1978 Major League Baseball draft


The 1978 Major League Baseball draft was held June 6–8, 1978, consisting of 48 rounds, during which a total of 779 players were selected by 26 Major League Baseball organizations. The first overall selection was Bob Horner, drafted by the Atlanta Braves.
Four of the selected players made their professional debuts in MLB without first playing in Minor League Baseball: third baseman Horner from Arizona State University, Oakland High School pitchers Tim Conroy and Mike Morgan, and catcher Brian Milner from Southwest High School in Fort Worth, Texas.
In addition to Horner, the Braves also selected future major-leaguer players Matt Sinatro, Steve Bedrosian, Rick Behenna, Jose Alvarez and Gerald Perry.
Others notable players drafted included Lloyd Moseby and Dave Stieb, Mike Marshall and Steve Sax, Cal Ripken Jr. and Mike Boddicker, Kirk Gibson, Kent Hrbek and Hubie Brooks.

First round selections

The following are the first round picks in the 1978 Major League Baseball draft.
PickPlayerTeamPositionSchool
1Bob HornerAtlanta Braves3BArizona State
2Lloyd MosebyToronto Blue Jays1BOakland High School
3Hubie BrooksNew York MetsSSArizona State
4Mike MorganOakland AthleticsRHPValley High School
5Andy HawkinsSan Diego PadresRHPMidway High School
6Tito NanniSeattle MarinersOFChestnut Hill Academy High School
7Bob CummingsSan Francisco GiantsCBrother Rice High School
8Nick HernandezMilwaukee BrewersCHialeah High School
9Glenn FranklinMontreal ExposSSChipola Junior College
10Phil LansfordCleveland IndiansSSWilcox High School
11Rod BoxbergerHouston AstrosRHPUniversity of Southern California
12Kirk GibsonDetroit TigersOFMichigan State University
13Bill HayesChicago CubsCIndiana State University
14Tom BrunanskyCalifornia AngelsOFWest Covina High School
15Robert HicksSt. Louis Cardinals1BTate High School
16Lenny FaedoMinnesota TwinsSSJefferson High School
17Nick EsaskyCincinnati RedsSSCarol City High School
18Rex HudlerNew York YankeesSSBullard High School
19Brad GarnettPittsburgh Pirates1BDeSoto High School
20Tim ConroyOakland AthleticsLHPGateway High School
21Gerry AubinPittsburgh PiratesOFDougherty Comprehensive High School
22Robert BoyceBaltimore Orioles3BDeer Park High School
23Rip RollinsPhiladelphia Phillies1B/RHPAllegheny High School
24Matt WintersNew York YankeesOFWilliamsville High School
25Buddy BiancalanaKansas City RoyalsSSRedwood High School
26Brian RyderNew York YankeesRHPShrewsbury High School

Compensation picks

Other notable players

RoundPickPlayerTeamPosition
237Danny HeepHouston AstrosOF
239Mel HallChicago CubsOF
248Cal Ripken Jr.Baltimore Orioles3B
252Steve BalboniNew York Yankees1B
353Steve BedrosianAtlanta BravesRHP
370Britt BurnsChicago White SoxLHP
374Bobby BonnerBaltimore OriolesSS
485Rob DeerSan Francisco GiantsOF
492Mike WittCalifornia AngelsRHP
5106Dave StiebToronto Blue JaysOF
6151Mike MarshallLos Angeles Dodgers1B
6152Mike BoddickerBaltimore OriolesRHP
8196Tim Wallach*California Angels1B
9229Steve SaxLos Angeles DodgersSS
15377Mark Langston*Chicago CubsLHP
15381Gary RedusCincinnati RedsSS
16415Frank Viola*Kansas City RoyalsLHP
17432Kent HrbekMinnesota Twins1B
18447Eric ShowSan Diego PadresRHP
18460John StuperPittsburgh PiratesRHP
19475Kevin McReynolds*Milwaukee BrewersOF
20511Ryne SandbergPhiladelphia PhilliesIF
21531Dave DraveckyPittsburgh PiratesLHP
23577Howard Johnson*New York YankeesRHP
24594Rick LeachPhiladelphia Phillies1B
39758Vance LawPittsburgh PiratesSS
47778Ron ReevesCleveland IndiansRHP

* Did not sign