Detroit Tigers receive extra high-round draft pick in 2020. Here's why

Anthony Fenech | Detroit Free Press

The Detroit Tigers received an early Christmas gift this week, landing the 69th pick in the 2020 MLB draft.

The pick — sandwiched between the end of the second round and beginning of the third round — is the first competitive balance pick awarded to the organization since 2013.

The collective bargaining agreement between Major League Baseball and the players’ association has been awarding competitive balance picks to low revenue and small market teams since 2012; a CBA amendment in 2017 determined eligibility by the 10 lowest-revenue teams and the 10 teams playing in the smallest markets.

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For the 2020 MLB draft — in which the Tigers hold the No. 1 overall pick — they will also receive an additional pick in competitive balance round B, according to MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo. In 2020, 14 teams total will receive competitive balance picks: Eight teams will pick in round A (sandwiched between the end of the first round and beginning of the second round) and six teams will pick in round B.

Receiving a competitive balance pick includes a built-in bonus of receiving extra international bonus pool money: The Tigers, picking in round B, will get a minimum of $5.75 million, as opposed to the normal $4.75 million.

The 69th overall pick is subject to change, due to compensatory picks awarded to teams after players who declined their qualifying offers sign free agent contracts with other teams.

But for the Tigers — who did not extend any qualifying offers this winter — adding a high-round draft choice and $1 million extra to sign important international players with is certainly welcome.

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Contact Anthony Fenech at afenech@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @anthonyfenech. Read more on the Detroit Tigers and sign up for our Tigers newsletter.