2021 Cubs MLB First-Year Player Draft Ticker Tracker
CUBS 2021 MLB FIRST-YEAR PLAYER DRAFT PICKS
DAY ONE (7/11)
1st ROUND (21)
Jordan Wicks, LHP
L/L, 6'3 220, Age 21
Kansas State
COLLEGE JUNIOR
COMMENT: Polished D-1 college LHSP with a four-pitch mix and plus-command... his CH is rated the best in the draft... FB 92-93 T-95 can cut into RH hitters or away from LH hitters, and two-seamer can ride into LH hitters or tail away from RH hitters... also has above-average SL and an OK CV... went 6-3 with a 3.70 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, with 28/118 BB/K, .249 OppBA, 90 hits and 9 HR allowed, in 92.1 IP (15 GS) for K-State in 2021... named to Big 12 All-Conference First Team and third team All-American in 2021... was named Big 12 Freshman of the Year and was named to Collegiate Baseball Freshman All America team in 2019... was named to Academic All Big 12 team (business major) all three seasons... was an all-state kicker on his HS football team...
BONUS SLOT VALUE: $3,132,300
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DAY TWO (7/12)
2nd ROUND (56)
James Triantos Jr, 3B
R/R, 6'1 195, Age 18
Madison HS - Vienna, VA
HIGH SCHOOL
COLLEGE COMMIT: U. of North Carolina
COMMENT: Bat-first HS SS with plus arm and above-average speed who will move to 3B in pro ball... was two-way player in HS (SS/RHP)... features a low-mid 90's FB that has touched 96 and a promising slider as a pitcher... was rated the #1 prospect in Virginia by Baseball America... his HS baseball team was ranked #1 in Virginia HS 6-A in 2021...
BONUS SLOT VALUE: $1,276,400
3rd ROUND (93)
Drew Gray, LHP
L/L, 6'3 190, Age 18
IMG Academy - Bradenton, FL
HIGH SCHOOL
COLLEGE COMMIT: U. of Arkansas
COMMENT: Hometown is Swansea, IL (suburban St. Louis)... transferred to IMG from Belleville East HS... two-way player (LHP/OF) at IMG but will pitch full-time in pro ball... features a 90-94 MPH FB with a high spin rate, a mid-70's 12/6 CV, and a sweeping low-80's SL/CT... has command issues... will join RHP older brother Evan at U. of Arkansas and be a two-way college player if he does not sign with Cubs...
BONUS SLOT VALUE: $627,900
4th ROUND (123)
Christian Franklin, OF
R/R, 5'11 195, Age 21
U. of Arkansas
COLLEGE JR
COMMENT: Was rated the #1 prospect in Arkansas by Baseball America going into the draft... has just average speed and arm but is a super flyhawk who made a number of spectacular catches while playing Gold Glove caliber CF at Arkansas... makes hard contact and draws walks but there is also lots of swing & miss in his game... was middle-of the-order hitter as a sophomore in 2020 but moved to lead-off spot for Razorbacks in 2021... hit 292/383/455 with 9 HR & 45 RBI, 11 doubles, two triples, 14 SB (3 CS), and 34/80 BB/K in 78 games (303 PA) over the course of three seasons at Arkansas... was named to SEC All-Freshman team in 2019... was rated #1 high school player in Missouri by Perfect Game in 2018...
BONUS SLOT VALUE: $464,500
5th ROUND (154)
Liam Spence, SS
R/R, 6'1 190, Age 23
U. of Tennessee
COLLEGE SR
COMMENT: Australia native who will probably play for the Aussies in the next WBC... polished D-1 college shortstop... first team all-SEC, first-team SEC All-Defensive Team, and third team ABCA/Rawlings All American in 2021... played in College World Series in 2021... led SEC in OBP and was 5th in NCAA D-1 in walks in 2021... played JC ball for two seasons at Central Arizona College and was a member of the Vagueros NJCAA National Championship team in 2019 prior to transferring to Tennessee... hit 363/475/562 with 9 HR & 61 RBI, 26 doubles, 26 SB (4 CS), 52/56 BB/K, and 19 HBP in 94 games (385 PA) over the course of two seasons at Central Arizona 2018-19... hit 336/472/459 with 5 HR & 36 RBI, 11 doubles, 54/50 BB/K, and ten HBP in 65 games (312 PA) for Volunteers in 2021... older brother Josh pitched at Arizona State and then worked out of the bullpen for San Diego Padres 2011-12... as a 23 year old college senior, Spence likely agreed pre-draft to a five-figure signing bonus in order to free-up $300K+ in SBP for other Cubs draft picks...
