After easily finishing with Major League Baseball’s worst record (47-114) in 2019, the Tigers are set to pick first in this upcoming summer’s draft. The Orioles – owners of the No. 1 pick a year ago – will make the second choice, but they have the most money available to sign their selections, as Jim Callis of MLB.com details. On the opposite end of the spectrum, after losing their first- and second-round picks as a result of a sign-stealing scandal, the Astros have the least cash at their disposal.
This is shaping up to be a rather unusual and far shorter draft because of the coronavirus pandemic. The draft spanned 40 rounds from 2012-19, but it could go down to as few as five rounds this year. MLB can increase that amount at its discretion, but regardless, it’s going to be a truncated event. Furthermore, while the draft is scheduled to start June 10, odds are that the league will push it back until sometime in July.
Courtesy of Callis, all teams’ bonus pools for this year’s draft can be seen below. Callis also included totals in the event of a 10-round draft, which are in parentheses. If you’re interested in finding out the slot value of each selection, check out Callis’ piece:
Orioles: $13,871,500 ($14,936,200)
Tigers: $13,276,000 ($14,348,100)
Royals: $12,499,500 ($13,549,800)
Marlins: $11,967,100 ($13,024,700)
Pirates: $11,132,700 ($12,162,800)
Padres: $10,652,600 ($11,675,600)
Rockies: $10,319,500 ($11,336,200)
Mariners: $10,218,400 ($11,255,200)
Blue Jays: $9,694,300 ($10,737,700)
Giants: $9,165,000 ($10,156,500)
Reds: $8,510,400 ($9,508,400)
Cardinals: $7,803,300 ($8,748,900)
White Sox: $7,744,700 ($8,749,200)
Indians: $7,616,200 ($8,551,100)
Rays: $7,432,400 ($8,362,200)
Diamondbacks: $7,166,200 ($8,128,000)
Mets: $7,101,200 ($8,057,500)
Rangers: $7,065,100 ($8,050,700)
Cubs: $6,702,600 ($7,676,000)
Nationals: $6,588,300 ($7,528,700)
Red Sox: $6,514,300 ($7,481,900)
Angels: $6,377,000 ($7,387,600)
Brewers: $6,028,600 ($6,979,500)
Dodgers: $5,862,900 ($6,768,000)
Phillies: $5,425,000 ($6,404,300)
Athletics: $5,199,300 ($6,118,900)
Twins: $4,493,400 ($5,408,000)
Braves: $4,114,100 ($5,039,000)
Yankees: $3,509,800 ($4,419,500)
Astros: $2,176,500 ($3,077,000)
Why do the Orioles have slightly more money?
They have a much higher competitive balance pick that the Tigers, at the end of first round (in the 30s) versus end of the second round (in the 60s), so their pick comes with more slot value, outweighing the slot value difference between the first and second round picks in each round..
Thank you kindly for the information!
If you want to root for the most average team in the game, root for the Rangers!
Should just make the astros forfeit all their picks this year since its a shortened draft and give their money to the other teams. Also bar them from signing any would be free agents from the draft this year.
Its a crock Hinch and Luhnow wont face any real punishment in the event the season in cancelled and the MLB can easily revise its decision on the Astros.
That would take Manfred doing something, which he has shown he doesn’t want to do. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them back with the Astros in some capacity.
How can the poor Yankees compete w only 3.5 mill to spend ??
Yeah they depend on free agents a great deal. Either amateur or mlb free agents. Overall the draft hasn’t been kind to them under Cashman.
Teams drafting at the top take a big hit w all the draft changes. Same for Astros- the penalties are much less with a much smaller draft.
NCAA already said everyone has another year of eligibility so you got to think most will return
most wolnt if they get drafted. a 4th/5th year player will be older then most of next year’s draft pool and will risk regression and injury. i dont think anywhere near “most” will return.
Play over seas
Play independent ball.
Play another season in college.
Players have options to spend a year before re entering the draft.
The draft hasn’t been 40 rounds in some time now. It’s been 25 for the years written in the article.
not really true. if you look around baseball you can find a surprisingly high number of late round draaft picks. foe example Brandon Kintzler was drafted in the 40th twice.
It certainly has been 40 rounds. Actually, even as far back as 1979 (I stopped looking further back), it’s been 40 rounds.
mlb.com/draft/tracker
I like how this plays out for the Astros. It will be much harder to scout these players, plus next year will be so stacked in the middle rounds that the draft penalty isn’t that big of deal.
Flags fly forever
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What is the premise behind only 5 rounds instead of 10?