Who's the most recent player to get drafted #1 overall out of high school? Has it ever happened?

Question

I was also wondering if it could happened in the near future?
Do clubs prefer to draft players out of college?

Answer 1

Justin Upton was drafted out of HS by ARZ in 2005, Matt Bush, by the Pads in 2004, Delmon Young in 2003, Joe Mauer in 2001, and Adrian Gonzalez in 2000.
It looks like MLB teams are not shy about drafting HS guys first overall. Although Mauer was the only one to pan out so far this decade, I think Young will be a beast. It is a risk though, for every ARod, Griffey Jr., and Chipper Jones there is a Josh Hamilton or a Brien Taylor!!!

Answer 2

I really like Upton, I think he will have a nice career, and he is only 19. The benefit of drafting high school players is greater in baseball than any other sport because of the multiple minor league teams. This allows players to develop as teenagers against higher quality than they would face in college. Baseball teams like to get youngsters and let them develop in the minors, because although college players might come out more polished, they have four less years to play and by the time a player is 23, they are better off with 4 years playing pro ball than college ball.

Answer 3

I don't know who John Upton is but from what people are writing he sounds like a great player and a great person. No wonder he got drafted out of high school. I know that Ivan Rodriquez was only 17 when he was drafted to the Majors. In alot of cases teams such as the Braves never draft pitchers out of college. Their theory is that they develop bad pitching habits and their shelf life isn't as long in the pros.

Answer 4

Yeah, Justin Upton. He signed a ball for me last year at spring training...he is nice as can be. He stayed a few extra minutes to sign autographs for all the fans, and shockingly (compared to other players), said "you're welcome", when I said thanks for signing my ball. I'll root for this guy for a long long time.