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| 2,483 MLB PLAYERS | 15,806 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
2,483 MLB PLAYERS | 15,806 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
General  | Top Ten | 1/14/2008

Clayton Last Survivor From 1988

In the 43-year history of the baseball draft, the 1988 draft holds distinction because it was the last year before first-round signing bonuses took a quantum leap forward. That year’s first overall pick, righthander Andy Benes, received a then-record $235,000 bonus to sign with the San Diego Padres, a pittance by today’s first-round standard.

Twenty years later, only one first-rounder remains active: shortstop Royce Clayton, who is a free agent but spent the latter part of the 2007 season with the Boston Red Sox—ironically, earning his first World Series ring despite getting only six late-season at-bats after being acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays earlier in the season. In 17 big league seasons, Clayton is a career .258 hitter with 110 home runs. Other first-rounders that year were Steve Avery (Braves, 3rd overall), Jim Abbott (Angels, 8th overall), Robin Ventura (White Sox, 10th overall) and Tino Martinez (Mariners, 14th overall). Eight first-rounders never reached the big league’s from that year’s draft.

Clayton is one of only 15 players from the 1988 draft who remained active in 2007. Interestingly, some of the lower-round selections from that year that are still active are 4th-rounder Luis Gonzalez, 7th-rounder Jim Edmonds, 8th-rounder Tim Wakefield (drafted as a first baseman) and the granddaddy of all overlooked picks in draft history: Mike Piazza, who signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers as their 62nd and final pick for $15,000.

Oddly, the New York Yankees drafted more players in 1988 that reached the big leagues (15) than any other team, despite forfeiting their first three picks that year for signing Jack Clark, Jose Cruz and John Candelaria as off-season free agents. But the most successful big leaguer of the 15, Deion Sanders, was a player who had considerably more success in a second sport.

Following are the 10 highest draft picks from 1988 who were still active in 2007, along with their original signing bonus. For The Record, the remaining ’88 draft picks that were still active 20 years later are: Paul Byrd (Reds, 13th round), Woody Williams (Blue Jays, 28th round), Damion Easley (Angels, 30th round), Orlando Palmeiro (Yankees, 43rd round) and Piazza.
 
Ranking. Player, Pos., Team (Round) Signing Bonus
1. Royce Clayton, ss, Giants (1) $180,000
2. Darren Oliver, lhp, Rangers (3) 50,000
3. David Weathers, rhp, Blue Jays (3) 37,500
4. Luis Gonzalez, 1b, Astros (4) 35,000
5. Tom Martin, lhp, Orioles (6) 23,000
6. Tim Laker, c, Expos (6) 41,000
7. Rheal Cormier, lhp, Cardinals (6) 15,000
8. Jim Edmonds, of, Angels (7) 22,500
9. Tim Wakefield, 1b, Pirates (8) 15,000
10. Scott Hatteberg, c, Phillies (12) Did not sign
-- Allan Simpson

General | Blog | 6/16/2026

Wolforth Throwing Mentorship: Article 66

Ron Wolforth
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  The Number That Just Killed MLB Expansion: 1,217   USA Today's Bob Nightengale dropped a bomb shell recently that the baseball world is still digesting. Major League Baseball wants to expand to 32 teams. Team executives are quietly opposing it and the reason has nothing to do with cities or money.   They cannot find enough healthy pitchers.   Between 2020 and 2024, professional baseball performed 1,026 Tommy John surgeries at the minor-league level alone. Another 191 at the Major League level. More than twelve hundred elbow reconstructions in five years on the best young pitchers in the world.   That is not bad luck. That is a system reporting a verdict on itself.   For fifteen years, the youth-baseball industry has chased one number: velocity significantly more than projectability and arm care.    Recruiters scout by it.    Social...
Tournaments | Story | 6/27/2026

WWBA Ohio Valley Championship Notes

Jordan Gates
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‘28 SS Jimmy Sequin III (MI) checks in as one of the top players in the state & T500 nationally 📈 Hammers this 2B down the line. Good athleticism & twitch. Surefire UTM on defense @ SS. #OVWWBA @PG_OhioValley pic.twitter.com/Qy21I2jJsU — Jordan Gates (@JGatesPG) June 17, 2026 Jimmey Sequin (2028, Midland, Mich.) Had the chance to see one of my favorite 2028’s in the Ohio Valley region and he did not disappoint. In five games, he hit .500 with six hits, including four doubles out of the leadoff spot. Sequin III is a quick twitch, hyper quick prospect that sees his time at shortstop. Although there is present arm strength, projects slightly over to the right side of the field. Despite the smaller frame, he absolutely packs a punch. Shows the ability to burn on the bases and has exceptional bat-to-ball skills. Compact stroke that creates length and shows solid...
Tournaments | Story | 6/27/2026