BONUS SLOT VALUE: $343,400
6th ROUND (184)
Riley Martin, LHP
L/L, 6'1 215, Age 23
Quincy University
COLLEGE 5TH YEAR SR
COMMENT: Hawks Friday starter... big-time strikeout guy... led Great Lakes Valley Conference (NCAA D-2) in wins and strikeouts in 2021... went 9-3 with a 3.55 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, with 66 hits allowed (two HR), .221 OppBA, 34/152 BB/K, and 12 GS (3 CG) in 78.2 IP in 2021... features 88-92 MPH FB and a CV... was named Quincy University's 2021 Scholar-Athlete of the Year... plans to be a pharmacist if he does not play pro balll... suffered broken ankle as HS senior that negatively affected his chance to pitch at a D-1 program... as a 23-year old 5th year college SR, Martin likely agreed to a pre-draft well-underslot five-figure bonus that will free-up $200K+ for other Cubs draft picks...
BONUS SLOT VALUE: $263,700
7th ROUND (214)
Parker Chavers, OF
L/R, 5'11 185, Age 22
Coastal Carolina
COLLEGE REDSHIRT JR
COMMENT: Recruited as a five-tool OF out of HS (Montgomery, AL)... has plus-speed and plays Gold Glove defense in CF... missed 2020 season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder... has raw power and takes walks but also has swing & miss tendencies and struggles against LHP... hit 319/426/530 with 27 HR & 129 RBI, 36 doubles, seven triples, 33 SB (11 CS), 101/131 BB/K, and 20 HBP in 168 games (750 PA) over the course of three seasons at CCU... hit 270/359/467 with five HR and nine doubles in 36 games for Cotuit in Cape Cod League in 2019... was named to Freshman All-American Team by Collegiate Baseball in 2018...
BONUS SLOT VALIE: $206,500
8th ROUND (244)
Casey Opitz, C
B/R, 5'11 200, Age 22
U. of Arkansas
COLLEGE SR
COMMENT: College teammate of Cubs 2021 4th round pick Christian Franklin... was selected in 27th round of 2017 draft out of HS by Cleveland Indians but did not sign... has been Razorbacks #1 catcher since midway through his freshman season... outstanding defensive catcher... intelligent, consistently blocks balls in the dirt, and has thrown out 43% of baserunners attempting to steal against him in college career... rated by Baseball America as having the best arm among catchers eligible for selection in the 2021 draft... generally makes light contact and takes walks but has very little power... batted 254/367/348 with 6 HR & 67 RBI, 20 doubles, and 79/100 BB/K in 148 games (542 PA) over four seasons at Arkansas... a younger brother of ex-Cubs minor league infielder (and current ACL Rockies manager) Jake Opitz... Casey Opitz is another college senior who likely agreed pre-draft to a well-below-slot bonus to free-up $100K+ in SBP space for other Cubs draft picks...
BONUS SLOT VALUE: $168,500
9th ROUND (274)
Chase Watkins, LHP
L/L, 6'4 215, Age 21
Oregon State
COLLEGE JR
COMMENT: Beavers #1 lefty reliever in 2021... started college baseball career at Cal Poly and then transferred to the College of Central Florida (JC), before ending up in Corvallis... although he was used exclusively as a reliever at OSU, he was a SP as a freshman at Cal Poly in 2019 and at CCF in 2020, and he actually features a SP repertoire, including a 90-92 MPH FB, a hammer CV, a sweeping CT/SL, and a CH... went 3-4 with a 4.88 ERA and 1.18 WHIP, 22 hits allowed (only one HR), and 15/38 BB/K in 31.2 IP (25 games) out of the Beaver bullpen in 2021...
BONUS SLOT VALUE: $152,300
10th ROUND (304)
Peter Matt, OF
R/R, 6'2 220, Age 23
Duke
COLLEGE 5TH YEAR SR
COMMENT: Member of National Honor Society... a 2021 NCAA graduate transfer... received his undergrad degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 2020 before enrolling in The Fuqua School of Business at Duke University in 2021... features a power/speed combo with a strong RF arm, although he also strikes out a lot... hit a combined 306/377/474 with 19 HR & 106 RBI, 38 doubles, 34 SB (5 CS), and 72/149 BB/K in 167 games (739) in his college career at Penn and Duke... like Spence, Martin, and Opitz, Matt likely agreed to a pre-draft underslot bonus to free-up $100K+ in SBP space which can then be re-directed to Cubs draft picks who may require an overslot bonus to sign...
