Draft Dope: Devil Rays

June 6, 2007

Draft History (Click the year to view the picks)
Year	Top Pick
1996	Paul Wilder
1997	Jason Standridge
1998	Josh Pressley
1999	Josh Hamilton
2000	Rocco Baldelli
2001	Dewon Brazelton
2002	B.J. Upton
2003	Delmon Young
2004	Jeff Niemann
2005	Wade Townsend
2006	Evan Longoria

Scouting Director: R.J. Harrison (first year: 2006)
Order in 2007 Rotation: 1st
Extra Picks: None
Lost Picks: None
Trend: Having never won more than 70 games in the major leagues, the Rays always pick high, meaning they always have to spend a lot of money on a premium pick. They've picked No. 1 overall twice before--1999 (Josh Hamilton) and 2003 (Delmon Young)--but don't seem like a fit for a toolsy prep outfielder this time. After trending toward high school players for years, the Rays have taken a college player with their top pick three years in a row.
This Year's Outlook: If the Rays don't take David Price of Vanderbilt first overall, it will be a major upset. Getting him signed early may be a challenge, but the Rays have previously worked with Price's agent, Bo McKinnis, with 2001 first-rounder Dewon Brazelton. Scouting director R.J. Harrison also had worked hard on the Rays' second pick at No. 66 overall.