Bob Boone’s Son Bret, a Shortstop, Is Selected by the Twins in Draft

Bret Boone, a shortstop from El Dorado High School in Placentia and the son of California Angel catcher Bob Boone, has been drafted by the Minnesota Twins.

First-round selections in baseball’s amateur draft were announced last week, while other draftees were announced Thursday by the commissioner’s office.

In all, a record 1,263 amateur free agents were chosen. The previous record was 1,162 draftees in 1967.

The Kansas City Royals made the most selections, 74 in the 75 rounds. Next were the the Toronto Blue Jays with 71, the New York Mets and the Cincinnati Reds, 61 each, and the Seattle Mariners, 55.

Among the choices were John Niekro, a right-handed pitcher like his father, Phil Niekro of the Cleveland Indians. Young Niekro, chosen by the Braves, played at Shiloh High School in Liburn, Ga.

First baseman Billy Gardner, son of Royal Manager Billy Gardner, was drafted by his father’s team; outfielder Richard Aldrete, brother of San Francisco outfielder Mike Aldrete, was drafted by the Giants; pitcher Jeff Darwin, brother of Houston pitcher Danny Darwin, was selected by Seattle, and pitcher Brian Wilkinson, brother of Seattle pitcher Bill Wilkinson, was also drafted by the Mariners.