(Major League Baseball’s annual draft started Thursday, and a handful of players from Arizona’s high school are expecting to get selected, fulfilling a dream of many young players.

More than 400 in-state players have been drafted from 1965-2012. On Friday, aia365.com started running a list of the players who were drafted in the 1960s along with a story on a player who was drafted in that decade.

To view the list of the players drafted in the 1970s go here.

For the 1980s go here.

For the 1990s go here.

Below is a story on a player drafted in 2000s, Thunderbird’s Bryan Wagner. Below the story is the list of Arizona high school players drafted in the 2000s.

On Monday we'll reveal which high schools have produced the most drafted players and major leaguers since 1965.) 

                                               (Former Thunderbird High pitcher Bryan Wagner. Photo courtesy of  Brian Wagner.)

In the final round of Major League Baseball’s draft in 2004, the Chicago White Sox drafted Thunderbird High pitcher Bryan Wagner, the final Arizona high school senior chosen that year.

But despite being the No. 1,488 overall pick in the 50^th round that season, Wagner still is in professional baseball. He was recently hired as an accountant by a league partially subsidized by MLB, the Australian Baseball League in Sydney.

With the new gig, Wagner attained everything he desired in a career — baseball, accounting, travelling. In high school is when the ambitious 27 year old learned that nothing is impossible to a willing heart.

On the final school day of his junior year, Wagner was told that he was carrying a cancerous tumor near his left right knee. Once he got past the shock and fear of receiving the alarming news when he was just 16, Wagner worked, worked and worked to make sure he pitched again despite doctors’ orders. 

The feel-good story of the 2004 high school baseball season in Arizona was Wagner’s return to the mound. What made Wagner’s story more touching was his close relationship with his grandfather, Walter, who was diagnosed with lung cancer a month after Wagner’s cancer was diagnosed.

Wagner was not just playing for himself during that magical yet bittersweet 2004 season.

You have cancer, son

Wagner was the starting quarterback, ace and on-campus leader at Thunderbird in 2003.

But when he sometimes ran the option or rounded a base, his left knee would buckle. Wagner went to get X-rays, which revealed the unthinkable.

“I remember the doctor putting his arm around me and saying, “Son, this is a little more serious than you thought,” Wagner said. “You have cancer.’ You are really never ready for that.

“It was so shocking. I broke down and cried and just looked at my family. I couldn’t play sports and get recruited. Those were my big dreams. You have these big plans. I broke down.”

Twenty percent of Wagner’s left femur, where the cancerous tumor formed, was removed.

He was told it would take a about year for him to recover. Shortly after receiving the terrible news, Wagner learned that his 75-year-old grandfather, who attended Wagner’s games, had lung cancer and only had about three months to live.

“It was a devastating 1-2 punch,” Wagner said.

The summer after his junior season, Wagner and Walter spent as much time as they could together at a cabin Walter built up north, where they made a pact they were able to fulfill.

If Walter fought to stay alive for as long as he could, Wagner would do all he could to slip on Thunderbird’s baseball uniform.

“I would love to be there for that,” Walter told Wagner.

Walter had all the motivation he needed to live for about eight more months.

As for Wagner, a swimming pool became his second home during his recovery phase, swimming 40-50 laps a day. He surprised everybody, including his teammates and doctors, when Wagner pitched in a December offseason game.

Doctors saw enough to give Wagner the green light to pitch during his senior high school season. There to see him throw in his first start was Walter, who was also present during Wagner’s second start, when Wagner tossed a no-hitter.

Walter, a war veteran, was in a wheelchair then, intently watching every pitch thrown by his grandson, who is cancer free now. 

“It was the happiest day of my life,” said Wagner about his only career no-hitter. 

But it was the last time Walter would see his grandson pitch.

On the day of his third pitching start, Wagner’s mom went to Thunderbird to tell her son that Walter died.

“Just knowing he (Walter) was there to see me pitch gave me the drive that season,” Wagner said. “He came from nothing but still supported a large family. He was of strong faith and mind. There was something special happening my senior season, something greater than myself. My grandfather represented discipline and hard work, which is important to our family. My grandfather was a special person.”

