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2018 Major League Baseball draft
View on Wikipediafrom Wikipedia
| 2018 Major League Baseball draft | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General information | |
| Date | June 4–6, 2018 |
| Location | Secaucus, New Jersey |
| Network | MLB Network |
| Overview | |
| 1,214 total selections | |
| First selection | Casey Mize Detroit Tigers |
| First round selections | 43 |
The 2018 Major League Baseball draft began on June 4, 2018. The draft assigned amateur baseball players to MLB teams. The draft order was determined based on the reverse order of the 2017 MLB season final standings. In addition, compensation picks were distributed for players who did not sign from the 2017 MLB draft and for teams who lost qualifying free agents.[1] The first 43 picks, including the first round and compensatory picks, were broadcast by MLB Network on June 4. The remainder of the draft was streamed on MLB.com on June 5 and 6.[2]
With a tie for the worst record in the 2017 MLB season at 64–98, the Detroit Tigers received the first overall pick ahead of the San Francisco Giants via a tiebreaker.[3] The Detroit Tigers selected Casey Mize with the first overall pick in the draft.[4] There were a total of 40 rounds in the draft, with 1,214 players selected.
On September 9, 2019, the Chicago Cubs promoted Nico Hoerner to the big leagues, making him the first player to reach MLB in this draft.[5][6]
First round selections
[edit]| All-Star | |
| * | Player did not sign |
|---|
Compensatory round
[edit]Competitive balance round A
[edit]Other notable selections
[edit]Notes
[edit]- Compensation picks
- ^ Compensation pick for the Baltimore Orioles signing Alex Cobb[7]
- ^ Compensation pick for failing to sign Drew Rasmussen in the 2017 draft[8]
- ^ Compensation pick for the Milwaukee Brewers signing Lorenzo Cain[9]
- ^ Compensation pick for the San Diego Padres signing Eric Hosmer[9]
- ^ Compensation pick for the Philadelphia Phillies signing Carlos Santana[10]
- ^ Compensation pick for the Minnesota Twins signing Lance Lynn[11]
References
[edit]- ^ Tayler, Jon (November 7, 2017). "MLB's New Free Agent Compensation Rules Are Incredibly Complicated, So Let's Break Them Down". Sports Illustrated.
- ^ Kelly, Matt (June 4, 2018). "How to watch the 2018 MLB Draft on June 4-6". MLB.com. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
- ^ Beck, Jason (October 1, 2017). "Tigers will pick first in 2018 Draft". MLB.com. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
- ^ "Tigers draft Auburn right-hander Casey Mize with No. 1 pick". ESPN.com. Associated Press. June 5, 2018. Retrieved June 7, 2018.
- ^ Dykstra, Sam (September 9, 2019). "Cubs bringing up Hoerner from Smokies". MiLB.com. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
- ^ Bastian, Jordan; O'Neill, Shaun (September 10, 2019). "Cubs prospect Nico Hoerner called up". MLB.com. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
- ^ Russell, Daniel (March 20, 2018). "Alex Cobb signs with Orioles, Rays gain first round draft pick as compensation". DRaysBay. Retrieved July 8, 2018.
- ^ jtmorgan (June 4, 2018). "The Rays have the second largest draft pool in 2018". DRaysBay. Retrieved July 8, 2018.
- ^ a b Flanagan, Jeffrey (May 24, 2018). "Royals to receive Draft picks for Hosmer, Cain". MLB.com. Retrieved July 8, 2018.
- ^ Schlichting, Matt (December 15, 2017). "Carlos Santana signs three-year deal with Phillies - Let's Go Tribe". Letsgotribe.com. Retrieved July 8, 2018.
- ^ Press release. "Cardinals take high school 3B in 1st round of MLB draft | KTLO LLC". Ktlo.com. Retrieved July 8, 2018.