BONUS SLOT VALUE: $143,900
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DAY THREE (7/13)
NOTE: A signing bonus in excess of $125,000 for any player selected in Rounds 11-20 as well as for any player eligible for selection in the draft who is not selected and who is subsequently signed as a Non-Drafted Free-Agent (NDFA) count against a club's Rule 4 Draft Signing Bonus Pool (SBP).
11th ROUND (334)
Gage Ziehl, RHP
R/R, 6'0 215, Age 18
Penfield HS - Penfield, NY
HIGH SCHOOL
COLLEGE COMMIT: U. of Miami
COMMENT: Stocky right-hander throws from 3/4 arm slot... features low-90's (T-95) FB and a high-spin low 80's above-average but inconsistent swing & miss SL... CV and CH show promise but need work... was a member of Team USA U15 squad that won gold medal in Panama in 2018... commited to U. of Miami when he was a sophomore in HS and he will attend The U if if he does not sign with Cubs...
12th ROUND (364)
Teo Banks, OF
R/R, 6'3 190, Age 18
Permian HS - Odessa, TX
HIGH SCHOOL
COLLEGE COMMIT: Tulane
COMMENT: Two sport star (baseball OF/RHP and football LB) in HS... five-tool OF led his HS baseball team to Texas HS 2-6A state championship... was named district MVP... shows plus-power, plus-arm, and above-average speed... was a two-way player (OF /RHP) up until his senior year in HS and FB was clocked at 91-92 off the mound, but he will play OF in pro ball... will attend Tulane if he does not sign with Cubs...
13th ROUND (394)
Erian Rodriguez, RHP
R/R, 6'3 190, Age 19
Georgia Premier Academy - Statesboro, GA
HIGH SCHOOL
COLLEGE COMMIT: Northwest Florida State College (JC)
COMMENT: Was one of the hardest throwing pitchers in GA HS baseball in 2021... Features 95 MPH FB but secondaries need work... added seven MPH to FB, grew an inch, and added 15 pounds between junior ans senior years in HS... will attend NWFSC and will be eligible for the draft again next year if he does not sign with Cubs...
14th ROUND (424)
Frankie Scalzo Jr, RHP
R/R, 6'3 183, Age 21
Grand Canyon University
COLLEGE SR
COMMENT: Antelopes closer... went 2-2 with 12 saves, 2.12 ERA, and 1.08 WHIP, allowing 21 hits (only one HR) and 11/31 BB/K in 29.2 IP for GCU in 2021... hometown is Vista, CA (San Diego County)... attended San Jose State prior to transferring to GCU... hobbies include surfing and playing the ukulele...
15th ROUND (454)
B. J. Murray, INF
B/R, 6'0 205, Age 21
Florida Atlantic University
COLLEGE JR
COMMENT: Hometown is Nassau, Bahamas... Switch-hitting 3B-2B with HR pop from left-side... bat took a big jump in 2021... fourth in Conference USA in HR in 2021... hit 264/373/502 with 18 HR and 65 RBI, 14 doubles, and 52/85 BB/K in 92 games (362 PA) over the course of three seasons at FAU... was a Rawlings/Perfect Game honorable mention All-American in HS at Trinity Christian Academy in Jacksonville, FL...
16th ROUND (484)
Zachary Leigh, RHP
R/R, 6'0 170, Age 23
Texas State
COLLEGE 5th YEAR SR
COMMENT: Bobcats Friday night starter... went 4-8 with a 5.03 ERA and 1.39 WHIP, allowing 92 hits (13 HR) and 30/86 BB/K in 89.2 (15 GS) in 2021... played both baseball and football in HS, and was an all-state DB in football...
17th ROUND (514)
Christian Olivo, SS
R/R, 5'11 168, Age 17
Leadership Christian Academy - Guaynabo, PR
HIGH SCHOOL
COLLEGE COMMIT: Seminole State College (JC)
COMMENT: Athletic and versatile infielder who is primarily a SS but he can also play 2B-3B... contact hitter with line-drive stroke... average runner... plus defender... has plus arm and threw 90 MPH off the mound earlier in his career... will attend Seminole State College and will be eligible for the draft again next year if he does not sign with Cubs...