To honor Walter, Wagner decided to pitch on the day Walter died.

He lost that game, which was an extra inning affair against Sunnyslope. After the game, every Sunnyslope player gave Wagner a hug.

That was the only game Wagner lost that season, though. The 5-foot-9, right-handed Wagner made his grandfather proud that year, posting an 11-1 record, 105 strikeouts and a .97 ERA.

A long-time Valley scout with the White Sox, John Kazanas, who lost his wife to cancer, reached out to Wagner during that memorable 2004 season, to offer words of advice. With Kazanas’ blessing, the White Sox drafted Wagner, capping Wagner’s meaningful season with a great honor.

After high school, the 27 year old continued his baseball career at Glendale Community College and Union University in Tennessee before returning to the Valley to attend Arizona State’s W.P. Carey School of Business.

“Honestly, it (high school) was one of my best times of my life,” Wagner said. “I experienced a lot that helped me grow up quickly, and I learned a lot about myself. I learned that if I dig deep down, I can do great things even at a young age.”

Arizona high school players drafted in the 2000s

2000

J.D. Durbin, 2^nd round, No. 54 overall, RHP, Coronado High, Twins

Will Smith, 6^th round overall, No. 161 overall, OF, Palo Verde High, Marlins

Ryan Schroyer, 16^th round, No. 465 overall, RHP, Canyon del Oro, Tigers

Joel Crump, 17^th round, No. 504 overall, LHP, Yuma High, Orioles

Travis Kaats, 28^th round, No. 842 overall, OF, Desert Mountain, Red Soc

Ian Kinsler, 29^th round, No. 879 overall, SS, Canyon del Oro, D-Backs

David Nowak, 33^rd round, No. 972 overall, OF, Arcadia High, Twins

Jeff Lundgren, 33^rd round, No. 982 overall, C, Chaparral High, White Sox

Michael Vargo, 33^rd round, no. 994 overall, RHP, Fountain Hills, Rangers

Rod Allen, 34^th round, No. 1,023 overall, 3B, Desert Vista High, Reds

Dusty Brown, 35^th round, No. 1,052 overall, C, Bradshaw Mountain, Red Sox

Brad Bettcher, 40^th round, No. 1,201 overall, RHP, Palo Verde, Red Sox

Josh Perrault, 40^th round, No. 1,208 overall, RHP, Red Mountain, D-Backs

Jon Dobyns, 41^st round, No. 1,2015 overall, RHP, Desert Vista, Devil Rays

Steve Barrabrants, 42^nd round, No. 1,240 overall, 2B, Moon Valley, Twins

Charles Parkinson, 42^nd round, No. 1,266 overall, OF, Blue Ridge, D-Backs

Brett Harper, 45^th round, No. 1,343 overall, 3B, Desert Mountain, Mets

Isaac Johnson, 49^th round, No. 1,422 overall, OF, Willcox High, Mariners

2001

Mike Jones, 1^st round, No. 12 overall, RHP, Thunderbird, Brewers

J.J. Hardy, 2^nd round, No. 56 overall, SS, Sabino, Brewers

David Cuen, 7^th round, No. 220 overall, LHP, Cibola High, Dodgers

Dustin Yount, 9^th round, No. 263 overall, 1B, Chaparral High, Orioles

Jason St. Clair, 10^th round, No. 289 overall, SS, Desert Vista High, Devil Rays

Jimmy Stewart, 15^th round, No. 460 overall, RHP, Sabino High, Dodgers

Justin Wilson, 17^th round, No. 508 overall, LHP, Chandler High, Brewers

Josh Smith, 20^th round, No. 598 overall, RHP, Lake Havasu, Brewers

Tim Wood, 21^st round, No. 622 overall, RHP, Sabino High, Expos

 Ladd Hall, 22^nd round, No. 669 overall, RHP, Buena High, Mariners

Josh Asanovich, 26^th round, No. 769 overall, 2B, Highland High, Devil Rays

Jeff Larish, 32^nd round, No. 948 overall, RHP, Reds, McClintock High, Cubs

Christopher Honsa, 33^rd round, No. 993 overall, 33^rd round, RHP, Corona del Sol, Red Sox

