I made a list, using Win Shares, of major league starters with 10 or more Win Shares last year, then tracked down their origins. I apologize for the bad formatting; I'm not using my normal computer today and am having some problems.
Tim Lincecum, RHP, Giants 27 WS 1st round, 2006, University of Washington
C.C. Sabathia, LHP, Brewers 25 WS 1st round, 1998, California HS
Cliff Lee,LHP, Indians 25 WS 4th round, 2000, University of Arkansas
Roy Halladay, RHP, Blue Jays 23 WS 1st round, 1995, Colorado HS
Brandon Webb, RHP, D-backs 22 WS 8th round, 2000, University of Kentucky
Johan Santana, LHP, Mets 21 WS Free Agent, 1995, Venezuela
Dan Haren, RHP, D-backs 20 WS 2nd round, 2001, Pepperdine
Ervin Santana, RHP, Angels 19 WS Free Agent, 2001, Dominican Republic
Jon Lester,LHP, Red Sox 19 WS 2nd round, 2002, Washington HS
Joe Saunders, LHP, Angels 19 WS 1st round, 2002, Virginia Tech
Cole Hamels, LHP, Phillies 19 WS 1st round, 2002, California HS
Mike Mussina,RHP,Yankees 18 WS 1st round, 1990, Stanford University
Ryan Dempster, RHP, Cubs 18 WS 3rd round, 1995, British Columbia HS
Roy Oswalt, RHP, Astros 18 WS 23rd round, 1996, Holmes CC
Aaron Cook, RHP, Rockies 17 WS 2nd round, 1997, Ohio HS
Diasuke Matsuzaka, RHP, Red Sox 17 WS Free agent, 2007, Japan
Edinson Volquez, RHP, Reds 17 WS Free agent, 2001, Dominican Republic
John Danks,LHP, White Sox 17 WS 1st round, 2003, Texas HS
Zack Greinke, RHP,Royals 17 WS 1st round, 2002, Florida HS
Ben Sheets, RHP, Brewers 16 WS 1st round, 1999, Louisiana-Monroe
Chad Billingsley,RHP, Dodgers 16 WS 1st round, 2003, Ohio HS
Carlos Zambrano, RHP, Cubs 16 WS Free agent, 1997, Venezuela
Derek Lowe, RHP, Dodgers 16 WS 8th round, 1991, Michigan HS
James Shields, RHP, Rays 16 WS 16th round, 2000, California HS
Mark Buehrle, LHP, White Sox 16 WS 38th round, 1999, Jefferson JC
Ricky Nolasco, RHP, Marlins 16 WS 4th round, 2001, California HS
Felix Hernandez, RHP, Mariners 15 WS Free agent, 2002, Venezuela
Gavin Floyd,RHP, White Sox 15 WS 1st round, 2001, Maryland HS
Gil Meche, RHP, Royals 15 WS 1st round, 1995, Louisiana HS
Jake Peavy, RHP, Padres 15 WS 15th round, 1999, Alabama HS
A.J. Burnett, RHP, Blue Jays 14 WS 8th round, 1995, Arkansas HS
Armando Galarraga, RHP, Tigers 14 WS Free agent, 1998, Venezuela
Justin Duchscherer, RHP,Athletics 14 WS 8th round, 1996, Texas HS
Jeremy Guthrie, RHP, Orioles 14 WS 1st round, 2002, Stanford
Matt Cain,RHP, Giants 14 WS 1st round, 2002, Tennessee HS
John Lackey, RHP, Angels 14 WS 2nd round, 1999, Grayson County CC
Jesse Litsch, RHP, Blue Jays 13 WS 24th round, 2004, South Florida CC
Jamie Moyer, LHP, Phillies 13 WS 6th round, 1984, St. Joseph's
Kyle Lohse, RHP, Cards 13 WS 29th round, 1996, California JC
Matt Garza, RHP, Rays 13 WS 1st round, 2005, Fresno State
Scott Baker, RHP, Twins 13 WS 2nd round, 2003, Oklahoma State
Ted Lilly, LHP, Cubs 13 WS 23rd round, 1996, Fresno CC
Todd Wellemeyer, RHP, Cardinals 13 WS 4th round, 2000, Bellarmine
Adam Wainwright, RHP, Cardinals 12 WS 1st round, 2000, Georgia HS
Jair Jurrjens, RHP, Braves 12 WS Free agent, 2003, Curacao
Mike Pelfrey, RHP, Mets 12 WS 1st round, 2005, Wichita State
Paul Maholm, LHP, Pirates 12 WS 1st round, 2003 ,Mississippi State
Randy Johnson, LHP, Dbacks 12 WS 2nd round, 1985, Southern Cal
Scott Kazmir, LHP, Rays 12 WS 1st round, 2002, Texas HS
Shaun Marcum, RHP, Blue Jays 12 WS 3rd round, 2003, SW Missouri State
Andy Pettitte,LHP, Yankees 11 WS 22nd round, 1990, San Jacinto JC
Braden Looper, RHP, Cardinals 11 WS 1st round, 1996, Wichita State
Josh Beckett, RHP, Red Sox 11 WS 1st round, 1999, Texas HS
Javier Vazquez, RHP, White Sox 11 WS 5th round, 1994, Puerto Rico HS
Jered Weaver, RHP, Angels 11 WS 1st round, 2004, Long Beach State
Tim Hudson, RHP, Braves 11 WS 6th round, 1997, Auburn
Tim Wakefield, RHP, Red Sox 11 WS 8th round, 1988, Florida Tech
Ubaldo Jimenez, RHP, Rockies 11 WS Free agent, 2001, Dominican
Andy Sonnanstine, RHP, Rays 10 WS 13th round, 2004, Kent State
Bronson Arroyo, RHP, Reds 10 WS 3rd round, 1995, Florida HS
Edwin Jackson, RHP, Rays 10 WS 6th round, 2001, Georgia HS
Greg Smith, LHP, Athletics 10 WS 6th round, 2005, Louisiana State
Hiroki Kuroda, LHP, Dodgers 10 WS Free agent, 2008, Japan
Kevin Slowey, RHP, Twins 10 WS 2nd round, 2005, Winthrop
Nick Blackburn, RHP, Twins 10 WS 29th round, 2001, Seminole JC
65 Starters Total
22 First Round Picks 34%
7 Second Round Picks 11%
7 Third to Fifth Round Picks 11%
9 Sixth to 10th Round Picks 14%
10 11th round or later Picks 15%
10 Free Agents 15%
24 High School Pitchers 37%
8 Junior College Pitchers 12%
23 Four-Year College Pitchers 35%
8 Latin American Free Agents 12%
2 Japanese Free Agents 4%
High School Origins: California 4; Texas 4; Florida 2; Georgia 2; Ohio 2; Alabama, Arkansas,Canada, Colorado,Louisiana, Maryland,Michigan,Puerto Rico, Tennessee, Washington, 1 each.
We will look at closer origins next, then draw some conclusions.
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