18th ROUND (544)
Dominic Hambley, RHP
R/R, 6'2 230, Age 18
Belmont Secondary School - Langford, BC
HIGH SCHOOL
COLLEGE COMMIT: Oregon State
COMMEMT: Features 91-93 FB that touches 95, a CH, and a CV/SL, all with above-average spin rates, but command needs work... pitched for Victoria Eagles in British Columbia Premier Baseball League (one of the top amateur leagues in Canada)... will attend Oregon State if he does not sign with Cubs...
19th ROUND (574)
Daniel Avitia, RHP
R/R, 6'3 170, Age 18
Alhambra HS - Phoenix, AZ
HIGH SCHOOL
COLLEGE COMMIT: Grand Canyon University
COMMENT: Features 91 MPH FB... won eight games with a 0.84 ERA, .158 OppBA, and 96 K in 58.2 IP for the Lions in 2021... threw no-hitter versus Sunnyslope to help Alhambra advance in the playoffs, and then out-dueled Chandler Hamilton and Arizona's #1 HS pitching prospect Brock Selvidge with a CG ten strikeout performance that put the Lions in the 2021 Arizona 6-A State Championship game in May (Alhambra lost)... older brother David is a catcher at Grand Canyon University, and Daniel will attend GCU if he does not sign with the Cubs...
20th ROUND (604)
Wilson Cunningham, LHP
L/L,6'8 185, Age 18
JSerra Catholic HS - San Juan Capistrano, CA
HIGH SCHOOL
COLLEGE COMMIT: U. of Chicago
COMMENT: Two-way player (LHP/ OF) with the elite JSerra HS baseball program (top 10 nationally) prior to senior season... athletic soft-tossing lefty who grew four inches in the last year... won mathematics department's gold award at JSerra in 2021 and he will attend the University of Chicago if he does not sign with the Cubs (or maybe even if he does sign with the Cubs!)...
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The First-Year Player Draft (or "MLB Rule 4 Draft") is held annually over a three-day period in June.
There are 40 rounds (there were 50 rounds prior to 2012), and draft order is based upon the inverse order of winning percentages from the previous season. If the winning percentages of two or more clubs are the same, the club with the lowest winning percentage from the previous season picks first. If two or more clubs are still tied, league standings from two years back (or three years back, four years back, etc) are used to break the tie.
NOTE: Per an agreement between MLB and the MLBPA that was signed in March 2020, the 2020 MLB First-Year Player Draft (only) will be reduced from 40 rounds to five rounds and will be held (remotely) on June 10th (1st round) and June 11th (rounds 2-5), and the 2021 draft will be a minimum of 20 rounds on dates TBA.
Competitive Balance Rule 4 Draft picks are slotted in two groups (Competitive Balance Round "A" is slotted after the 1st Round, and Competitive Balance Round "B" is slotted between the 2nd and 3rd rounds).
NOTE: Beginning with the 2017 Rule 4 Draft, Competitive Balance draft picks will no longer be awarded by lottery. Rather, all clubs who qualify (the ten smallest market clubs and the ten lowest revenue clubs) will receive Competitive Balance draft picks in either Competitive Balance Round "A" (between the 1st & 2nd round) or in Competitive Balance Round "B" (between the 2nd & 3rd rounds), with each club alternating between the two rounds every-other year.
If an Article XX-B Qualified Player subsequently signs a Major League contract with another (different) MLB club prior to the MLB Rule 4 Draft (MLB First-Year Player Draft), the player's former club (the club that lost the Qualified Player) normally will receive a compensatory draft pick in the MLB Rule 4 Draft between the 2nd & 3rd rounds (after Competitive Balance Round "B").
EXCEPTIONS: An MLB club that receives revenue sharing funds would receive a compensatory draft pick immediately after the conclusion of the 1st round (prior to Competitive Balance Round "A") - IF - the Qualified Player signs a contract worth at least $50M (the club would receive a compensatory draft pick between the 2nd & 3rd rounds and after Competitive Balance Round "B" if the Qualified Player signs a contract worth less than $50M), and an MLB club that is a Competitive Balance Tax (CBT) payor (club's payroll from the previous season exceeded the so-called "Luxury Tax") would receive a draft pick between the 4th & 5th rounds.