Emmanuel Lopez, 37^th round, No. 1,113 overall, 1B, Globe High, Red Sox

Matt Pagnozzi, 40^th round, No. 1,188 overall, C, Highland High, Cubs

Kevin Guyette, 41^st round, No. 1,238 overall, RHP, Chaparral High, Mariners

Nick Cadena, 42^nd round, No. 1,253 overall, C, Apollo High, Royals

Tanner Wootan, 43^rd round, No. 1,288 overall, Mesa Mt. View, Red Sox

Jake Hanen, 46^th round, No. 1,377 overall, OF, North High, D-Backs

2002

Jason Priddie, 2^nd round, 43^rd overall, OF, Prescott High, Devil Rays

Mike Nixon, third round, 91^st overall, C, Sunnyslope High, Dodgers

Tom Wilhelmsen, 7^th round, No. 199 overall, RHP, Tucson High, Brewers

Adam Mannon, 17^th round, No. 499 overall, OF, Hamilton High, Brewers

Dallas Bates, 27^th round, No. 799 overall, OF, Chandler High, Brewers

Kyle Emmons, 30^th round, No 903 overall, SS, Chaparral High, Cubs

William Webster, 31^st round, No. 913 overall, Moon Valley High, Pirates

Doug Mathis, 34^th round, No. 1,021 overall, RHP, Show Low, Dodgers

Jason Williams, 38^th round, No. 1,148 overall, Cactus Shadows High, Athletics

Randy Youtsey, 43^rd round, No. 1,276 overall, Coolidge High, Orioles

Cory Anderson, 43^rd round, No. 1,292 overall, RHP, Chaparral High, Cubs

Ryan Mieszala, 44^th round No. 1,309 overall, OF, Greenway High, Rangers

Esteban Lopez, 49^th round, No. 1,446 overall, C, Chandler, Mets

2003

Brandon Wood, 1^st round, 23^rd overall, SS, Horizon High, Angels

Bryan Opdyke, 5^th round, No. 129 overall, C, Catalina Foothills, Brewers

Luis Cota, 10^th round, No. 282 overall, RHP, Sunnyside High, Royals

Donnie Veal, 12^th round, No. 352 overall, LHP, Buena High, White Sox

Ryan Meyers, 17^th round, No. 499 overall, RHP, Round Valley High, Mets

Jim West, 25^th round, No. 732 overall, RHP, River Valley, Royals

Richard Hummel, 25^th round, No. 734 overall, OF, Tombstone High, Orioles

Jesus Castillo, 27^th round, No. 811 overall, RHP, Tucson High, Dodgers

Matt Buck, 30^th round, No. 897 overall, LHP, Cactus Shadows, Expos

Chad Miller, 33^rd round, No. 969 overall, 1B, Mesquite High, Brewers

Gabe Suarez, 33^rd round, No. 987 overall, SS, Arcadia High, Expos

Chaz Schilens, 34^th round, No. 1,000 overall, OF, Highland High, Tigers

Gus Jacobson, 35^th round, No. 1,028 overall, RHP, Cactus Shadows, Devil Rays

Cirilo Cruz, 37^th round, No. 1,090 overall, 3B, Chandler High, Tigers

Leon Johnson, 41^st round, No. 1,208 overall, OF, Thatcher, Devil Rays

Josh Tarnow, 45^th round, No. 1,324 overall, C, Corona del Sol, Tigers

Paul Franko, 45^th round, No. 1,333 overall, 1B, Horizon High, Blue Jays

2004

Jon Poterson, 1^st round supplemental, No. 37 overall, C, Chandler High, Yankees

Lou Marson, 4^th round, No. 122 overall, C, Coronado High, Phillies

Nick Evans, 5^th round, No. 134 overall, 3B, St. Mary’s, Mets

Brandon Thomson, 15^th round, No. 432 overall, LHP, Gilbert, Padres

