First round selections
The following are the first round picks in the 1966 Major League Baseball draft.
Contents
* Did not sign
Background
A January free agent amateur draft was added for the first time in 1966. Ninety-five prospects were selected in the regular phase and 102 in the secondary phase of the January draft, which featured only players previously drafted who did not sign. With the number one pick in the regular phase of the June draft, the New York Mets passed on Arizona State slugger Reggie Jackson and instead chose high school catcher Steve Chilcott. He spent six seasons in the minors before injuries ended his career.
Although the Mets will be remembered for choosing Chilcott over Jackson, many forget they landed Tom Seaver that year. Seaver, who was declared ineligible by the NCAA to play college baseball and who also was ineligible to be selected in the winter draft, was signed by the Mets for $50,000 in a special draft.
The Yankees tabbed left-handed pitcher Ken Stabler in the 10th round. Stabler went on to star in the NFL as a quarterback during the Oakland Raiders' championship years. Steve Garvey was the one who got away in 1966. Selected by the Minnesota Twins, Garvey elected to enroll at Michigan State.