SECAUCUS, N.J. — Each year the Major League Baseball Draft becomes more of a spectacle with robust media coverage from the lavish Studio 42 at MLB Studios in Secaucus, N.J.

This year five prospects made the trip to hold a jersey from their new team and enjoy the festivities similar to those of draftees in football, hockey and basketball.

Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig expressed extreme pleasure with the current set up of players choosing to experience their life-altering moments on the official MLB podium.

“The kids I met today are great young men,” Selig said. “I’m glad they came. It think it adds a dimension.”

Joining Selig and countless team representatives on the field at Studio 42 were prospects Carlos Correa, Courtney Hawkins, Gavin Cecchini, Andrew Heaney and Clint Coulter. All of them were drafted in the first round.

“I feel good because all that hard work pays off,” said Correa, who was selected first overall by the Houston Astros. “I’m really excited. I was very surprised. Is it a dream or is it true?”

Correa, who is the highest drafted Puerto Rican native, said he immediately jumped on Skype to talk with friends from his homeland after the initial pictures and interviews took place.

Houston, ironically, had the first pick in the 1992 MLB Draft, 20 years ago, and did not select Derek Jeter that year. Instead, they took Phil Nevin. This time around, they went with a short stop.

“I want to be like [Jeter],” Correa said. “He’s awesome. He’s a great ball player, but as a person I like him more. He’s a great person and he knows how to deal with all this. “

For the first time, a current Major Leaguer attended the draft. Yankees pitcher C.C. Sabathia, joined by his son, C.C. III, 8, announced his team’s first round pick, Ty Hensley (30^th overall).

“CC wanted to be here, really wanted to be here,” Selig said. “You love when you have people that show that kind of interest. Here we have one of the great stars of our game who cares enough so that he’s here to help me announce the Yankees pick. When you think how this has evolved, we’ve come a long way in a very short period of time. I’m enjoying tonight, I really enjoy it.”

 Family ties

• Cecchini’s older brother Garin was selected by the Boston Red Sox in the fourth round of the 2010 MLB Draft.
• Jesmuel Valentin, the son of former Major Leaguer Jose Valentine, was selected by the Dodgers, 51^st overall.

First Round Picks

1. Carlos Correa, Houston Astros
2. Byron Buxton, Minnesota Twins
3. Mike Zunino, Seattle Mariners
4. Kevin Gausman, Baltimore Orioles
5. Kyle Zimmer, Kansas City Royals
6. Albert Almora, Chicago Cubs
7. Max Fried, San Diego Padres
8. Mark Appel, Pittsburgh Pirates
9. Andrew Heaney, Miami Marlins
10. David Dahl, Colorado Rockies
11. Addison Russell, Oakland Athletics
12. Gavin Cecchini, New York Mets
13. Courtney Hawkins, Chicago White Sox
14. Nick Trevieso, Cincinnati Reds
15. Tyler Naquin, Cleveland Indians
16. Lucas Giolito, Washington Nationals
17. D.J. Davis, Toronto Blue Jays
18. Corey Seager, Los Angeles Dodgers
19. Michael Wacha, St. Louis Cardinals
20. Chris Stratton, San Francisco Giants
21. Lucas Sims, Atlanta Braves
22. Marcus Stroman, Toronto Blue Jays
23. James Ramsey, St. Louis Cardinals
24. Devin Marrero, Boston Red Sox
25. Richie Shaffer, Tampa Bay Rays
26. Stryker Trahan, Arizona Diamondbacks
27. Clint Coulter, Milwaukee Brewers
28. Victor Roaches, Milwaukee Brewers
29. Lewis Brinson, Texas Rangers
30. Ty Hensley, New York Yankees
31. Brian Johnson, Boston Red Sox

To have an inside look at baseball history, check out the new Topps Pennant app today and follow us on Twitter @ToppsPennant.

-Chris R. Vaccaro