Further reading
[edit]- Lawrence, Andrew (June 4, 2018). "MLB Mock Draft 2018: Phillies, Yankees land big-time pitchers; Mets fill third base void". Sporting News. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
- Silverman, Michael (June 4, 2018). "Red Sox look to draft best players available tonight, not a specific 'need'". Boston Herald. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
External links
[edit]2018 Major League Baseball draft
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
The 2018 Major League Baseball draft was the 54th annual amateur draft in which Major League Baseball (MLB) teams selected eligible high school, collegiate, and other amateur players to join their organizations.[1] Held over three days from June 4 to 6, 2018, at the MLB Network studios in Secaucus, New Jersey, the event consisted of 40 rounds and resulted in 1,214 total selections across all teams.[2][3]
The draft order for the first round was determined primarily by reverse order of the 2017 regular-season standings, with compensatory and competitive balance picks awarded based on free-agent signings and revenue-sharing status.[4] The Detroit Tigers held the No. 1 overall selection after finishing last in the American League Central with a 64–98 record the previous year, using it on right-handed pitcher Casey Mize from Auburn University.[3][4] Subsequent top-10 picks featured a mix of position players and pitchers, including catcher Joey Bart (Georgia Tech) by the San Francisco Giants at No. 2, third baseman Alec Bohm (Wichita State) by the Philadelphia Phillies at No. 3, infielder Nick Madrigal (Oregon State) by the Chicago White Sox at No. 4, and third baseman Jonathan India (Florida) by the Cincinnati Reds at No. 5.[5][4]
Notable for its heavy emphasis on collegiate talent, the 2018 draft saw the first 12 selections come from college programs, with the Miami Marlins' choice of high school outfielder Connor Scott (Plant High School) marking the first prep player taken at No. 13 overall.[6][1] This trend reflected teams' preference for more developed prospects amid a deep college class, highlighted by pre-draft rankings that favored pitchers like Mize and infielders with advanced hitting skills like Madrigal.[7] Broadcast live on MLB Network and other platforms, the draft underscored MLB's ongoing efforts to scout and develop amateur talent through structured rounds, signing bonuses totaling $294.6 million, and post-selection evaluations.[8][9]
[21][4][22]
Although no first-round picks were forfeited among the top 10, the overall draft order was affected by free agency signings from the 2017–18 offseason under MLB's qualifying offer system. Specifically, the Baltimore Orioles forfeited their second-round pick (No. 52 overall) after signing pitcher Alex Cobb, who departed the Tampa Bay Rays as a free agent; the Rays received a compensatory pick (No. 31 overall) as a result. No expansion teams participated, as MLB had 30 clubs entering 2018.[23][8]
The draft featured 17 college selections and 13 high school players in the primary first round, with a notable depth in pitching and shortstops. For example, the San Diego Padres selected high school left-hander Ryan Weathers at No. 7 for his projectable frame, while the Oakland Athletics took two-sport star Kyler Murray at No. 9, who later pursued football.[3]
Teams like the Rays and Royals used these picks to bolster pitching depth, selecting college arms with high upside such as McClanahan and Kowar.[3]
Standout selections included Hoglund for his velocity potential and Edwards for his speed and defense, aiding teams in building competitive farm systems.[3]
This table illustrates representative first-round transactions, emphasizing under-slot trends that enabled pool management.[15][37][38][39]
Background and Rules
Eligibility Criteria
