Examination Of 2014 Free Agent Draft Revealing

By DUKE DICKERSON
© 2015 Collegiate Baseball

As the San Francisco Giants put closure to the 2014 baseball season with their third world championship in 5-years, one can’t help but think about the genesis of a successful organization. 

All kingdoms…all dynasties, must be built on a foundation. And for Major League Baseball (MLB) organizations, the basis on which all success is built begins each June with the MLB Free Agent Amateur Draft.

While free-agent signings, via importing or post-draft opportunities, trades, etc., remain an integral piece of the puzzle, the first week in June is the “alpha and omega” with regard to the deliverable…a World Championship.

In 2014, 1,215 players were selected by 30 MLB teams in the 40-round draft. 

In analyzing the draft, the data serves as indicators and variables in teaching us about the intricacies and sophistication of the process.

The Yankees dynasty of the ‘90’s, which was assimilated by Sabean, began with the “Core Four” of Derek Jeter (1992, 1^st-round, 6^th overall), Andy Pettitte (1990, 22^nd round), Jorge Posada (1990, 24^th round) and an organically grown amateur free-agent, Mariano Rivera (1990).  

In addition, Sabean also drafted J.T. Snow (1989, 5^th round), who later became one of the greatest defensive 1^st basemen, ironically, in San Francisco Giants history.

Similar in nature to the architecture of the Yankees resurgence, Sabean used the MLB draft to build the Giants foundation. 

At the time of the last out of the 2014 World Series, seven organically grown players were on the field.

Buster Posey (2008, 1^st round, 5^th overall), Madison Bumgarner (2007, 1^st round, 10^th overall), Brandon Crawford (2011, 5^th round), Brandon Belt (2009, 5^th round), Joe Panik (2011, 1^st round, 29^th overall), Juan Perez (2008, 13^th round) and amateur free-agent, Pablo Sandoval (2003) were all harvested by Sabean.

Other Sabean selections, Tim Lincecum (2006, 1^st round, 10^th overall), Matt Cain (2002, 1^st round, 25^th overall), played significant roles in Giants World Championship clubs of 2010 and 2012.

So what does the MLB draft mean today?  Simply said, World Championships tomorrow. 

Combined, the NCAA Division I and high school pool accounted for over three-quarters (78.68%) of the draft.

What’s interesting, is that in peeling back the onion, another layer, 381 or 62.35% of the NCAA Division I selections came from the Top 10 conferences.

The in-depth 2014 Draft analysis features one chart that gives data on how each Major League team chose their selections and another chart that shows the breakdown of how many players were chosen from the top 10 NCAA Division I conferences, 11-15, 16-20 and 21-32. To purchase the Feb. 6, 2015 edition of Collegiate Baseball by CLICK HERE.