1972 Major League Baseball draft


First round selections

The following are the first round picks in the 1972 Major League Baseball draft.
* Did not sign

Other notable selections

RoundPickPlayerTeamPosition
229Ellis ValentineMontreal ExposCatcher-Outfielder
242Dennis LeonardKansas City RoyalsPitcher
243Bob KnepperSan Francisco GiantsPitcher
247John CandelariaPittsburgh PiratesPitcher
350Dennis EckersleyCleveland IndiansPitcher
353Gary CarterMontreal ExposCatcher
361Craig SwanNew York MetsPitcher
597Randy JonesSan Diego PadresPitcher
7167Willie RandolphPittsburgh PiratesShortstop-Catcher
8172Jim SundbergTexas RangersCatcher
14336Rick Honeycutt*Baltimore OriolesShortstop
15353Jason Thompson*Los Angeles DodgersPitcher-First Baseman
17401Glenn BurkeLos Angeles DodgersOutfielder
17404Vern RuhleDetroit TigersPitcher
25572Mike HargroveTexas RangersFirst Baseman
26596Lyman BostockMinnesota TwinsOutfielder

* Did not sign

Background

The Montreal Expos had perhaps their best draft in franchise history. The Expos grabbed outfielder Ellis Valentine in round two of the June regular phase and then selected catcher Gary Carter one round later. The Pirates also did well, selecting pitcher John Candelaria in round two and second baseman Willie Randolph in round seven.
Some of the significant picks from the regular phase in June included Dennis Eckersley and Rick Manning. Scott McGregor in round one. Also selected in the first round were Chet Lemon, Larry Christenson and the number one pick, Dave Roberts. Roberts went directly to the Padres starting third base position from the University of Oregon campus. The biggest steal was pulled off by the Texas Rangers when they selected infielder Mike Hargrove from Northwestern State University in the 25th round.
Jerry Manuel and Mike Ondina became the first pair of high school teammates to be drafted in the first round of a Major League draft. Both attended Cordova High School in Rancho Cordova, California.