The 2008 Major League Baseball draft, was an annual choosing of high school and college baseball players, held on June 5 and 6, 2008.

First round selections

The Pittsburgh Pirates selected Pedro Álvarez second overall. Alvarez had a breakout season in 2013, where he was named an All-Star, was the National League home run leader, and won the Silver Slugger at third base.
The Kansas City Royals selected Eric Hosmer with the third overall pick. With the Royals, Hosmer won 4 Gold Gloves at first base and the 2015 World Series.
The San Francisco Giants selected Buster Posey 5th overall. The 7× All-Star won the 2010 Rookie of the Year Award, the 2012 N.L. Most Valuable Player Award, the 2016 Gold Glove Award at catcher, five Silver Sluggers Awards at catcher and the 2010, 2012, and 2014 World Series.

Key

All-Star
*Player did not sign
PickPlayerTeamPositionSchool
1Tim BeckhamTampa Bay RaysShortstopGriffin High School (GA)
2Pedro ÁlvarezPittsburgh PiratesThird basemanVanderbilt
3Eric HosmerKansas City RoyalsFirst basemanAmerican Heritage School (FL)
4Brian MatuszBaltimore OriolesLeft-handed pitcherSan Diego
5Buster PoseySan Francisco GiantsCatcherFlorida State
6Kyle SkipworthFlorida MarlinsCatcherPatriot High School (CA)
7Yonder AlonsoCincinnati RedsFirst basemanMiami (FL)
8Gordon BeckhamChicago White SoxShortstopGeorgia
9Aaron Crow*Washington NationalsRight-handed pitcherMissouri
10Jason CastroHouston AstrosCatcherStanford
11Justin SmoakTexas RangersFirst basemanSouth Carolina
12Jemile WeeksOakland AthleticsSecond basemanMiami (FL)
13Brett WallaceSt. Louis CardinalsThird basemanArizona State
14Aaron HicksMinnesota TwinsOutfielderWoodrow Wilson High School (CA)
15Ethan MartinLos Angeles DodgersRight-handed pitcherStephens County High School (GA)
16Brett LawrieMilwaukee BrewersCatcherBrookswood Secondary School (BC)
17David CooperToronto Blue JaysFirst basemanCalifornia
18Ike DavisNew York MetsFirst basemanArizona State
19Andrew CashnerChicago CubsRight-handed pitcherTCU
20Josh FieldsSeattle MarinersRight-handed pitcherGeorgia
21Ryan PerryDetroit TigersRight-handed pitcherArizona
22Reese HavensNew York MetsShortstopSouth Carolina
23Allan DykstraSan Diego PadresFirst basemanWake Forest
24Anthony HewittPhiladelphia PhilliesShortstopSalisbury School (CT)
25Christian FriedrichColorado RockiesLeft-handed pitcherEastern Kentucky
26Daniel SchlerethArizona DiamondbacksLeft-handed pitcherArizona
27Carlos GutiérrezMinnesota TwinsRight-handed pitcherMiami (FL)
28Gerrit Cole*New York YankeesRight-handed pitcherOrange Lutheran High School (CA)
29Lonnie ChisenhallCleveland IndiansShortstopPitt Community College (NC)
30Casey KellyBoston Red SoxRight-handed pitcherSarasota High School (FL)

Supplemental first round selections

PickPlayerTeamPositionSchool
31Steven HuntMinnesota TwinsRight-handed pitcherTulane
32Jake OdorizziMilwaukee BrewersRight-handed pitcherHighland High School (IL)
33Bradley HoltNew York MetsRight-handed pitcherUNC Wilmington
34Zach CollierPhiladelphia PhilliesOutfielderChino Hills High School (CA)
35Evan FredericksonMilwaukee BrewersLeft-handed pitcherSan Francisco
36Michael MontgomeryKansas City RoyalsLeft-handed pitcherHart High School (CA)
37Conor GillaspieSan Francisco GiantsThird basemanWichita State
38Jordan LylesHouston AstrosRight-handed pitcherHartsville High School (SC)
39Lance LynnSt. Louis CardinalsRight-handed pitcherOle Miss
40Brett DeVallAtlanta BravesLeft-handed pitcherNiceville High School (FL)
41Ryan FlahertyChicago CubsShortstopVanderbilt
42Jaff DeckerSan Diego PadresOutfielderSunrise Mountain High School (AZ)
43Wade MileyArizona DiamondbacksLeft-handed pitcherSoutheastern Louisiana
44Jeremy BleichNew York YankeesLeft-handed pitcherStanford
45Bryan PriceBoston Red SoxRight-handed pitcherRice
46Logan ForsytheSan Diego PadresThird basemanArkansas