17u WWBA Scout Notes: Day 4

Perfect Game Staff
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17u WWBA Scout Notes: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 ‘27 SS Leo Nockley (PA) shows off the bat speed here as he sends a rocket to the opposite field for a solo HR. Profile littered with tools, one of the top SS’s in the nation for ‘27. #Vols commit @PGMidAtlantic #WWBA pic.twitter.com/i9BfKo9W1S — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) June 26, 2026 Tennessee commit Leo Nockley (2027, Plains, Pa.) had just a flat-out ridiculous day at the plate for Northeast Pride 27 National in their double-header. He got the day started with a backside bomb in game-one that he knew he got right off the bat. Nockley would then follow it up with a two-homer performance in game-two, one to right-center and one to left-center. The ability to hit the baseball hard to all parts certainly stands out, he runs well and can pick it up the middle. There’s a ton of boxes here that get checked...
Tournaments | Story | 6/27/2026

Top Teams Set to Battle for Championship

Emily Hicks
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The stage is set for an exciting weekend of baseball as teams from across the region head to the 2026 PG 14U West World Series, looking to make a statement and compete for a championship title. Leading the field is Nomadic 14U Premier, which enters the tournament with a 28-7-3 record. Known for its strong pitching staff and consistent offense, Nomadic 14U Premier will look to carry its momentum into bracket play. Another team to watch is GBG Vegas 14u Red (Honorable Mention), currently holding a 27-15-2 record. With a balanced lineup and solid defensive play, they have proven capable of competing with some of the top teams in their age division. Rawlings Tigers Primo enters the weekend after a strong showing in recent events, coming in 4-0. The team's ability to generate runs and execute in key situations could make them a serious contender for the championship. Several other teams will...
Tournaments | Story | 6/26/2026

Fast and Furia at 14u WWBA

Kinley Kitchens
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Every successful team has talent, but the teams that make great summer ball runs often have something more. For Furia Prospects 2030, that difference has been a consistent commitment to playing for one another. The Texas-based team earned a 4-0 victory over East Cobb Astros 14U to secure their spot in the semifinals, combining dominant pitching with timely offense and another complete team performance. Christian Choe set the tone on the mound, allowing just two hits while striking out three over 4.2 innings before Blaine Jackson closed out the final four outs to preserve the shutout. At the plate, Brody Peterson paced the offense with a 2-for-3 performance and two RBI, while Mark De Leon and Jancarlos Nunez each drove in a run. Through these tournament games, Peterson has emerged as one of the team's most consistent hitters, batting .750 while continuing to deliver in key moments. Yet...
Draft | Prospect Scouting Reports | 6/26/2026

MLB Draft Reports: 1-99

Michael Albee
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2026 MLB Draft Reports: 100-299 | 200-299 | 300-399 | 400-500 1. Roch Cholowsky, SS, UCLA R-R, 6-2/202, Chandler, AZ Previously Drafted: Never Drafted   Roch Cholowsky has consistently ranked at the top of the class throughout the cycle due to the safety and upside of the profile. Defensively, he is a plus defender at shortstop with soft hands, consistent actions, and quality range. Not only should he stick at the position long term, he should excel there at the next level. Offensively, there is a strong mix of hit and power potential from the right side of the plate. The swing is a bit unorthodox with a shorter finish, but Cholowsky consistently finds the barrel and drives the ball with authority to all fields. He has strong bat to ball skills with impact. He has walked more than stuck out during his collegiate career, giving him a high on-base ability. The run tool is the...
Tournaments | Story | 6/26/2026

