Dodgers pick 23rd in 2017 MLB Draft

The Dodgers begin the 2016-2017 offseason with the 25th pick in the first round of the 2017 MLB Draft, thanks to their 91-71 record ranking sixth in baseball in 2016. After various free agent signings throughout the winter, the Dodgers’ draft position moved up two spots, and will pick 23rd in 2017.

But that’s nothing new. For instance, the Dodgers started last offseason with the 25th pick in the first round and ended up with the 20th pick after a winter full of moves.

The 2017 MLB Draft order is determined by inverse order of 2016 record, with any ties broken by 2015 record.

Teams that sign a free agent who rejected a qualifying offer forfeit their first-round pick, unless it is in the top 10. In that case, the signing team forfeits its next-highest draft pick.

The teams that lose a qualifying offer free agent get compensation in the form of a sandwich pick between the first and second rounds, again ordered by inverse order of 2016 record.

Here is the order of the first round of the 2017 MLB Draft:

Protected picks

1 - Twins (59-103)
2 - Reds (68-94; 64-98 in 2015)
3 - Padres (68-94; 74-88 in 2015)
4 - Rays (68-94; 80-82 in 2015)
5 - Braves (68-93)
6 - A’s (69-93; 68-94 in 2015)
7 - Diamondbacks (69-93; 79-83 in 2015)
8 - Phillies (71-91)
9 - Brewers (73-89)
10 - Angels (74-88)

Remainder

Rockies (75-87) — forfeited for signing Ian Desmond
11 - White Sox (78-84)
12 - Pirates (78-83)
13 - Marlins (79-82)
14 - Royals (81-81)
15 - Astros (84-78; 86-76 in 2015)
16 - Yankees (84-78; 87-75 in 2015)
17 - Mariners (86-76; 76-86 in 2015)
Cardinals (86-76; 100-62 in 2015) — forfeited for signing Dexter Fowler
18 - Tigers (86-75)
19 - Giants (87-75; 84-78 in 2015)
20 - Mets (87-75; 90-72 in 2015)
21 - Orioles (89-73; 81-81 in 2015)
22 - Blue Jays (89-73; 93-69 in 2015)
23 - Dodgers (91-71)
24 - Red Sox (93-69)
Indians (94-67) — forfeited for signing Edwin Encarnacion
25 - Nationals (95-67; 83-79 in 2015)
26 - Rangers (95-67; 88-74 in 2015)
27 - Cubs (103-58)

Sandwich picks / qualifying offers

Ten free agents were made qualifying offers by their teams on Nov. 7, including Kenley Jansen and Justin Turner by the Dodgers. Neil Walker accepted the offer (1 year, $17.2 million) to return to the Mets, and Jeremy Hellickson returned to the Phillies.

Eight free agents declined, though one of them (Yoenis Cespedes to Mets) returned to his former team, and the Dodgers re-signed both Jansen and Turner. Later, in January, Toronto retained Jose Bautista and Mark Trumbo remained in Baltimore. That left three players:

Edwin Encarnacion, Blue Jays
Ian Desmond, Rangers
Dexter Fowler, Cubs

Desmond signed a five-year deal with the Rockies on Dec. 7, meaning Colorado forfeits their first-round pick (No. 11) and Texas receives a sandwich pick in between the first and second rounds.

Fowler signed with the Cardinals for five years and $82.5 million, costing St. Louis their first-round pick, and earning the Cubs a sandwich pick.

Encarnacion signed a 3-year deal with the Indians, costing Cleveland its first-rounder, and giving the Blue Jays a pick.

28 - Blue Jays (for losing Edwin Encarnacion to Cleveland)
29 - Rangers (for losing Ian Desmond to Colorado)
30 - Cubs (for losing Dexter Fowler to St. Louis)

Competitive balance Round A

Selections awarded in Competitive balance rounds A and B can be traded one time each.

31 - Rays
32 - Reds
33 - A’s
34 - Brewers
35 - Twins
36 - Marlins

Second round

Picks 37-67 in the same order as the original order of the first round, with one extra pick mixed in — the Pirates get the 42nd pick in 2017 for failure to sign their 2016 draft pick Nick Lodolo, No. 41 overall.

The Dodgers’ second-round selection is No. 62.

Competitive balance Round B

68 - Diamondbacks
69 - Padres
70 - Rockies
71 - Indians
72 - Royals
73 - Pirates
74 - Orioles
75 - Cardinals

Rounds 3-40

The Dodgers hold the 25th selection in every remaining round, so their third-round pick is No. 100 overall, fourth-round is No. 130, fifth-round selection is No. 160, and so on, through their 40th-rounder No. 1,210.