a public secondary school located in Fresno, California, USA.. Founded in 1955, it is part of the Fresno Unified School District, and as of 2011 has around 2,650 students on roll in grades 9-12 with approximately 500 students in each grade.-Ethnic composition:As of... (Fresno, CA) |
| 19 | Brad Garnett | Pittsburgh Pirates 1978 Pittsburgh Pirates season - Offseason :* December 8, 1977: Al Oliver and Nelson Norman were traded by the Pirates to the Texas Rangers as part of a four-team trade. Bert Blyleven was traded by the Rangers to the Pirates, and John Milner was traded by the New York Mets to the Pirates... |
1B | DeSoto High School DeSoto High School (DeSoto, Texas) DeSoto High School is a public school in DeSoto, Texas, United States. It is part of the DeSoto Independent School District. It is located at 600 Eagle Drive - History :... (DeSoto, TX) |
| 20 | Tim Conroy Tim Conroy Timothy James Conroy was a pitcher for the Oakland Athletics and St. Louis Cardinals .... |
Oakland Athletics 1978 Oakland Athletics season The 1978 Oakland Athletics season involved the A's finishing 6th in the American League West with a record of 69 wins and 93 losses. Prior to the season, owner Charlie Finley nearly sold the team to buyers who would have moved them to Denver.- Offseason :... |
LHP | Gateway High School Gateway High School (Pennsylvania) Gateway High School , located at 3000 Gateway Campus Boulevard, serves the residents of Monroeville and Pitcairn, Pennsylvania. Gateway High School provides grades 9 through 12. The school is part of the Gateway School District. The principal is William Short.-Graduation rate:In 2010, the... (Monroeville, PA) |
| 21 | Gerry Aubin | Pittsburgh Pirates 1978 Pittsburgh Pirates season - Offseason :* December 8, 1977: Al Oliver and Nelson Norman were traded by the Pirates to the Texas Rangers as part of a four-team trade. Bert Blyleven was traded by the Rangers to the Pirates, and John Milner was traded by the New York Mets to the Pirates... |
OF | Dougherty Comprehensive High School Dougherty Comprehensive High School Dougherty Comprehensive High School is a four year secondary school located in Albany, Georgia. It is part of the Dougherty County School System along with Albany High School, Monroe Comprehensive High School and Westover Comprehensive High School. Dougherty High offers a variety of academic and... (Albany, GA) |
| 22 | Robert Boyce | Baltimore Orioles 1978 Baltimore Orioles season The 1978 Baltimore Orioles season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Orioles finishing fourth in the American League East with a record of 90 wins and 71 losses.- Offseason :... |
3B | Deer Park High School (Cincinnati, OH) |
| 23 | Rip Rollins | Philadelphia Phillies 1978 Philadelphia Phillies season The 1978 Philadelphia Phillies season was the 96th season in the history of the franchise. The Phillies won their third straight National League East title with a record of 90-72, a game and a half over the Pittsburgh Pirates, as the Phillies defeated the Pirates in Pittsburgh on the next to last... |
1B-RHP | Allegheny High School Allegheny High School The Allegheny High School in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is a building from 1904. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.The building is now the Pittsburgh Allegheny 6-8, a magnet school located in the North Side.-External links:*... (Sparta, NC) |
| 24 | Matt Winters Matt Winters Matthew Littleton Winters is a former major league baseball player from Buffalo, New York. He played with the Kansas City Royals, and the Nippon Ham Fighters in Nippon Professional Baseball.-Biography:... |
New York Yankees 1978 New York Yankees season The 1978 New York Yankees season was the 76th season for the Yankees. The team finished with a record of 100-63, finishing one game ahead of the Boston Red Sox to win their third American League East title. The two teams were tied after 162 games, leading to a one-game playoff, which the Yankees... |
OF | Williamsville High School (Williamsville, NY) |
| 25 | Buddy Biancalana Buddy Biancalana Roland Americo "Buddy" Biancalana is a retired Major League Baseball shortstop.Biancalana played for two teams in his career: the Kansas City Royals and Houston Astros . He attended Redwood High School in Larkspur and was drafted by the Royals in the first round of the 1978 June Regular Phase... |
Kansas City Royals 1978 Kansas City Royals season The 1978 Kansas City Royals season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Royals finishing first in the American League West with a record of 92 wins and 70 losses... |
SS | Redwood High School Redwood High School (Larkspur, California) Redwood High School is a public secondary school located in the city of Larkspur, Marin County, California, approximately 11 miles north of San Francisco. Redwood High is part of the Tamalpais Union High School District... (Greenbrae, CA) |
| 26 | Brian Ryder | New York Yankees 1978 New York Yankees season The 1978 New York Yankees season was the 76th season for the Yankees. The team finished with a record of 100-63, finishing one game ahead of the Boston Red Sox to win their third American League East title. The two teams were tied after 162 games, leading to a one-game playoff, which the Yankees... |
RHP | Shrewsbury High School Shrewsbury High School Shrewsbury High School is a school for girls in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England. Founded in 1885, Shrewsbury High is one of the smaller schools in the Girls' Day School Trust, having roughly 750 pupils aged 3 to 18.... (Shrewsbury, MA) |
Background
In 1978, four players made the jump from amateur baseball to the major leagues, including Arizona State third baseman Bob Horner, who was selected number one overall by the Atlanta Braves. Oakland pitchers Tim Conroy and Mike Morgan, and Brian Milner of Toronto also went directly to the big leagues.In addition to Horner, the Braves also selected future major leaguers Matt Sinatro
Matt Sinatro
Matthew Stephen Sinatro is a former major league catcher and currently handling administrative duties for the Chicago Cubs after being replaced as 1st base coach in January 2010. He attended Conard High School in West Hartford, Connecticut...