The 2018 Major League Baseball draft, governed by Rule 4 of the official MLB rules, limited eligibility to amateur baseball players residing in or attending educational institutions in the United States, Canada, or Puerto Rico. This included recent high school graduates who had not enrolled in any postsecondary institution, four-year college players who had completed at least their junior year or turned 21 years of age prior to the draft, and two-year college juniors (typically after completing their sophomore year).[10][11][12] Players were ineligible if they had previously signed a professional contract with any team outside MLB's minor league system, including independent leagues, or if their amateur status had been forfeited due to violations such as NCAA infractions that deemed them professionals. International amateurs from regions beyond the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico fell outside draft eligibility and were instead subject to MLB's international amateur free agent signing periods and rules.[10][13] No significant alterations to these core eligibility standards occurred for the 2018 draft compared to prior years. An emphasis was placed on rising college juniors—sophomores eligible due to age—who could declare early if they met the 21-year-old threshold, allowing them to forgo additional seasons.[12] Entry into the draft was automatic for high school seniors and eligible college underclassmen unless they formally withdrew to preserve their collegiate eligibility. The withdrawal deadline for the 2018 draft was June 1, requiring underclassmen intending to return to school to notify MLB by 5 p.m. ET on that date; failure to do so placed them in the draft pool.[14]Draft Format and Bonus Pools
The 2018 Major League Baseball draft consisted of 40 rounds conducted over three days from June 4 to 6 at the MLB Network studios in Secaucus, New Jersey.[8] Day 1 on June 4 began at 7:00 p.m. ET with the first round and Competitive Balance Round A selections, broadcast live on MLB Network.[8] Day 2 on June 5 started at 1:00 p.m. ET and covered rounds 2 through 10, with coverage on MLB Network and ESPN2 using one-minute intervals between picks.[8] Day 3 on June 6 commenced at 2:00 p.m. ET for rounds 11 through 40, streamed exclusively on MLB.com.[8] The draft adhered to Major League Baseball's bonus pool system, implemented via the 2012 collective bargaining agreement to control amateur signing costs and promote competitive balance.[15] Under this framework, each team's pool for the first 10 rounds was calculated from assigned slot values for their selections, with later rounds capped at $125,000 per player unless excess came from the pool.[15] The aggregate pool across all 30 teams totaled $255,969,600, averaging $8,532,320 per club—lower than the previous year's record spending of $287,575,870 but reflective of draft order adjustments.[15] Teams like the Detroit Tigers, holding the No. 1 overall pick (slot value $8,096,300), received the largest pool at $12,414,800, enabling strategic flexibility in signings.[16] Competitive balance teams, such as the Tampa Bay Rays and Cincinnati Reds, gained extra picks—and thus augmented pools—to support smaller-market franchises in talent acquisition.[15] Exceeding a pool triggered escalating penalties to enforce discipline: 0–5% overage incurred a 75% tax on the overage; 5–10% overages incurred a 75% tax plus forfeiture of the next year's first-round pick; 10–15% overages imposed a 100% tax plus loss of the next year's first- and second-round picks; excesses beyond 15% levied a 100% tax plus forfeiture of the team's first two picks in the next year's draft.[17] Underspending carried no penalties, allowing teams to reallocate savings within the pool or conserve for post-10th round deals, though unspent funds did not roll over to future drafts.[18] This system influenced team strategies, encouraging underslot signings for high picks to fund later overages.[15]Draft Order Determination
Reverse Order of Finish
The primary draft order for the 2018 Major League Baseball draft was established by assigning the first 10 picks to the 10 teams with the worst winning percentages from the 2017 regular season, in reverse order of finish. This system rewards teams with poorer performance by giving them higher draft selections to aid in rebuilding efforts. The Detroit Tigers earned the No. 1 overall pick with the league's worst record of 64–98 (.395 winning percentage).[19] Ties in winning percentage were resolved using a multi-step process to determine the exact order. For teams in the same division, the first tiebreaker was head-to-head record during the season; if unresolved, it moved to intraleague record, then to winning percentage against teams with above .500 records in both intraleague and interleague play. For teams in different leagues, the tiebreaker was based on the previous season's interleague record.