| Year | player | Team | Yrs w/ team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Jered Weaver | HON | 1+ |
| 2006 | Zach Duke | WWD | 1/2 |
| 2005 | David Wright | ARK | 3+ |
| 2004 | Dontrelle Willis | TIJ | 4 |
| 2003 | Vicente Padilla | HAR | 2 |
| 2002 | Albert Pujols | PHI | 6+ |
| 2001 | Kaz Sasaki | VAT | 3 |
| 2000 | Tim Hudson | CAR | 8+ |
| 1999 | Orlando Hernandez | COL | 1 |
| 1998 | Nomar Garciaparra | PHX | 9 |
In 2007, Honolulu selected pitcher Jered Weaver. Weaver had a solid rookie season and is looking as a likely keeper, so Honolulu did ok with this pick...for now.
Westwood's selection of Zach Duke was looked at as a no-brainer at the time, but Duke was mediocre for the Deductions in 2006 (8-8, 4.74) and was shipped off to Newark before the trade deadline. Duke fared much better for the Sugar Bears (5-1, 3.40), but wasn't protected for the 2007 season. South Boston drafted Duke on a flier, but he only got into a few games in relief and looks like a non-factor for the 2008 season.
Arkansas traded up to get the first overall pick in 2005, sacrificing C.C. Sabathia and six quality draft picks in order to get David Wright. That goes to show you what the Falcons thought of the young third baseman. For the most part, they were right to covet Wright as he has turned into a stud, possibly the best third baseman currently in the DMBL.
Tijuana had the first pick in 2004 and chose lefty Dontrelle Willis. It was a tough decision between Willis and Brandon Webb, who was drafted number two by Phoenix. In hindsight, he probably should have gone with Webb, who is a solid member of the Philly rotation now, but Willis did provide some decent seasons for the Banditos, even if his rookie year was a disaster. It remains to be seen if Willis is protected by new owner Tom Zagenczyk, though a productive 2008 season does not look to be in the cards.
In 2003, Harrison made a miscalculation by picking Vicente Padilla. Why was it a miscalculation? Because the third pick (that's right Junior Spivey was taken next) was none other than two-time Ben McDonald Award winner Johan Santana. Padilla was thoroughly mediocre in '03 (7-12, 4.31). Don't blame the Rats too much. No one knew Santana would be that good, but ouch, that still has to hurt.
2002 was another no-brainer as Philadelphia selected rookie phenom Albert Pujols. Pujols has been a fixture in the Endzone Animal lineup since day one and led the team to their first Morris Division title this year. Pujols is a perennial Mitchell candidate.
In 2001, Vatican City shocked the DMBL by picking reliever Kaz Sasaki with the first overall pick. Sasaki wasn't a bad pick, per se - he did save 57 games in three season with the franchise. But most of the league had been speculating over whether Jeff D'Amico or Barry Zito would claim the number one spot. It's not a true bust of a pick, more like a brain fart.
Carolina selected starter Tim Hudson in 2000 and as a testament to the Mudcats drafting prowess, Hudson is still a member of the Mudcats. Hudson has accumulated a 90-80 record over his eight seasons with a solid 4.20 ERA and 953 strikeouts. In 2004, Hudson won the Ben McDonald Award for his excellent 17-3, 2.08 season, the only award winner of the bunch so far.
In 1999, Columbia selected their second Hernandez brother in their franchise history. Two years earlier, the Crusaders picked Livan Hernandez in the first round of the draft. El Duque fared no better than Livan in his rookie season (7-19, 4.97) and was traded the following season. Duque has hung around in the league and has had some success. In 2000, he had a solid year for the Hawaii Volcanoes (15-6, 3.99) and was 16-9 in 2005 split between Las Vegas and Stanhope.
Finally in 1998, the Phoenix Dragons successfully drafted Nomah first overall, a player that would become a cornerstone for the struggling franchise. Garciaparra was a fan favorite and was still playing with the team until the franchise was dissolved in 2006.
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