The 2002 Major League Baseball draft, was held on June 4 and 5.

It is featured in Michael Lewis' 2003 book Moneyball.

First round selections

The Royals selected Zack Greinke sixth overall. The 6× All-Star is a 6× Gold Glove winner at pitcher, 2× Silver Slugger at pitcher, 2× ERA leader, and the 2009 Cy Young Award winner.
The Brewers selected Prince Fielder 7th overall. Fielder is a 6× All-Star, 3× Silver Slugger at first base, and led the National League in home runs in 2007.
The Mets selected Scott Kazmir 15th overall. Kazmir is a 3× All-Star and led the American League in strikeouts in 2007.
The Phillies selected Cole Hamels 17th overall. In 2008, the 4× All-Star led the Phillies to a World Series championship and was named World Series MVP.
The San Francisco Giants selected Matt Cain 25th overall. The 3× All-Star, pitched a perfect game in 2012, and won the World Series in 2010, and 2012.
= All-Star
PickPlayerTeamPositionSchool
1Bryan BullingtonPittsburgh PiratesRHPBall State
2B. J. UptonTampa Bay Devil RaysCFGreenbrier Christian Academy (VA)
3Chris GrulerCincinnati RedsRHPLiberty High School (CA)
4Adam LoewenBaltimore OriolesLHPFraser Valley Christian High School (BC)
5Clint EvertsMontreal ExposRHPCypress Falls High School (TX)
6Zack GreinkeKansas City RoyalsRHPApopka High School (FL)
7Prince FielderMilwaukee Brewers1BEau Gallie High School (FL)
8Scott MooreDetroit TigersSSCypress High School (CA)
9Jeff FrancisColorado RockiesLHPUniversity of British Columbia
10Drew MeyerTexas RangersSS/2BSouth Carolina
11Jeremy HermidaFlorida MarlinsOFWheeler High School (GA)
12Joe SaundersAnaheim AngelsLHPVirginia Tech
13Khalil GreeneSan Diego PadresSSClemson
14Russ AdamsToronto Blue JaysSSNorth Carolina
15Scott KazmirNew York MetsLHPCypress Falls High School (TX)
16Nick SwisherOakland Athletics1BOhio State
17Cole HamelsPhiladelphia PhilliesLHPRancho Bernardo High School (CA)
18Royce RingChicago White SoxLHPSan Diego State
19James LoneyLos Angeles Dodgers1BElkins High School (TX)
20Denard SpanMinnesota TwinsOFTampa Catholic High School (FL)
21Bobby BrownlieChicago CubsRHPRutgers
22Jeremy GuthrieCleveland IndiansRHPStanford
23Jeff FrancoeurAtlanta BravesOFParkview High School (GA)
24Joe BlantonOakland AthleticsRHPKentucky
25Matt CainSan Francisco GiantsRHPHouston High School (TN)
26John McCurdyOakland AthleticsSSMaryland
27Sergio SantosArizona DiamondbacksSSMater Dei High School (CA)
28John Mayberry Jr.*Seattle Mariners1BRockhurst High School (MO)
29Derick GrigsbyHouston AstrosRHPNortheast Texas Community College
30Ben FritzOakland AthleticsRHPFresno State

Supplemental first round compensation selections

PickPlayerTeamPositionSchool
31Greg MillerLos Angeles DodgersLHPEsperanza High School (CA)
32Luke HagertyChicago CubsLHPBall State
33Matt WhitneyCleveland Indians1BPalm Beach Gardens Community High School (FL)
34Dan MeyerAtlanta BravesLHPJames Madison
35Jeremy BrownOakland AthleticsCAlabama
36Chadd BlaskoChicago CubsRHPPurdue
37Steve ObenchainOakland AthleticsRHPEvansville
38Matt ClantonChicago CubsRHPOrange Coast College
39Mark TeahenOakland Athletics3BSaint Mary's
40Mark SchramekCincinnati RedsRHPTexas
41Micah SchillingCleveland Indians2BSilliman Institute
  • *Did Not Sign With Team

Compensation picks

Background

The Pittsburgh Pirates selected 21-year-old right-handed pitcher Bryan Bullington with the first overall pick in the 2002 First-Year Player Draft. The 6'5", 225-pound hurler was ranked by Baseball America as having the best breaking ball and best command among all college pitchers.

In his three-year career at Ball State, Bullington posted a 29–11 record, 13 complete games and a 3.36 ERA in 46 games (42 starts). He is the university's all-time leader in strikeouts (357) and was a member of the 2001 USA National team. As a freshman, Bullington garnered all-conference honors and led the MAC in strikeouts. He was also named MAC Pitcher-of-the-Year for 2001 and 2002. Bullington set a MAC record in strikeouts and led the league in victories and ERA in 2002.

Other notable selections in the first round included Prince Fielder (Brewers), son of former Major Leaguer Cecil Fielder; and John Mayberry Jr. (Mariners), son of former Major Leaguer John Mayberry.

This draft was discussed at length in the Michael Lewis book Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game, which analyzed Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane's approach to player scouting and development.

Other notable players

The Reds selected Joey Votto in the 2nd round. The 6× All-Star won the 2010 National League MVP Award.
The Red Sox selected Jon Lester in the 2nd round. A 5× All-Star, he is a 3× World Series champion.
The Braves selected Brian McCann in the 2nd round. McCann is a 7× All-Star and 6× Silver Slugger at catcher.
The Tigers selected Curtis Granderson in the 3rd Round. He is a 3× All-Star and a 2011 Silver Slugger as an outfielder.
The Angels selected Howie Kendrick in the 10th Round. A 2011 All-Star, He helped lead the Nationals to the 2019 World Series championship.
The Dodgers selected Russell Martin in the 17th round. Martin is a 4× All-Star who in 2007 won the Silver Slugger and Gold Glove at catcher.

NFL players drafted

External links

Preceded byJoe Mauer1st Overall Picks Bryan BullingtonSucceeded byDelmon Young