Compensation picks

Other notable players

The Colorado Rockies selected Charlie Blackmon in the second round. He is a 4× MLB All-Star, 2× Silver Slugger award winner, and the 2017 National League batting champion.
The Atlanta Braves selected Craig Kimbrel in the third round. The 9× All-Star won the 2011 National League Rookie of the Year award.
The San Francisco Giants selected Brandon Crawford in the fourth round. The 3× All-Star won four Gold Glove Awards at shortstop, the 2015 Silver Slugger Award at shortstop and the 2012, and 2014 World Series.
The Los Angeles Dodgers selected Dee Strange-Gordon in the fourth round. A two-time All-Star, his 2015 breakout season saw him win the Gold Glove Award at second base, the Silver Slugger Award at second base, and lead the National League in batting average, and stolen bases.
RoundPickPlayerTeamPositionSchool
247Kyle LobsteinTampa Bay RaysPitcherCoconino High School (AZ)
248Tanner ScheppersPittsburgh PiratesPitcherFresno State
249Johnny GiavotellaKansas City RoyalsSecond basemanNew Orleans
250Xavier AveryBaltimore OriolesOutfielderCedar Grove High School (GA)
251Anthony GosePhiladelphia PhilliesOutfielderBellflower High School (CA)
252Brad HandFlorida MarlinsPitcherChaska High School (MN)
257Robbie RossTexas RangersPitcherLexington Christian Academy (KY)
258Tyson RossOakland AthleticsPitcherCalifornia
259Shane PetersonSt. Louis CardinalsOutfielderLong Beach State
260Tyler LadendorfMinnesota TwinsSecond basemanHoward College (TX)
261Josh LindblomLos Angeles DodgersPitcherPurdue
269James DarnellSan Diego PadresThird basemanSouth Carolina
270Zeke SpruillAtlanta BravesPitcherKell High School (GA)
272Charlie BlackmonColorado RockiesOutfielderGeorgia Tech
273Bryan ShawArizona DiamondbacksPitcherLong Beach State
274Tyler ChatwoodLos Angeles Angels of AnaheimPitcherRedlands East Valley High School (CA)
379Jordy MercerPittsburgh PiratesShortstopOklahoma State
381L. J. HoesBaltimore OriolesSecond basemanSt. John's College High School (DC)
382Roger KieschnickSan Francisco GiantsOutfielderTexas Tech
383Edgar OlmosFlorida MarlinsPitcherBirmingham High School (CA)
384Zach StewartCincinnati RedsPitcherTexas Tech
385Stephen FifeBoston Red SoxPitcherUtah
386Brent MorelChicago White SoxThird basemanCal Poly
387Danny EspinosaWashington NationalsShortstopLong Beach State
394Logan SchaferMilwaukee BrewersOutfielderCal Poly
396Craig KimbrelAtlanta BravesPitcherWallace State Community College
397Chris CarpenterChicago CubsPitcherKent State
3100Kirk NieuwenhuisNew York MetsOutfielderAzusa Pacific
3101Blake TekotteSan Diego PadresOutfielderMiami (FL)
3102Vance WorleyPhiladelphia PhilliesPitcherLong Beach State
3106David AdamsNew York YankeesSecond BasemanVirginia
3107Cord PhelpsCleveland IndiansSecond BasemanStanford
3108Kyle WeilandBoston Red SoxPitcherNotre Dame
3110Jonathan PettibonePhiladelphia PhilliesPitcherEsperanza High School (CA)
4114Chase d'ArnaudPittsburgh PiratesShortstopPepperdine
4115Tim MelvilleKansas City RoyalsPitcherWentzville Holt High School (MO)
4116Kyle HudsonBaltimore OriolesOutfielderIllinois
4117Brandon CrawfordSan Francisco GiantsShortstopUCLA
4123Joe WielandTexas RangersPitcherBishop Manogue Catholic High School (NV)
4127Dee Strange-GordonLos Angeles DodgersShortstopSoutheastern University
