1969
First pick: No. 24 overall, Randy Elliott, 1B, Camarillo HS
In charge: Owner, C. Arnholt Smith; general manager, Buzzie Bavasi; scouting director, Bob Fontaine Sr.; farm director, Peter Bavasi.
History: Elliott reached the major leagues in 1972 and played 27 games for the Padres, hitting .207. He played 114 games in four big-league seasons.
Notable: Chose Doug DeCinces (18th round), but didn't sign him. Took Willie Buchanan, an outfielder out of MiraCosta College, with the second pick of the now defunct secondary phase. Buchanan went on to become a football All-American at San Diego State and was a first-round pick of the Green Bay Packers. No pick other than Elliott played in the big leagues with the Padres.
Could have had in first round: Chose last in the first round.
Comment: Wonder why the Padres lost 959 games in their first 10 seasons? It all started here.
1970
First pick: No. 1 overall, Mike Ivie, C, Walker HS (Decatur, Ga.)
In charge: Owner, C. Arnholt Smith; general manager, Buzzie Bavasi; scouting director, Bob Fontaine Sr.; farm director, Peter Bavasi.
History: Ivie in the major leagues for six games as a 19-year-old in 1971. Didn't return until '74, became a regular in '75 and played 403 games for the Padres, hitting .269 with 25 homers and 188 RBIs. Was traded to the Giants for IF Derrel Thomas in what proved to be a good trade for the Padres.
Notable: RHP Dan Spiller (second round), RHP Steve Simpson (fourth round), RHP Bob Davis (sixth round), SS Steve Dillard (13th round), RHP Ralph Garcia (18th round) and RHP Larry Hardy (23rd round) all made it to the big leagues.
Could have had in first round: C Barry Foote (3), C Darrell Porter (4).
Comment: Ivie's value was as a power-hitting catcher. But he developed the yips, couldn't throw the ball back to the pitcher, was moved to first base and finally traded.
1971
First pick: No. 2, Jay Franklin, RHP, Madison HS (Vienna, Va.)
In charge: Owner, C. Arnholt Smith; general manager, Buzzie Bavasi; scouting director, Bob Fontaine Sr.; farm director, Peter Bavasi.
History: Franklin went 8-1 with 134 strikeouts in 104 innings in Rookie ball and was in the major leagues at the end of the 1971 season as an 18-year-old and three months after he was drafted. He was 0-1 with a 6.35 ERA in 5 2/3 innings over three appearances -- his only career big-league action.
Notable: RHP Dave Freisleben (fifth round), RHP Frank Snook (seventh round), C Joe Goddard (eighth round), SS Bill Almon (11th round, didn't sign but Padres selected again in 1974) and LHP Mike Caldwell (12) made it to the big leagues from the June draft. 3B Dave Hilton and sweet-swinging OF John Grubb made it from the January Draft.
Could have had in first round: LHP Frank Tanana (13), OF Jim Rice (15), RHP Rick Rhoden (20).
Comment: Franklin was rushed to the big leagues and was supposed to be the No. 2 starter in '72. But he blew out his elbow in spring training, long before Tommy John reconstructive surgery. Caldwell, Hilton and Grubb were all productive players for the Padres.
1972
First pick: No. 1, Dave Roberts, 3B, Oregon
In charge: Owner, C. Arnholt Smith; general manager, Buzzie Bavasi; scouting director, Bob Fontaine Sr.; farm director, Peter Bavasi.
History: Roberts came straight to the big leagues and played in 100 games as a rookie, hitting .244 with five homers and 33 RBIs. Hit 21 homers in '73. Played five years for the Padres and 10 years in the big leagues.
Notable: LHP Randy Jones (fifth round), RHP Dave Heaverlo (9), OF Jerry Turner (10) and LHP Rusty Gerhardt (12) made it to the big leagues from the June Draft. January draftees RHP Rich Troedson and June secondary pick Warren Cromartie also made it to the big leagues.
Could have had in first round: OF Rick Manning (2), RHP Larry Christenson (3), 3B Roy Howell (4), RHP Dick Ruthven (8), 3B Dave Chalk (12), LHP Scott McGregor (14).
Comment: This was the best pick in the organization's young history. Roberts was ticketed for stardom before injuries derailed his career. Jones became a two-time 20-game winner and won a Cy Young Award as a Padre.
1973
First pick: No. 4, Dave Winfield, RHP/OF, Minnesota
In charge: Owner, C. Arnholt Smith; general manager, Peter Bavasi; scouting director, Bob Fontaine Sr.; farm director: none.
