The First-Year Player Draft, also known as the Rule 4 Draft, is MLB primary mechanism for assigning amateur baseball players from high schools, colleges, and other amateur baseball clubs to its teams. The first draft took place in 1965; it was introduced to prevent richer teams from negotiating wealthier contracts with top-level prospects and therefore, monopolizing the player market.[3] Originally, three drafts were held each year. The first draft took place in June and involved high-school graduates and college seniors who had just finished their seasons. The second draft took place in January for high school and college players who had graduated in December. The third draft took place in August and was for players who participated in American amateur summer leagues.[4] The August draft was eliminated after two years, and the January draft lasted until 1986.[5]
The draft order is determined based on the previous season's standings, with the team possessing the worst record receiving the first pick.[6] In addition, teams that lost free agents in the previous off-season may be awarded "compensatory" picks.[7]
The Marlins franchise entered the National League in 1993 as an expansion team, and was known as the Florida Marlins until 2011. Of the 24 players picked by the Marlins in the first round, 13 have been pitchers. Four outfielders were selected and two players each were taken at first base, third base, and catcher. The Marlins have also drafted one shortstop in the first round, though they have never taken a second baseman.[14] Two of the Marlins' first-round picks have won championships with the franchise. Charles Johnson (1992) won a World Series title on the 1997 championship team and Josh Beckett (1999) won with the 2003 team.[15][16]
The National League franchise in Philadelphia was established in 1883 following the dissolution of the Worcester Worcesters. The team adopted the Philadelphia Phillies name in 1884 and has used the moniker, and been located in the city, since that time.[18]
Washington Nationals
Stephen Strasburg (2009) is considered to be one of the greatest pitching prospects in the history of the draft.[19]
Established in 1969 as the Pilots in Seattle, Washington, the team moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin the following season,[22] which brought top-flight baseball back to Wisconsin for the first time since the Braves departed after the 1965 season.[23] The Brewers have been members of the National League since 1998; prior to that, the team played as a member of the American League Central Division.[24]
The franchise currently known as the New York Yankees was originally established in 1901 as the Baltimore Orioles (unrelated to their current divisional rivals). After moving to New York City in 1903 and adopting the name New York Highlanders, the team was renamed the Yankees in 1913.[33]
The team now known as the Cleveland Indians has played under several monikers since its inception in 1901, including the Cleveland Blues or Bluebirds, the Cleveland Bronchos, and the Cleveland Naps[37]
The Kansas City Royals were added to the American League in a 1969 expansion after the city's first Major League Baseball franchise departed for Oakland, California.[39]
Playing under various names such as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, California Angels, and Anaheim Angels, the Los Angeles Angels have been members of the American League since 1961.[43]
While the Oakland Athletics have played under the same name since their establishment in 1901, the team has played in three different locations under that moniker. The franchise was initially based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[44]
When the Minnesota Twins moved to Minneapolis for the 1961 season, a new Washington Senators team was established in the United States capital as an expansion franchise.[46]
^"Atlanta's Murphy Repeats as National League MVP". The Boston Globe. The New York Times Company. United Press International. November 9, 1983. p. Sports 1.
