1975 Major League Draft

Here is the first round of the 1975 Major League Baseball draft. Southern University catcher Danny Goodwin became the first (and only) played ever taken #1 overall twice (the White Sox were unable to sign him in 1971). Goodwin signed with the Angels and made it to the majors, but was so lousy behind the plate that he ended up DH'ing the majority of his short career (despite a career average of .236 with 13 homers). In fact, he never caught a single game. 

The Angels gave up on Goodwin following the 1978 season and shipped him to the Twins (along with Ron Jackson) for Dan Ford. Disco Dan had a career year helping the Angels to their first division championship. Ford was later shipped out in a deal for Doug DeCinces, whose career year after being traded put the Angels in the 1982 ALCS. As someone drafted #1 overall twice who never played a game in the majors as a catcher, he deserves a special place on the list of all-time busts.

Another played thought to have a high upside was Clint Hurdle, taken ninth overall by the Royals. Accused of being a five tool player, he found himself a victim of the "cover of Sports Illustrated jinx", though someone forgot to tell him that it was only supposed to last a week. The 1978 cover story labeled him "This Year's Phenom."

Yogi's son Dale Berra was mediocre in 11 seasons, but is the only real competition Rick Cerone has for the title of "most successful player taken in the first round of the 1975 draft." Some draft in the future may produce an even worse set of first rounders, but no initial round of the MLB draft during the 20th Century was worse. And its not as if there was a lack of talent in the draft. Taken in later rounds: Andre Dawson, Lee Smith, Dave Stewart, Carney Lansford, Keith Moreland, and Sweet Lou Whitaker.

#	Name	Position	Team	School
1	Danny Goodwin	C	Angels	Southern University
2	Mike Lentz	LHP	Padres	Kirkland, WA
3	Les Filkins	OF	Tigers	Chicago, IL
4	Brian Rosinski	OF	Cubs	Evanston, IL
5	Rich O'Keefe	LHP	Brewers	Yorktown Hts., NY
6	Butch Benton	C	Mets	Tallahassee, FL
7	Rick Cerone	C	Indians	Seton Hall University
8	Ted Barnicle	LHP	Giants	Jacksonville State University
9	Clint Hurdle	OF	Royals	Merritt Island, FL
10	Art Miles	SS	Expos	Austin, TX
11	Chris Knapp	RHP	White Sox	Central Michigan University
12	Sam Welborn	RHP	Phillies	Wichita Falls, TX
13	Rick Sofield	SS	Twins	Morristown, NJ
14	Bo McLaughlin	RHP	Astros	David Lipscomb Col.
15	Otis Foster	1B	Red Sox	High Point College
16	David Johnson	LHP	Cardinals	Gaylord, MI
17	Jim Gideon	RHP	Rangers	University of Texas
18	Donald Young	C	Braves	Goleta, CA
19	Jim McDonald	1B	Yankees	Los Angeles, CA
20	Dale Berra	SS	Pirates	Montclair, NJ
21	Bruce Robinson	C	Athletics	Stanford University
22	Tony Moretto	OF	Reds	Evansville, IN
23	Dave Ford	RHP	Orioles	Cleveland, OH
24	Mark Bradley	SS	Dodgers	Elizabethtown, KY

* Did not sign