History: Winfield came straight to the big leagues, playing 56 games as a rookie. Played in 1,117 games for the Padres with 134 homers and 539 RBIs, including a .308-34-118 season in '79. In a 22-year big-league career he hit .283-465-1,833 and was elected to the Hall of Fame.
Notable: IF Mike Champion (second round) and RHP Joe McIntosh (12) made it to the big leagues from the June Draft. RHP Dave Wehrmeister and OF Mike Dupree were January picks who made it.
Could have had in first round: Doesn't matter.
Comment: A great pick, but the Padres couldn't surround Winfield with enough good players, and he walked away as a free agent after the '80 season.
1974
First pick: No. 1, Bill Almon, SS, Brown
In charge: Owner, Ray Kroc; general manager, Peter Bavasi; scouting director, Bob Fontaine Sr.; farm director, none.
History: Almon was in the majors later that season. Played 429 games for the Padres, hitting .255. Was traded to Montreal for 2B Dave Cash in '79. Played 1,236 games in a 15-year career.
Notable: IF Lenn Sakata (fifth round) and IF Bump Wills (12) made it to the big leagues from the June Draft. January draftees IF Tucker Ashford and OF Gil Patterson also made it.
Could have had in first round: OF Lonnie Smith (3), OF Dale Murphy (5), SS Garry Templeton (13), RHP Rick Sutcliffe (21).
Comment: Almon was a good major-league player. But how different would the team's history have been with Murphy and Winfield in the outfield?
1975
First pick: No. 2, Mike Lentz, LHP, Juanita HS (Kirkland, Wash.)
In charge: Owner, Ray Kroc; general manager, Peter Bavasi; scouting director, Bob Fontaine Sr.; farm director, none.
History: Lentz played three years of pro ball, never coming close to the big leagues.
Notable: C Tony Castillo (third round), RHP Vic Bernal (6) and OF Don Reynolds (18) made it to the big leagues from the June Draft. OF Gene Richards, RHP Juan Eichelberger, IF Chuck Baker, C Rick Sweet and LHP Al Holland made it from the January Draft.
Could have had in first round: C Rick Cerone (7), OF Clint Hurdle (9).
Comment: Lentz was 14-2 with an 0.47 ERA and 199 strikeouts in 104 innings in high school. But injuries and a bad attitude scuttled his career. Richards proved to be a good major-league player.
1976
First pick: No. 5, Bob Owchinko, LHP, Eastern Michigan
In charge: Owner, Ray Kroc; general manager, Peter Bavasi; scouting director, Bob Fontaine Sr.; farm director, none.
History: Owchinko was in the big leagues later that season, but was 0-2 with a 16.62 ERA. Appeared in 110 games for the Padres and was 25-39. Was traded to Cleveland for OF Jerry Mumphrey. Was 37-60 with a 4.28 ERA in 10 big league seasons.
Notable: RHP Steve Mura (second round), OF Jim Beswick (5), C Craig Stimac (9), RHP Tom Tellman (11), RHP Mark Lee (13), 1B Broderick Perkins (15) and LHP Gary Lucas (19) made it to the big leagues from the June Draft. LHP Bob Shirley, LHP Dan Boone, and RHP Roger Slagle made it from the January Draft.
Could have had in first round: OF Ken Landreaux (6), 1B Leon Durham (15), C Mike Scioscia (19), LHP Bruce Hurst (22).
Comment: Owchinko was 9-12 in '77 and carried a perfect game against the Dodgers into the ninth inning before losing 1-0. But he was never much more than a journeyman. Perkins, Lucas, Shirley and Boone wound up being contributors.
1977
First pick: No. 8, Brian Greer, OF, Sonora HS (Brea)
In charge: Owner, Ray Kroc; general manager, Bob Fontaine Sr.; scouting director, none; farm director, none.
History: Greer was in the big leagues at the end of the season at age 18. He struckout in his only at-bat. He surfaced again in '79 and was hitless in four at-bats -- his last four ABs in the big leagues.
Notable: IF Barry Evans (second round), SS Ozzie Smith (4), OF Ron Tingley (10) and IF Gary Weiss (22) made it to the big leagues. Smith turned into a Hall of Famer.
Could have had in first round: IF Wally Backman (16), RHP Bob Welch (20).
Comment: Greer turned down a football scholarship to UCLA to sign with the Padres. They rushed him up the organizational ladder and ruined him.
