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HIGHLANDERS OPEN SECOND MLB DRAFT BY SELECTING OUTFIELDER JOHN TITUS

By Charles H. Wentworth, Sporting Times
Additional Reporting by Samuel T. Kingsley, Sporting Times
December 15th, 1902

The second Major League Base Ball Draft commenced today, marking another milestone in the young professional game. All eyes were upon New York, where the newly minted Highlanders held the privilege—and the burden—of the opening pick. With anticipation running high and many expecting the Highlanders to gamble on youthful promise, the club instead chose the safer course, selecting right fielder John Titus, age 26, as the first overall pick.

The announcement caused a stir among the gathered crowd of clubmen and pressmen, but it was met with warm applause for Titus himself, a well-regarded batsman who has earned the reputation of being steady, disciplined, and reliable with both bat and glove.

Titus, smiling broadly, expressed his delight to reporters immediately after his name was called:

“I cannot tell you how proud I am to have been chosen first,” he said. “To come to New York, to join the Highlanders, and to play for Mr. McGraw is an honor I had scarcely dared dream. I promise to give my utmost for this club and its faithful supporters.”

Highlanders manager John McGraw explained the reasoning behind the club’s choice, noting that while prospects abounded, he valued certainty above all.

“We looked at the field closely,” McGraw said. “There are promising youngsters here, but Titus gives us something we can rely upon right from the start. He has a sound eye at the plate, he can run the bases smartly, and he will steady our outfield. In a draft with so few sure things, we could not risk letting him pass.”

The remainder of the draft’s first three rounds saw clubs across both leagues make their selections, balancing immediate needs with long-term hopes.

SECOND YEAR PLAYER DRAFT – 1902

Round 1

New York Highlanders: RF John Titus, 26

Boston Beaneaters: LF George Stone, 26

Chicago White Sox: SP Charles Bender, 18

St. Louis Browns: 3B Hans Lobert, 21

New York Giants: C Jake Stahl, 23

Washington Senators: RF Doc Gessler, 21

Philadelphia Phillies: SP Red Ames, 20

Cincinnati Reds: SP Cy Falkenberg, 22

Cleveland Naps: LF Solly Hofman, 20

Chicago Cubs: SP Jack Pfiester, 24

Detroit Tigers: SP Mordecai Brown, 26

St. Louis Cardinals: SP Weldon Henley, 22

Brooklyn Superbas: SP Jake Weimer, 29

Philadelphia Athletics: SP Barney Wolfe, 26

Pittsburgh Pirates: RF Walt McCredie, 26

Boston Americans: SP Gus Thompson, 25

Round 2

New York Highlanders: SP Fred Burchell, 23

Boston Beaneaters: SP Jimmy Wiggs, 26

Chicago White Sox: SP Norwood Gibson, 25

St. Louis Browns: SP Barney Pelty, 22

New York Giants: SP Ambrose Puttmann, 22

Washington Senators: RP Bill Bartley, 17

Philadelphia Phillies: SP Doc Scanlan, 21

Cincinnati Reds: SP Cy Morgan, 24

Cleveland Naps: SP Lew Moren, 19

Chicago Cubs: SP Ed Killian, 26

Detroit Tigers: SP Oscar Jones, 23

St. Louis Cardinals: LF Danny Hoffman, 22

Brooklyn Superbas: SS Simon Nicholls, 20

Philadelphia Athletics: SP Kaiser Wilhelm, 25

Pittsburgh Pirates: SS Charlie Babb, 29

Boston Americans: 2B Rabbit Robinson, 20

Round 3

New York Highlanders: SP War Sanders, 25

Boston Beaneaters: SS Lee Tannehill, 22

Chicago White Sox: SP Jesse Stovall, 27

St. Louis Browns: LF Andrew Payne, 23

New York Giants: RF Jack Dunleavy, 23

Washington Senators: RP Bill Pounds, 24

Philadelphia Phillies: SP Henry Schmidt, 29

Cincinnati Reds: 3B George Moriarty, 17

Cleveland Naps: SP Grant Thatcher, 25

Chicago Cubs: SP John Deering, 24

Detroit Tigers: SP Walter Ball, 24

St. Louis Cardinals: C Frank Roth, 24

Brooklyn Superbas: RF Pinky Swander, 22

Philadelphia Athletics: DH Hugh Hill, 23

Pittsburgh Pirates: SP Bucky Veil, 21

Boston Americans: SS Charles Moran, 23

Negotiations and Next Steps

As with the inaugural draft a year ago, the league has decreed that the first five rounds of selections must enter direct negotiations with their new clubs. All drafted players, regardless of round, must have their contracts formally signed and registered no later than February 13th, 1903. Until pen is put to paper, speculation will abound as to which men will don new uniforms when the season begins.

With two drafts now concluded, it is evident that this system has already become a vital instrument in shaping the game’s future. The Highlanders’ choice of Titus underscores a growing trend: in uncertain waters, clubs are opting for the steady and the certain over untamed promise.