The Number Ones

We're past the all-star break in Season 8, so let's resume some the features from past seasons. First, how about checking in with the number ones?

Eight players in the Wailing Onion can claim to be No. 1 draft picks. Where are they now?

Season 1: Trent Milligan, Monterrey (selected by reigny)
Trent Milligan set the bar for draft pick compensation right out of the gate. Milligan got $7m and demanded to start in a league higher than rookie. Monterrey traded Milligan to Mark in San Francisco during season three, making his major league debut in season six. He is 42-21 with a 2.94 ERA as a major leaguer and is STILL a couple of seasons away from arbitration.

Just for the record, San Francisco owns three of the top four picks in that draft--Milligan, Garland Nathan and Harpo Dunn. No. 2 selection Kareen Duckworth remains with his original drafting team in Philadelphia.

Season 2: Boots Waltman, Pittsburgh (selected by bentschride)
Boots Waltman remains with his original franchise, now located in San Juan. He cashed a $4m bonus check and is now a fixture in the Reales rotation. Waltman was a 20-game winner last season, when he received his first all-star selection.

Incidentally, San Fran has the number three (Jorge Cruz) and four (Kirt Karl) picks from this draft.

Season 3: Danny Hammond, San Francisco (selected by mark)
Danny Hammond made his major league debut in season six, and posted his best year last season, when he hit .290-37-109. He's slowed this year with a sub-.800 OPS. Mark must feel like a failure as he has just one top-5 pick from this draft.

Season 4: Jorge Benitez, SF
Jorge Benitez commanded $6.48m as a bonus when picked out of high school. He's earned it. He debuted last season, playing 24 games, but has made his presence felt on season 8. Through 101 games, he is hitting .353-36-102 and sports a 1.100+ OPS. Stud.

Season 5: Patrick Richardson, Los Angeles (selected by Sandleaguer)
Patrick Richardson was the first of four pitchers that were selected to start the season five draft. It cost sand $7m plus a spring training invite to ink Richardson. Debuting this year, he is 6-10 with a 4.32 ERA and now working out of the bullpen.

Season 6: Orval Cunningham, Huntington (selected by jaredpaventi)
Orval Cunningham looks like a real deal second baseman. In three minor league seasons, he's hitting .313 with 48 homers. Cunningham was traded to Philadelphia last week to acquire Donovan Leiter in an effort to shore up Texas' playoff run.

Season 7: Heath Fox, Chicago-A (selected by tsteve28)
Heath Fox made the leap from HiA to AAA this year, where he is 13-5 with a 4.14 ERA. He also has 162 strikeouts in 158.2 innings pitched. Fox is finishing a stint on the DL with a stiff groin.

Season 8: James Uribe, St. Louis (selected by reigny)