NOTE: If more than one club receives the same type of compensatory pick, the draft order for the comp picks is the same as it is for all other rounds in that draft (clubs select in inverse order of league standings from the previous season, and in the case of two clubs finishing with the same record the previous season, league standings from two seasons back will be used to break the tie, and if If the clubs are still tied, league standings from three seasons back, four seasons back, etc, will be used to break the tie).
An MLB club that signs an Article XX-B player who was extended a Qualifying Offer from his previous club forfeits its 2nd highest selection in the next MLB Rule 4 Draft and $500,000 is subtracted from its assigned International Signing Bonus Pool (ISBP) in the next full International Signing Period (ISP).
EXCEPTIONS: An MLB club that receives revenue sharing funds would surrender its 3rd highest selection in the draft but nothing is subtracted from the club's ISBP in the next full ISP, and an MLB club that is a CBT payor (club's payroll from the previous season exceeded the so-called "Luxury Tax") would forfeit its 2nd & 5th selection in the draft and have $1,000,000 subtracted from its ISBP in the next ISP.
NOTE: The Competitive Balance Tax threshold will be $195M in 2017, $197M in 2018, $206M in 2019, $208M in 2020, and $210M in 2021.
The next highest Rule 4 Draft pick (or draft picks) will be forfeited if a club signs more than one Article XX-B player who was extended a Qualifying Offer from his previous club (one draft pick forfeited for each Qualified Player signed).
NOTE: A CBT payor (club's payroll from the previous season exceeded the so-called "Luxury Tax") would forfeit its 3rd & 6th highest selections if the club signs a second Qualified Player, its 4th & 7th selections if the club signs a third Qualified Player, and its 8th & 9th highest selections, 10th & 11th highest selections, etc, for additional Qualified Players signed.
Draft picks subject to forfeiture include the club's own Rule 4 Draft picks, compensatory draft picks awarded to the club after losing an Article XX-B Qualified Player, and draft picks awarded as the result of the Rule 4 SBP Forfeited Draft Pick lottery (including draft picks that were subsequently acquired in a trade). Competitive Balance draft picks (including Competitive Balance draft picks acquired in a trade) and a compensatory draft pick awarded to a club for failing to sign a pick from a previous Rule 4 Draft are - NOT - subject to forfeiture.
NOTE: Prior to the 2018 MLB Rule 4 Draft, Competitive Balance draft picks were subject to forfeiture.
A Rule 4 Draft pick forfeited as the result of a club signing an Article XX-B player who was extended a Qualifying Offer from his previous club is not transferred to any other club (it just disappears).
Beginning with the 2018 Rule 4 Draft, any MLB club that had a payroll from the previous season that was $40M or more above the Competitive Balance Tax threshold will have its highest draft selection moved down ten slots, unless its first selection is among the top six picks in the draft, in which case it will have its second-highest draft slot moved down ten slots.
NOTE: In determining whether a club would have its highest or second-highest draft pick moved down ten slots, the six "protected" picks at the top of the 1st round would NOT include any compensation draft pick received by a club for failing to sign a 1st round draft pick from a previous draft -- these compensatory draft picks are already "protected."
FIRST-YEAR PLAYER DRAFT (MLB RULE 4 DRAFT) - ELIGIBILITY
An individual is eligible for selection in the First-Year Player Draft (MLB Rule 4 Draft) if the person is at least 17 years old, has not previously signed an MLB or minor league contract, and is either a resident of a U. S. state or territory or Canada and has been for at least one year, or is not a resident but was enrolled in a high school (known as "secondary school" in Canada) or college in a U. S. state or territory or Canada within the previous year, and...
1. Player has graduated from high school and has received a diploma (if the player graduates early from high school and receives a diploma prior to turning 17, the player is eligible for selection if he turns 17 no later than 45 days after the draft and the player submits written notice of early graduation to the MLB Commissioner by January 15th); or
The player's high school class has graduated (12th grade) and
2. Player has not yet graduated from high school but player's high school athletic eligibility has expired; or
3. Player dropped out of high school at least 365 days prior to the draft; or
4. Player attended a junior college the previous school year; or
5. Player is attending a four-year college and the school has no baseball program, or
6. Player is attending a four-year college and player has completed at least junior year of athletic eligibility, or
7. Player is attending a four-year college and is age 21 or older (or will turn 21 within 45 days of the draft); or
8. Player withdrew from a four-year college at least 120 days prior to the draft.
A player dismissed from a four-year college for academic reasons less than 120 days prior to the draft is eligible for selection only with the consent of the MLB Commissioner.
