1977 Major League Baseball draft


First round selections

The following are the first round picks in the 1977 Major League Baseball draft.

Other notable Selections

RoundPickPlayerTeamPosition
229Kevin BassMilwaukee BrewersOF
238Terry Francona*Chicago Cubs1B
242Mookie WilsonNew York MetsOF
354Scott SandersonMontreal ExposRHP
484Jim GottSt. Louis CardinalsRHP
485Brian HarperCalifornia AngelsC
486Ozzie SmithSan Diego PadresSS
5106Tim RainesMontreal ExposOF
5124Mickey HatcherLos Angeles DodgersOF
9233Jesse BarfieldToronto Blue JaysOF
11270Chili DavisSan Francisco GiantsOF
15389Danny AingeToronto Blue JaysINF
16416Tony Phillips*Seattle MarinersINF/OF
17429Gary Redus*Boston Red SoxOF
36762Tom NiedenfuerLos Angeles DodgersRHP

* Did not sign

Background

The White Sox surprised some when they passed on right-handed pitcher Bill Gullickson, a native of nearby Orland Park, IL, and selected outfielder Harold Baines as the number one pick in the draft. White Sox owner Bill Veeck had seen Baines play little league baseball in Maryland and had followed his progress through the years. After spending three seasons in the minors, Baines was a fixture in the White Sox lineup for 10 seasons.
With Gullickson available, Montreal selected the pitcher second overall, and eventually pitcher Scott Sanderson in the third round and outfielder Tim Raines in the fifth.
Shortstop Tom Goffena from Sidney, Ohio became the Toronto Blue Jays' first draft pick as he was chosen 25th in the first round. The Seattle Mariners picked 26th and took outfielder Dave Henderson from Dos Palos, CA as their first draft pick. The Blue Jays also picked Danny Ainge out of Brigham Young University in the 15th round. Ainge, who was also drafted by the NBA's Boston Celtics, later quit baseball for a career in basketball as a player, coach and executive.