Dodgers Pick Okla. Pitcher in 1st Round

The Dodgers today selected left-handed pitcher Ron Walden of Blanchard High School in Blanchard, Okla., in the first round of major league baseball’s amateur draft.

Walden had an 11-0 record this year and a 0.36 earned run average. He was the ninth player chosen in the first round.

The Angels have no first-round pick in the draft, having lost it to Montreal for signing Mark Langston. Their first pick will be the 64th player chosen.

The Atlanta Braves made shortstop Chipper Jones, a high school infielder from the Bolles School in Jacksonville, Fla., the top draft choice.

The 18-year-old Jones batted .488 with 10 doubles, 5 homers and 25 RBIs this season. The switch-hitting infielder also scored 45 runs and stole 14 bases and was Florida’s high school player of the year, leading his team to the state finals for the second consecutive season.

Detroit followed by picking outfielder Tony Clark of Christian High School in El Cajon. Clark batted .543 this season.

Philadelphia then chose catcher Mike Lieberthal from Westlake High School in Westlake Village. He hit .500 with 13 homers and 42 RBIs this season.

The first pitcher selected was right-hander Alex Fernandez from Miami-Dade Community College, who went to the Chicago White Sox. Fernandez was 12-2 with a 1.19 ERA this season.

Pittsburgh followed by choosing right-hander Kurt Miller, 9-1 at West High School in Bakersfield.

Seattle then chose outfielder-first baseman Mark Newfield from Marina High School in Huntington Beach, where he hit .486. Baseball scouts have compared Newfield to Cincinnati Reds slugger Eric Davis. Newfield led his team to the CIF Southern Section 5-A championship. He was one for four and scored twice Saturday night in the Vikings’ 6-4 victory over Diamond Bar at Anaheim Stadium.

Cincinnati next selected catcher Dan Wilson from the University of Minnesota, and Cleveland followed with shortstop Tim Costo from the University of Iowa.

The 18th player chosen was shortstop Aaron Holbert from Jordan High School in Long Beach. He was drafted by St. Louis.