For purposes of draft eligibility, a GED is not considered a high school diploma.
NOTE: Prior to the 2017 draft, a GED was considered equivalent to a high school diploma for purposes of draft eligibility.
A club is not permitted to select a player in the Rule 4 Draft two years in a row, unless the player gives his approval in advance.
A high school player eligible for selection may elect (in advance) to have his name removed from draft eligibility in that particular Rule 4 Draft.
Prior to the draft, the MLB Commissioner's office will designate what it considers to be the Top 300 players in the draft, and offer each of the players an opportunity to furnish in advance of the draft access to the player's certified medical history available to be reviewed by all 30 MLB clubs. Players are not required to participate in the program, but if a player declines to participate, the player may not furnish medical records to any club or clubs prior to the draft.
From among the Top 300 players, the MLB Commissioner's office will designate what it considers to be the Top 50 pitchers in the draft, and offer each of the pitchers an opportunity to submit a recent certified MRI of the pitcher's shoulder, elbow, or any other part of the body that has received medical treatment during the course of the previous season, available for review by all 30 MLB clubs prior to the draft. Pitchers are not required to participate in the program.
FIRST-YEAR PLAYER DRAFT (MLB RULE 4 DTAFT ) - NEGOTIATION LIST
Players selected in the MLB First-Year Player Draft (MLB Rule 4 Draft) are placed on a club's Negotiation List.
In most cases, a player selected by a club in the Rule 4 Draft will remain on the club's Negotiation List until either the player signs or until the signing deadline (whichever comes first), and if a club does not sign a Rule 4 Draft pick by the deadline (5 PM Eastern on the Friday that falls during the week July 6-12), the player is removed from the club's Negotiation List and becomes eligible for selection again in the next Rule 4 Draft in which the player would be eligible for selection.
EXCEPTION: A college senior with no baseball eligibility left remains on the club's Negotiation List until the player signs or until one week prior to the next Rule 4 Draft (whichever comes first).
NOTE: The signing deadline is August 1st in 2021.
A player selected in the Rule 4 Draft will be declared a free-agent if he is not offered a contract by the signing deadline.
A player eligible for selection in the Rule 4 Draft who is not drafted ("Non-Drafted Free-Agent" or "NDFA") can sign with any club after the conclusion of the draft any time up until one week prior to the next Rule 4 Draft, unless and until the NDFA enrolls in a junior college or four-year college, in which case MLB Rule 4 Draft eligibility rules apply.
NOTE: A player eligible for selection in the 2021 MLB First-Year Player Draft who is not selected can be signed by any MLB club as a Non-Drafted Free-Agent (NDFA) with a maximum bonus of $20,000 beginning at 9 AM (Eastern) on June 14th, but clubs are not permitted to discuss with a draft-eligible player the possibility of signing the player as a NDFA prior to the draft, during the draft, or anytime after the conclusion of the draft prior to 9 AM on June 14th.
A player selected in the MLB Rule 4 Draft or a Rule 4 eligible NDFA cannot be signed to a Major League contract.
A player who signs after being selected in the MLB Rule 4 Draft (First-Year Player Draft) cannot be traded until after the conclusion of the World Series (no earlier than 9 AM on the day after the final game of the World Series), or for 90 days if the player signs after the World Series.
NOTE: Previously, a player signed after being selected in the MLB Rule 4 Draft could not be traded until the first anniversary of the player signing his first contract.
A player signed after being selected in the MLB Rule 4 Draft (First-Year Player Draft) cannot be a PTBNL in any trade made prior to the conclusion of the World Series.
CUBS 2021 MLB RULE 4 NEGOTIATION LIST
TBA
CUBS 2021 MLB RULE 4 NDFA SIGNED
TBA
FIRST-YEAR PLAYER DRAFT (MLB RULE 4 DRAFT) - SIGNING BONUS POOL
There is a maximum limit on the aggregate amount of money that each club can pay as signing bonuses to players selected in a First-Year Player Draft (MLB Rule 4 Draft) before penalties begin to accrue.
