The Toronto Blue Jays, parent club of the Auburn Doubledays, have made it a habit of drafting proven college players in the Major League Baseball draft. In fact, more than 80 percent of the Toronto's past draft choices have been four-year college or junior college players.

But in the 2006 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft on Tuesday, the Blue Jays threw a curveball and selected Travis Snider of Jackson High School, in Mill Creek, Wash. Snider was the 14th overall pick and recently led Jackson to a 27-0 record and a state championship. The 6-foot, 230-pound outfielder batted .500 with a school record 11 home runs and 45 RBIs.

Snider is the first high school player drafted in the first round by the Blue Jays since outfielder Miguel Negron in 2000. Negron went on to play for the Doubledays in 2001.

Toronto's second-and third-round picks were awarded to Baltimore and Florida, respectively, as compensations for the free-agent signings of B.J. Ryan and A.J. Burnett. The Blue Jays selected Brandon Magee, a right-handed pitcher from Bradley University, in the fourth round and Luke Hopkins, an infielder from New Mexico St. University, in the fifth round.

The Blue Jays will decide next week on assignments of the drafted playeres including who will suit up for the Doubledays.

Overall, the Blue Jays made 16 selections on the draft's first day.

Three high school players were selected including Snider. By position, they drafted six pitchers, four outfielders, four infielders and two catchers. The draft, which lasts 50 rounds continues Wednesday.