Andrew Coffey, 18^th round, No. 535 overall, LHP, Mingus High, Royals

Rene Garcia, 20^th round, No. 590 overall, RHP, Sunnyside High, Rockies

Robbie Nickols, 25^th round, No. 738 overall, LHP, Sabino High, Reds

Cristen Tapia, 28^th round, No. 833 overall, 1B, Tucson High, Angels

Nick Walters, 31^st round, No. 929 overall, LHP, Mountain Ridge, White Sox

Ashton Shewey, 34^th round, No. 1,007 overall, LHP, Payson High, Indians

Vincent Biancamano, 35^th round, No. 1,045 overall, SS, Cactus High, Royals

Ryan Davis, 36^th round, No. 1,065 overall, 3B, Chaparral High, Devil Rays

Craig Heyer, 36^th round, No. 1,076 overall, RHP, Coronado High, D-Backs

Jake Ruckle, 41^st round, No. 1,214 overall, RHP, Mohave High, Mets

Scott Mueller, 41^st round, No. 1,218 overall, RHP, Greenway High, Reds

Curt Miaso, 42^nd round, No. 1,261 overall, OF, Chaparral, Phillies

Eric Farris, 42^nd round, No. 1,269 overall, SS, Hamilton High, Braves

Bryan Casey, 43^rd round, No. 1,277 overall, C, Kofa High, Orioles

Andrew McDonald, 47^th round, No. 1,407 overall, C, Sahuaro, Mariners

Bryan Wagner, 50^th round, No. 1,488 overall, RHP, Thunderbird High, White Sox

2005

Dylan Johnston, 4^th round, No. 130 overall, SS, Hamilton High, Cubs

Brian Matusz, 4^th round, No. 133 overall, LHP, St. Mary’s, Angels

Brent Fisher, 7^th round, No. 202 overall, LHP, Tolleson High, Royals

Matt Hall, 8^th round, No. 253 overall, SS, Horizon High, Angels

Peter Bourjos, 10^th round, No. 313 overall, OF, Notre Dame High, Angels

Brett Jacobson, 11^th round, No. 321 overall, RHP, Cactus Shadows, D-Backs

Ike Davis, 19^th round, No. 568 overall, 1B/LHP, Chaparral, Devil Rays

T.J. Steele, 22^nd round, No. 674 overall, OF, Canyon del Oro, Astros

Jeff Urlaub, 26^th round, No. 778 overall, LHP, Horizon High, Devil Rays

Hunter Pace, 28^th round, No. 834 overall, OF, Hamilton High, Nationals

Blair Brejtfus, 28^th round, No. 853 overall, RHP, Arcadia High, Angels

Tim Sherlock, 32^nd round, No. 967 overall, OF, Chaparral, Phillies

Jordan Jarvis, 33^rd round, No. 987 overall, RHP, Arcadia High, Rockies

Colin Thomson, 39^th round, No. 1,169 overall, RHP, Maran Mt. View, Mets

Tyler Backus, 43^rd round, No. 1,278 overall, RHP, Mingus High, Royals

Mike Brenly, 43^rd round, No. 1,296 overall, C, Notre Dame High, Cubs

Jason Stacy, 46^th round, No. 1,380 overall, RHP, Westview, Phillies

Dustin Kaats, 47^th round, No. 1,408 overall, 2B, Desert Mountain High, Marlins

Ben Hornbeck, 48^th round, No. 1,437 overall, LHP, Sunnyslope High, Phillies

2006

Eli Sonoqui, 9^th round, No. 259 overall, 1B, Cesar Chavez, Devil Rays

Hayden Parrott, 11^th round, No. 322 overall, 2B, Desert Mountain, Tigers

Brett Whiteside, 15^th round, No. 452 overall, C, Mesquite High, Brewers

Charles Brewer, 18^th round, No. 552 overall, RHP, Chaparral, Angels

Jonathan del Campo, 20^th round, No. 600, SS, Cibola High, Blue Jays

