The Royals finished the season at 81-81, one win away from their fourth consecutive winning record. Besides that, the record brings with it the 15th overall pick in next seasons major league draft. As it stands now, that pick is unprotected and can’t be traded should the CBA stay similar to it’s current version. Should things stay static with the CBA, then the Royals would likely have around $2.81m to sign their first pick and around $8m or so in their draft pool to sign remaining Top 10 round selections, similar to what the Minnesota Twins had last year. Here are a few #15 picks since 2000:
2016 – Alex Kirilloff MIN
2015 – Trent Clark MIL
2014 – Sean Newcomb LAA
2013 – Braden Shipley ARI
2012 – Tyler Naquin CLE
2011 – Jed Bradley MIL
2010 – Jake Skole TEX
2009 – Alex White CLE
2008 – Ethan Martin LAD
2007 – Devin Mesoraco CIN
2006 – Chris Marrero WAS
2005 – Lance Broadway CHW
2004 – Stephen Drew ARI
2003 – Brian Anderson CHW
2002 – Scott Kazmir NYM
2001 – Gabe Gross TOR
2000 – Chase Utley PHI
There was a pretty good run from 2000-2004 with the 15th overall pick bringing in one star, a couple of All Stars and a couple of major league contributors prior to Mesoraco’s arrival in Cincinnati that looked to be another coup until his injury. Still there is talent to be had with Newcomb possibly being the Braves top prospect and Clark rating in the Top 100 prior to the season. At this point, it is too early to speculate who the Royals may take with the 15th pick.
One small possibility of that could change where the Royals and other teams pick is the possibility of the first round lottery similar to what the NBA currently employs. The quick rise of the Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros after tanking seasons has brought this rumor along, and it is one that has a possibility of players signing off on as they have no real reason to vote against it in comparison to other possible issues in the CBA.
On the other hand, one issue that could flex its muscle if agents get into players’ ears is the likelihood of trading picks throughout the draft. The latest CBA has forced agents and players into pre-draft negotiations and limited the strength from which agent/players can negotiate. The ability for teams to get value from trading picks could once again give power back to the drafted and his agent as they could force teams to bring more dollars to their package or move out of the draft slot. For a small market team like the Royals this could put them in a difficult position as teams in larger markets like New York, Boston, Chicago and LA could force players like Buster Posey and Rick Porcello to their slots in similar fashion to the old CBA.
One rumored possible change to the CBA is the possibility of an international draft. The recent international rules changes have brought a year in year out mentality to international acquisitions, forcing teams to go all in one year and all out the next with a handful of teams choosing to sit out. A draft may allow a small market team like the Royals to compete with the Dodgers for high end Cuban talent or larger market team’s for Japanese talent if they choose to combine all international prospects. If they differentiate by regions and leave pro players like Japanese and Cuban players out while combining Dominican and Venezuelan talent then the upside belongs more with being able to add talented players every year as opposed to skipping a year and loading up the next. A little upside, but limited.
With the union and ownership in a good state of negotiations currently, expect to know all changes and their ramifications to the Royals prior to the end of November.
Photo Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports