Top 10 Baseball Draft Picks 2000
Adrian Gonzalez selected No. 1 by Florida Marlins
1. Adrian Gonzalez, Florida Marlins, 1B, Chula Vista HS CA
Gonzalez reached Triple-A in 2003 and was traded to Texas. He played briefly late in 2004 and 2005 for Texas before moving to San Diego in a deal involving Chris Young, Adam Eaton and Akinori Otsuka. In San Diego, Gonzalez became the starter - and star - at first base, averaging 30 home runs and 100 RBI for the next three seasons. In 2008, he was selected as an All-Star and won a Gold Glove.
2. Adam Johnson, Minnesota Twins, RHP, U. Cal-State Fullerton
Johnson earned short stint with the Twins in 2001 and 2003 but then spent 2005 in Independent ball before being picked up by Oakland. He reached Triple-A in 2005 and 2006 before missing 2007 and then went 3-2 with a 6.08 ERA in 17 games of Independent ball in 2008.
3. Luis Montanez, Chicago Cubs, SS, Miami HS
Montanez reached Triple-A for the Cubs in 2006 before signing with Baltimore in 2007. After hitting .335 with 26 home runs and 97 RBI in 116 games at Double-A Bowie, Montanez was called up to Baltimore for 38 games in 2008, hitting .295 with 3 home runs and 14 RBI.
4. Mike Stodolka, Kansas City Royals, LHP, Cornona HS CA
Stodolka was slow making his way to Double-A Wichita in 2005, collecting a 20-39 record with a 4.94 ERA in 101 games. In 2006, Kansas City decided to switch Stodolka to a first baseman. He has advanced one level each season, reaching Triple-A in 2008, hitting .286 with 5 home runs and 21 RBI in 75 games.
5. Justin Wayne, Montreal Expos, RHP, U. Stanford
Wayne reached Double-A before getting traded to Florida in 2002 in a move including Carl Pavano and Cliff Floyd. Wayne pitched briefly in the Majors in 2002, 2003 and 2004, amassing a 5-8 record and a 6.13 ERA in 26 games. In 2005 he played for Los Angeles shortly after playing Independent ball but hasn't pitched professionally since then.
6. Rocco Baldelli, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, OF, Warwick HS RI
Baldelli was one of the best rookies in 2003 and had another solid season in 2004. He fought three seasons of injuries and strange fatigue problems before returning to the Majors in 2008 for 28 games, hitting .263 with 4 home runs and 13 RBI.
7. Matt Harrington, Colorado Rockies, RHP, Palmdale HS CA
Harrington and Colorado could not come to terms on a contract and the right-hander would eventually get chosen in the the 2001, 2002, 2203 and 2004 drafts. In 2007, he pitched in the Independent league with a 0-1 record and 3.86 ERA in 4 games with St. Paul.
8. Matt Wheatland, Detroit Tigers, RHP, San Diego HS CA
Wheatland reached High-A ball in 2001 and then spent the next fours seasons dealing with injuries. In 2006, he was playing Independent baseball, trying to become a field player.
9. Mark Phillips, San Diego Padres, LHP, Hanover HS PA
Phillips advanced to High-A with San Diego in 2002 with a 10-8 record and 4.19 ERA. But he moved to the Yankees the next season before missing three seasons and pitching in Independent baseball in 2007.
10. Joe Torres, Anaheim Angels, LHP, Kissimmee HS FL
Torres has been very slow moving through the Minors, reaching only Single-A ball in 2005 and 2006. He then was signed by the White Sox and pitched at Double-A in 2008 with a 3-1 record adn 2.68 ERA in 59 games.
Other First Rounders of Note:
15. Chase Utley, Philadelphia Phillies, 2B, UCLA
20. Chris Bootcheck, Anaheim Angels, RHP, Auburn U
29. Adam Wainwright, Atlanta Braves, RHP, St. Simons Island HS GA
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