Allan Simpson:
Got a query from Mike from New Jersey, who wondered why I didn't include Dave Winfield (Padres, 1973) along with Bob Horner among the most successful players from the draft to jump directly to the big leagues. Good point, but Winfield wasn't as polished a baseball player as Horner was five years later, and he got his chance to start his career with San Diego in large part as an incentive to keep him considering basketball deals from the NABA and ABA, which had both drafted him. Besides, Winfield was probably further along as a pitcher (remember his performance vs. USC in that year's College World Series?) than outfielder when the Padres took him with the No. 4 pick in 1973. And as successful as Winfield became, he didn't play a full-time role with San Diego in his first year as he was broken in gradually. Horner was a star with the Braves right from day one. |