4135Jason Kipnis*San Diego PadresOutfielderArizona State
4136Trevor MayPhiladelphia PhilliesPitcherKelso High School (WA)
4139Buddy BoshersLos Angeles Angels of AnaheimPitcherCalhoun Community College
4140Corban JosephNew York YankeesShortstopFranklin High School (TN)
5144Justin WilsonPittsburgh PiratesPitcherFresno State
5145John LambKansas City RoyalsPitcherLaguna Hills High School (CA)
5150Daniel HudsonChicago White SoxPitcherOld Dominion
5151Adrian NietoWashington NationalsCatcherAmerican Heritage School (FL)
5155Jermaine CurtisSt. Louis CardinalsThird basemanUCLA
5159Tyler PastornickyToronto Blue JaysShortstopIMG Academy (FL)
5163Alex AvilaDetroit TigersCatcherAlabama
5165Anthony BassSan Diego PadresPitcherWayne State
5167Chris DominguezColorado RockiesThird basemanLouisville
5168Collin CowgillArizona DiamondbacksOutfielderKentucky
5171Zach PutnamCleveland IndiansPitcherMichigan Wolverines
6174Robbie GrossmanPittsburgh PiratesOutfielderCy-Fair High School (TX)
6177Eric SurkampSan Francisco GiantsPitcherNC State
6182J. B. ShuckHouston AstrosOutfielderOhio State
6183Richard BleierTexas RangersPitcherFlorida Gulf Coast
6185Eric FornataroSt. Louis CardinalsPitcherMiami Dade College
6191Josh HarrisonChicago CubsSecond basemanCincinnati
6194Josh SatinNew York MetsSecond BasemanCalifornia
6195Cole FigueroaSan Diego PadresShortstopFlorida
6200Brett MarshallNew York YankeesPitcherSterling High School (TX)
6202Ryan LavarnwayBoston Red SoxThird basemanYale
7206Caleb JosephBaltimore OriolesCatcherLipscomb
7209Pedro VillarrealCincinnati RedsPitcherHoward
7210Jordan DanksChicago White SoxOutfielderTexas
7219Eric ThamesToronto Blue JaysOutfielderPepperdine
7229Will SmithLos Angeles Angels of AnaheimPitcherGulf Coast Community College
7230Kyle HigashiokaNew York YankeesCatcherEdison High School (CA)
7232Tim FederowiczBoston Red SoxCatcherNorth Carolina
8237Scott BarnesSan Francisco GiantsPitcherSt. John's
8238Isaac GallowayFlorida MarlinsOutfielderLos Osos High School (CA)
8247Nick BussLos Angeles DodgersOutfielderUSC
8248Erik KomatsuMilwaukee BrewersOutfielderCal State Fullerton
8249Evan CrawfordToronto Blue JaysPitcherAuburn
8250Brett OberholtzerAtlanta BravesPitcherSeminole State College of Florida
8252Bobby LaFromboiseSeattle MarinersPitcherNew Mexico
8253Andy DirksDetroit TigersOutfielderWichita State
8254Eric CampbellNew York MetsThird basemanBoston College
9264Matt HaguePittsburgh PiratesThird basemanOklahoma State
9268Dan JenningsFlorida MarlinsPitcherNebraska
9269Dave SappeltCincinnati RedsOutfielderCoastal Carolina
9281Jay JacksonChicago CubsPitcherFurman
9292Christian VázquezBoston Red SoxCatcherPuerto Rico Baseball Academy and High School (PR)
10296Chris Herrmann*Baltimore OriolesThird basemanAlvin Community College
10301Tommy MiloneWashington NationalsPitcherSouthern California
10305Alex CastellanosSt. Louis CardinalsSecond basemanBelmont Abbey College
10309Danny FarquharToronto Blue JaysPitcherLouisiana
10310J. J. HooverAtlanta BravesPitcherCalhoun Community College
10311Alex Wilson*Chicago CubsPitcherTexas A&M
10313Robbie WeinhardtDetroit TigersPitcherOklahoma State
10315Andrew AlbersSan Diego PadresPitcherKentucky
10320D. J. MitchellNew York YankeesPitcherClemson

