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California High School Pitchers Drafted in the First Round, 1981-2011

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May 15, 2012; Baltimore, MD, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher CC Sabathia (52) pitches in the third inning against the  Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-US PRESSWIRE
May 15, 2012; Baltimore, MD, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher CC Sabathia (52) pitches in the third inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-US PRESSWIRE

This week, we looked at Texas high school pitchers drafted in the first round over the last 30 years, followed by a similar look at high school pitchers from Florida.

Today we'll finish up the big-population warm-weather states with a look at first-rounders who were drafted and signed out of high school in California from '81 through '11.

Johnny Abrego, 1981, Phillies 24 innings, 6.38 ERA, 63 ERA+, 0.1 WAR
Bob Parkins, 1982, Red Sox Did not pitch in majors
Wade Wilson, 1983, Orioles Did not pitch in majors
Ryan Bowen, 1986, Astros 326 innings, 5.30 ERA, 76 ERA+, 1.0 WAR

Roger Salkeld, 1989, Mariners 189 innings, 5.61 ERA, 79 ERA+, 0.9 WAR
Kurt Miller, 1990, Pirates 81 innings, 7.48 ERA, 57 ERA+, -0.6 WAR
Ty Hill, 1991, Brewers Did not pitch in majors
Dan Serafini, 1992, Twins 264 innings, 6.04 ERA, 76 ERA+, 0.7 WAR

Jaret Wright, 1994, Indians 973 innings, 5.09 ERA, 90 ERA+, 12.8 WAR
Nick Bierbrodt, 1996, Diamondbacks 145 innings, 6.66 ERA, 69 ERA+, -0.7 WAR
Jon Garland, 1997, Cubs 2083 innings, 4.32 ERA, 104 ERA+, 23.3 WAR
C.C. Sabathia, 1998, Indians 2429 innings, 3.52 ERA, 125 ERA+, 58.2 WAR

Mike Stodolka, 2000, Royals Did not pitch in majors
Matt Wheatland, 2000, Tigers Did not pitch in majors
Dan Denham, 2001, Indians Did not pitch in majors
Chris Gruler, 2002, Reds Did not pitch in majors

Cole Hamels, 2002, Phillies 1224 innings, 3.33 ERA, 127 ERA+, 24.8 WAR
Phil Hughes, 2004, Yankees 491 innings, 4.51 ERA, 98 ERA+, 7.4 WAR
Matt Hobgood, 2009, Orioles Injured

Tyler Matzek, 2009, Rockies Pitching in High-A
Joe Ross, 2011, Padres On DL in Low-A
Robert Stephenson, 2011, Reds Extended spring training

Note that the two best pitchers on the list (Sabathia and Hamels) are both lefties. The right-handers have a pretty bad track record, with only Jon Garland effective over a long period of time.