TOP 5 | BCPBL DRAFT PICKS TO PLAY MLB

1) JUSTIN MORNEAU

Despite concussion issues that kept him out of the Minnesota Twins lineup for the better part of two seasons ( 2010 and 2011), there is no denying his body of work since first coming to the American League in 2003. Selected in the third round of the 1999 MLB draft as a member of the BCPBL’S North Delta Blue Jays, Morneau, the pride of New Westminster, was named the AL’S most valuable player in 2006. He now sports 191 career home runs and a .280 batting average.

2) RYAN DEMPSTER

Longevity is the best word to describe Dempster’s major league career. He made his MLB debut on May 23, 1998, as a member of the National League’s Florida Marlins. Originally from Sechelt, Dempster was selected in the third round of the 1995 MLB draft as a member of the North Shore Twins. Dempster’s best season came in 2008, when, as a member of the Chicago Cubs, he notched a 17- 6 record to go along with a solid 2.96 earned- run average.

3) BRETT LAWRIE

His body of work in the big leagues is still small — he made his MLB debut on Aug. 8 of last season. But the passionate style with which he plays the game injected sudden life into the Toronto Blue Jays. The Milwaukee Brewers selected Lawrie in the first round, 16th overall, of the 2008 draft as a member of the Langley Blaze. The Brewers dealt Lawrie to the Jays last season for pitcher Shaun Marcum. In 84 MLB games, Lawrie has 12 home runs and an average of .282.

4) JEFF FRANCIS

The left- hander still holds the No. 2 spot in terms of highest drafted BCPBL, taken ninth overall in 2002. Francis’s career has been marked with highs and lows. A product of the North Delta Blue Jays and selected out of the UBC Thunderbirds program, Francis has started 180 games since joining the Colorado Rockies in 2004. He’s also started in the 2007 World Series. Currently in the Cincinnati Reds system, Francis has spent considerable time on the injured reserve list.

5) RICH HARDEN:

Injuries have hampered a very promising career for Harden. Selected in the 17th round of the 2000 MLB draft as a member of the BCPBL Victoria Mariners, Harden’s big league record is an impressive 59- 38 record since his debut July 21, 2003, as a member of the Oakland Athletics. However, inflammation in his pitching shoulder, as well as tendinitis, back issues and other injuries have taken their toll on the 30- year- old from Victoria.