1978
First pick: No. 5, Andy Hawkins, RHP, Midway HS (Waco, Texas)
In charge: Owner, Ray Kroc; general manager, Bob Fontaine Sr.; scouting director, none; farm director, Jim Weigel.
History: Hawkins reached the big leagues in '82 and was 60-58 in 1,102 innings for the Padres, including an 18-8 season in '85. Walked away as a free agent after the '88 season and signed with the Yankees. Was 84-91 in his 10-year big-league career.
Notable: C Doug Gwosdz (second round), RHP George Stablein (3), RHP Floyd Chiffer (5), IF Tim Flannery (6), RHP Steve Fireovid (7), RHP Eric Show (18), LHP Mark Thurmond (24), IF Paul Noce (25) and RHP Randy Kramer (26) made it to the big leagues from the June Draft. C Mike Martin made in from the January Draft.
Could have had in first round: OF Kirk Gibson (12), OF Tom Brunansky (14).
Comment: Hawkins gave the Padres seven good seasons. Hawkins, Show and Thurmond were stars of the '84 World Series team. Flannery was one of the most-loved Padres of all-time. Overall, perhaps the best draft in franchise history.
1979
First pick: No. 14, Joe Lansford, 1B, Wilcox HS (San Jose)
In charge: Owner, Ray Kroc; general manager, Bob Fontaine Sr.; scouting director, none; farm director, Jim Weigel.
History: Lansford never made it to the big leagues.
Notable: C Bob Geren (round 1A), C Mark Parent (4), LHP Mark Thurmond (5), IF Harold Reynolds (6) and OF James Steels (8) made it to the big leagues from the June Draft. RHP Jeff Heathcock made it from the secondary phase. IF Larry See made it from the January Draft.
Could have had in first round: LHP Steve Howe (16), LHP Atlee Hammaker (21).
Comment: Looking for power, the Padres guessed wrong passing on Howe and Hammaker. Parent and Thurmond proved to be productive.
1980
First pick: No. 5, Jeff Pyburn, OF, Georgia
In charge Owner, Ray Kroc; general manager: Bob Fontaine Sr./Jack McKeon; scouting director, none; farm director, Jim Weigel.
History: Never got close to playing in the big leagues.
Notable: IF Jerry Davis (sixth round), OF George Hinshaw (11), RHP Mike Couchee (19) and RHP Jeff Robinson (40) made it to the big leagues from the June Draft along with RHP Ron Romanick from the secondary phase. SS Ken Dowell and LHP Curt Wardle made it from the January Draft.
Could have had in first round: SS Darnell Coles (6), SS Kelly Gruber (10), LHP Dennis Rasmussen (17), OF Terry Francona (22), OF Billy Beane (23).
Comment: One of the worst drafts in the history of the club, and that's saying something. Pyburn -- who played quarterback for Georgia -- couldn't, run, hit or throw. A total waste of money.
1981
First pick: No. 6, Kevin McReynolds, OF, University of Arkansas
In charge: Owner, Ray Kroc; general manager, Jack McKeon; scouting director, Bob Fontaine Sr.; farm director, none.
History: McReynolds reached the majors in '83, and he eventually would hit 65 homers and drive in 160 runs in 496 games for the Padres. Was traded to the Mets for Shawn Abner, Stan Jefferson and Kevin Mitchell. Played 12 years in the big leagues, hitting 211 homers.
Notable: RHP Bill Long (second round), OF Tony Gwynn (3), RHP Greg Booker (10) and IF Paul Noce (14) made it to the big leagues from the June Draft. 1B John Kruk was taken in the secondary phase and OF Eric Bullock made it from the January Draft.
Could have had in first round: SS Bobby Meacham (8), RHP Ron Darling (9), RHP Mark Grant (10).
Comment: The Padres missed on their second first-round pick, C Frank Castro, but hit big on McReynolds, Gwynn and Kruk. Really, a good draft, producing two quality players and a Hall of Famer.
1982
First pick: No. 3, Jimmy Jones, RHP, Thomas Jefferson HS (Dallas)
In charge: Owner, Ray Kroc; general manager, Jack McKeon; scouting director, Sandy Johnson; farm director, none.
History: Jones was 20-21 in 62 games over three seasons with the Padres. Was traded to the Yankees for Jack Clark. Was 43-39 in an eight-year career.
Notable: IF Mark Wassinger (third round), RHP Mark Williamson (4), LHP Mitch Williams (8), LHP Gene Walter (29). Also chose RHP Kevin Towers in the secondary phase.
Could have had in first round: RHP Dwight Gooden (5), SS Spike Owen (6).
