| FASTEST 10 TO REACH BIG LEAGUES |
In baseball history, only 20 drafted players have gone directly to the big leagues, but only one in the last 12 years—Xavier Nady, a second-round pick of the Padres in 2000. In both the 1973 and 1978 drafts, four players jumped directly to the majors without playing a minor league game.
No player has reached the big leagues as quickly as 1972 No. 1 overall pick Dave Roberts, who was signed to a $65,000 bonus by San Diego the day he was drafted and made his debut at third base for the Padres the next night. None of the 20 has enjoyed immediate success quite like the Braves Bob Horner, the first pick in 1978 who went on to become National League Rookie of the Year in the same season, or long-term success like Dave Winfield, the only player to become a Hall of Famer.
Here are the 10 fastest players to reach the major leagues from the day they were drafted: |
| |
| |
Player, Pos., Club (Round) |
Debut Date |
| 1. |
Dave Roberts, 3b, Padres (1) |
June 7, 1972 |
| 2. |
*Mike Morgan, rhp, Athletics (1) |
June 11, 1973 |
| 3. |
Steve Dunning, rhp, Indians (1) |
June 14, 1970 |
| 4. |
Bob Horner, 3b, Braves (1) |
June 16, 1978 |
| 5. |
Burt Hooton, rhp, Cubs (S-1) |
June 17, 1971 |
| 6. |
Rob Ellis, 3b, Brewers (S-1) |
June 18, 1971 |
| 7. |
Dave Winfield, of, Padres (1) |
June 19, 1973 |
| 8. |
Pete Broberg, rhp, Senators (S-1) |
June 20, 1971 |
| 9. |
*Tim Conroy, lhp, Athletics (1) |
June 23, 1978 |
| 10. |
*Brian Milner, c, Blue Jays (7) |
June 23, 1978 | |
* High school player
S Secondary phase |
| --ALLAN SIMPSON |
|