The Major League Baseball Draft has been a platform for discovering future stars, and New Jersey has produced its share of talent over the years. Among the state’s notable contributions to MLB history are Willie Wilson and Mike Trout, both of whom made their mark after being selected in the first round.
Willie Wilson – Class of 1974
- Draft Position: 18th overall
- High School: Summit High School, Summit, NJ
- MLB Team: Kansas City Royals
- Career WAR: 46.2
Willie Wilson emerged from Summit High School with exceptional speed, transitioning from a high school catcher to become one of the fastest outfielders in Major League Baseball history. His speed was evident early on, stealing an impressive 28 bases during his senior year. Wilson’s career with the Kansas City Royals spanned 19 seasons, during which he showcased his defensive prowess and became a two-time All-Star.
Mike Trout – Class of 2009
- Draft Position: 25th overall
- High School: Millville Senior High School, Millville, NJ
- MLB Team: Los Angeles Angels
- Career WAR: 86.1
Mike Trout’s story is one of meteoric rise and unparalleled talent. Hailing from Millville Senior High School, Trout’s abilities were already drawing attention during his high school years, particularly after setting a school record with 18 home runs in his senior season. Selected by the Los Angeles Angels, Trout quickly ascended through the minor leagues and has since established himself as one of the premier players in the game. His multiple MVP awards and consistent offensive and defensive prowess have solidified his place as a future Hall of Famer.
These two players represent the diversity of talent that emerges from New Jersey’s high schools, proving that the Garden State is a fertile ground for baseball talent. Both Wilson and Trout have left indelible marks on the game, showcasing that even from a smaller state in terms of geographical size, great athletes can emerge and excel on the biggest stage of Major League Baseball.
As the MLB Draft continues to evolve, one can only wonder who the next star from New Jersey will be to make their mark in baseball history. With each passing year, the legacy of these players serves as an inspiration to young athletes across the state, demonstrating that with talent, dedication, and hard work, anything is possible in the world of baseball.
Best at every pick
1 — Alex Rodriguez, Westminster Christian (Miami, Fla.), 1993Drafted by: Seattle Mariners
WAR: 117.6
Bio: Batted .419 for his prep career with 17 home runs, 70 RBI, 26 doubles and seven triples. Led Westminster Christian to mythical national championship.
2 — Josh Beckett, Spring (Texas), 1999
Drafted by: Florida Marlins
WAR: 35.7
Bio: The Texas Class 5A state Player of the Year, Beckett went 13-2 with a 0.39 ERA and 178 strikeouts.
3 — Robin Yount, Taft (Woodland Hills, Calif.), 1973
Drafted by: Milwaukee Brewers
WAR: 77.4
Bio: The Los Angeles City Section Player of the Year batted .455 in league play.
4 — Darrell Porter, Southeast (Oklahoma City, Okla.), 1970
Drafted by: Milwaukee Brewers
WAR: 40.9
Bio: Won the Jim Thorpe Award for best all-around athlete in Oklahoma as a senior, Porter was also the state player of the year in baseball. He batted .414 as a senior and .525 as a junior.
5 — Dwight Gooden, Hillsborough (Tampa, Fla.), 1982
Drafted by: New York Mets
WAR: 53.0
Bio: An all-state selection, Gooden struck out 135 batters in 74 innings and had a 7-4 record with a 1.52 ERA.
6 — Zach Greinke, Apopka (Fla.), 2002
Drafted by: Kansas City Royals
WAR: 77.5
Bio: An outstanding hitter, Greinke batted .480 with 10 home runs. On the mound, he went 9-2 with 118 strikeouts and a 0.55 ERA.
7 — Clayton Kershaw, Highland Park (Dallas, Texas), 2006
Drafted by: Los Angeles Dodgers
WAR: 79.7
Bio: The Gatorade National Player of the Year went 13-0 with a 0.77 ERA and 139 strikeouts in 64 innings.
8 — Francisco Lindor, Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.), 2011
Drafted by: Cleveland Guardians
WAR: 45.2
Bio: Named to the MaxPreps All-America team after batting .538 with six home runs and seven doubles.
9 — Javier Baez, Arlington Country Day (Jacksonville, Fla.), 2011
Drafted by: Chicago Cubs
WAR: 24.9
Bio: The MaxPreps Small School National Player of the Year batted a whopping .771 with 22 home runs and 20 doubles with 52 RBI.
10 — Ted Simmons, Southfield Arts & Tech (Southfield, Mich.), 1967
Drafted by: St. Louis Cardinals
WAR: 50.4
Bio: A three-sport star, Simmons batted .490 in 18 games as a senior.
11 — Andrew McCutchen, Fort Meade (Fla.), 2005
Drafted by: Pittsburgh Pirates
WAR: 49.3
Bio: The state player of the year batted .709 with 16 home runs and 42 RBI.