Comment: Jones was a Texas high school phenom. Gooden was more of a gamble, playing in Tampa. The Padres played it safe and took Jones, who now works in the system as a coach. Gooden won 194 big-league games and was 24-4 in '85.
1983
First pick: No. 10, Ray Hayward, LHP, Oklahoma
In charge: Owner, Ray Kroc; general manager, Jack McKeon; scouting director, Sandy Johnson; farm director, none.
History: In two big-league trials with the Padres, Hayward was 0-2 with a 12.90 ERA. Finished his career 4-8 in 19 games.
Notable: LHP Ed Vosberg (third round) made it to the big leagues from the June Draft. January draftees LHP Dennis Cook, RHP Bob Milacki and RHP Mike Smith all made it to the majors.
Could have had in first round: RHP Roger Clemens (19), LHP Dan Plesac (26).
Comment: Eight teams after the Padres passed on Clemens. Think he could have made a difference with the Padres?
1984
First pick: No. 11, Shane Mack, OF, UCLA
In charge: Owner, Joan Kroc; general manager, Jack McKeon; scouting director, Sandy Johnson; farm director, none.
History: Mack hit .229 in two seasons and 161 games with the Padres. Was claimed by the Twins in the Rule 5 Draft and played nine years in the big leagues, hitting .299 with 80 homers.
Notable: SS Gary Green (round 1A) and RHP Mike Harkey (18) made it to the big leagues from the June Draft. OF Randall Byers was a January draftee who made it.
Could have had in first round: OF Oddibe McDowell (12), RHP Pete Smith (21).
Comment: Mack's career came to life when he joined the Twins. Green was a disappointment, hitting .222 with no homers and 11 RBIs in 106 games over five seasons.
1985
First pick: No. 23, Joey Cora, IF, Vanderbilt
In charge: Owner, Joan Kroc; general manager, Jack McKeon; scouting director, none; farm director, none.
History: Cora played in 140 games over three years for the Padres, hitting .250. Was traded to the White Sox for Adam Peterson and Steve Rosenberg. Went on to play 1,119 big-league games and finished with a .277 average.
Notable: IF Jim Tatum (third round), IF Chris Knabenshue (5), LHP Eric Nolte (6), RHP Greg W. Harris (10), OF Jerald Clark (12) made it to the big leagues.
Could have had in first round: Rafael Palmeiro (22). But the Padres lost that pick to the Cubs for signing RHP Tim Stoddard, who was a bust.
Comment: Clark actually had the biggest impact, and he was only OK.
1986
First pick: No. 11, Thomas Howard, OF, Ball State
In charge: Owner, Joan Kroc; general manager, Jack McKeon; scouting director, none; farm director, none.
History: In two-plus years with the Padres, Howard played in 121 games and hit four homers. Was traded to the Indians for IF Jason Hardtke and went on the play 11 years in the majors with 44 homers in 1,105 games.
Notable: LHP Greg S. Harris (13th roound) and C Alan Zinter (23) made it to the big leagues along with January draftees RHP Doug Brocail and OF Warren Newsom.
Could have had in first round: RHP Roberto Hernandez (16).
Comment: Years later, Brocail came back to the Padres, but the club got no help from this draft.
1987
First pick: No. 10, Kevin Garner, RHP/OF, Texas
In charge: Owner, Joan Kroc; general manager, Jack McKeon; scouting director, none; farm director, none.
History: Garner never came close to reaching the big leagues.
Notable: 3B Dave Hollins (sixth round) and SS Paul Faries (23) made it to the big leagues, and Hollins had some big years for the Phillies.
Could have had in first round: IF Delino Deshields (12), RHP Chris Carpenter (14), C Craig Biggio (22).
Comment: An absolute wasted draft, a recurring theme.
1988
First pick: No. 1, Andy Benes, RHP, Evansville University
In charge: Owner, Joan Kroc; general manager, Jack McKeon; scouting director, none; farm director, none.
History: Benes, also know as "The Big Train", was 69-75 in seven-plus years with the Padres. Was traded to Seattle for Marc Newfield and Ron Villone. Benes went on to go 155-139 in 14 seasons.
Notable: SS Ray Holbert (third round), RHP Bryce Florie (5), IF Nikco Riesgo (8) and RHP A.J. Sager (10) all made it to the big leagues.
Could have had in first round: 3B Robin Ventura (10), 1B Tino Martinez (14), SS Royce Clayton (15).
Comment: Can't complain too much about picking Benes. He was a No. 1-type starter, but tired of the Padres' losing ways.
