Atlanta Braves Mock Draft Monday, Version 3.0

Atlanta Braves Mock Draft Monday: Some Basic Info To Know

So as we get closer to the draft and the big league club continues to, well, ensure we’re having this same discussion next year…I’ve noticed some interesting themes come up regarding the draft that I think would be good to mention for fan information.

First things first, I’ve seen some pretty crazy discussion about what would be a “reasonable” offer for under slot or things that Jason Groome wants “over slot” for #3 or other such things. Let’s just cut that off right now. The highest individual bonus paid in the modern slotting system (started with the 2012 draft) was Kris Bryant, who received a $6.7M bonus from the Cubs in the 2013 draft (and slots have been reasonably steady in the few years in this system).

That makes you think with the draft pools being what they are that the Braves will be in good shape, seeing as their draft slot at #3 is just over $6.5M, so a player would have to be seeking the top signing bonus in the modern system to go over the Braves slot number. What it does give you an idea of is the financial power that the #1 pick truly has as the Phillies sit with just over $9M in that slot and could choose to exercise it with a hand shake deal with two guys between the first picks in the first and second round.

As far as “under slot” numbers, I would suggest reviewing this link from mlb.com as every pick that is part of the draft slotting is mentioned here.

So, then that would say a guy who will be a tough sign at 40 may not sign, but it could allow the Braves to move that money to the guy they pick at #44, right? Nope. That isn’t the way the draft allotments work. If The Braves choice at #3 does not sign, the ability to use any of that $6,510,800 is completely lost on the rest of the draft. You can not spread it to later picks. There would be a compensation pick in NEXT year’s draft, but this year’s draft would be out that money.

The other popular idea I’ve seen bantered about on the interwebs has been loading all, or most, of that nearly $12.4M draft bonus pool into the first three or four picks and go crazy on getting the best possible talent and letting the rest go. First, that’d be impossible, as the team would basically be forfeiting their 4th through 10th round selections by doing that, and you best believe that Major League Baseball would be investigating that.

The biggest issue with that strategy is that it completely devalues the entirety of the draft. The Braves have received a ton of praise for their 2015 draft, getting extremely good value in their picks after the slotting system (which ends after the 10th round). Any bonus over $100,000 after round 10 comes out of that bonus pool as well, which is why you see teams attempt to save money by selecting signable college seniors starting about the 3rd or 4th round.

The Braves will be able to use quite a large chunk of money to bring in the best possible players at their draft positions and still have some money later. Don’t worry, don’t fret about the money end of things.

I hope this made everything just as clear as mud!!

Now to the picks!

Next: The Draft