With the 2007 Major Leauge Baseball draft coming up in mere days (June 6-8), I figured now would be the time to take a look back at the history of Braves draft picks. Some went on to star for the Braves or other Major League clubs, while others highlight a list of not quite’s, never were’s and draft busts.

The Atlanta Braves have been one of the most successful teams in drafting, signing and developing talent over the past two decades. Chipper Jones may be the crown jewel of the organization’s top picks, coming from the lean years of the late 80s.

There is no science to picking a player who will become star. Potential, scouting reports and positional weakness of a club all play a part on what player is taken in a given year’s draft. Call in the difference between Chipper Jones and Pat Rocket if you like, but without any further delay, here’s a look back at the draft history of the Atlanta Braves.

If the player made it to the Majors (Years Played) follows. Also listed are notable players who were drafted and their years in the Major Leagues. I’ve even included a few interesting names who did not sign, you’ll see the ever infamous *asterisks* on their names:

1966

First pick: Al Santorini, P (1968-73)

Notables: *Tom Seaver, P (1967-86)*

1967

First pick – Andrew Finlay, OF

Notables: Ralph Garr, OF (1968-80), Dusty Baker, OF (1968-86)

1968

First pick: Curtis Moore, OF

1969

First pick: Gene Holbert, C

Notables: Mickey Rivers, OF (1970-84)

1970

First pick: Ron Broaddus, P

Notables: Rowland Office, OF

1971

First pick: Taylor Duncan, SS (1977-78)

Notables: Biff Pocoroba, OF (1975-84)

1972

First pick: Preston Hanna, P (1975-82)

1973

First pick: Pat Rockett, SS (1976-78)

Notables: Terry Harper, P-OF, (1980-87)

1974

First pick: Dale Murphy, C (1976-93)

Notables: Rick Camp (1977-86)

1975

First pick: Donald Young, C

Notables: Glenn Hubbard, 2B (1978-1989)

1976

First pick: Ken Smith, 3B (1981-83)

Notables: Bruce Benedict, C (1978-89)

1977

First pick: Tim Cole, P

Notables: Albert Hall, OF (1981-89)

1978

First pick: Bob Horner, 3B (1978-88)

Notables: Steve Bedrosian, P (1981-95), Gerald Perry, OF (1983-1995)

1979

First pick: Brad Komminsk, OF-1B (1983-91)

Notables: Brett Butler, OF (1981-97), Milt Thompson, OF (1981-1992)

1980

First pick: Ken Dayley, P (1982-93)

1981

First pick: Jay Roberts, OF-P

1982

First pick: Duane Ward, P (1986-95)

Notables: Zane Smith, P (1984-96)

1983

First pick: Marty Clary, P (1987-90)

Notables: Ron Gant, SS (1987-2003), *Jay Buhner, OF (1987-2001)*, Mark Lemke, 2B (1988-98)

1984

First pick: Drew Denson, 1B-OF (1989-93)

Notables: Tom Glavine, P (1987-Now)

1985

First pick: Tommy Greene, P (1989-97)

Notables: David Justice, 1B (1989-2002)

1986

First pick: Kent Mercker, P (1989-2006)

Notables: *Steve Finley, OF (1989-Now)*, *Tim Salmon, OF (1992-2006)*

1987

Top pick: Derek Lilliquist, P (1989-96)

Notables: Mike Stanton, P (1989-Now), Brian R. Hunter, 1B (1991-2000)

1988

First pick: Steve Avery, P (1990-2003)

Notables: Mark Wohlers, P (1991-2002)

1989

First pick: Tyler Houston, C (1996-2003)

Notables: Ryan Klesko, 1B (1992-Now)

1990

First pick: Chipper Jones, SS (1993-Now)

Notables: Tony Graffanino, SS (1996-Now)

1991

First pick: Mike Kelly, OF (1994-99)

Notables: Jason Schmidt, P (1995-Now)

1992

First pick: Jamie Arnold, P (1999-2000)

Notables: *Jose Cruz Jr., OF (1997-Now)*

1993

First pick: Andre King, OF

Notables: Kevin Millwood, P (1997-Now), Jermaine Dye, OF (1996-Now), John Rocker, P (1998-2003)

1994

First pick: Jacob Shumate, P

Notables: Wes Helms, SS (1999-Now)

1995

First pick: *Chad Hutchinson, P (2001)*

1996

First pick: A.J. Zapp, 1B

Notables: Jason Marquis, P (2000-Now), Mark Derosa, 3B (1998-Now), Marcus Giles, 2B (2001-Now)

1997

First pick: Troy Cameron, SS

Notables: Horacio Ramirez, P (2003-Now)

1998

First pick: Matt Belisle, P (2003-Now)

Notables: Ryan Langerhans, OF (2002-Now)

1999

First pick: Matt Butler, P

Notables: Nick Green, 2B (2004-06)

2000

First pick: Adam Wainwright, P (2005-Now)

Notables: Scott Thorman, 1B (2006-Now), Kelly Johnson, SS, Adam LaRoche, 1B (2004-Now), Blaine Boyer, P (2005-Now)

2001

First Pick: Macay McBride, P (2005-Now)

Notables: Kyle Davies, P (2005-Now), Anthony Lerew, P (2005-Now)

2002

First Pick: Jeff Francoeur, OF (2005-Now)

Notables: Brian McCann, C (2005-Now), Chuck James, P (2005-Now)

2003

First Pick: Luis Atilano, P

Notables: Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C (2007)

2004

First Pick: Eric Campbell, 3B

2005

First Pick: Joey Devine, P (2005-Now)

Notables: Yunel Escobar, SS (2007)

2006

First Pick: John Johnson, OF

So who will it be in 2007? The answers will be in this week. It may take years before the Braves see any of the players who will join the organization from this year’s player draft. However, the recent trend of Francoeur, McCann and even Devine has shown that the Braves are not afraid to plug and play their up and coming talent. Time, as always, will tell.

Till Next time,

G-Mc