[20] In 2018, three notable ties occurred among the bottom 10 teams. The Tigers and San Francisco Giants both finished 64–98 (.395); as interleague opponents, the tie was broken by 2016 interleague records, with the Tigers prevailing 10–9 to secure the top pick while the Giants took No. 2. The Oakland Athletics, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Baltimore Orioles tied at 75–87 (.463); this interleague tie was resolved using 2016 interleague records and other procedures, ranking the Athletics No. 9, Pirates No. 10, and Orioles as the 11th-worst team (pick No. 21). For example, the Pirates went 12–8 to the Orioles' 10–10 in 2016 interleague play. The full order for picks 1–10 is shown below:| Pick | Team | 2017 Record | Winning Pct. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Detroit Tigers | 64–98 | .395 |
| 2 | San Francisco Giants | 64–98 | .395 |
| 3 | Philadelphia Phillies | 66–96 | .407 |
| 4 | Chicago White Sox | 67–95 | .414 |
| 5 | Cincinnati Reds | 68–94 | .420 |
| 6 | New York Mets | 70–92 | .432 |
| 7 | San Diego Padres | 71–91 | .438 |
| 8 | Atlanta Braves | 72–90 | .444 |
| 9 | Oakland Athletics | 75–87 | .463 |
| 10 | Pittsburgh Pirates | 75–87 | .463 |
Compensatory and Competitive Balance Picks
Compensatory picks in the 2018 Major League Baseball draft were awarded to teams that lost qualifying free agents from the 2017 season without receiving an equivalent qualifying offer player in return, as well as to teams that failed to sign certain high draft picks from the 2017 draft. Under Major League Baseball's collective bargaining agreement, a club below the luxury tax threshold that extends a qualifying offer to a free agent and loses that player to a contract with another team is eligible for a compensatory selection, typically placed immediately after the initial 10 picks determined by reverse order of finish among non-playoff teams. These picks aim to balance talent acquisition for teams impacted by free agency losses. In 2018, a total of 10 compensatory picks were distributed, occupying overall selections 11 through 20, with additional compensatory selections for unsigned players appearing later in the first round (picks 47 and 32, for example).[4] Specific awards included multiple picks to the Kansas City Royals for net losses of qualifying free agents Eric Hosmer (signed by the San Diego Padres), Lorenzo Cain (signed by the Milwaukee Brewers), and Mike Moustakas (also signed by the Brewers), resulting in two compensatory selections despite gaining Greg Holland from the Colorado Rockies. The Chicago Cubs received two picks for losing Jake Arrieta (to the Philadelphia Phillies) and Wade Davis (to the Rockies). Single picks went to the Tampa Bay Rays for Alex Cobb (signed by the Baltimore Orioles), the St. Louis Cardinals for Lance Lynn (signed by the Minnesota Twins), and the Cleveland Indians for Carlos Santana (signed by the Phillies). Additional compensatory picks addressed failures to sign 2017 draftees, such as the Rays' selection for unsigned pitcher Drew Rasmussen. These 10 picks provided key opportunities for talent infusion, particularly for mid-market teams affected by free agency dynamics.[24][25] Competitive balance picks, introduced in the 2012-16 collective bargaining agreement and continued in subsequent agreements, seek to promote parity by granting extra selections to small-market and low-revenue franchises. Eligibility is limited to the 10 lowest-revenue clubs (based on local revenue figures) and the 10 smallest-market teams (ranked by designated market area population), with no team receiving more than one pick per round. For Round A, the ordering of eligible teams is determined by a formula calculating the ratio of a club's winning percentage to its revenue-sharing receipts over the previous five seasons, prioritizing those with the lowest ratios (indicating strong performance relative to revenue constraints); market size rankings from the prior two years also factor in for tiebreakers or adjustments. In 2018, this resulted in eight picks for Competitive Balance Round A, positioned after the compensatory selections as overall picks 36 through 43, awarded to the Pittsburgh Pirates, Baltimore Orioles, San Diego Padres, Arizona Diamondbacks, Kansas City Royals, Cleveland Indians, Colorado Rockies, and St. Louis Cardinals in that order. No Competitive Balance Round B picks occurred in the first round; those six selections (for the Rays, Reds, Athletics, Twins, Brewers, and Marlins) were instead slotted into the second round (overall picks 74-79). This structure ensured early-draft access for revenue-challenged teams without disrupting the core reverse-order framework.[26][27][28]First Round Selections
