Gretzky's son among draftees
NEW YORK - The Chicago Cubs hope they've drafted a Great One. Trevor Gretzky, the baseball-playing son of hockey Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky, was selected in the seventh round yesterday during the second day of the amateur draft.
NEW YORK - The Chicago Cubs hope they've drafted a Great One.
Trevor Gretzky, the baseball-playing son of hockey Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky, was selected in the seventh round yesterday during the second day of the amateur draft.
The younger Gretzky knocks in runs - not goals - as a lefthanded, power-hitting, California high school first baseman. And the jersey number he wore? Well, No. 99, of course.
He has a commitment to San Diego State, where he could play under baseball Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn if he chooses not to sign with Chicago.
The Cubs also took a name from their past, drafting California high school outfielder Shawon Dunston Jr. in the 11th round. Shawon Sr. was the No. 1 overall pick by Chicago in 1982.
The sons of Ivan Rodriguez and Kevin Seitzer, and the great-nephew of Eddie Gaedel - who's 6-3, unlike his 3-7 great-uncle who drew a walk in one of baseball's most famous publicity stunts 60 years ago - were also among some familiar names.
Minnesota drafted outfielder Dereck Rodriguez, the son of the 14-time All-Star catcher, in the sixth round. Cameron Seitzer, a slugging first baseman for Oklahoma, was taken in the 11th round by Tampa Bay.
Valparaiso outfielder Kyle Gaedele - his last name has an extra 'e' at the end - was a sixth-round pick of San Diego. His great-uncle was the shortest player in major league history thanks to a publicity stunt by St. Louis Browns owner Bill Veeck.
Gaedel, who only made a single plate appearance - wearing the number 1/8 - walked on four straight balls in a game against the Detroit Tigers.
Bryce Harper's brother also went to Washington. South Carolina lefty Bryan Harper was drafted in the 30th round by the Nationals, who chose Bryce with the No. 1 overall pick a year ago.
In the 30th round, Milwaukee drafted Trent Boras, a California high school third baseman, who is the son of agent Scott Boras.
In the second round, the Los Angeles Dodgers took Alex Santana, a Florida high school third baseman whose father, Rafael, helped the Mets win the 1986 World Series.