Rafael Valenzuela, 25^th round, No. 737 overall, SS, Nogales High, Royals

Dillon Baird, 25^th round, No. 756 overall, 3B, Prescott High, Twins

Jason Jarvis, 25^th round, No. 762 overall, RHP, Chaparral, Angels

Rudy Owens, 28^th round, No. 830 overall, LHP, Mesa High, Pirates

Taylor Lewis, 28^th round, No. 833 overall, RHP, Canyon del Oro, Dodgers

Khris Davis, 29^th round, No. 871 overall, OF, Deer Valley, Nationals

Garrett Johnson, 29^th round, No 885 overall, LHP, Orme High, White Sox

Burke Lieppman, 33^rd round, No. 998 overall, 1B, Prescott, Athletics

Codi Harshman, 33^rd round, No. 999 overall, OF, Sabino High, Astros

Ronnie Welty, 37^th round, No. 1,122 overall, OF, Mesquite High, Angels

Riley Etchebarren, 39^th round, No. 1,167 oveall, OF, Paradise Valley, D-Backs

Michael Dufek, 41^st overall, No. 1,219 overall, OF, Desert Mountain, Devil Rays

Quinton Marsh, 41^st overall, No. 1,227 overall, SS, Mountain Ridge, Yankees

Neil Hardon, 44^th round, No. 1,307 overall, OF, Saguaro, Devil Rays

Mike Petello, 44^th round, No. 1,325 overall, OF, Saguaro, Phillies

Mike LaChapelle, 45^th round, No. 1,341 overall, LHP, Sahuaro High, Reds

Chase Lehr, 46^th round, No. 1,363 overall, RHP, Centennial High, Royals

Josh Rodriguez, 47^th round, No. 1,405 overall, C, Red Mountain, Nationals

Kyle Williams, 47^th round, No. 1,417 overall, 2B, Chaparral, White Sox

Tyler Sanford, 50^th round, No. 1,479 overall, C, Saguaro High, Mariners

2007

Tim Alderson, 1^st round, No. 22 overall, RHP, Horizon High, Giants

Patrick McCoy, 10^th round, No. 310 overall, LHP, Sahuaro High, Nationals

Manuel Barreda, 12^th round, No. 394 overall, RHP, Sahuarita High, Yankees

Devin Fuller, 14^th round, No. 446 overall, RHP, Gilbert, Dodgers

Sammy Solis, 18^th round, No. 553 overall, LHP, Agua Fria, D-Backs

Kevin Rhoderick, 18^th round, No. 571 overall, RHP, Horizon High, Tigers

Cedric Johnson, 19^th round, No. 593 overall, OF, Thatcher High, Phillies

Kyle Brule, 21^st round, No. 661 overall, RHP, Marcos de Niza, Tigers

Xorge Carrillo, 28^th round, No. 865 overall, C, McClintock High, Blue Jays

R.J. Preach, 33^rd round, No. 993 overall, RHP, Brophy Prep, Devil Rays

Chris Moon, 35^th round, No. 1,064 overall, OF, Tucson High, Braves

Merrill Kelly, 37^th round, No. 1,112 overall, RHP, Desert Mountain, Orioles

Torrey Jacoby, 40^th round, No. 1,200 overall, 2B, Notre Dame, D-Backs

Andrew Allen, 43^rd overall, No. 1,278 overall, Desert Vista, D-Backs

Josh Garcia, 46^th round, No. 1,354 overall, 1B, Brophy Prep, D-Backs

Mike Greco, 47^th round, No. 1,377 overall, 3B, Notre Dame, D-Backs

Matt Newman, 49^th round, No. 1,419 overall, OF, Brophy, D-Backs

2008

Jaff Decker, 1^st round supplemental, No. 42 overall, OF, Sunrise Mountain, Padres

Kyle Lobstein, 2^nd round, No. 47 overall, LHP, Coconino High, Rays

Maverick Lasker, 5^th round, No. 158 overall, RHP, Sandra Day O’Connor High, Brewers

