The Major League Baseball draft is an inexact science, and if you don’t believe it, take a look at the 1999 St. Louis Cardinals draft.

The Cards had three first-round picks that year and to date, only one, first baseman/outfielder Chris Duncan, has spent time in the majors. He played in his 14th big-league game Sunday.

In that same draft, the Cardinals used their 16th pick to select a junior-college player named Albert Pujols in the 13th round. Pujols was the 402nd player tabbed that year, but that hasn’t stopped him from becoming arguably the game’s greatest talent. In five big-league seasons, he has finished fourth, third, second (twice) and first in National League MVP voting.

This year, he leads the majors in homers (25) and RBIs (65), though he went on the disabled list Saturday with strained muscle on his ride side.

The baseball landscape is dotted with players who were underestimated at draft time (Mike Piazza, 62nd round; and Jeff Kent, 20th round, are two of many) only to become stars in subsequent years.

Will this year’s draft, which begins today, ultimately produce some more late-round stars?

Time will tell.

For now, all we know is the draft order, and the Kansas City Royals have the first pick. They will probably look to tab one of a handful of talented college pitchers near the top of the draft.

After forfeiting their first-round pick two of the past three years because of free-agent compensation, Phillies scouts are eager for this draft to begin.

The team owns three high picks – 18th (first round), 37th (compensation round) and 65th (second round).

Position players Philadelphia seems to like include University of Texas outfielder Drew Stubbs, California high school catcher Hank Conger, and Houston high school pitcher/shortstop Kyle Drabek.

Drabek is the son of former major-league pitcher Doug Drabek. He has had some off-field behavior issues, but the Phils don’t seem shy about taking him if he’s available.

Conger is a powerful switch-hitter from Huntington Beach, Calif. His given first name is Hyun. His Korean grandfather nicknamed him Hank in honor of Hank Aaron.

The Phils would love to land a big bat early, but the draft doesn’t end after the 65th pick. There’s talent to be found in the late rounds, too.

In 2001, the Phils got Ryan Howard in the fifth round.

In 2002, they landed a relatively unheralded Canadian pitcher named Scott Mathieson in the 17th round. If all goes according to plan, Mathieson and his 96-mph fastball could arrive in Philadelphia this summer.

The Phils would take another Mathieson if there’s one out there today or Wednesday.

And, of course, the Cardinals would take another Albert Pujols. Who wouldn’t?