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2003 Major League Baseball draft
2003 Major League Baseball draft
2003 Major League Baseball draft
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2003 Major League Baseball draft
General information
DateJune 3–4, 2003
Overview
First selectionDelmon Young
Tampa Bay Devil Rays
← 2002
2004 →

The 2003 Major League Baseball draft, was held on June 3 and 4. It was conducted via conference call with representatives from each of the league's 30 teams.

Source: MLB.com 2003 Draft Tracker

First round selections

[edit]
All-Star
Player did not sign
Pick Player Team Position School
1 Delmon Young
Tampa Bay Devil Rays OF Camarillo High School (CA)
2 Rickie Weeks Milwaukee Brewers 2B Southern
3 Kyle Sleeth Detroit Tigers RHP Wake Forest
4 Tim Stauffer San Diego Padres RHP Richmond
5 Chris Lubanski Kansas City Royals CF Kennedy-Kenrick Catholic High School (PA)
6 Ryan Harvey Chicago Cubs CF Dunedin High School (FL)
7 Nick Markakis Baltimore Orioles OF Young Harris College
8 Paul Maholm Pittsburgh Pirates LHP Mississippi State
9 John Danks Texas Rangers LHP Round Rock High School (TX)
10 Ian Stewart Colorado Rockies 3B La Quinta High School (CA)
11 Michael Aubrey Cleveland Indians 1B Tulane
12 Lastings Milledge New York Mets OF Lakewood Ranch High School (FL)
13 Aaron Hill Toronto Blue Jays SS LSU
14 Ryan Wagner Cincinnati Reds RHP Houston
15 Brian Anderson Chicago White Sox CF Arizona
16 Jeff Allison Florida Marlins RHP Peabody Veterans Memorial High School (MA)
17 David Murphy Boston Red Sox CF Baylor
18 Brad Snyder Cleveland Indians[Compensation 1] RF Ball State
19 Conor Jackson Arizona Diamondbacks[Compensation 2] 3B California
20 Chad Cordero Montreal Expos RHP Cal State Fullerton
21 Matt Moses Minnesota Twins 3B Godwin High School (VA)
22 David Aardsma San Francisco Giants[Compensation 3] RHP Rice
23 Brandon Wood Anaheim Angels SS Horizon High School (TX)
24 Chad Billingsley Los Angeles Dodgers RHP Defiance High School (OH)
25 Brad Sullivan Oakland Athletics RHP Houston
26 Brian Snyder Oakland Athletics[Compensation 4] 3B Stetson
27 Eric Duncan New York Yankees 3B Seton Hall Preparatory School (NJ)
28 Daric Barton St. Louis Cardinals C Marina High School (CA)
29 Carlos Quentin Arizona Diamondbacks OF Stanford
30 Mitch Maier Kansas City Royals[Compensation 5] C Toledo

Supplemental first round selections

[edit]
Pick Player Team Position School
31 Adam Miller Cleveland Indians[Compensation 6] RHP McKinney High School (TX)
32 Matt Murton Boston Red Sox[Compensation 7] OF Georgia Tech
33 Omar Quintanilla Oakland Athletics[Compensation 8] SS Texas
34 Craig Whitaker San Francisco Giants[Compensation 9] RHP Lufkin High School (TX)
35 Luis Atilano Atlanta Braves[Compensation 10] C Gabriela Mistral High School (PR)
36 Jarrod Saltalamacchia Atlanta Braves[Compensation 11] C Royal Palm Beach High School (FL)
37 Adam Jones Seattle Mariners[Compensation 12] SS/P Morse High School (CA)

Compensation picks

[edit]
  1. ^ Compensation pick from Philadelphia Phillies for signing free agent Jim Thome
  2. ^ Compensation pick from Seattle Mariners for signing free agent Greg Colbrunn
  3. ^ Compensation pick from Houston Astros for signing free agent Jeff Kent
  4. ^ Compensation pick from San Francisco Giants for signing free agent Ray Durham
  5. ^ Compensation pick from Atlanta Braves for signing free agent Paul Byrd
  6. ^ Supplemental pick for loss of free agent Jim Thome
  7. ^ Supplemental pick for loss of free agent Cliff Floyd
  8. ^ Supplemental pick for loss of free agent Ray Durham
  9. ^ Supplemental pick for loss of free agent Jeff Kent
  10. ^ Supplemental pick for loss of free agent Tom Glavine
  11. ^ Supplemental pick for loss of free agent Mike Remlinger
  12. ^ Supplemental pick for failure to sign 2002 No.1 choice John Mayberry Jr.

