Origins of Top 2008 Major League Relievers

Origins of Top Major League Relief Pitchers, 2008

This is a list of major league relievers with 10 or more Win Shares in 2008. Again, I apologize for the bad formatting.

Mariano Rivera,RHP, Yankees       17  WS           Free Agent, 1990, Panama
Joakim Soria, RHP, Royals             15  WS           Free Agent, 2001, Mexico
Brad Lidge, RHP, Phillies                13 WS           1^st round, 1998, Notre Dame
Joe Nathan, RHP, Twins                  13 WS           6^th round, 1995, Stony Brook
Jonathan Papelbon, RHP, Red Sox  13  WS       4^th round, 2003, Mississippi State
Francisco Rodriguez, RHP, Angels  12 WS          Free Agent, 1998, Venezuela
Jose Arredondo, RHP, Angels           12 WS        Free Agent, 2002, Dominican
Brian Fuentes, LHP, Rockies            11 WS        25^th round, 1995, Merced JC
Bobby Jenks,RHP, White Sox           11 WS         5^th round, 2000, Washington HS
J.P. Howell, LHP, Rays                     11 WS          1^st round, 2004, University of Texas
Jose Valverde,RHP, Astros               11 WS         Free Agent, 2001, Dominican
Brad Ziegler, RHP, Athletics             10 WS         20^th round, 2003, SW Missouri ST
Carlos Marmol, RHP, Cubs              10 WS         Free Agent, 1999, Dominican
Chad Qualls, RHP, D-backs            10 WS      2^nd round, 2000, University of Nevada
Francisco Cordero, RHP, Reds       10 WS         Free Agent,1994, Dominican
Grant Balfour, RHP, Rays                  10 WS         Free Agent, 1997, Australia
Hong-chih Kuo, LHP, Dodgers          10 WS        Free Agent, 1999, Taiwan
Joba Chamberlain, RHP, Yankees   10 WS    1^st round, 2006, Uni of Nebraska
Kevin Gregg, RHP, Marlins                10 WS         15^th round, 1996, Oregon HS
Kerry Wood, RHP, Cubs                     10 WS         1^st round, 1995, Texas HS
Scott Downs,LHP, Blue Jays           10 WS     3^rd round, 1997, University of Kentucky

21 pitchers

4 1^st round Picks                          19%
1 2^nd round Pick                            5%                        
3 3^rd- 5^th round Picks                   14%
1 6^th -10^th round Pick                     5%
3 11^th round+  Picks                     11%
9 Free Agents                               44%

3 High School Picks                     14%
1 Junior College Pick                      5%
8 Four-Year College Picks           38%
7 Latin Free Agents                      33%
1 Taiwan Free Agent                       5%
1 Australian Free Agent                  5%

High School Origins: Oregon, Texas, and Washington state 1 each.

Very different ratios than the starters, granted the sample size is smaller. We will pull all this together tomorrow.