MLB draft competitive balance picks have a mixed history

2013

A
34. Royals – Sean Manaea
35. Marlins – Matt Krook (originally Pittsburgh’s pick)
36. Diamondbacks – Aaron Blair
37. Orioles – Josh Hart
38. Reds – Michael Lorenzen
39. Tigers – Corey Knebel (originally Miami)
B
69. Padres – Jordan Paroubeck
70. Rockies – Alex Balog
71. A’s – Chad Pinder
72. Brewers – Tucker Neuhaus
73. Marlins – Colby Suggs (originally Detroit)

Every season has included at least one trade of a selection, but this was a big kick-off to the new system, as three selections were traded. The Marlins received Pittsburgh’s pick in a trade for Gaby Sanchez in July of 2012. The Tigers and Marlins swapped their selections as part of the Anibal Sanchez trade in July of 2012.

The Royals took advantage of the very first competitive balance pick in the MLB draft to select a player who had top-10 talent but saw an injury cause his stock to fall. Manaea has produced the most bWAR of any player from this group, with a 3.94 ERA and 1.22 WHIP at the major league level to this point.

Corey Knebel has established himself as an excellent reliever, saving 57 games thus far. Michael Lorenzen has been excellent as a reliever and pinch hitter both for the Reds. Pinder established himself as a utility man with the A’s over the last two years, and he could step into a starting role in 2019 with Jed Lowrie moving on in free agency. He is the only of the round B players to make the majors thus far.

Matt Krook became the first of what would become a line of players to not sign with their drafting team in the competitive balance round. He chose instead to head to college.