1989
No first-round pick
In charge: Owner, Joan Kroc; general manager, Jack McKeon; scouting director, Randy Smith; farm director, none.
History: Lost the rights to Boston for signing free agent LHP Bruce Hurst. The Red Sox took SS Greg Blosser with the Padres' pick -- 16th overall -- and later selected 1B Mo Vaughn with their own selection at 23.
Notable: 1B Dave Staton (fifth round), OF Darrell Sherman (6), OF Ray McDavid (9), RHP Tim Worrell (20).
Could have had in first round: Vaughn.
Comment: Hurst was 55-38 in four seasons for the Padres, including a pair of 15-win seasons. So the organization didn't lose anything, but Mo Vaughn would have looked good at first.
1990
First pick: No. 25, Robbie Beckett, LHP, McCallum HS (Austin, Texas)
In charge: Owner, Joan Kroc/Tom Werner; general manager, Jack McKeon; scouting director, Randy Smith; farm director, none.
History: Beckett was a hard thrower who had trouble mastering mechanics and throwing strikes. Never pitched for the Padres, but appeared in seven games over two seasons with the Rockies and had an 11.57 ERA. Lost pick No. 15 in the first round for signing LHP Craig Lefferts as a free agent. The Giants took OF Adam Hyzdu with that pick.
Notable: RHP Scott Sanders (round 1A), RHP Jay Howell (11), RHP Scott Fredrickson (14), OF Matt Mieske (17), RHP Jon Ratliff (22), 1B Jay Gainer (24), LHP Lance Painter (25) and RHP Alan Benes (49) all made it to the big leagues.
Could have had in first round: No one worth mentioning.
Comment: Beckett was a big-time bust, but Sanders appeared in 118 games for the Padres and was traded to Seattle for Sterling Hitchcock. Howell and Benes had good careers, but not with the Padres.
1991
First pick: No. 8, Joey Hamilton, RHP, Georgia Southern
In charge: Owner, Tom Werner; general manager, Joe McIlvaine; scouting director, Randy Smith; farm director, Ed Lynch.
History: Hamilton appeared in 136 games for the Padres and was 55-44 with a 4.25 ERA. Was traded to Toronto for Pete Tucci, Carlos Almanzar and Woody Williams and went on to finish his 10-year career 74-73.
Notable: C Sean Mulligan (fourth round), SS Homer Bush (7), 2B Billy Hall (17) all made it to the big leagues.
Could have had in first round: OF Manny Ramirez (13), 1B Cliff Floyd (14), OF Shawn Green (15), RHP Aaron Sele (23).
Comment: Hamilton was a good, but not great pick, frustrating because he showed flashes of brilliance. Williams won 22 games in two years and later traded for OF Ray Lankford, who was a bust.
1992
No first-round pick
In charge: Owner, Tom Werner; general manager, Joe McIlvaine; scouting director, Reggie Waller; farm director, Ed Lynch.
History: Lost the rights to first-round pick to Kansas City for signing free agent IF Kurt Stillwell. The Royals used the pick on RHP James Pittsley.
Notable: 1B Todd Helton (second round), LHP Brett Laxton (4), RHP Todd Erdos (9), 3B Geoff Jenkins (24) all made it to the major leagues, but only Erdos signed and made it to the majors with the Padres.
Could have had in first round: C Jason Kendall (23), C Charles Johnson (28) if they had kept the pick.
Comment: Stillwell was a good player for the Padres, but the price was way too high. Not signing Helton was an error that still haunts the organization.
1993
First pick: No. 14, Derrek Lee, 1B, El Camino HS (Sacramento)
In charge: Owner, Tom Werner; general manager, Joe McIlvaine/Randy Smith; scouting director, Reggie Waller; farm director: Ed Lynch.
History: Lee played in 22 games for the Padres in '97 and was traded to the Marlins for RHP Kevin Brown. Lee has gone on to have a great career with the Marlins and Cubs.
Notable: RHP Matt Clement (3), RHP Greg Keagle (6), 1B Jason Thompson (9), OF Gary Matthews Jr. (13), OF Chris Prieto (24) all made it to the big leagues.
Could have had in first round: OF Torii Hunter (20), C Jason Varitek (21).
Comment: Brown helped the Padres to the NL pennant in '98. Was it worth it? Yes. Clement went 25-29 in two-plus seasons with the Padres and was traded for OF Mark Kotsay.
