Cincinnati Uses The Volunteer State For The Draft

The Cincinnati Reds hope their first round choice will one day join the likes of other great players from the state known more for its music than its baseball tradition. As the second overall pick in the draft, they selected third baseman Nick Senzel from the University of Tennessee.

Senzel not only went to college in the Volunteer State, but he grew up right there in Knoxville. Thus, he must have been thrilled when college roommate, left-hander Joseph Cox, was taken as the Reds seventh pick.

Even though he will have to leave that state as he joins the Reds system, Senzel may have some familiar Tennesseans with him when he reaches the Major League club. Current Reds shortstop Zach Cozart is from Memphis, and pitcher Caleb Cotham is from Mt. Joliet.

If all goes well for both Senzel and Fox, they could find themselves among an impressive list of All-Star Big Leaguers who hail from Tennessee. Here is a line up of the best players from the Volunteer State.

First Base, Todd Helton

The Knoxville native spent his entire career with the Colorado Rockies from 1997-2013, where he hit 369 home runs with a .316 batting average.

Second Base, Jim Gilliam

The popular Dodgers infielder from Memphis played from 1953-66, and he won a World Series Championship with them.

Shortstop, Phil Garner

“Scrap iron” really spent most of his fifteen year (1973-88) career at second and third for five different teams, and the Jefferson City native won a World Series Championship with the 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates.

Third Base, Bill Madlock

The winner of several batting titles between 1972 and 1985 for the Giants and Cubs, the Nashville native won a World Series Championship with Pittsburgh in 1979.

Left Field, Vada Pinson

The teammate of Frank Robinson in Cincinnati played in the Majors from 1958-75, and the Memphis Marvel put together a combination of power, speed, and hitting numbers that warrant Hall of Fame induction.

Center Field, Ben Chapman

Playing with the Yankees and six other teams from 1930-46, Chapman was a career .304 hitter.

Right Field, Steve Finley

A veteran of eight teams between 1989 and 2007, the Union City man hit over 300 career home runs, including over thirty in three different seasons. His power and speed helped the Arizona Diamondbacks win the World Series in 2001.

Catcher, Rick Dempsey

The lovable veteran of Fayetteville played for a lot of teams from 1969-92, winning three championships with the Orioles.

Designated hitter/catcher, Ed Bailey

A member of the Red Legs and three other clubs from 1953-1966, the Strawberry Plains native slugged over twenty home runs three different times and became a great pinch-hitter.

Starting Pitcher, Tommy Bridges

A stalwart hurler from 1930-46, the Gordonsboro native gave the Tigers 194 wins.

Starting Pitcher, Red Lucas

Raised in Columbia, TN, Lucas played from 1923-38 and won 157 games with the Reds and Pirates.

Relief Pitcher, Rick Honeycutt

Before becoming a well-respected pitching coach, the left hander from Chattanooga played from 1977-97 with seven teams and won World Series Championships with both the A’s and the Dodgers.

Closer, David Weathers

Between 1991-2009, the Lawrenceburg native earned over 100 career saves for a dozen different teams.

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