2013 MLB Draft: Competitive Balance Round A Recap

Much of the attention paid to draft changes last summer was focused on the slotting system implemented to help control signing bonuses. A secondary change was the installment of competitive balance picks. Teams that fell within the ten smallest markets (or the ten teams with the lowest revenue) were eligible for the competitive balance lottery and the chance to receive an extra pick either in between Rounds 1 and 2 or between Rounds 2 and 3. There will be six selections during each grouping.

Perhaps one of the biggest differences from a normal draft pick is that teams are permitted to trade these competitive balance selections at any point prior to the draft. Miami and Detroit did just that, exchanging picks as part of their big deal prior to last summer’s trade deadline that shipped Anibal Sanchez and Omar Infante to Detroit with Jacob Turner, Rob Brantly, and Brian Flynn heading to Miami.

The results of Round A of the Competitive Balance picks were as follows:

34. Kansas City Royals: Sean Manaea, LHP, Indiana State

35. Miami Marlins: Matt Krook, LHP, St. Ignatius High School (California)

36. Arizona Diamondbacks: Aaron Blair, RHP, Marshall Univ.

37. Baltimore Orioles: Josh Hart, OF, Parkview High School (Georgia)

38. Cincinnati Reds: Michael Lorenzen, RHP, Cal State Fullerton

39. Detroit Tigers: Corey Knebel, RHP, Texas