1994
First pick: No. 3, Dustin Hermanson, RHP, Kent State
In charge: Owner, Tom Werner; general manager, Randy Smith; scouting director, Kevin Towers; farm director, Priscilla Oppenheimer.
History: Was 4-1 in 34 games over two years for the Padres with an 8.14 ERA. Was traded to Florida for 2B Quilvio Veras. Finished his big-league career 65-65 with a 4.28 ERA.
Notable: IF Troy Glaus (second round), LHP Heath Murray (3), IF Greg LaRocco (10) all played at the highest level. Glaus didn't sign, went to UCLA and eventually became a big-league star. IF Trajan Langdon (6) played basketball at Duke and later in the NBA.
Could have had in first round: IF Todd Walker (8), SS Nomar Garciaparra (12), C Paul Konerko (13), C Jason Varitek (14).
Comment: The hard-throwing Hermanson was a bust. Not signing Glaus made this draft a disaster, especially when you consider who they could have taken. Hermanson netted Veras in a trade and he was a solid player for the Padres.
1995
First pick: No. 2, Ben Davis, C, Malvern Prep HS, Pa.
In charge: Owner, John Moores; general manager, Randy Smith; scouting director, Kevin Towers; farm director, Priscilla Oppenheimer.
History: A switch-hitter, Davis played in 258 games over four years before the Padres grew tired of his lack of power -- 19 homers -- and traded him to Seattle in a deal that brought C Tom Lampkin, RHP Brett Tomko and IF Ramon Vazquez.
Notable: SS Gabe Alvarez (second round), RHP Brandon Kolb (4), LHP Kevin Walker (6) and C Wil Nieves (46) all made it to the big leagues.
Could have had in first round: OF Jose Cruz Jr. (3), RHP Kerry Wood (4), 1B Todd Helton (8), 3B Geoff Jenkins (9).
Comment: Davis was a great kid, but was a soft player. It was a good gamble to take a catcher, but Wood and Helton would have looked good in a Padres' uniform. The Padres went 0-for-2 on Helton.
1996
First pick: No. 15, Matt Halloran, SS, Chancellor HS (Fredricksburg, Va.)
In charge: Owner, John Moores; general manager, Kevin Towers; scouting director, Brad Sloan; farm director, Priscilla Oppenheimer.
History: Halloran never made it above Single-A.
Notable: RHP Jason Middlebrook (ninth round) was the only player from this draft to make it to the majors and he was 4-4 in 24 games.
Could have had in first round: RHP Gil Meche (24).
Comment: Horrible, horrible, horrible pick. Halloran had one quality, he could run. But as then manager Bruce Bochy said, "if he could steal first, he'd have a chance." This marked the start of the Brad Sloan error as scouting director.
1997
First pick: No. 27, Kevin Nicholson, SS, Stetson
In charge: Owner, John Moores; general manager, Kevin Towers; scouting director, Brad Sloan; farm director, Priscilla Oppenheimer.
History: Nicholson played in 37 games and hit .218 in 2000, his only major-league action.
Notable: RHP Ben Howard (second round), RHP Junior Herndon (9), RHP Ricky Guttormson (22) all made it to the big leagues.
Could have had in the first round: 1B Jack Cust (30).
Comment: Not as bad a pick as Halloran, but another sloan bust.
1998
First pick: No. 9, Sean Burroughs, 3B, Long Beach Wilson HS (Long Beach)
In charge: Owner, John Moores; general manager, Kevin Towers; scouting director, Brad Sloan; farm director, Priscilla Oppenheimer.
History: Burroughs played in 432 games for the Padres with 11 homers and 133 RBIs. Was traded to Tampa Bay for RHP Dewon Brazelton.
Notable: RHP Brian Lawrence (17th round), RHP Jeremy Fikac (18), LHP Eric Cyr (30) and IF Alex Pelaez (42) all made it to the big leagues. Lawrence was once a key member of the starting rotation.
Could have had in first round: RHP Jeff Weaver (14), RHP Brad Lidge (17), LHP CC Sabathia (20).
Comment: Burroughs was a nice player, but the Padres wanted a power-hitting superstar, not a Tony Gwynn-type third baseman. So Burroughs ended up being a washout. Brazelton was a hard-throwing tease.
1999
First pick: No. 20, Vince Faison, OF, Toombs HS (Lyons, Ga.)
In charge: Owner, John Moores; general manager, Kevin Towers; scouting director, Brad Sloan; farm director, Priscilla Oppenheimer.
History: Faison never played in the major leagues.
Notable: RHP Jake Peavy (15th round) became a Cy Young winner.
