Draft Picky

The 2006 Amateur Draft began today. You probably won't be hearing any of the names for a while anyway, so I'll wax philosophical on the general topic.

In the big leagues, you can't swing a cat without hitting the son of a former ballplayer. So why not draft as many as you can?

Like in horse racing, pedigree means something. In addition to the DNA, multi-generational ballplayers have the added advantages of learning from a pro (and whoever's on Dad's team) as well as starting from tee-ball with the knowledge that playing ball for you isn't just chasing some unrealistic dream. You've been in the clubhouse, lugged your share of bats, and witnessed first-hand what real ballplayers do to get and stay ready for competition at the highest level, as far back as you can remember.

So it shouldn't be any surprise that just in the last few years you could look around and see Barry Bonds, Derrek Lee, Ken Griffey Jr., Gary Matthews Jr., Scott Hairston and Jerry Hairston Jr., Jose Cruz Jr., Tony Armas Jr., assorted third-generation Bells and Boones, Prince Fielder, Roberto and Sandy Alomar, Moises Alou, Nick Swisher, Josh Barfield, Adam LaRoche, Lance Niekro, Justin Speier, and I'm sure I missed some. All had dads in the big leagues except Lee, whose father played in Japan and uncle played in MLB. Not to be outdone, Corey and Eric Patterson's dad played in the NFL. I think you remember Corey...

So far in this draft, Doug Drabek's son Kyle (Phillies), Don Mattingly's son Preston (Dodgers), Jim Tracy's son Chad (Texas)(not to be confused with the Chad Tracy already playing), Paul Gibson's son Glenn (Washington) and John Shelby's son John (White Sox) have been picked up, and there are more rounds to go.

The worst of the lot will probably get at least a cup of coffee on the major league level, which compares favorably to the odds of your average amateur draftee. And Preston Mattingly is four inches taller than Don.

Roger Clemens's latest un-retirement gave him the opportunity to take the mound for Lexington tonight with his son Koby at third base. Depending on how many more encores the Astros can coax from Clemens and how fast li'l Clemens progresses, they might join the ranks of Tim Raines and Ken Griffey senior and junior.

Then you have the little brothers of big leaguers. Greg Maddux is a little brother. Pedro Martinez is a little brother. Trevor Hoffman is a little brother. Roberto Alomar, Aaron Boone and Alex Cora are little brothers. If Jake gets called up, add Joe Mauer to the list. Not to mention George Brett and Robin Yount a generation ago.

So as long as you're making 50 or 60 picks, why not dip into that DNA as often as you can? Anyone who showed any promise in high school or college, anyone who might be a little small yet, anyone who might be leaning toward another sport, take that shot on as many as you can, toss them in Rookie League and see what happens.

Sure, you'll wind up with your share of Pete Rose Juniors and Ozzie Cansecos, but even a cup of coffee makes it a better pick than some kid who never made it out of A ball. And you never know which of those kids are going to have a major league mindset simply by osmosis the day they walk into their first spring training camps as non-roster invitees.