Thursday marked the first time that any part of the Major League Baseball amateur draft was televised nationally. Curious timing, as free agency and the influx of international talent has decreased the draft's impact on the big league product.
Still, selecting the right draft-eligible amateurs certainly boosts an organization, especially one that's cash-strapped. Here's a look at the best June picks by each franchise in the past 15 drafts (this week's selections not included).
To make the list, the player must be on the current active roster (or disabled list) of the team that selected him. Many are late-round picks, but some are first-rounders that exceeded lofty expectations.
AL EAST
Orioles
LHP Erik Bedard Sixth round, 187th overall, 1999
The Orioles had seven of the first 50 picks in 1999, and only Brian Roberts panned out. But they stole Bedard, whose Canadian high school didn't have baseball.
Yankees
SS Derek Jeter First round, sixth overall, 1992
The first five teams went the college route and passed on the likely future Hall of Famer and can't-miss kid from Kalamazoo, Mich., including the Orioles (Jeffrey Hammonds, No. 4).
1B Kevin Youkilis Eighth round, 243rd overall, 2001
The Greek God of Walks (he's of Jewish Romanian heritage) excelled at the University of Cincinnati, and has maintained his great eye in the majors.
Blue Jays
RHP Roy Halladay
First round, 17th overall, 1995
Eight pitchers, including Kerry Wood, went before this Cy Young Award winner.
Devil Rays
OF Carl Crawford
Second round, 52nd overall, 1999
He could have played college basketball (UCLA) or football (Nebraska), but the Rays gambled that their all-time hits leader would choose baseball.
AL CENTRAL
RHP Joel Zumaya
11th round, 320th overall, 2002
Yes, he's on the DL with a finger injury. But it's tough to top an 11th-rounder who has a 100-mph fastball.
Indians
LHP C.C. Sabathia
First round, 20th overall, 1998
Like Halladay, Sabathia saw eight pitchers go before him.
LHP Mark Buehrle
38th round, 1,139th overall, 1998
One of three pitchers from 1998's 38th round to make the majors, he's the only one who stuck.
Third round, 89th overall, 1999
A catcher and hockey player from Canada, now he is the reigning AL Most Valuable Player.
Fourth round, 104th overall, 2000
His draft stock slipped because of an elbow injury, but he is a team leader now.
AL WEST
Angels
RHP Scot Shields 38th round, 1,137th overall, 1997
When he was drafted out of Lincoln Memorial (Tenn.) University, his claim to fame was throwing roughly 260 pitches in a 14-inning outing in 1996.
Athletics
RHP Rich Harden 17th round, 510th overall, 2000
Forget the Moneyball draft, Harden might be Billy Beane's biggest coup.
RHP J.J. Putz Sixth round, 185th overall, 1999
The Mariners closer was taken two spots ahead of Bedard.
2B Ian Kinsler 17th round, 496th overall, 2003
He was drafted three times, and the 17th round was his highest.
NL EAST
Mets
3B David Wright Supplemental first round, 38th overall, 2001
Wright was the fifth corner infielder taken that year; Texas' Mark Teixeira (fifth overall) was the first.
Braves
LHP Chuck James 20th round, 605th overall, 2002
Only the Braves could turn a 20th-round pick into a legitimate big league starter in four years.
Phillies
1B Ryan Howard Fifth round, 140th overall, 2001
It's hard to believe someone this big could slip through the cracks.
Marlins
OF Josh Willingham 17th round, 491st overall, 2000
Drafted as a second baseman, he went in the same round as the Athletics' Rich Harden.
Nationals
3B Ryan Zimmerman First round, fourth overall, 2005
The Nationals wanted to make an impact with the first pick in team history, and they accomplished it with a guy so polished he was in the majors that September.
NL CENTRAL
OF Bill Hall Sixth round, 176th overall, 1998
Milwaukee's lineup is jammed with first- and second-round picks, but the versatile Hall wasn't as highly touted coming out of high school.
Cardinals
1B Albert Pujols 13th round, 402nd overall, 1999
In defense of scouts everywhere, he had been in the country for only a few years before attending a Kansas City community college.
Astros
RHP Roy Oswalt 23rd round, 684th overall, 1996
He was selected four picks before Chicago Cubs left-hander Ted Lilly (by the Los Angeles Dodgers). That's a pretty solid showing from the 23rd round.
Cubs
LHP Rich Hill Fourth round, 112th overall, 2002
Coming into his own this season.
RHP Ian Snell 26th round, 779th overall, 2000
A Delaware high schooler, he eventually passed more heralded Pirates pitching prospects.
OF Adam Dunn Second round, 50th overall, 1998
He headed to the University of Texas to play quarterback, but within a year of signing with the Reds, gave up football.
NL WEST
Dodgers
C Russell Martin 17th round, 511th overall, 2002
Drafted as a third baseman, he has become a top young catcher.
Padres
RHP Jake Peavy 15th round, 472nd overall, 1999
Had just one loss in high school and was headed to Auburn when signed.
Diamondbacks
RHP Brandon Webb Eighth round, 249th overall, 2000
Picked in the same round as then-Chicago Cub Dontrelle Willis.
Giants
RHP Tim Lincecum First round, 10th overall, 2006
Because of his slight stature, he was the seventh pitcher taken last year despite awesome college numbers. He's already in the big leagues.
OF Matt Holliday Seventh round, 210th overall, 1998
A big contract kept him out of the huddle and off the diamond at Oklahoma State.