Other notable players

[edit]

NFL players drafted

[edit]

Background

[edit]

The Tampa Bay Devil Rays selected Camarillo High School outfielder Delmon Young with the first overall pick.

Young (6-3, 205 pounds) batted .541 (33-for-61) with seven home runs, 28 RBI in 22 games as a senior this spring for Camarillo. He was named Baseball America's High School Player of the Year in 2002 and was one of only three juniors selected as first team 2002 All-Americans. He became the first junior to be named California State Player of the Year since Eric Chavez in 1995.

At the World Junior Championships in Sherbrooke, Quebec, he helped lead Team USA to a bronze medal while batting .513 with a tournament-record eight home runs and 19 RBI in 38 at-bats.

Young is the younger brother of retired MLB player Dmitri Young, who was an expansion draft pick of the Rays, but never played in the organization. They became the first set of brothers to be taken within the first five selections of the draft. Dmitri was the 4th player selected by the Cardinals in the 1991 draft.

Pitchers Ryan Wagner (Cincinnati), Chad Cordero (Montreal), David Aardsma (San Francisco) and infielder Rickie Weeks (Milwaukee) all reached the Major League level in less than a year.[1]

Chad Cordero was the first 2003 draftee to be selected to an All-Star Game, selected in 2005. Abe Alvarez, drafted in the 2nd round, was the first 2003 draftee to win a World Series championship, although he was not on the 2004 Boston Red Sox postseason roster. Anthony Reyes, drafted in the 15th round, was the first to be on a winning World Series roster.

The Atlanta Braves selected Rick Sporcic SS Highlands HS (PA) Round 50 Draft #1480 with the final pick of the 2003 MLB Draft. 2× Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the forty-eighth round (1,408 pick)

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

2003 Major League Baseball draft

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from Grokipedia
The 2003 Major League Baseball draft was the 39th annual selection of amateur baseball players by Major League Baseball (MLB) teams, held over two days in June, consisting of 50 rounds in which 1,480 prospects were chosen from high schools, colleges, and junior colleges across the and internationally. The draft's first overall selection was outfielder from in , taken by the Devil Rays, who had earned the top pick based on their poor performance in the 2002 season. Subsequent high picks included second baseman Rickie Weeks (second overall, Milwaukee Brewers, ), right-handed pitcher Kyle Sleeth (third overall, Detroit Tigers, ), and right-handed pitcher Tim Stauffer (fourth overall, San Diego Padres, ), reflecting a mix of power hitters and college arms prioritized by teams. The first round totaled 37 selections, including compensatory picks for teams losing free agents, with approximately 63% of all draftees coming from college programs (including junior colleges) and 37% from high schools. Beyond the early rounds, the draft yielded several standout players who became long-term MLB contributors, particularly from mid-to-late selections. Outfielder (seventh overall, Baltimore Orioles, ) and left-handed pitcher Paul Maholm (eighth overall, , ) emerged as reliable everyday performers and starters, respectively, while outfielder Adam Jones (37th overall, Mariners, Morse High School) developed into a five-time and key figure in the Baltimore Orioles' contention years after being traded. Later gems included outfielder (62nd overall, second round, , ), who became a two-time with the ; right-handed pitcher (114th overall, fourth round, Boston Red Sox, ), a four-time closer instrumental in two titles; and outfielder (181st overall, sixth round, , Midwest City High School), a three-time and 2011 National League MVP runner-up. Right-handed pitcher (20th overall, , ) and right-handed pitcher Ryan Wagner (14th overall, , ) were among the quickest to reach the majors, debuting in 2003. Overall, the 2003 draft class produced 195 major leaguers, including multiple All-Stars and contributors to playoff teams, though early picks like Young had mixed results marked by on-field talent and off-field issues. It exemplified the draft's unpredictability, with success distributed across rounds rather than concentrated at the top.