NFL players drafted

Notes

On September 9, 2008, Conor Gillaspie, the 37th pick in the 2008 draft, made his Major League debut, becoming the first from his draft class to do so. Buster Posey was the first 2008 draftee to play in post-season and eventually won the 2010 World Series, the 2012 World Series, and the 2014 World Series with the San Francisco Giants. Posey was also named 2010 NL Rookie of the Year, and he won 2012 National League Most Valuable Player award and the 2012, 2014 & 2015 Silver Slugger awards.

2011 Rookie of the Year Craig Kimbrel was drafted 96th overall by the Atlanta Braves in the 3rd round.

Ryan Westmoreland, who the Boston Red Sox drafted in the fifth round, became one of the best prospects in baseball before having brain surgery twice to repair a cavernous malformation.

Brothers Caleb and Corban Joseph were both chosen in the 2008 draft. The New York Yankees selected Corban in the fourth round, with the 140th overall selection, out of Franklin High School in Franklin, Tennessee, while the Baltimore Orioles drafted Caleb in the seventh round, with the 206th overall selection, out of Lipscomb University.

West Virginia quarterback Pat White was drafted in the 49th round by the Cincinnati Reds, even though he had not played baseball since his senior year of high school in 2004, when he was drafted by the Anaheim Angels.

Negro leagues special draft

Prior to the start of the draft, the League held a special round consisting of surviving Negro leagues players to acknowledge and rectify their exclusion from the major leagues on the basis of race in the past. The idea of the special draft was conceived by Hall of Famer Dave Winfield. Each major league team drafted one player from the Negro leagues. Notable in the draft were Emilio Navarro (who, at 102 years of age at the time of the draft, was believed to be the oldest living professional ballplayer) and Mamie "Peanut" Johnson, the first woman ever drafted.

PlayerMLB TeamPositionNegro league team(s)
Hubert SimmonsLos Angeles Angels of AnaheimShortstopKansas City Monarchs
Neale 'Bobo' HendersonBaltimore OriolesPitcher/OutfielderBaltimore Elite Giants
Jim 'Fireball' ColzieBoston Red SoxPitcherIndianapolis Clowns, Atlanta Black Crackers
Hank PresswoodChicago White SoxShortstop/Third basemanCleveland Buckeyes, Kansas City Monarchs
Otha "Li'l Catch" BaileyCleveland IndiansCatcherBirmingham Black Barons, Chattanooga Choo-Choos, Cleveland Buckeyes, Houston/New Orleans Eagles
Cecil KaiserDetroit TigersPitcher/First baseman/OutfielderHomestead Grays, Pittsburgh Crawfords
Ulysses HollimonKansas City RoyalsPitcherBirmingham Black Barons, Baltimore Elite Giants
Bill 'Lefty' BellMinnesota TwinsPitcherBirmingham Black Barons, Kansas City Monarchs
Emilio 'Millito' NavarroNew York YankeesShortstop/Second baseman/Third basemanCuban Stars
Irvin CastilleOakland AthleticsShortstopBirmingham Black Barons
John MilesSeattle MarinersThird baseman/OutfielderChicago American Giants
Walter Lee GibbonsTampa Bay RaysPitcherPhiladelphia Stars, New York Black Yankees, Indianapolis Clowns
Charley PrideTexas RangersPitcherBirmingham Black Barons, Memphis Red Sox
Harold GouldToronto Blue JaysPitcherPhiladelphia Stars
Bob MitchellArizona DiamondbacksPitcherKansas City Monarchs
James 'Red' MooreAtlanta BravesFirst basemanAtlanta Black Crackers, Baltimore Elite Giants, Newark Eagles
Walt OwensChicago CubsPitcher/First basemanDetroit Stars
Charlie DavisCincinnati RedsPitcherMemphis Red Sox
Mack 'The Knife' PrideColorado RockiesPitcherMemphis Red Sox, Kansas City Monarchs
Enrique MarotoFlorida MarlinsPitcherKansas City Monarchs
Bill BlairHouston AstrosPitcherDetroit Stars, Indianapolis Clowns
Andrew PorterLos Angeles DodgersPitcherBaltimore Elite Giants, Newark Eagles, Indianapolis Clowns, Cleveland Buckeyes
Joseph B. ScottMilwaukee BrewersFirst baseman/OutfielderMemphis Red Sox, New York Black Yankees
Robert ScottNew York MetsPitcher/First basemanMemphis Red Sox, New York Black Yankees
Mahlon DuckettPhiladelphia PhilliesFirst baseman/Second BasemanPhiladelphia Stars, Indianapolis Clowns
James TillmanPittsburgh PiratesCatcherHomestead Grays
'Prince' Joe HenrySt. Louis CardinalsSecond baseman/Third BasemanPhiladelphia Stars, Indianapolis ClownsDetroit Stars
Walter McCoySan Diego PadresPitcherChicago American Giants, Kansas City Monarchs
Carlos Manuel SantiagoSan Francisco GiantsShortstop/Second basemanNew York Cubans
Mamie 'Peanut' JohnsonWashington NationalsPitcherIndianapolis Clowns

External links

Preceded byDavid Price1st Overall Picks Tim BeckhamSucceeded byStephen Strasburg