Could have had in first round: RHP Ben Christiansen (26).
Comment: The Padres had six first-round picks in a draft that was supposed to be the base of the franchise for a decade. All six -- Faison, RHP Gerik Baxter (28), RHP Omar Ortiz (29), RHP Casey Burns (41), LHP Mike Bynum (49) and C Nick Trzesniak (53) -- failed. Baxter was on a path to stardom, but was killed in a car crash. Bynum was the only one of the six to make it to the big leagues, and he was 7-12 with a 4.81 ERA in 27 games over two years for the Padres. Overall, this was a disaster.
2000
First pick: No. 9, Mark Phillips, LHP, Hanover HS, Pa.
In charge: Owner, John Moores; general manager, Kevin Towers; scouting director, Brad Sloan; farm director, Priscilla Oppenheimer.
History: Phillips never made it above Single-A.
Notable: OF Xavier Nady (second round), RHP Justin Germano (15), IF J.J. Fermaniak (22) and RHP Chad Cordero (26) all made it to the big leagues. OF Mewelde Moore (4) is playing for the NFL's Minnesota Vikings.
Could have had in first round: IF Chase Utley (15).
Comment: Phillips was a giant bust. The Padres could have taken his $2.2-million bonus, flushed it down the toilet and gotten just as much out of it. But Nady and Germano were good picks. Cordero didn't sign with the Padres, but later became a top big-league closer. This draft marked the end of the Sloan error.
2001
First pick: No. 14, Jake Gautreau, 2B, Tulane
In charge: Owner, John Moores; general manager, Kevin Towers; scouting director, Bill "Chief" Gayton; farm director, Priscilla Oppenheimer.
History: Gautreau was stricken with colitis that set him back. He was later traded to Cleveland for Corey Smith and never played in the big leagues. Smith never made an impact, either.
Notable: 1B Tagg Bozied (third round), IF Josh Barfield (4), SS Jason Bartlett (13), LHP Rusty Tucker (21) and OF Drew Macias (22). All made it to the big leagues, except Bozied, who suffered a devastating knee injury that killed his career. Bartlett has become a fine big-league player.
Could have had in first round: OF Gabe Gross (15), IF Mike Fontenot (19), IF Bobby Crosby (25).
Comment: Gautreau, who commanded a $1,875-million bonus, was the start of a run of bad health by first-round picks. Barfield had a great rookie season, then was traded to the Indians for Kevin Kouzmanoff. Bartlett was traded to the Twins for OF Brian Buchanan and has become an All-Star.
2002
First pick: No. 13, Khalil Greene, SS, Clemson
In charge: Owner, John Moores; general manager, Kevin Towers; scouting director, Bill "Chief" Gayton; farm director, Priscilla Oppenheimer.
History: Had a big 2007 season and was the Padres' team MVP. Slumped in '08 and was traded to the Cardinals for RHPs Mark Worrell and Luke Gregerson.
Notable: OF Paul McAnulty (12th round), IF Andy LaRoche (21) made it to the big leagues. LaRoche, however, didn't sign and made it to the big leagues with another club.
Could have had in first round: LHP Scott Kazmir (15), 1B James Loney (16), LHP Cole Hamels (17), OF Jeff Francouer (23).
Comment: Greene was a good pick, but wouldn't Hamels look good in the Padres rotation with Jake Peavy and Chris Young?
2003
First pick: No. 4 Tim Stauffer, RHP, Richmond
In charge: Owner, John Moores; general manager, Kevin Towers; scouting director, Bill "Chief" Gayton; farm director, Priscilla Oppenheimer.
History: Admitted just after the draft that he had a shoulder injury and signed for considerably less money than he would have commanded under normal circumstances. Finally appears to be healthy and ready to make his mark.
Notable: C Colt Morton (third round), RHP Dirk Hayhurst (8) and RHP Leo Rosales (20) made it to the big leagues.
Could have had in first round: OF Brian Anderson (15), 1B Conor Jackson (19), RHP Chad Cordero (20), RHP David Aardsma (22), SS Brandon Wood (23), RHP Chad Billingsley (24), OF Carlos Quentin (29).
Comment: Perhaps Stauffer will pay a dividend in the near future. If he doesn't this draft is a bust.
2004
First pick: No. 1, Matt Bush, SS, Mission Bay HS (San Diego)
In charge: Owner, John Moores; general manager, Kevin Towers; scouting director, Bill "Chief" Gayton; farm director, Priscilla Oppenheimer.
History: Bush appears more likely to spend time in jail than in the major leagues.