Prior to the Rule 4 Draft, each MLB club is assigned a “Signing Bonus Pool” (SBP) equal to the aggregate pre-assigned bonus value of all of the club’s draft slots in the first ten rounds (including supplemental & compensatory draft picks). The higher the slot, the higher the bonus value. (The collective MLB SBP is determined in advance by calculating industry revenues).
The Cubs 2021 Rule 4 Draft SBP is $6,779,400
If a club fails to sign a player selected in the first ten rounds (including supplemental draft picks), the value of that slot is deducted from the club’s SBP. There is no bonus value assigned to draft slots after the 10th round, but if a club pays a signing bonus in excess of $125,000 to a player selected in the 11th round or later or to a player eligible for selection who was not drafted, the amount of that bonus in excess of $125,000 is deducted from the club’s SBP.
NOTE: A player eligible for selection in the 2021 MLB First-Year Player Draft who is not selected can be signed by any MLB club as a Non-Drafted Free-Agent (NDFA) with a maximum bonus of $20,000 beginning at 9 AM (Eastern) on July 14th, but clubs are not permitted to discuss with a draft-eligible player the possibility of signing the player as a NDFA prior to the draft, during the draft, or anytime after the conclusion of the draft prior to 9 AM on July 14th.
If a club exceeds its SBP in a given Rule 4 Draft, a tax will be assessed and future Rule 4 Draft picks could be forfeited, depending on how much the club exceeded its SBP. (The club’s 1st Round draft pick in the next Rule 4 Draft is forfeited if the club exceeds its SBP by 5-10%, its 1st & 2nd round draft picks in the next Rule 4 Draft are forfeited if the club exceeds its SBP by 10-15%, and the club’s 1st Round picks in the next two Rule 4 Drafts are forfeited if the club exceeds its SBP by more than 15%).
Money collected from the tax on clubs that exceed their SBP will be distributed to qualifying clubs as Revenue Sharing funds, and forfeited draft picks will be reassigned by lottery. (Any club that exceeds its SBP is excluded from the lottery).
FIRST-YEAR PLAYER DRAFT (MLB RULE 4 DRAFT) - COMPENSATION DRAFT PICKS
A Rule 4 Draft compensation pick is awarded to a club if the club is unable to sign a player selected in one of the first three rounds of the MLB Rule 4 Draft (including compensation draft picks between rounds 1-2, 2-3, and 3-4, Competitive Balance draft picks, draft picks awarded to a club after the club loses an Article XX-B MLB Free-Agent Qualified Player, and draft picks assigned to clubs from the SBP forfeited draft pick lottery).
A club must offer a drafted player at least 40% of the slot value in order to be eligible to receive a compensation draft pick if the player does not sign.
EXCEPTION: A club is not required to offer a drafted player at least 40% of the slot value in order to be eligible to receive a compensation draft pick if the player does not sign if the drafted player is one of the Top 50 pitchers designated by the MLB Commissioner's office prior to the draft and the pitcher declined to submit an MRI
If a player selected prior to the 3rd round of the Rule 4 Draft does not sign, the club receives an extra compensation selection in the next Rule 4 Draft, one slot lower than where the club selected the previous season.
If a player selected in the 3rd round of the draft does not sign, the club receives an extra compensation selection after the 3rd round in the next Rule 4 Draft, with clubs selecting in inverse order of league standings from the previous season. (In the case of two clubs finishing with the same winning percentage the previous season, league standings from two seasons back will be used to break the tie. If the clubs are still tied, league standings from three seasons back, four seasons back, etc, will be used to break the tie).
NOTE: In 2020 (only), if a player selected in the 3rd round of the Rule 4 Draft did not sign, the club received an extra compensation selection in the next Rule 4 Draft, one slot lower than where the club selected the previous season rather than after the conclusion of the 3rd round. .
A club would receive another compensation pick in the next Rule 4 Draft after that if a player selected with an extra compensation pick does not sign (same slot as the extra compensation draft pick for a player not signed after being selected prior to the 3rd round, and between the 3rd round compensation picks and the 4th round for a compensation draft pick not signed after being selected after the 3rd round), but there is no additional compensation pick awarded the following season (three years removed from the original draft pick) if a club is unable to sign that player.
A compensation draft pick awarded to a club after the club is unable to sign a player selected in a previous draft is NOT subject to forfeiture if that club signs an Article XX-B player who was extended a Qualifying Offer from another club.
