Jeff Francis from the Chronology
Jun 5, 2002 -
High school players dominate the first round picks of the amateur as 16 of the 30 first rounders are prep stars. After Ball State righty Bryan Bullington is taken with the first pick the next 7 are high schoolers. Tampa Bay takes SS Melvin Upton with the #2 pick; the Reds take P Chris Gruler #3; the O's take LHP Adam Lower #4; the Expos choose P Clint Everts #5; KC takes SS Don Greinke #6; and the Brewers pick first baseman Prince Fielder son of Cecil with #7. Detroit takes SS Scott Moore at #8; and the Rockies take British Columbian P Jeff Francis #9. The Padres pick Clemson SS Khalil Greene with the #`13 pick; and the A's picking #16 take OSU 1B Nicholas Swisher son of Steve. With the 21st pick the Cubs choose Bobby Brownlie the #1 collegiate pitcher a year ago before injuries hit. He won't sign until March 2003. On the 12th round the Twins select Marshalltown's Jeff Clement the high school home run champion with a record 71 this year.; He broke the mark of 70 set by Drew Henson in 1998.