First Round Pitching

As I am sure all of you know, the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft is taking place today. Stephen Strasburg, the young pitcher out of San Diego State is almost a for sure first pick for the Washington Nationals. Why wouldn't you be with a line of 13-1 and an ERA of 1.32? I would never in a million years tell the Nationals to not pick Strasburg as he is being touted as the one of the greatest pitching prospects (much like David Price). Yet looking back as some of the early pitchers taken, hype for pitchers does not always equal success.

The following is a list of the pitchers taken first in each draft.



2002 - Bryan Bullington - 1st Pick 1st Round - Pittsburgh Pirates

Bryan Bullington was going to be an amazing pitcher for the Pirates and deserved that number one pick. Yet after Tommy John surgery Bullington took a huge step back. He looked to reemerge in 2006 after putting up great numbers in Triple-A Indianapolis. This was not the case as he went 0-3 with a 5.29 ERA with Pittsburgh. Bullington was shipped off to Cleveland and now resides as a starter in the Blue Jays organization

(Earliest successful pitcher is Zach Greinke of the Kansas City Royals. Obviously, Greinke is successful just having this stellar year.)

2003 - Kyle Sleeth - 3rd Pick 1st Round - Detroit Tigers

Sleeth was one of the highest rated pitching prospects coming up through the Tigers' organization. Sleeth was drafted out of high school by the Baltimore Orioles but did not sign. He optioned to attempt Wake Forest. Yet the high pick did not even reach Triple-A with an injury plagued career. After going through Tommy John surgery Sleeth announced his retirement on March 8, 2008

(Earliest successful 2003 pitcher is Paul Maholm of the Pirates selected ninth)

2004 - Justin Verlander - 2nd Pick 1st Round - Detroit Tigers

Justin Verlander, our first successful one of the list, is a righty out of Old Dominion. Verlander has pitched four years in the majors with three incredible seasons. Those seasons include 2006 when Verlander acheived a 17-9 record along with Rookie of the Year honors. He has also pitched a no-hitter and in two World Series games (although he lost both of them). Verlander is still pitching for the Tigers and has started off the year hot with an incredible 97 strikeouts and a 6-2 record.

2005 - Ricky Romero - 6th Pick 1st Round - Toronto Blue Jays

Romero was another highly touted pitching prospect picked before names such as Andrew McCutchen, Trevor Crowe, Troy Tulowitzki, and Matt Garza. The Blue Jay actually showed much promise in the Minor Leagues including Player of the Week honors at Triple-A Syracuse. However getting there was an injury ridden path. Romero looked to finally be back on track until again the injury bug struck. Romero has not been a total failure, yet has definitely had a rocky road to the majors.

(Mike Pelfrey picked ninth by the New York Mets highest picked prominent pitcher)

2006 - Luke Hochevar - 1st Pick 1st Round - Kansas City Royals

Hochevar has just made it up the the majors in the past year and has had mixed results. For that I will not pass judgment on whether or not the pick was granted or not. Hochevar definitely has a legit shot at being a star but has had flashes of bust. His record with the Royals is 6-14 with a 5.64 ERA.

(Clayton Kershaw was picked 7th overall while Tim Lincecum was picked 10th overall.)

2007 - David Price - 1st Pick 1st Round - Tampa Bay Rays

Obviously, Price is an exception as he has not been a bust. Price's stuff is electric and has already proved he can fight the pressure with post-season appearances. David Price still has alot of future to write but already is one of the few players from the draft class to make his mark in the majors. Price will continue to show flashes of his amazing Vanderbuilt career and lead Tampa Bay's great rotation.

(The Tigers selected Rick Porcello 26th in the draft)

2008 - Brian Matusz - 4th Pick 1st Round - Baltimore Orioles

Matusz has just started his young career in the minors and hopes to follow the same fast track that Matt Weiters excelled in. Yet Matusz was also part of a suprisingly weak pitching class. Matusz has put up incredible numbers in single-A advanced with 75 strike outs to 21 walks. He has also put up an impressive ERA of 2.11. Matusz obviously like Price and Hochevar has alot of future to write. Will he turn out as Bryan Bullington or a Justin Verlander?



I would never suggest that the Nationals not take Strasburg. The kid is a stud! This list just asks some questions about how just not pitching taken early, just pitching in general is a risk. Injuring and even lingering problems can hurt a pitchers development. The 2009 MLB Draft is going to be a very exciting time, look for the Indians to select a pitcher in the first round. Possibilities are Arizona State's Mike Leake and Indiana's Eric Arnett.

By the way, I was the number one fan of the Bryan Bullington Fan Club. Can't always be right, eh? Julian out.