Background

Eligibility and Selection Process

The eligibility for the 2003 amateur draft was governed by Rule 4 of the MLB rules, which applied to amateur players residing in the United States, , or U.S. territories such as . High school players became eligible upon graduation, provided they had not yet attended . Junior players were eligible after completing at least one year of schooling. For four-year players, eligibility began after their junior year or upon turning 21 years old, whichever came first; those who had exhausted their eligibility were also draft-eligible. The draft order was determined by the reverse order of the 2002 regular-season standings, with the team posting the worst receiving the first pick; ties were broken first by the teams' records from the (team with worse record gets higher pick), and if still tied, by coin toss. Additional supplemental picks were awarded to teams that lost qualifying s from the previous offseason, based on the Sports Bureau rankings that classified free agents as Type A (top 20% in performance) or Type B (next 20%). Losing a Type A free agent without receiving a qualifying offer entitled the team to a supplemental first-round pick after the regular first round, while a Type B loss granted a sandwich pick between the first and second rounds. For example, the Cleveland Indians received the 31st overall pick as compensation for losing Type A free agent to the Phillies. The 2003 draft took place on June 3 and 4 via conference call among representatives from MLB's 30 teams, coordinated from the league's New York headquarters. It consisted of 50 rounds and focused exclusively on amateur players from the eligible regions, excluding international free agents who were signed separately outside the draft process. Top prospect Delmon Young, a high school outfielder from California, exemplified the eligibility of recent high school graduates as the No. 1 overall selection. Unlike later years, the 2003 draft operated without a uniform signing deadline or recommended slot values for bonuses, allowing teams to negotiate contracts with selected players at any time until the player enrolled in or the next draft cycle. Bonuses for top picks were freely negotiated, often reaching multimillion-dollar figures based on player value and team budgets, with the No. 1 pick signing for $3.7 million; this system preceded the 2007 introduction of slot recommendations aimed at curbing spending. Players who did not sign could attend and re-enter the draft after meeting eligibility criteria, such as completing their junior year. Undrafted eligible players immediately became unrestricted free agents and could sign with any MLB team during or after the draft period, subject only to the standard signing rules for amateurs. Those passed over in all 50 rounds had the option to pursue independent leagues, college, or international play before potentially re-entering future drafts if they met renewed eligibility requirements.

Pre-Draft Scouting and Expectations

The 2003 was anticipated as a strong class overall, particularly deep in talent, though pitching prospects carried notable risks, especially among high school arms. reports highlighted a mix of polished college hitters and raw high school athletes with high ceilings, with media outlets like Baseball America and emphasizing the balance between immediate-impact college selections and long-term upside from prep stars. Pre-draft evaluations focused on tools such as power, speed, and plate discipline, while mock drafts from sources like Baseball America initially ranked Southern University's Rickie Weeks as the top prospect before shifting consensus toward outfielder as the clear No. 1 overall due to his exceptional power-hitting potential and athleticism. Delmon Young emerged as the consensus top prospect, praised for his quick hands, ability to drive balls over 450 feet, and plus raw power that projected him as a middle-of-the-order threat, despite average speed and some stiffness suggesting a future in left field rather than center. His maturity at the plate and strong arm further elevated his stock, with scouts viewing him as a safer high school bet compared to riskier prep pitchers. Early mock drafts had him slotted as high as No. 2, but by draft time, he was universally projected first overall. Other standout position players included Weeks, whose prolific hitting—leading the nation with a .495 average and .995 in 2002—combined with plus speed and emerging power made him a dynamic offensive force, though questions lingered about his long-term viability at second base due to range concerns. from stood out for his advanced plate discipline, earning Baseball America's Junior College Player of the Year honors in 2002 and 2003 after leading JUCOs in RBIs (92 in 2003) and demonstrating strong strike-zone command as a two-way talent who could contribute with the bat immediately. High school outfielder Ryan Harvey also drew attention for his massive power potential at 6-foot-5, but media reports flagged bust risks inherent to raw prep hitters like him, including swing inconsistencies and signability issues. Team strategies reflected differing philosophies on risk versus readiness, with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays prioritizing high-upside high schoolers like Young to build around explosive tools in their rebuilding system. In contrast, the Milwaukee Brewers leaned toward proven college performers such as Weeks, valuing his track record of production and quicker path to the majors over the uncertainties of prep talent. Pre-draft showcases, including Perfect Game events and area code games, along with Baseball America's updated rankings, fueled media buzz and mock drafts that predicted a position-player-heavy early round, underscoring the class's strength in hitters amid thinner pitching options beyond a few college standouts like Kyle Sleeth and Tim Stauffer.

