Chicago White Sox lefthander Mark Buehrle’s no-hitter Wednesday night was the 60th started by a pitcher selected in the 42-year history of the baseball draft. Buehrle, a 38th-round draft pick in 1998, also earned the distinction of being the lowest-round pick to ever start a no-hitter.
Over the years, second-round picks have started more no-hitters (14) than any other round—including the first, which is supposed to be the round that produces pitchers with ‘no-hitter stuff’ but has done so on only 10 occasions. Interestingly, the 10th round has produced seven no-hitters through the years—all seven by Nolan Ryan. The seventh round is the only round in the first 10 that has never produced a pitcher that has thrown a no-hitter.
Following are the rounds that have produced the most no-hitters that are officially recognized by Major League Baseball. In the case of combined no-hitters, only the starter is recognized. The most recent no-hitter is noted in parentheses. |
| |
| Most No-Hitters, By Rounds |
| 1. |
Second round (Randy Johnson, 2004) |
14 |
| 2. |
First round (Eric Milton, 1999) |
10 |
| 3. |
Tenth round (Nolan Ryan, 1991) |
7 |
| 4. |
16-25th rounds (*Roy Oswalt, 2003) |
6 |
| |
26th round-later (Mark Buehrle, 2007) |
6 |
| 6. |
Fourth round (Bud Smith, 2001) |
5 |
| 7. |
Third round (David Cone, 1999) |
4 |
| 8. |
Fifth round (Dave Stieb, 1990) |
2 |
| |
Ninth round (A.J. Burnett, 2001) |
2 |
| |
11-15th rounds (Kevin Millwood, 2003) |
2 | |
| *Combined no-hitter |
| -- Allan Simpson |
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