National League holds theĀ first expansion draftĀ since 1969
On November 17, 1992 — Major League Baseball holds the expansion draft to stock the rosters of the National League’s two new teams, the Florida Marlins and Colorado Rockies. This is the first expansion draft in the NL since 1969. A total of 72 players are chosen.
Pitcher David Nied is the first pick of the Rockies, while outfielder Nigel Wilson is selected first by the Marlins.
Nied a right hander from the Braves as their first player in the expansion draft. The 23 year-old right-hander, who was 3-0 for Atlanta last season, will pitch the first regular-season game in Rockies history, losing to the Mets and Dwight Gooden at Shea Stadium, 3-0.
Florida take prospect Jose Martinez second, while Colorado picks veteran 3B Charlie Hayes next. The best picks for Florida are Trevor Hoffman (4th), eventually packaged for Gary Sheffield; Jeff Conine (11th), who will hit 81 home runs in four years; and Cris Carpenter (18th), later dealt to Texas for Robb Nen. For Colorado, they will find gold with Eric Young (6th), Joe Girardi (10th), Vinny Castilla (16) and Armando Reynoso (18th).