Draft Selections

First Round Picks

The 2003 draft's first round featured 30 selections made on June 3, 2003, primarily allocated based on the reverse order of the previous season's standings, with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays holding the top pick due to their poor performance. Teams sought a mix of raw high school talent offering long-term upside and polished college performers ready for quicker advancement through the minors, reflecting ongoing debates in circles about risk versus reliability in selections.
PickTeamPlayerPositionSchoolSigning Bonus
1Tampa Bay Devil RaysDelmon YoungOFAdolfo Camarillo HS (Camarillo, CA)$3,700,000
2Milwaukee BrewersRickie Weeks2BSouthern University (Baton Rouge, LA)$3,600,000
3Detroit TigersKyle SleethRHPWake Forest University (Winston-Salem, NC)$3,350,000
4San Diego PadresTim StaufferRHPUniversity of Richmond (Richmond, VA)$750,000
5Kansas City RoyalsChris LubanskiOFKennedy-Kenrick Catholic HS (Norristown, PA)$2,100,000
6Chicago CubsRyan HarveyOFDunedin HS (Dunedin, FL)$2,400,000
7Baltimore OriolesNick MarkakisOFYoung Harris College (Young Harris, GA)$1,850,000
8Pittsburgh PiratesPaul MaholmLHPMississippi State University (Starkville, MS)$2,200,000
9Texas RangersJohn DanksLHPRound Rock HS (Round Rock, TX)$2,100,000
10Colorado RockiesIan Stewart3BLa Quinta HS (Westminster, CA)$1,950,000
11Cleveland IndiansMichael Aubrey1BTulane University (New Orleans, LA)$2,010,000
12New York MetsLastings MilledgeOFLakewood Ranch HS (Bradenton, FL)$2,075,000
13Toronto Blue JaysAaron HillSSLouisiana State University (Baton Rouge, LA)$1,675,000
14Cincinnati RedsRyan WagnerRHPUniversity of Houston (Houston, TX)$1,400,000
15Chicago White SoxBrian AndersonOFUniversity of Arizona (Tucson, AZ)$1,600,000
16Florida MarlinsJeff AllisonRHPPeabody Veterans Memorial HS (Peabody, MA)$1,850,000
17Boston Red SoxDavid MurphyOFBaylor University (Waco, TX)$1,525,000
18Cleveland IndiansBrad SnyderOFBall State University (Muncie, IN)$1,525,000
19Arizona DiamondbacksConor Jackson1BUniversity of California, Berkeley (Berkeley, CA)$1,500,000
20Montreal ExposChad CorderoRHPCalifornia State University, Fullerton (Fullerton, CA)$1,350,000
21Minnesota TwinsMatt Moses3BMills E. Godwin HS (Richmond, VA)$1,450,000
22San Francisco GiantsDavid AardsmaRHPRice University (Houston, TX)$1,425,000
23Anaheim AngelsBrandon WoodSSHorizon HS (Scottsdale, AZ)$1,300,000
24Los Angeles DodgersChad BillingsleyRHPDefiance HS (Defiance, OH)$1,375,000
25Oakland AthleticsBrad SullivanRHPUniversity of Houston (Houston, TX)$1,360,000
26Oakland AthleticsBrian Snyder3BStetson University (DeLand, FL)$1,325,000
27New York YankeesEric Duncan3BSeton Hall Preparatory School (West Orange, NJ)$1,250,000
28St. Louis CardinalsDaric BartonCMarina HS (Huntington Beach, CA)$975,000
29Arizona DiamondbacksCarlos QuentinOFStanford University (Palo Alto, CA)$1,100,000
30Kansas City RoyalsMitch MaierCUniversity of Toledo (Toledo, OH)$900,000
Delmon Young, the consensus top prospect entering the draft, was prized for his exceptional power-hitting ability, quick bat speed, and cannon arm capable of 95 mph throws from the outfield; at 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds, the high schooler had already shattered international records and was seen as a future middle-of-the-order slugger despite average speed. Rickie Weeks Jr., the 2003 Golden Spikes Award winner as the nation's top amateur baseball player and the first from an HBCU (), earned the second pick with his elite plate discipline, speed, and contact skills, posting a .500 in his sophomore year while adding switch-hitting versatility to address the Brewers' infield needs. The Tigers selected Kyle Sleeth, a polished right-hander from Wake Forest with a mid-90s and sharp , to bolster their rotation depth after a dismal season. San Diego's choice of Tim Stauffer, a control-oriented college pitcher from Richmond, highlighted their preference for immediate minor-league contributors over riskier high school arms. Chris Lubanski, a toolsy high school from , went fifth to the Royals for his plus speed, arm strength, and projectable power, filling a gap in their outfield pipeline. The Cubs targeted Ryan Harvey, a Florida high school outfielder with raw power and athleticism, viewing him as a high-upside to develop behind their major league core. Baltimore opted for from a , valuing his low rate, advanced approach at the plate, and strong throwing arm to anchor their corner outfield for years. Pittsburgh chose Paul Maholm, a left-handed starter from State with a deceptive delivery and command, to add rotation stability amid their rebuilding efforts. The Rangers selected , a high school lefty from with a lively and curve, aiming to inject youth into their pitching staff. Colorado rounded out the top 10 with Stewart, a high school known for his smooth left-handed swing and defensive potential at the hot corner. Debates arose immediately around the draft's emphasis on high school selections in the top 10, with critics arguing that unproven teens like Young and Harvey carried higher bust risks compared to college options like Weeks or Stauffer, who had demonstrated consistency against quality competition; this tension underscored broader discussions on balancing potential rewards against developmental uncertainties.