Jake Hanson, 14^th round, No. 430 overall, Sabino High, Braves

Danny Coulombe, 17^th round, No. 517 overall, Chaparral, Dodgers

Ryan Carpenter, 21^st round, No. 623 overall, LHP, Cactus High, Rays

Zack MacPhee, 22^nd round, No. 673 overall, SS, Sandra Day O’Connor, Tigers

Ryan Scott, 32^nd round, No. 969 overall, C, Chaparral High, Blue Jays

Riccio Torrez, 32^nd round, No. 987 overall, 2B, Brophy, D-Backs

Riley Welch, 34^th round, No. 1,024 overall, RHP, Desert Mountain, Athletics

Mark Hawkenson, 40^th round, No. 1,200 overall, RHP, Red Mountain, White Sox

Dean Espy, 41^st round, No. 1,247 overall, SS, Red Mountain, Rockies

Matt Summes, 43^rd round, No. 1,310 overall, RHP, Chaparral, Yankees

C.J. Cron, 44^th round, No. 1,320 overall, C, Mountain Pointe High, White Sox

Royce Bolinger, 45^th round, No. 1,342 overall, OF, Chaparral, Rays

Justin Zumwalde, 45^th round, No. 1,342 overall, 1B, Sabino, Phillies

Rob Brantly, 46^th round, No. 1,378 overall, C, Chaparral High, Nationals

Kayvon Bahramzadeh, 47^th round, No. 1,411 overall, RHP, Catalina Foothills, Brewers

Drew Maggi, 47^th round, No. 1,419 overall, SS, Brophy, D-Backs

Kyle Peterson, 50^th round, No. 1,478 overall, C, Hamilton High, Rays

Travis Jones, 50^th round, No. 1,480 overall, C, Sabino High, Royals

2009

Tommy Joseph, 2^nd round, No. 55 overall, Horizon High, C, Giants

Jake Barrett, 3^rd round, No. 99 overall, Desert Ridge, Blue Jays

Trent Stevenson, 7^th round, No. 205 overall, Brophy Prep, Pirates

Matt Helm, 7^th round, No. 216 overall, 3B, Hamilton, D-Backs

Aaron Altherr, 9^th round, No. 287 overall, OF, Agua Fria, Phillies

Thomas Lemke, 10^th round, No. 304 overall, RHP, Northwest Christian, Rangers

Sergio Burruel, 19^th round, No. 590 overall, C, Trevor Browne, Cubs

Casey Upperman, 24^th round, No. 718 overall, RHP, Notre Dame Prep, Braves

Brady Wager, 27^th round, No. 829 overall, RHP, Globe High, Rays

Jake Williams, 29^th round, No. 876 overall, 1B, Brophy, D-Backs

Marcus Proctor, 30^th round, No. 919 overall, RHP, Pinnacle High, Rays

Andrew Walter, 31^st round, No. 930 overall, RHP, Mountain Ridge, Tigers

Parker Markel, No. 32^nd round, No. 960 overall, RHP, Mountain Ridge, Tigers

Kirby Pellant, 38^th round, No. 1,147 overall, 2B, Corona del Sol, Dodgers

James Pazos, 40^th round, No. 1,219 overall, LHP, Highland High, Rays

Trey Ford, 42^nd round, No. 1,280 overall, SS, Chaparral, Cubs

Tyler Williams, 43^rd round, No. 1,303 overall, 3B, Chaparral, White Sox

Ryan Skube, 44^th round, No. 1,314 overall, 2B, Mountain Ridge High, Padres

Matt Ozanne, 46^th round, No. 1,386 overall, OF, Notre Dame, D-Backs

Cole Pembroke, 47^th round, No. 1,417 overall, OF, Desert Vista, Dodgers

Gabe Gutierrez, 49^th round, No. 1,468 overall, RHP, Apollo High, Braves

Jordan Luvisi, 49^th round, No. 1,476 overall, OF, Notre Dame, D-Backs