Now that the regular season is over, here’s a preliminary look at the 2016 MLB Draft order. This order will change as teams make decisions about extending qualifying offers and signing players who reject such offers.
Teams are given draft picks based on the reverse order of their 2015 records. If two teams have the same record, the team with the worse 2014 record gets the higher pick.
The first ten picks in next year’s draft will be protected, which leaves the Mariners as the first team on the outside looking in. The Mariners’ 76-86 record is the same as that of the White Sox, but the White Sox receive the last protected pick because they had a worse record in 2014. A team with a protected pick keeps that pick and only forfeits its next-best pick if it signs a free agent who has rejected a qualifying offer, which means that, for example, the White Sox won’t be penalized as heavily as the Mariners for signing a top-tier free agent this offseason.
1. Phillies 63-99
2. Reds 64-98
3. Braves 67-95
4. Rockies 68-94
5. Brewers 68-94
6. Athletics 68-94
7. Marlins 71-91
8. Padres 74-88
9. Tigers 74-88
10. White Sox 76-86
11. Mariners 76-86
12. Red Sox 78-84
13. Diamondbacks 79-83
14. Rays 80-82
15. Orioles 81-81
16. Indians 81-80
17. Twins 83-79
18. Nationals 83-79
19. Giants 84-78
20. Angels 85-77
21. Astros 86-76
22. Yankees 87-75
23. Rangers 88-74
24. Mets 90-72
25. Dodgers 92-70
26. Blue Jays 93-69
27. Royals 95-67
28. Cubs 97-65
29. Pirates 98-64
30. Cardinals 100-62
All of the first 29 picks in last year’s draft signed, so there won’t be any compensation picks in the first 30. However, the Dodgers will get the no. 36 pick for failing to sign Kyle Funkhouser, the Blue Jays will get the no. 57 pick for second-rounder Brady Singer, the Orioles will receive the no. 69 pick for second-rounder Jonathan Hughes, and the Twins will get the no. 74 pick for failing to sign Comp Round B pick Kyle Cody.
In addition, the 2016 Competitive Balance Lottery awarded a series of picks after the first and second rounds of next year’s draft. The Reds, Athletics, Rockies, Diamondbacks, Braves (via the Marlins) and Pirates, respectively, will have selections in Comp Round A after the first round, while the Padres, Indians, Twins, Brewers, Orioles and Rays have picks in Comp Round B following the second round. The exact spots of those picks are currently unknown due to uncertainties regarding the qualifying offer process, although Comp Round A picks generally begin in the mid-30s and Comp Round B picks begin at around no. 70.
I wonder if getting the #12 (not protected) pick will tempt the Red Sox to look for the “ace” on the trade market rather than FA
The Red Sox might focus on David Price, Johnny Cueto, Scott Kazmir and Mike Leake, starters who won’t require the forfeiture of a draft pick because each changed teams midseason.
Greinke wouldn’t cost a draft pick either if he opts out of his contract.
Yeah he will
No
I highly doubt it will matter. A big market team like the Redsox should take full advantage of such a loaded FA class. They shouldnt have to deal their farm for an ace when they can just sign one of the 4 on the open market. See the Cubs signing Lester instead of trading for Hamels.
Also, Price and Cueto wont cost a pick because they were traded.
I hate the sox but they r gonna spend big on pitching no matter where their draft pick would have fallen. Dombowski isn’t afraid of huge contracts and I surely hope he makes some ridiculously huge signings for pitchers that will hamper their franchise for years to come!
Reds had the second worst season since WWII, yet everyone will get to stay. SMH
CORRECTION: Tigers finished with a 74-87 record. They only played 161 games.
The Tigers just haaaaad to win their last game. Sigh
Pirates and Cubs get hosed. Second and third best records in based ball – have to play a wild card game but get to pick after 4 division winners with worse records. Unfortunate.
how is that getting hosed? Win the division then if you’re upset. Then again your team is going to the playoffs and your mad because you’re too good?
layercake, I don’t think you understand. I have the same complaint as OP.
MLB decides to rank the teams for the Draft based on overall record. They decide to rank the teams for the playoffs based off of loose geographical boundaries also known as divisions. Pick one or the other.
According to the playoff format, the Pirates and Cubs are both ranked BEHIND division winners. According to the draft format, the Pirates are Cubs are both ranked AHEAD of division winners. Which one is it?
MLB would be better off ranking teams for the draft AFTER the playoffs. Let the World Series winner pick last, not the team with best regular season record. They are talking out of both sides of their mouth when they tout “Winning the division”, yet when they seed the draft they follow overall record, not division standings.
Tigers need two starters this offseason. I’m hoping for samardjiza, Wei-yin Chen, or iwakuma. Those starting pitchers at the top of the market just scare me contract wise. I don’t want to give price 7-8 years when he’s already over 30 years old. I’d be much more comfortable getting 2 middle of the road guys for the same total cost it’d take to get one of price
Ridiculous that MLB orders the draft based on overall record, yet throws out that methodology when it comes to ranking teams for the playoffs. Pick one or the other and decide on it. Under the current playoff format, the Pirates and Cubs SHOULD NOT be picking behind LAD, NYM, KC, TOR, or TEX.
Alternatively, put out the draft order AFTER the playoffs are over. You can rank the 20 non-playoff teams based on regular season record, but fill in the draft order as the playoff teams lose. The World Series winner should pick last, their opponent next to last etc…
Crazy how much the Cubs improved over the last year.
Do the competitive balance picks come before or after the qualifying offer compensation picks? There could be as many as 20 of those in this draft.