12up Logo

3 Teams Most Screwed Over by MLB Draft Decision

By Steven Kubitza

The Kansas City Royals are one of the teams most hurt by MLB's draft decision.
The Kansas City Royals are one of the teams most hurt by MLB's draft decision. / Will Newton/Getty Images

Major League Baseball is reportedly going with a five-round draft in 2020. This is a bit of a shock considering the draft is normally 40 rounds. Such a change is a bummer for the prospects and for teams relying on the draft to restock their organization, but who was hurt the most by this?

While other prospects can sign with teams for $20,000 if they're not drafted, that just means the better ones will choose teams of their preference and liking. Three small-market teams in particular may have to chalk up 2020 as a lost year in terms of rebuilding their rosters.

3. Detroit Tigers

The Detroit Tigers remain in a massive rebuild.
The Detroit Tigers remain in a massive rebuild. / Mark Cunningham/Getty Images

The Detroit Tigers last made the postseason in 2014. The team has had only one winning season since then and totally bottomed out in 2019 with a record of 47-114, which gave them the pick first in this year's draft. Detroit is likely aiming to be competitive around 2023, which marks Miguel Cabrera's final year of his albatross of a contract and should usher in a new era of Tigers baseball. However, the team being deprived of so many other potential draft prospects will certainly set them back.

2. Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates always seem to be rebuilding.
The Pittsburgh Pirates always seem to be rebuilding. / Justin Berl/Getty Images

The Pittsburgh Pirates pick No. 7 overall this year after finishing with a 69-93 record in 2019. That marks three losing seasons in the past four years and the team's worst record since 2010. The payroll remains extremely low by MLB standards and the Pirates' best chance at competing for a World Series is building a dominant team through the draft. Not having a full draft in 2020 may mean this particular rebuild lasts even longer.

1. Kansas City Royals

The Kansas City Royals bottomed out fast.
The Kansas City Royals bottomed out fast. / Ed Zurga/Getty Images

The Kansas City Royals made back-to-back World Series in 2014 and 2015 and took home the title the second time around. But their run ended swiftly. The Royals lost over 100 games in 2018 and 2019 and are in a rebuild fans are hoping won't take another 20 years. The best way to rebound from 100 losses is to get a full draft class. Kansas City now has to hit on every pick in these five rounds to avoid a setback.