Every Alabama baseball player selected in first round of MLB draft
Of that group, there are a few in particular who hold a special label as a "first round pick," meaning that they were among baseball's first players to be selected during that year's draft.
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In fact, according to the university's records, there have been only five Alabama players selected during the first round of the MLB draft ever, one of which was a Top 10 overall pick.
Here is a look at every Alabama baseball player to be selected in the first round of the MLB draft, as well as what each went on to do once in the league after.
Joe Vitiello, Outfielder - 1991 MLB draft
The lone Alabama outfielder to be selected within the first round, Joe Vitiello was taken with the No. 7 overall pick in the 1991 MLB draft by the Kansas City Royals, making him also the highest-drafted player in Crimson Tide program history. Making his MLB debut in 1995, Vitiello went on to play seven seasons in the league from 1995-2000 with the Royals and San Diego Padres, as well as in 2003 with the Montreal Expos.
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Jeremy Brown, Catcher - 2002 MLB draft
Jeremy Brown was selected with a compensatory pick in the first round of the 2002 MLB draft, taken with pick No. 35 overall by the Oakland Athletics. Brown would eventually make his MLB debut with the Athletics back in 2006, but did not see any action at the major league level aside from that year.
Taylor Tankersley, Left-Handed Pitcher - 2004 MLB draft
Mar 19, 2009; Jupiter, FL, USA; Florida Marlins relief pitcher Taylor Tankersley (57) delivers a pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports
Alabama saw yet another lengthy break in between first rounders, ending in the 2004 MLB draft when left-handed pitcher Taylor Tankersley was selected with the No. 27 overall pick by the Florida Marlins. Tankersley would spend four seasons in the major leagues during his MLB career, each of which came with the Marlins from 2006-08, along with 2010.
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Tommy Hunter, Right-Handed Pitcher - 2006 MLB draft
Jul 25, 2010; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers pitcher Tommy Hunter (35) pitches against the Los Angeles Angels at Rangers Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Similar to Brown previously, right-handed pitcher Tommy Hunter was also a compensatory first round pick, selected No. 54 overall in the 2006 MLB draft by the Texas Rangers. Making his MLB debut in 2008, Hunter is among the most accomplished Alabama baseball players in major league history, pitching for 16 seasons from 2008-23 with the Rangers, Baltimore Orioles, Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Indians, Tampa Bay Rays, Philadelphia Phillies, and New York Mets.
Ben Hess, Right-Handed Pitcher - 2024 MLB draft
Alabama's most recent first round pick is right-handed pitcher Ben Hess, who was selected with the No. 26 overall pick in the 2024 MLB draft by the New York Yankees. Hess is currently in the minor leagues of the organization, rated by MLB as the Yankees No. 3 overall prospect.
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This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Alabama baseball first round picks in MLB draft history
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