Primary First Round
The primary first round of the 2018 Major League Baseball draft consisted of 30 selections by all teams in reverse order of their 2017 regular-season finish. This portion highlighted a mix of college and high school talents, with an emphasis on collegiate players in the top picks.[3]| Pick | Team | Player | Position | School |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Detroit Tigers | Casey Mize | RHP | Auburn University |
| 2 | San Francisco Giants | Joey Bart | C | Georgia Tech |
| 3 | Philadelphia Phillies | Alec Bohm | 3B | Wichita State University |
| 4 | Chicago White Sox | Nick Madrigal | 2B | Oregon State University |
| 5 | Cincinnati Reds | Jonathan India | 3B | University of Florida |
| 6 | New York Mets | Jarred Kelenic | OF | Waukesha West High School (WI) |
| 7 | San Diego Padres | Ryan Weathers | LHP | Loretto High School (TN) |
| 8 | Atlanta Braves | Carter Stewart | RHP | Eau Gallie High School (FL) |
| 9 | Oakland Athletics | Kyler Murray | OF | University of Oklahoma |
| 10 | Pittsburgh Pirates | Travis Swaggerty | OF | University of South Alabama |
| 11 | Baltimore Orioles | Grayson Rodriguez | RHP | Central Heights High School (TX) |
| 12 | Toronto Blue Jays | Jordan Groshans | SS | Magnolia High School (TX) |
| 13 | Miami Marlins | Connor Scott | OF | Plant High School (FL) |
| 14 | Seattle Mariners | Logan Gilbert | RHP | Stetson University |
| 15 | Texas Rangers | Cole Winn | RHP | Orange Lutheran High School (CA) |
| 16 | Tampa Bay Rays | Matthew Liberatore | LHP | Mountain Ridge High School (AZ) |
| 17 | Los Angeles Angels | Jordyn Adams | OF | Green Hope High School (NC) |
| 18 | Kansas City Royals | Brady Singer | RHP | University of Florida |
| 19 | St. Louis Cardinals | Nolan Gorman | 3B | Sandra Day O'Connor High School (AZ) |
| 20 | Minnesota Twins | Trevor Larnach | OF | Oregon State University |
| 21 | Milwaukee Brewers | Brice Turang | SS | Santiago High School (CA) |
| 22 | Colorado Rockies | Ryan Rolison | LHP | University of Mississippi |
| 23 | New York Yankees | Anthony Seigler | C | Cartersville High School (GA) |
| 24 | Chicago Cubs | Nico Hoerner | SS | Stanford University |
| 25 | Arizona Diamondbacks | Matt McLain | SS | Beckman High School (CA) |
| 26 | Boston Red Sox | Triston Casas | 1B/3B | American Heritage High School (FL) |
| 27 | Washington Nationals | Mason Denaburg | RHP | Merritt Island High School (FL) |
| 28 | Houston Astros | Seth Beer | 1B | Clemson University |
| 29 | Cleveland Indians | Noah Naylor | C | St. Joan of Arc Catholic Secondary School (Canada) |
| 30 | Los Angeles Dodgers | J.T. Ginn | RHP | Brandon High School (MS) |
Compensatory Round A
The Compensatory Round A consisted of five picks (31-35) awarded to teams that lost qualifying free agents without adequate compensation. These selections allowed teams to add talent while adhering to bonus pool limits.[26]| Pick | Team | Player | Position | School |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | Tampa Bay Rays | Shane McClanahan | LHP | University of South Florida |
| 32 | Tampa Bay Rays | Nick Schnell | OF | Roncalli High School (IN) |
| 33 | Kansas City Royals | Jackson Kowar | RHP | University of Florida |
| 34 | Kansas City Royals | Daniel Lynch | LHP | University of Virginia |
| 35 | Cleveland Indians | Ethan Hankins | RHP | Forsyth Central High School (GA) |
Competitive Balance Round A
The Competitive Balance Round A provided eight supplemental picks (36-43) to smaller-market or lower-revenue teams to promote parity. These were slotted after the compensatory round.[26]| Overall Pick | Team | Player | Position | School |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | Pittsburgh Pirates | Gunnar Hoglund | RHP | Fivay High School (FL) |
| 37 | Baltimore Orioles | Cadyn Grenier | SS | Oregon State University |
| 38 | San Diego Padres | Xavier Edwards | SS | North Broward Preparatory School (FL) |
| 39 | Arizona Diamondbacks | Jake McCarthy | OF | University of Virginia |
| 40 | Kansas City Royals | Kris Bubic | LHP | Stanford University |
| 41 | Cleveland Indians | Lenny Torres Jr. | RHP | The Beacon School (NY) |