12 — Delino DeShields, Seaford (Del.), 1987
Drafted by: Montreal Expos
WAR: 24.4
Bio: The state player of the year in basketball and baseball and all-state in football, DeShields batted .380 as a senior.
13 — Manny Ramirez, Washington (New York, N.Y.), 1991
Drafted by: Cleveland Guardians
WAR: 69.3
Bio: Ramirez finished his senior year batting over .600 with 10 home runs.
14 — Jason Heyward, Henry County (Ga.), now McDonough (Ga.), 2007
Drafted by: Atlanta Braves
WAR: 41.7
Bio: Batted .520 as a senior with eight home runs and 29 RBI.
15 — Jim Rice, T.L. Hanna (Anderson, S.C.), 1971
Drafted by: Boston Red Sox
WAR: 47.7
Bio: A football standout as well, Rice batted .455 as a senior with 10 doubles and four home runs.
16 — Lance Parrish, Walnut (Calif.), 1974
Drafted by: Detroit Tigers
WAR: 39.5
Bio: Had a scholarship to play football at UCLA before being drafted by the Tigers. He batted .400 in earning All-CIF honors as a senior.
17 — Roy Halladay, Arvada West (Arvada, Colo.), 1995
Drafted by: Toronto Blue Jays
WAR: 64.2
Bio: After leading his team to a state title as a junior, Halladay went 10-1 as a senior with a 0.46 ERA and 102 strikeouts.
18 — Willie Wilson, Summit (N.J.), 1974
Drafted by: Kansas City Royals
WAR: 46.2
Bio: A catcher in high school, Wilson went on to become one of the swiftest outfielders in MLB history. He stole 28 bases as a senior.
19 — Bobby Grich, Woodrow Wilson (Long Beach, Calif.), 1967
Drafted by: Baltimore Orioles
WAR: 71.1
Bio: The Los Angeles City Player of the Year with a .365 batting average, Grich also had a scholarship to play football at UCLA.
20 — C.C. Sabathia, Vallejo (Calif.), 1998
Drafted by: Cleveland Guardians
WAR: 62.3
Bio: State Athlete of the Year by Cal-Hi Sports, Sabathia had a 9-1 record for the Apaches and batted .563.
21 — Rick Sutcliffe, Van Horn (Independence, Mo.), 1974
Drafted by: Los Angeles Dodgers
WAR: 33.9
Bio: The all-state selection won 10 games as a senior.
22 — Chet Lemon, Fremont (Los Angeles, Calif.), 1972
Drafted by: Oakland Athletics
WAR: 55.7
Bio: Earned all-city honors in football and baseball and batted .392 as a shortstop for Fremont.
23 — Jason Kendall, Torrance (Calif.), 1992
Drafted by: Pittsburgh Pirates
WAR: 41.7
Bio: The South Bay Player of the Year batted safely in 43 straight games and had a .549 batting average.
24 — Alex Fernandez, Monsignor Pace (Miami, Fla.), 1988
Drafted by: Milwauke Brewers
WAR: 28.5
Bio: Went 14-0 in leading Pace to the AA state championship.
25 — Mike Trout, Millville (N.J.), 2009
Drafted by: Los Angeles Angels
WAR: 86.1
Bio: Perhaps the best value pick in the first round, Trout was coming off a record-breaking season with 18 home runs his senior year.
26 — Alan Trammel, Kearny (San Diego, Calif.), 1976
Drafted by: Detroit Tigers
WAR: 70.6
Bio: A second-round draft pick, but still the 26th overall, Trammel batted .438 and was All-CIF San Diego.
27 — Vida Blue, DeSoto (Mansfield, La.), now closed, 1967
Drafted by: Oakland Athletics
WAR: 45.1
Bio: Played at DeSoto in Mansfield, a segregated school in the late 1960s. A record-breaking quarterback, Blue had multiple no-hitters as a senior before being drafted. Had one game with 21 strikeouts and another with 19.
28 — Gerrit Cole, Orange Lutheran (Orange, Calif.), 2008
Drafted by: New York Yankees
WAR: 41.0
Bio: One of the hardest-throwing pitchers in the nation as a senior, striking out 121 batters with an 8-2 record and a 0.47 ERA.
29 — George Brett, El Segundo (Calif.), 1971
Drafted by: Kansas City Royals
WAR: 88.6
Bio: One of the greatest hitters in MLB history, Brett batted .333 his senior year with eight home run.
30 — David Wells, Point Loma (San Diego, Calif.), 1982
Drafted by: Toronto Blue Jays
WAR: 53.5
Bio: The Player of the Year in the San Diego Section, posting a 12-1 record with a 162 strikeouts and a 0.44 ERA in 94 innings.