Supplemental and Compensation Picks

In the 2003 Major League Baseball draft, compensation picks were granted to teams that lost qualifying free agents during the previous offseason, with the specific slots determined by MLB's free agency rules at the time. Type A free agents—those ranked in the top 40% of their position by the Sports Bureau—resulted in a "sandwich" pick inserted between the first and second rounds if the signing team had not exceeded the threshold and the original team did not receive a qualifying offer. Type B free agents, ranked in the next 40%, yielded picks in the supplemental first round after the main first round. Additionally, one supplemental pick was awarded for failure to sign a prior draftee. These mechanisms allowed rebuilding teams additional chances to acquire talent, often at significant signing bonuses comparable to main first-round selections. Five compensation picks were embedded within the main first round (picks 18–30), tied to losses of Type A free agents such as (to the Philadelphia Phillies), Greg Colbrunn (to the Seattle Mariners), (to the Houston Astros), and (to the San Francisco Giants). For instance, the Cleveland Indians received pick No. 18 after losing Thome, a six-time , selecting Brad Snyder from . The , who lost Durham, secured pick No. 26 and chose third baseman Brian Snyder from . These picks altered draft strategies by inserting extra selections amid the standard reverse-order allocation, enabling teams to target overlooked prospects without waiting for later rounds. The supplemental first round followed immediately after the main first round, comprising seven picks (Nos. 31–37) primarily for Type B free agent losses, such as (to the ) and (to the ). The received two such picks for losing Glavine and reliever Mike Remlinger (to the Boston Red Sox), selecting pitcher Luis Atilano (No. 35) and catcher (No. 36). Signing bonuses in this round ranged from $925,000 for shortstop Adam Jones (Seattle Mariners, No. 37) to $1.025 million for pitcher Adam Miller (Indians, No. 31), reflecting the high value placed on these late-first-round opportunities. The Mariners' pick was unique, awarded as compensation for failing to sign their 2002 first-round selection, outfielder John Mayberry Jr., who opted for instead.
PickTeamPlayerPositionSchoolSigning BonusCompensation For
18Cleveland IndiansBrad SnyderOF (Muncie, IN)$1,525,000 (Type A, to Phillies)
19Arizona DiamondbacksConor Jackson1B (Berkeley, CA)$1,500,000Greg Colbrunn (Type A, to Mariners)
22San Francisco GiantsDavid AardsmaRHP (Houston, TX)$1,425,000 (Type A, to Astros)
26Oakland AthleticsBrian Snyder3B (DeLand, FL)$1,325,000 (Type A, to Giants)
30Kansas City RoyalsMitch MaierC (Toledo, OH)$900,000 (Type A, to Indians)
PickTeamPlayerPositionSchoolSigning BonusCompensation For
31Cleveland IndiansAdam MillerRHPMcKinney HS (McKinney, TX)$1,025,000Loss of free agent Jim Thome
32Boston Red SoxMatt MurtonOFGeorgia Tech (Atlanta, GA)$1,010,000Cliff Floyd (Type B, to Mets)
33Oakland AthleticsOmar QuintanillaSSUniversity of Texas (Austin, TX)$992,500Ray Durham (Type B)
34San Francisco GiantsCraig WhitakerRHPLufkin HS (Lufkin, TX)$975,000Jeff Kent (Type B)
35Atlanta BravesLuis AtilanoRHPGabriela Mistral HS (San Juan, PR)$950,000Tom Glavine (Type B, to Mets)
36Atlanta BravesJarrod SaltalamacchiaCRoyal Palm Beach HS (Royal Palm Beach, FL)$950,000Mike Remlinger (Type B, to Red Sox)
37Seattle MarinersAdam JonesSSSamuel Morse HS (San Diego, CA)$925,000Failure to sign 2002 pick John Mayberry Jr.