| 42 | Colorado Rockies | Grant Lavigne | 1B | Bedford High School (NH) |
| 43 | St. Louis Cardinals | Griffin Roberts | RHP | Wake Forest University |
Later Round Selections
Overview of Rounds 2–40
The 2018 Major League Baseball draft extended through 40 rounds, resulting in a total of 1,214 players selected across all rounds.[2] Following the initial selections on Day 1, which covered the first round including compensatory and competitive balance picks, Day 2 encompassed Rounds 2 through 10 with 270 picks, streamed live on MLB.com.[8] Day 3 then featured Rounds 11 through 40, accounting for the remaining 900 selections and emphasizing depth over high-profile talent.[8] Signing bonus values decreased progressively across these rounds, with slots in Round 40 typically falling under $150,000 to conserve team bonus pools while securing organizational depth.[15] Overall, college players comprised 66.3% of all draftees in 2018, a figure that rose even higher in later rounds as teams prioritized experienced prospects to minimize financial risk and accelerate development timelines.[2] High school selections, which made up 53.5% of picks in the first and supplemental first rounds, declined sharply thereafter, representing only about 25% of selections from Round 2 onward due to the preference for signable college talent.[29] Later rounds saw an increasing emphasis on college seniors—311 were selected overall, including 27 fifth-year players—often at reduced bonuses to allocate funds toward earlier picks.[2] International-eligible amateurs, primarily from junior colleges, also appeared more frequently in these stages, broadening the pool of available talent. The draft highlighted a strong focus on pitching depth, with 653 pitchers selected across all rounds, comprising 53.8% of the total and reflecting teams' needs for rotational arms in minor league systems.[2] Following the completion of Round 40, MLB rules permitted teams to sign undrafted players as free agents without numerical limits, leading to widespread post-draft agreements that supplemented the drafted class with additional prospects.[30] This structure allowed for comprehensive talent acquisition while adhering to bonus pool constraints established under the collective bargaining agreement.[15]Notable Picks Beyond the First Round
While the first round of the 2018 Major League Baseball draft garnered significant attention, several selections in subsequent rounds proved to be exceptional value, yielding players who rapidly progressed through the minors and contributed meaningfully at the major league level. One standout was shortstop Jeremy Peña, selected by the Houston Astros in the third round with the 102nd overall pick out of the University of Maine. Peña, known for his elite defensive skills and athleticism during his college career where he hit .335 with 13 home runs in 2018, signed for $535,000—below the slot value of $544,200—and quickly emerged as a cornerstone for the Astros, earning the American League Rookie of the Year award in 2022 after batting .253 with 27 home runs and a Gold Glove. His selection represented a steal, as scouts had projected him as a potential first-round talent but he fell due to signability concerns related to his international background.[15] In the fifth round, the Cleveland Indians (now Guardians) selected outfielder Steven Kwan with the 163rd overall pick from Oregon State University, signing him for $185,000 below the slot value of $300,600. Kwan's draft stock was tempered by his lack of power (just three home runs in college), but his exceptional plate discipline and contact skills—evidenced by a .353 batting average and .455 on-base percentage in 2018—translated immediately to professional success. He debuted in 2022 and has since become one of baseball's premier leadoff hitters, posting a .281 career average through 2025 with three Gold Gloves and leading the majors in batting average (.296) in 2022, far exceeding expectations for a mid-round pick.