Dodgers’ Updated Draft Positioning
After a series of moves including the signing of OF A.J. Pollock and the letting go of C Yasmani Grandal, the Dodgers have shifted around their positioning in the upcoming 2019 MLB First-Year Player Draft quite a bit.
The Dodgers will maintain a total of three picks in the first round and competitive balance round combined in the draft, which is obviously fantastic. This is a prime way to rebuild the farm system that has recently seen some of its top prospects graduate to the big club, fail to pan out, or be traded.
With the #Dodgers' signing of A.J. Pollock official, here's a look at the updated #MLBDraft order: https://t.co/rSDNfWLLCQ
The #Dbacks get a comp pick after the 1st round & the #Dodgers lose their 2nd-round pick + $500,000 from international bonus pool. pic.twitter.com/ALEpMvubHM
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) January 28, 2019
Ramifications
The first pick in the MLB Draft for Los Angeles will be the 25th overall selection which is due to their record in 2018, as the rules of the draft state.
A few picks later at the 31st overall selection, the Dodgers will be picking again due to their failure to sign first-round pick JT Ginn (30th overall) in the 2018 MLB Draft.
These two picks will be integral for the Dodgers. After Yasmani Grandal failed to sign the qualifying offer with the Dodgers, the team was granted a compensatory pick after Competitive Balance Round B at the 79th overall pick.
The Dodgers would have maintained a pick in between pick 31 and pick 79 had they not signed AJ Pollock, but the fact they were able to secure a second first round selection and the compensatory pick for Grandal soften the blow substantially.
In addition to the pick attachment to Pollock, the Dodgers lose $500,000 of their international bonus pool money which is not a small amount by any stretch. This represents another restriction on the Dodgers to their goal of accruing young talent.
Final Outcome
However, as mentioned before, the Dodgers have some really solid picks to make in this upcoming draft. Get ready for more talent to enter the system, like we have been accustomed to with the Friedman regime.
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According to MLB: A team that neither exceeded the luxury-tax threshold in the preceding season nor receives revenue sharing will lose its second-highest selection in the following year’s Draft, as well as $500,000 from its international bonus pool for the upcoming signing period.” Curious why Dodgers get to keep its second first round pick?
Pick #31 is a Compensation Pick for failing to sign 2018 1st Round Selection, RH JT Ginn. All Comp Picks, whether they be for failing to sign a previous year’s pick, or any of the CBA or CBB picks are protected.
In this case since #31 is protected, the Dodgers second “eligible” pick was their 2nd Round selection at #64.