Notable Players

Successful MLB Careers

The 2003 Major League Baseball draft produced a number of players who achieved significant success in the majors, with notable contributors emerging across early, mid, and late rounds to underscore the draft's depth and the challenges of early projections. These individuals collectively amassed thousands of hits, hundreds of home runs, and multiple honors, providing long-term value to their teams through consistent performance at the plate, in the field, and on the mound. Among first-round selections, outfielder , chosen seventh overall by the Baltimore Orioles out of , enjoyed a durable 15-season career highlighted by exceptional defense and reliability. Markakis collected 2,388 hits while batting .288, earned three Gold Glove Awards (2010, 2011, and 2014), and posted a 33.7 WAR, retiring after the 2021 season as a steady presence for both the Orioles and . In the supplemental first round, Adam Jones, selected 37th overall by the Seattle Mariners from Samuel F. B. Morse High School and later traded to , became a cornerstone of Baltimore's lineup for over a decade. Jones tallied 1,939 hits and 282 home runs while batting .277, secured five nods (2012–2015 and another earlier), won four Gold Glove Awards (2009, 2012–2014), and earned a Silver Slugger in 2013, finishing with a 32.5 WAR before retiring in 2019. Mid-round picks demonstrated the potential for overlooked talents to excel, particularly in relief roles and power hitting. Reliever , drafted 114th overall in the fourth round by the Boston Red Sox from , evolved into one of the era's premier closers, recording 368 saves across 12 seasons with a 2.44 ERA and 23.3 WAR. Papelbon was instrumental in the Red Sox's sweep of the Colorado Rockies, earning saves in Games 2, 3, and 4. Outfielder , taken 181st overall in the sixth round by the from Midwest City High School, delivered 1,808 hits and 287 home runs while batting .284 over 15 seasons, earning three selections (2011, 2012, and 2015) and finishing as runner-up for the 2011 National League MVP Award after leading the league with 39 home runs and 126 RBIs. The draft's late-round value was epitomized by Ian Kinsler, selected 496th overall in the 17th round by the Texas Rangers from the , who outperformed his draft slot to become a perennial star. Kinsler accumulated 1,999 hits and 257 home runs while batting .269, achieved a career-high 53.8 WAR, earned four appearances (2008, 2010, 2012, and 2014), won two Gold Gloves (2016 and 2018), and joined an elite group with multiple 30-30 seasons (2009 and 2011), contributing to the title with the Red Sox before retiring in 2019. By 2025, all major contributors from the class had concluded their MLB tenures, though pitcher Daryl Thompson, an eighth-round pick by the , continued pitching in independent leagues after brief major-league stints.
PlayerDraft Round (Overall)Key AchievementsCareer WAR
Nick Markakis1st (7th)2,388 hits, 3x Gold Glove33.7
Adam JonesComp. 1st (37th)5x , 4x Gold Glove, Silver Slugger32.5
Jonathan Papelbon4th (114th)368 saves, contributor23.3
Matt Kemp6th (181st)3x , 2011 NL MVP runner-up21.6
Ian Kinsler17th (496th)4x , 2x Gold Glove, 2x 30-3053.8
*WAR based on career totals; sourced from Baseball-Reference.

Players Who Pursued Other Professional Sports

One of the notable aspects of the 2003 Major League Baseball draft was the selection of several multi-sport athletes who ultimately chose to forgo in favor of professional careers in other , particularly , due to stronger immediate opportunities and personal interests in the pre-NIL era. A key example is Schilens, drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 34th round, 1000th overall, as an from Highland High School in . Schilens, an All-American in both baseball and football during high school, declined to sign with the Tigers to attend on a football scholarship. He excelled in college, earning honors, and was selected by the in the seventh round (226th overall) of the . Over six NFL seasons with the Jets, , and , Schilens appeared in 51 games, recording 104 receptions for 1,311 yards and six touchdowns, establishing himself as a reliable possession receiver. While cases like Schilens highlight the draft's occasional overlap with football prospects—reflecting the era's limited financial incentives for high school signees in baseball compared to football scholarships—such crossovers were relatively rare in 2003, with most draftees pursuing MLB paths after college or directly.