Beginning with the 2018 MLB Rule 4 Draft, Article XX-B Qualified Player Compensation draft picks will be slotted between the 2nd & 3rd round of the draft (immediately after Competitive Balance Round "B"), between Rounds 1 & 2 (prior to Competitive Balance Round "A") for any club receiving revenue sharing funds that loses a Qualified Player who signs a major league contract worth more than $50M, and between rounds 4 & 5 for Competitive Balance Tax payors (club's payroll exceeds the so-called "Luxury Tax").
If a player selected with a draft pick awarded as the result of a club losing a Qualified Player does not sign, the club receives a compensation selection in the next Rule 4 Draft, one slot lower than where the club selected the previous season. There is no further compensation if a player selected with that compensation draft pick does not sign.
A compensation draft pick awarded to a club after losing an Article XX-B Qualified Player to another club is subject to forfeiture if that club signs a player who was extended a Qualifying Offer from another MLB club.
FIRST-YEAR PLAYER DRAFT (MLB RULE 4 DRAFT) - COMPETITIVE BALANCE DRAFT PICKS
"Competitive Balance" Rule 4 Draft picks are slotted between the 1st and 2nd rounds (Competitive Balance Round "A") and between the 2nd and 3rd rounds (Competitive Balance Round "B").
Beginning with the 2017 Rule 4 Draft, Competitive Balance draft picks will no longer be awarded by lottery. Rather, all clubs who qualify (the ten smallest market clubs and the ten lowest revenue clubs, some of which are the same club) will receive Competitive Balance draft picks in either Competitive Balance Round "A" (between the 1st & 2nd rounds) or in Competitive Balance Round "B" (between the 2nd & 3rd rounds), with each club alternating between the two rounds every-other year.
Beginning with the 2018 Rule 4 Draft, Competitive Balance draft picks will no longer be subject to forfeiture by clubs signing a Qualified Player.
A Competitive Balance draft slot can be traded only during a period of time starting on December 2nd and extending up until two hours prior to the MLB First-Year Player Draft (MLB Rule 4 Draft). The slot cannot be traded for cash unless it is a financial adjustment made to offset the salary of one or more of the players involved in the trade. Also, a Competitive Balance draft slot can be traded only once (only by the club that was awarded the pick). Once traded, the slot cannot be "flipped" to a third club.
NOTE: 2020 and 2021 Rule 4 Competitive Balance draft picks cannot be traded beginning on March 28, 2020, and extending through the conclusion of the 2021 draft.
If a player selected with a Competitive Balance draft pick does not sign, the club receives a compensation selection in the next Rule 4 Draft, one slot lower than where the club selected the previous season. There is no further compensation if a player selected with a Competitive Balance compensation draft pick does not sign.
FIRST-YEAR PLAYER DRAFT (MLB RULE 4 DRAFT) - SBP FORFEITED DRAFT PICKS
A Rule 4 SBP Forfeited draft pick that is forfeited because a club exceeded its Rule 4 Draft Signing Bonus Pool limit will be reassigned to another club by lottery to be held on the Wednesday following the MLB Rule 4 Draft signing deadline. All MLB clubs that have not exceeded its SBP limit as of that point in time are eligible to participate in this lottery.
As with Competitive Balance draft picks, Rule 4 SBP Forfeited draft picks can be traded, but only during a period of time beginning on December 2nd and extending up until two hours prior to the MLB First-Year Player Draft (MLB Rule 4 Draft), and the pick cannot be traded for cash unless it is a financial adjustment made to offset the salary of one or more of the players involved in the trade. Also, a Rule 4 forfeited draft pick can be traded only once (only by the club that was awarded the pick). Once traded, the pick cannot be "flipped" to a third club.
If a club that is awarded a Rule 4 SBP Forfeited Draft pick subsequently exceeds its SBP, the pick will be forfeited and another lottery will be held (date and time TBA by the MLB Commissioner) to allocate the pick to another club.
If a club trades a Rule 4 Forfeited Draft pick to another club, it cannot subsequently sign a player subject to the club's Rule 4 SBP if signing the player causes the club to exceed its SBP.
If a player selected with a Rule 4 Draft SBP forfeited draft pick does not sign, the club receives a compensation selection in the next Rule 4 Draft, one slot lower than the forfeited draft pick slot from the previous season. There is no further compensation if a player selected with a compensation Rule 4 Draft SBP forfeited draft pick does not sign.
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