In need of a catcher, the Milwaukee Brewers selected B.J. Surhoff from the University of North Carolina with the first pick of the 1985.
Although he squatted behind the plate 704 times in nine years, what the Brewers, and later the Baltimore Orioles, got instead was a super-utility player capable of playing third base and left field.
Never a well-decorated player, as his lone All-Star appearance came with the Orioles in 1999, Surhoff logged 19 years in the big leagues with 2326 career hits. Rarely striking out, never fanning more than 100 times a season, he broke 100 hits a year 17 times and had 207 in 1999.
It was with the Orioles he shined most. A key veteran component on two playoff teams, Surhoff slugged three homers in Baltimore’s successful ALDS win over the Cleveland Indians, knocking the reigning AL champs out.
Despite playing a variety of defensive positions, he was not a liability until he reached his late 30s, making him a productive player right until the end.
His career WAR of 34.3 is eighth-best in his class. Brewer fans might have expected more when he was selected, but he gave great value and depth wherever he played, including the Atlanta Braves at the end of his career.
Next: A South Side Slugger