DODGERS 2004 DRAFT: DODGERS GO TO SCHOOL PREP PLAYERS CROWD TOP OF DRAFT.

Byline: Rich Hammond Staff Writer

Several years must pass before an accurate verdict can be rendered on Paul DePodesta's first Major League Baseball draft as general manager of the Dodgers, but one thing is certain already: DePodesta will do things his own way.

The Oakland Athletics, with DePodesta as the top deputy to GM Billy Beane, became known for their staunch opposition to selecting high school pitchers. But on Monday, the Dodgers took left-handed Missouri schoolboy pitcher Scott Elbert with their first pick, the 17th overall.

Only six of the Dodgers' 20 picks on the draft's first day were high school players, but four of them were among the team's first six picks, including a second first-rounder, infielder Blake DeWitt of Missouri.

Many draft followers expected DePodesta's style to clash with that of Logan White, the team's director of amateur scouting, who had enjoyed success with high school picks. White reported no problems.

``A lot has been made of the whole 'Moneyball' thing,'' White said of the book, which outlined Beane's philosophies in running the A's. ``We get a kick out of it, but sometimes we're annoyed by it. Paul and I talked it over and we just decided to take the best players available.''

The book describes a scene where Beane threw a chair through a wall after the A's took a high school pitcher without his approval. DePodesta's computer, made famous in ``Moneyball,'' favored college pitchers because of the unpredictability of drafting 17- or 18-year-old prospects. But the Dodgers were confident enough to draft Elbert, a 6- foot-2, 195-pound starter out of Seneca High.

Elbert said he will be represented by St. Louis-based agent Jim Turner and expects to sign a contract ``within a week.'' The Dodgers' minor-league system is stocked with highly regarded young arms, but Elbert said he has a three-year plan to reach the majors.

``I'm up for any challenge,'' Elbert said. ``I get challenged all the time. If they have good arms in the system, I'll just have to step in and beat them out. I'm ready for it.''

Elbert, whose fastball is clocked in the low 90-mph range, went 6-2 with a 0.52 ERA in eight games this season. He also had a successful prep football career, as a running back. Elbert was also an occasional opponent of DeWitt, the Dodgers' second pick.

DeWitt, who hit .544 with 11 home runs and 33 RBI for Sikeston High this season, was taken 28th overall, in a pick the Dodgers received as compensation for losing pitcher Paul Quantrill to the New York Yankees last winter. That's also how the Dodgers got their third first-round pick, Virginia Commonwealth right-hander Justin Orenduff, with the 33rd pick.

White said DeWitt, 6-0 and 175 pounds, projects to be a major-league third baseman, even though he played second base and shortstop in high school.

The Dodgers' draft last June was ranked the best in baseball by one national publication.

Rich Hammond, [phone]

rich.hammond(at)dailynews.com