15U BCS Championship Returns to Fort Myers

Alyssa Golden
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The 21st annual 15U BCS National Championship will bring together nearly 100 teams from across the country to compete for a national title in Fort Myers, Florida this weekend. From nationally ranked prospects to rising programs looking to make a statement, the five-day tournament will showcase the next wave of talent on the national stage. Running June 27-July 1, the event features a strong collection of nationally ranked prospects from coast to coast. As the summer schedule reaches its midpoint, the tournament offers players an opportunity to compete against elite competition while continuing to establish themselves among the nation’s top underclass talent. The field includes multiple top 100 nationally ranked players, headlined by No. 19-ranked RHP William Miller of Plantation, Florida. The 6-foot-8, 210-pound pitcher is among the highest-upside players in the field with his...
Tournaments | Story | 6/26/2026

17u WWBA Scout Notes: Day 3

Perfect Game Staff
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17u WWBA Scout Notes: Day 1 | Day 2 An extended look at ‘27 RHP Cole Cheatham… 5 IP, 9 K, 0 BB, 3 ER. #WWBA @PG_OhioValley #WVU commit https://t.co/6tfthTsRsW pic.twitter.com/RHfFa3rWps — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) June 26, 2026 West Virginia commit Cole Cheatham (2027, Liberty, Ind.) came out firing bullets early in the outing and would finish up going five strong innings, allowing three runs and striking out nine. The fastball comes out of the hand easy and got up to 97 mph, working in the mid-90s throughout. He pairs it with a firm changeup at 89-90 with some fading depth to the arm side and also has good feel for a mid-80s slider with quality shape and missed bats with it deep in counts. It’s a power arm here with immense upside and pounded the zone at a 64% clip. A lot of boxes Cheatham checks off as a high school arm and should be a name we hear a...
Draft | Prospect Scouting Reports | 6/26/2026

MLB Draft Reports: 100-199

Tyler Henninger
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2026 MLB Draft Reports: 200-299 | 300-399 | 400-500 100. Lucas Nawrocki, LHP/1B, Aledo HS L-L, 5-11/197, Aledo, TX College Commitment: LSU Lucas Nawrocki put together a monster year on both sides of the ball, although the profile may be suited better for the mound in pro ball. Nawrocki features a stocky frame that works down the mound into a low-slot release. The fastball sits in the mid-90’s with carry to the top of the zone. It can reach spin rates near 2700 rpm. The left-hander can spin a slider exceptionally well. The pitch sits in the mid-80’s with big sweeping action and spin rates over 3000 rpm. A firm upper-80's changeup rounds out the pitch mix. At the plate, Nawrocki can provide some thump from the left side of the plate.  For more on Nawrocki, read his high school notebook here.   101. Jon Mora, OF, Somerset Academy L-R, 5-10/170, Tamarac, FL...
Draft | Prospect Scouting Reports | 6/25/2026

MLB Draft Reports: 200-299

Michael Albee
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2026 MLB Draft Reports: 300-399 | 400-500 200. Hudson Devaughan, RHP, Mooresville HS R-R, 6-4/195, Mooresville, IN College Commitment: Alabama Hudson Devaughan features a projectable frame at 6-foot-4, 195-pounds. The fastball works up to 96 mph with more to come. It is thrown on a downhill plane. A sharp curveball pairs well off of it and can miss bats. A cutter and changeup round out the pitch mix, but still need to be refined.  201. Cole Stokes, RHP, Florida State R-R, 6-6/230, Redondo Beach, CA Previously Drafted: Never Drafted Cole Stokes is an imposing 6-foot-6 arm with loud stuff too. The fastball works in the upper-90’s with sink. It is paired with a sweeper that can miss bats at a solid clip. Significant command issues will need to be addressed in order for the potential plus stuff to play more consistently.  For more on Stokes, read his college report...
Softball | Softball Tournament | 6/25/2026

PG Stars Over Florida Showcase 18U Division

Erica Beach
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PG Stars Over Florida Showcase 18U Division Clearwater, FL June 13-14, 2026   CLEARWATER, FLORIDA- Perfect Game Softball made its official debut in the state of Florida this past weekend at Eddie C. Moore sports complex. The weather was perfect, and the atmosphere was right for some great softball. We had many college coaches of all levels attend and our National Scouting Director was on hand to evaluate and highlight the athletes. We are excited for future events and the ability to promote and highlight the great athletes in the southeast! Below we highlight the 18U division where multiple athletes stood out.     18UDivision   Oakley Riley (2027, SS/UTL, Dade City, FL) of the Lady Bombers- Bowling was a standout player all weekend. She is an athletic and versatile athlete who is a great combination of speed and power. Offensively, this right-handed hitter has an...
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