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General | Top Ten | 9/10/2019

PG Top 10: 2002 Class Rankings

Blake Dowson

Photo: Zack Greinke (Perfect Game)

Perfect Game has updated its player rankings for the 2020-2023 classes recently. With that in mind, we take a look at the first-ever class rankings Perfect Game produced way back in 2002, with some names you will likely recognize.

The college commitments listed weren’t all fulfilled — all of the players listed as taken in the 2002 draft chose to sign with the team that drafted them.

Rk.	Player	Pos.	Commitment	Draft	Team	MLB Debut
1	Scott Kazmir	LHP	Texas	Rd 1, 15th (2002)	Mets	Rays (2004)
2	BJ (Melvin) Upton	SS	Florida State	Rd 1, 2nd (2002)	Rays	Rays (2004)
3	Adam Loewen	LHP	Chipola College	Rd 1, 4th (2002)	Orioles	Orioles (2006)
4	Christopher Gruler	RHP	Arizona State	Rd 1, 3rd (2002)	Reds	No Debut
5	Zack Greinke	RHP	Clemson	Rd 1, 6th (2002)	Royals	Royals (2004)
6	Jason Neighborgall	RHP	Georgia Tech	Rd 3, 81st (2005)	Diamondbacks	No Debut
7	Mark McCormick	RHP	Baylor	Rd 1, 43rd (2005)	Cardinals	No Debut
8	Jeff Francoeur	OF	Clemson	Rd 1, 23rd (2002)	Braves	Braves (2005)
9	Denard Span	OF	None	Rd 1, 20th (2002)	Twins	Twins (2008)
10	Sergio Santos	SS	USC	Rd 1, 27th (2002)	Diamondbacks	White Sox (2010)

Kazmir ended his career with 108 wins, Upton launched 164 home runs, Greinke earned his 200th win this year, and Francoeur and Span have put together solid careers as well.

A few players to not make this list, who have since turned in great MLB careers – Jon Lester (No. 11), James Loney (No. 14), Cole Hamels (No. 19), Brian McCann (No. 24), Prince Fielder (No. 47) and Joey Votto (No. 198).

To view Perfect Game’s current rankings for the 2020-2023 classes, click on the following links: 2020 rankings, 2021 rankings, 2022 rankings, 2023 rankings.

PERFECTGAME.TV

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