(2nd round), Steve Bedrosian
Steve Bedrosian
Stephen Wayne Bedrosian, is an American former baseball player. Nicknamed "Bedrock", he played from 1981 to 1995 with the Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants and Minnesota Twins...
(3rd round), Rick Behenna
Rick Behenna
Richard Kipp Behenna is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Atlanta Braves in 1983 and the Cleveland Indians from 1983 to 1985. Rick was part of one of the worst trades ever made by the Braves...
(4th round), Jose Alvarez
Jose Alvarez (baseball)
Jose Lino Alvarez is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher. He played four seasons at the major league level, pitching for the Atlanta Braves...
(8th round) and Gerald Perry
Gerald Perry
Gerald June Perry is a former first baseman in Major League Baseball who played from 1983 to 1995 for the Atlanta Braves, Kansas City Royals and St. Louis Cardinals. Perry was selected to the 1988 National League All-Star team. In 1993 he tied a St...
(11th round).
Others drafted in June 1978 included Lloyd Moseby and Dave Stieb
Dave Stieb
David Andrew Stieb [STEEB] is a former Major League Baseball pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays.-Playing career:Born in Santa Ana, California, Stieb played varsity baseball at Southern Illinois University as an outfielder...
(Toronto), Mike Marshall and Steve Sax
Steve Sax
Stephen Louis Sax is a former second baseman in Major League Baseball. He was a right-handed batter for the Los Angeles Dodgers , New York Yankees , Chicago White Sox , and the Oakland Athletics ....
(Los Angeles), Cal Ripken, Jr.
Cal Ripken, Jr.
Calvin Edwin "Cal" Ripken, Jr. , nicknamed "Iron Man", is a former Major League Baseball shortstop and third baseman. He played his entire 21-year baseball career for the Baltimore Orioles ....
and Mike Boddicker
Mike Boddicker
For the similarly named musician , see Michael BoddickerMichael James "Mike" Boddicker was a right-handed Major League Baseball pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles , Boston Red Sox , Kansas City Royals , and Milwaukee Brewers...
(Baltimore), Kirk Gibson (Detroit), Kent Hrbek
Kent Hrbek
Frequently injured , Hrbek retired after the players strike in 1994, citing his nagging injury problems and desire to spend more time with his wife and daughter at their home in Bloomington, MN...
(Minnesota) and Hubie Brooks (New York Mets).
Other notable players
- Cal Ripken Jr. (2nd round) Baltimore OriolesBaltimore OriolesThe Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
- Rob DeerRob DeerRobert George Deer is a former American baseball player. He attended Canyon High School in Anaheim and Fresno City College, and was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 4th round of the 1978 amateur draft....
(4th round) San Francisco GiantsSan Francisco GiantsThe San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division.... - Dave StiebDave StiebDavid Andrew Stieb [STEEB] is a former Major League Baseball pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays.-Playing career:Born in Santa Ana, California, Stieb played varsity baseball at Southern Illinois University as an outfielder...
(5th round) Toronto Blue JaysToronto Blue JaysThe Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League .... - Tim WallachTim WallachTimothy Charles Wallach , nicknamed "Eli" in reference to actor Eli Wallach, is a former third baseman in Major League Baseball who played from to for the Montreal Expos, Los Angeles Dodgers, and California Angels. He won three Gold Glove awards for defensive excellence and 2 Silver Slugger...
(8th round) California Angels - Steve SaxSteve SaxStephen Louis Sax is a former second baseman in Major League Baseball. He was a right-handed batter for the Los Angeles Dodgers , New York Yankees , Chicago White Sox , and the Oakland Athletics ....
(9th round) Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles DodgersThe Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming... - Mark LangstonMark LangstonMark Edward Langston is an American former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He pitched for the Seattle Mariners , Montreal Expos , California and Anaheim Angels , San Diego Padres , and Cleveland Indians...
(15th round) Chicago CubsChicago CubsThe Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National... - Kent HrbekKent HrbekFrequently injured , Hrbek retired after the players strike in 1994, citing his nagging injury problems and desire to spend more time with his wife and daughter at their home in Bloomington, MN...
(17th round) Minnesota TwinsMinnesota TwinsThe Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the... - Ryne SandbergRyne SandbergRyne Dee Sandberg , nicknamed "Ryno" is a former Major League Baseball second baseman. During a 16-year baseball career, he played from 1981–1994 and 1996–97, spending nearly his entire career with the Chicago Cubs. He was named after relief pitcher Ryne Duren, and is recognized as one of the best...
(20th round) Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia PhilliesThe Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
(played for the Chicago CubsChicago CubsThe Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
) - Howard Johnson (21st round) New York YankeesNew York YankeesThe New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
- Rick Leach (24th round) Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia PhilliesThe Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
(played QBQuarterbackQuarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
for the Michigan WolverinesMichigan Wolverines footballThe Michigan Wolverines football program represents the University of Michigan in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. Michigan has the most all-time wins and the highest winning percentage in college football history...
)