[31][15] The sixth round featured two high-impact selections that underscored the draft's depth. Outfielder Lawrence Butler, taken 173rd overall by the Oakland Athletics from Westlake High School in Georgia, signed for $285,000—above the $275,600 slot but a bargain for his raw power potential, as he had slugged .800 in his senior season with 15 home runs. Butler transitioned from first base to the outfield and debuted in 2023, hitting 20 home runs in 2024 while providing elite defense in center field, establishing himself as a key Athletics contributor. In March 2025, Butler signed a seven-year, $65.5 million contract extension with the Athletics. Similarly, right-handed pitcher Drew Rasmussen, selected 185th overall by the Milwaukee Brewers from Oregon State, signed for $135,000 below the $249,600 slot after posting a 2.45 ERA in college. Traded to the Rays in 2019, Rasmussen debuted in 2020 and has since logged a 3.24 career ERA over 250 innings through 2024, including an All-Star appearance in 2023. In January 2025, Rasmussen signed a two-year extension with the Rays worth $8.5 million.[32][33][15][34][35] Even deeper into the draft, left-handed pitcher Tyler Holton emerged as a late-round gem for the Arizona Diamondbacks, picked 279th overall in the ninth round from Florida State University for $145,000—near the slot value of $144,600—after a limited college season due to injury. Holton's command and deceptive delivery shone in the minors, leading to his 2022 debut with the Detroit Tigers (acquired via trade in 2020), where he has posted a 2.86 ERA in 148 relief appearances through 2024, including a 1.40 ERA in 2023 that helped solidify the Tigers' bullpen. These picks highlight how teams like the Astros, Guardians, Athletics, Brewers/Rays, and Diamondbacks/Tigers capitalized on overlooked talent, often exceeding slot value by developing players into All-Stars and award winners.[36][15]Post-Draft Outcomes
Signing Bonuses and Unsigned Players
The 2018 Major League Baseball draft saw teams collectively spend a record $294,648,102 on signing bonuses for drafted players, surpassing the previous year's total of $287,700,870 and reflecting aggressive investments within the constraints of each club's bonus pool.[9] This expenditure covered the 1,214 selections across 40 rounds, with the majority allocated to early-round picks whose slot values were determined by MLB's formula tying bonuses to draft position. The bonus pool system, which limits spending to avoid penalties for overages exceeding 5% or 10% depending on the team, influenced negotiations throughout the process, culminating in a July 6 signing deadline.[15] Among the top selections, the Detroit Tigers signed first overall pick Casey Mize to a below-slot bonus of $7.5 million, compared to his assigned slot value of $8,096,300, allowing the team to preserve funds for later rounds.[37] Similarly, the San Francisco Giants inked second overall pick Joey Bart for $7.025 million, under his $7,494,600 slot but marking the highest bonus ever for a position player at the time.[38] Other notable under-slot deals included the Cincinnati Reds' agreement with fifth overall pick Jonathan India for $5,297,500 against a $5,946,400 slot, providing flexibility within their pool.[39] In contrast, teams like the Giants exceeded their pool limits through strategic allocations, incurring a 75% tax on overages but securing key talents without forfeiting future draft picks, as their excess stayed under the 10% threshold for severe penalties.[15] While most high picks signed promptly, 11 players from the first 10 rounds ultimately went unsigned by the deadline, including three first-rounders who opted to return to college.[9] The Atlanta Braves' eighth overall selection, pitcher Carter Stewart, declined to sign and re-entered the draft in 2019, where he was taken second overall by the Chicago White Sox.[9] The Arizona Diamondbacks' 25th pick, infielder Matt McLain, and the Los Angeles Dodgers' 30th pick, pitcher JT Ginn, also returned to school, citing opportunities to enhance their value or complete eligibility.[9] These holdouts were concentrated among later first-round and early supplemental selections, often involving college juniors or seniors weighing professional offers against academic commitments, with no top-10 picks failing to sign.[9] Overall, 310 of 314 top-10-round draftees signed, highlighting the pools' role in streamlining most agreements.[9]| Player | Draft Position | Team | Slot Value | Signing Bonus | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Casey Mize | 1st overall | Tigers | $8,096,300 | $7,500,000 | -$596,300 |
| Joey Bart | 2nd overall | Giants | $7,494,600 | $7,025,000 | -$469,600 |
| Jonathan India | 5th overall | Reds | $5,946,400 | $5,297,500 | -$648,900 |
| Carter Stewart | 8th overall | Braves | $5,321,800 | Unsigned | N/A |