From Barrett to Bryant: A look at L.V. prospects picked in first round of MLB Draft

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Published Tuesday, June 9, 2015 | 2 a.m.

Updated Tuesday, June 9, 2015 | 10:33 a.m.

We play great baseball here in Las Vegas.

Thanks to the big leaguers Kris Bryant, Joey Gallo and Bryce Harper enjoying breakout seasons, our youth baseball scene is finally starting to get credit nationally for its excellence. Baseball is a year-around event in Southern Nevada, developing players who regularly knock off programs from baseball hotbeds in California and Florida on the travel circuit.

Right-handed pitcher Phil Bickford, a California kid who shined the past season at the College of Southern Nevada, became the latest with local ties to be picked in the Major League Baseball draft’s first round when he was grabbed with the No. 18 selection Monday by the San Francisco Giants.

Time will tell if he turns out to be the next Bryant, who was promoted to the big leagues for the first time this spring with the Chicago Cubs and already has seven home runs and 34 RBIs in just 47 games.

Here’s a look at first-round draft picks — including the compensation round between the first and second — in local history:

Pitcher Erick Fedde, Las Vegas High and UNLV

18th overall in 2014 to Washington Nationals

Despite having Tommy John elbow surgery days before the draft, Fedde was still a first-round selection. He received a $2.5 million signing bonus and is slowly making his way back to action.

Infielder Kris Bryant, Bonanza High and University of San Diego

Second overall in 2013 to Chicago Cubs

Bryant batted .327-55-152 in 181 minor league games over three seasons and has shown the same offensive ability in his initial games in the big leagues. He’s already considered a superstar.

Pitcher Aaron Blair, Spring Valley High and Marshall University

36th overall in 2013 to Arizona Diamondbacks

The 6 foot 5 right-handed pitcher Blair has a 6-2 record with a 2.59 earned run average in 12 starts this season for the Diamondbacks Double-A affiliate in Mobile, Ala.

Slugger Joey Gallo, Bishop Gorman High

39th overall in 2012 to Texas Rangers

Gallo, after smashing 113 minor league home runs in four seasons, was promoted last week to the Texas Rangers. He was an instant success, clubbing home runs in his initial two games.

Pitcher Tyler Anderson, Spring Valley High and Oregon

20th overall in 2011 to Colorado Rockies

Anderson is on the cusp on a big-league promotion with the Rockies, but has battled elbow injuries and is on the disabled listed in Triple-A.

Infielder Jake Hager, Sierra Vista High

32nd overall in 2011 to Tampa Bay Rays

Hager is a career .270 hitter through four minor league seasons and reached Double-A in 2014.

Outfielder Bryce Harper, Las Vegas High and CSN

First overall in 2010 to Washington Nationals

After debuting in the big leagues at age 19, Harper is finally having a breakthrough season in 2015. He’s batting .326 with a major-league best 19 home runs and 46 RBIs.

Outfielder David Krynzel, Green Valley High

11th overall in 2000 to Milwaukee Brewers

Krynzel had nine hits in 48 at-bats for the Brewers in 2004 and 2005, striking out 18 times and failing to stick in the big leagues.

Pitcher Mike Nannini, Green Valley High

37th overall in 1998 to Houston Astros

Nannini never reached the big leagues, emerging in independent ball in 2014 after a six season break.

Outfielder Chad Hermansen, Green Valley High

10th overall in 1995 to Pittsburgh Pirates

Hermansen batted .195 with 13 home runs and 34 RBIs over parts of five major league seasons.

Pitcher Donovan Osborne, UNLV

13th overall in 1990 to St. Louis Cardinals

Osborne, who hails from Carson City, posted a 49-46 record in nine major league seasons. He was 13-9 with a 3.53 earned run average in 1996.

Catcher Tyler Houston, Valley High

Second overall in 1989 to Atlanta Braves

Houston batted .263-63-253 in eight major league seasons, including a career-best 18 home runs in 2000 with Milwaukee.

Infielder Matt Williams, UNLV

Third overall in 1986 to San Francisco Giants

Arguably the best player in UNLV history, Williams enjoyed a 17-year major league career, including winning a Word Series in 2001 with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He had 1,878 hits and 378 home runs, won the Gold Glove Award four times, and was a five-time all-star. He’s currently the Washington Nationals manager.

Infielder Marty Barrett, Rancho High and Arizona State

First overall in 1979 to Boston Red Sox

Barrett batted .278 in 10 major league seasons and played in 1986 World Series with the Red Sox. Known more as a slick-fielding infielder.

Pitcher Mike Morgan, Valley High

Fourth overall in 1978 to Oakland A’s

The right-handed pitcher Morgan debuted in the big leagues five days after being drafted out of Valley, playing for 12 teams in 25 professional seasons. He’s one of 29 players to appear in a Major League Baseball game in four decades. He posted a 141-186 career record.

What about Greg?

Hall of Famer Greg Maddux is hands down the best from Las Vegas to play in the big leagues. But, for this list, he doesn’t make the cut. The 300-game winner was a second-round selection of the Chicago Cubs out of Valley High in 1984. His older brother, Mike, went in the fifth round in 1982 to Philadelphia.

Ray Brewer can be reached at 702-990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21