Legacy

Impact on Teams and Organizations

The Boston Red Sox reaped substantial benefits from their 2003 draft selections, most notably fourth-round pick Jonathan Papelbon, who transitioned from a starting role to become one of the franchise's premier closers. Papelbon appeared in three games of the 2007 World Series, logging 6.1 scoreless innings with four strikeouts, including the final out in Game 2—a punchout of Seth Smith—to clinch a 3-1 victory over the Colorado Rockies and contribute to the team's sweep. His reliability in high-leverage situations, including 219 career saves with Boston, underpinned the Red Sox's sustained success from their 2004 championship through 2018, generating approximately 20 WAR from the draft class largely through his efforts alone. The Orioles leveraged their 2003 first-round selection, , alongside Adam Jones—acquired in a 2008 trade from the Seattle Mariners, who had drafted him as a supplemental first-round pick—to form a dynamic outfield core that revitalized the franchise. Markakis provided steady defense and offense over nine seasons, batting .299 with a Gold Glove in 2014, while Jones emerged as a power-hitting centerpiece with 21 home runs that year; together, they anchored the lineup during Baltimore's 96-win campaign and AL East title conquest. The trade sending Jones, Chris Tillman, and three other prospects to the Orioles in exchange for Erik Bedard bolstered Seattle's rotation for two competitive seasons but ultimately delivered greater long-term dividends to Baltimore, where Jones amassed over 30 and helped propel four playoff appearances from 2012 to 2016. Texas Rangers' late-round gem Ian Kinsler, selected in the 17th round, proved a transformative force at second base, delivering elite production during the franchise's most prosperous era. Kinsler struggled in the 2010 postseason, batting .164 with 1 homer en route to the Rangers' first World Series berth, then hit .304 in the following their second consecutive pennant; his speed, power, and three nods with (2008, 2010, 2012) generated roughly 26 for the club through 2013 and symbolized their shift from perennial also-rans to contenders. Other organizations experienced more varied outcomes from the class. The ' third-round pick offered versatile utility during their 2009 ALCS run and subsequent playoff berths through 2011, contributing about 0.9 in limited action before departing via trade. Meanwhile, the ' top selection, Paul Maholm, logged over 1,000 innings as a reliable starter from 2005 to 2011, but his trade to the Chicago Cubs that July for prospects including netted modest returns, as Cashner provided sporadic rotation help without elevating the team to contention. Overall, the 2003 draftees yielded team-specific WAR highlights, such as the Red Sox's ~20 from Papelbon and the Rangers' ~26 from Kinsler, underscoring how select picks and trades amplified organizational trajectories.

Overall Evaluation and Notable Busts

The 2003 Major League Baseball draft class is generally regarded as a middling group that produced approximately 195 players who reached the majors, with strengths in position players such as and Adam Jones providing significant value, but notable weaknesses in starting pitching depth compared to adjacent classes. While the class yielded solid everyday contributors and late-round successes like , it suffered from a high bust rate among the top-10 selections, where only a few achieved sustained impact, leading to evaluations labeling it as one of the weaker drafts of the early due to an overreliance on unproven high school talent. In contrast to the 2002 draft, which featured elite pitching prospects like , and the 2004 class headlined by , the 2003 group lacked comparable frontline starters, with most pitching contributions coming from relievers or mid-rotation arms. Among the most prominent busts was Delmon Young, selected first overall by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, who posted a career .283 but compiled 0.4 fWAR over 917 games due to immaturity and off-field issues, including a 50-game suspension in 2008 for throwing a bat toward an umpire and multiple team changes before retiring at age 30 in 2015. Rickie Weeks, the second overall pick by the Milwaukee Brewers, batted .246 with 161 home runs across 1,259 games but was derailed by chronic injuries, including severe thumb, wrist, and ankle problems that caused him to miss significant time in multiple seasons and limited his power-hitting potential. Ryan Harvey, taken sixth overall by the Chicago Cubs as a high school outfield prospect with plus power, never advanced beyond Double-A due to poor plate discipline and an inability to handle breaking balls, resulting in his release in 2009 without a major league appearance. These failures often stemmed from inherent risks in drafting high school players, as seen in Young's attitude issues that manifested early in his professional career, Weeks' injury proneness exacerbated by his aggressive playing style, and scouting oversights on Harvey's swing-and-miss tendencies despite his raw tools. The class also included notable unsigned selections, such as supplemental first-rounder Andrew Miller, who declined a reported $3.25 million offer from the Tigers to attend the and re-entered the draft in 2006, where he was selected by the Boston Red Sox. From a 2025 vantage point, the class has yet to produce a Hall of Famer, with Kinsler appearing on the for the first time in 2025. The draft's total signing bonuses exceeded $150 million across all rounds, with the top picks alone accounting for over $25 million, underscoring lessons for teams to prioritize late-round value over high-risk early selections and to better assess risks and developmental needs in high school prospects. The class produced about 40 total fWAR across all players.