Notable: SS Sean Kazmar (fourth round), RHP Mike Ekstrom (12) and OF/1B Kyle Blanks (42) have all made it to the big leagues.
Could have had in first round: RHP Justin Verlander (2), RHP Jered Weaver (12), SS Stephen Drew (15).
Comment: The Padres went cheap and got burned big time. This is a No. 1 pick that's worse than the Chargers taking QB Ryan Leaf. It's perhaps the worst No. 1 pick in any sport and Moores is to blame for not wanting to spend the money on a better player.
2005
First pick: No. 18, Cesar Carrillo, RHP, Miami
In charge: Owner, John Moores; general manager, Kevin Towers; scouting director, Bill "Chief" Gayton; farm director, Priscilla Oppenheimer.
History: Carrillo still is trying to bounce back from Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery.
Notable: LHP Cesar Ramos (round 1A), 3B/OF Chase Headley (2), C Nick Hundley (2A), RHP Josh Geer (3), OF Will Venable (7). All but Ramos are with the big club. Ramos, who had Tommy John surgery, could still make it.
Could have had in first round: OF Jacoby Ellsbury (23), OF Colby Rasmus (27), RHP Luke Hochevar (40).
Comment: If Carrillo and Ramos ever regain their health, this could be a banner draft for the Padres. That, however, is a very big if.
2006
First pick: No. 17, Matt Antonelli, 2B, Wake Forest
In charge: Owner, John Moores; general manager, Kevin Towers; scouting director, Bill "Chief" Gayton; farm director, Grady Fuson.
History: Antonelli reached the big leagues last year, but hit .193 in 21 games.
Notable: LHP Wade LeBlanc (second round), 3B David Freese (9), RHP Mat Latos (11), RHP Jeremy McBryde (26). LeBlanc has failed two big-league tryouts. Freese got to the big leagues with the Cardinals. Latos and McBryde are hot prospects.
Could have had in first round: RHP Ian Kennedy (21), RHP Joba Chamberlain (41).
Comment: If Antonelli ever finds his game and Latos and/or McBryde are as good as billed, this draft will be salvaged. Right now, Antonelli could be classified in the Halloran, Nicholson category -- busts.
2007
First pick: No. 23, Nick Schmidt, LHP, Arkansas
In charge: Owner, John Moores; general manager, Kevin Towers; scouting director, Bill "Chief" Gayton; farm director, Grady Fuson.
History: Schmidt still is trying to bounce back from Tommy John surgery.
Notable: OF Kellen Kulbacki (round 1A), SS Drew Cumberland (1B), C Mitch Canham (1C), LHP Corey Luebke (1D), OF Danny Payne (1E), 2B Eric Sogard (2), OF Brad Chalk (2A), RHP Corey Kluber (4), SS Lance Zawadzki (4A) and RHP Wynn Pelzer (9) all are considered prospects.
Could have had in first round: RHP Rick Porcello (27).
Comment: As in 1999, the Padres had a bunch of early picks and hope this is a draft that will be the backbone of the franchise for a decade. If Schmidt recovers from surgery and two of the others hit, this will be a good draft.
2008
First pick: No. 23, Allan Dykstra, 1B, Wake Forest
In charge: Owner, John Moores; general manager, Kevin Towers; scouting director, Bill "Chief" Gayton; farm director, Grady Fuson.
History: Dykstra, who played his high school ball at Rancho Bernardo, was a great college slugger who is still trying to find his stroke in Single-A.
Notable: OF Jaff Decker (1A), 3B Logan Forsythe (1B), 3B James Darnell (2), OF Blake Tekotte (3), 1B Sawyer Carroll (3B), RHP Anthony Bass (5), RHP Brad Brach (42). Way too early to judge this class, but there are some prospects.
Could have had in first round: LHP Daniel Schlereth (26).
Comment: Dykstra needs to shake his season-long funk and at least two of the other picks need to hit to help the franchise.
2009
First pick: No. 3, Donovan Tate, OF, Cartersville HS, Ga.
In charge: Owner, John Moores; general manager, Kevin Towers; scouting director, Bill "Chief" Gayton; farm director, Grady Fuson.
History: With two weeks before the signing deadline, neither Tate nor second-round pick Everett Williams have signed.
Notable: RHP Jerry Sullivan (3), RHP Keyvius Sampson (4).
Could have had: Too early to tell.
Comment: Draft experts say the Padres had a good and potentially great draft -- if -- and again, that's a big if, they can sign Tate, Williams and Sampson.
