In 1988, the Dodgers picked Mike Piazza 1,390th overall in the 62nd round as a favor to his father; he went on to hit 396 home runs as a catcher, a record for the position

Mike Piazza’s path to baseball greatness began with the Los Angeles Dodgers selecting him in the 62nd round of the 1988 MLB Draft. Chosen 1,390th overall, Piazza entered professional baseball with little expectation that he would become one of the game’s greatest offensive catchers.

The selection was partly a favor to his father, Vince Piazza, whose friendship with Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda helped open the door. As the National Baseball Hall of Fame recounts, Lasorda recommended the young player despite his status as a late-round prospect.

Piazza had played first base in college, but the Dodgers encouraged him to learn catching, a move that would define his career. The transition required years of work in the minor leagues, where he gradually developed into a promising hitter. After combining for 52 home runs during the 1991 and 1992 minor league seasons, he earned his opportunity in the majors.

Piazza made his mark in 1993, winning the National League Rookie of the Year Award unanimously. He hit .318 with 35 home runs and 112 RBIs for the Dodgers, establishing himself as one of baseball’s most productive young players.

His offensive production continued throughout his career. Piazza finished with 427 home runs, 2,127 hits and 1,335 RBIs across 16 major league seasons. He earned 12 All-Star selections and 10 Silver Slugger Awards, building a reputation as an exceptional hitter at a position traditionally associated with defense.

His power as a catcher became his defining achievement. Of his 427 career home runs, 396 came while playing catcher, establishing a major league record that still stands. Piazza also recorded 201 hits in 1997, becoming the first player whose primary position was catcher to reach 200 hits in a season.

Piazza’s career eventually took him beyond Los Angeles, including a successful stretch with the New York Mets. His accomplishments earned him induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2016.

The story of the 1,390th pick remains a reminder that draft position does not always determine a player’s future. What began as an opportunity created through a family connection became a career that secured Piazza’s place among baseball’s all-time greats.