References

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  2. https://www.thebaseballcube.com/content/draft_year/2003/
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  5. https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/2003_Amateur_Draft
  6. https://athlonsports.com/mlb/revisiting-mlbs-2003-draft-10-years-ago
  7. https://www.baseball-almanac.com/draft/baseball_draft.shtml
  8. https://www.mlb.com/glossary/transactions/rule-4-draft
  9. https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Major_League_Baseball_Amateur_Draft
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  11. https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Journal/Issues/2003/06/02/E-Sports/Big-Leagues-Low-Profile-Draft-Is-A-Web-Star/
  12. https://sabr.org/journal/article/the-history-and-future-of-the-amateur-draft/
  13. https://www.perfectgame.org/articles/View.aspx?article=5609
  14. https://www.thebaseballcube.com/content/draft_udfa/
  15. https://www.espn.com/mlb/columns/downonthefarm/1561956.html
  16. https://attheplate.com/rookies/03_rookie_2.htm
  17. https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/every-no-1-mlb-draft-prospect-from-the-last-25-years/
  18. https://www.baseballamerica.com/players/4767-nick-markakis/
  19. https://www.starnewsonline.com/story/news/2002/08/02/harvey-displays-a-wealth-of-baseball-talent/30490720007/
  20. https://www.perfectgame.org/events/Default.aspx?event=80
  21. https://www.baseball-reference.com/draft/?query_type=year_round&draft_type=junreg&year_ID=2003&round=1
  22. https://www.usabaseball.com/golden-spikes-award/history/winners/rickie-weeks
  23. https://swac.org/hof.aspx?hof=261
  24. https://www.mlb.com/news/rickie-weeks-legendary-college-career
  25. https://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=1059
  26. https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Free_agent_compensation_draft
  27. https://www.baseball-reference.com/draft/?year_ID=2003&draft_type=junreg&query_type=year_round&round=1
  28. https://www.baseball-reference.com/draft/?year_ID=2003&draft_type=junreg&query_type=year_round&round=1s
  29. https://www.prosportstransactions.com/baseball/DraftTrades/2003-1-10.htm
  30. https://www.baseball-reference.com/draft/?query_type=year_round&draft_type=junreg&year_ID=2003&round=1s
  31. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/markani01.shtml
  32. https://www.mlb.com/news/nick-markakis-announces-retirement
  33. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/jonesad01.shtml
  34. https://www.mlb.com/player/adam-jones-430945
  35. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/papeljo01.shtml
  36. https://sabr.org/gamesproj/game/october-28-2007-red-sox-complete-sweep-of-rockies-to-win-world-series
  37. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kempma01.shtml
  38. https://www.mlb.com/news/braun-tops-kemp-for-mvp-award-brewers-4th-overall/c-26026442
  39. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kinslia01.shtml
  40. https://www.milb.com/player/daryl-thompson-444354
  41. https://www.mlb.com/news/nfl-nba-players-drafted-by-mlb-teams
  42. https://www.mlive.com/sports/2013/08/detroit_lions_wr_chaz_schilens.html
  43. https://www.overthemonster.com/2017/2/1/14463550/jonathan-papelbon-red-sox-2007-irish-jig
  44. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rodrise01.shtml
  45. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25221874-ranking-top-10-players-every-mlb-draft-class-2000
  46. https://www.mlb.com/news/redoing-every-no-1-overall-mlb-draft-pick
  47. https://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/2018/6/1/17415824/mlb-draft-biggest-busts-2000s-bullington-young-bush
  48. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/weeksri01.shtml
  49. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1197239-mlb-draft-2012-power-ranking-50-worst-draft-busts-of-all-time
  50. https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/first-round-prep-righties-fall-short-of-expectations/
  51. https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/23641823/best-draft-picks-ever-one-got-away-all-30-teams
  52. https://www.angelfire.com/vt/prospectwatch/index135.html
  53. https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=0&type=8&season=2003&month=0&season1=2003&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&startdate=&enddate=&page=1_30
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