Royals awarded the 33rd pick in the draft for the competitive balance round

The Royals will get the 33rd overall pick of the 2020 MLB draft, by receiving a selection in competitive balance Round A that immediately follows the first round, according to MLB Pipeline. They were already slated to get the fourth overall pick in the draft, by virtue of finishing with the fourth-worst record in baseball.

The competitive balance rounds were implemented for the 2013 draft as a way of helping smaller market clubs. MLB awards extra draft picks to club meeting a formula that combines revenue, winning percentage and market score. Clubs alternate each year (it used to be a lottery) between Round A, which selects at the end of the first round, and Round B, which selects at the end of the second round. This year, the Royals will be part of Round A.

The Baltimore Orioles will have the first pick in Round A, followed by the Pittsburgh Pirates, and then the Royals. The Detroit Tigers have been added to the competitive balance round, while the Oakland Athletics have been removed.

Round A

1. Baltimore Orioles
2. Pittsburgh Pirates
3. Kansas City Royals
4. Arizona Diamondbacks
5. San Diego Padres
6. Colorado Rockies
7. Cleveland Indians
8. St. Louis Cardinals

Round B

1. Miami Marlins
2. Detroit Tigers
3. Tampa Bay Rays
4. Milwaukee Brewers
5. Cincinnati Reds
6. Minnesota Twins

The Royals will have three of the top 42 picks in next year’s draft. This year’s free agent signings won’t affect the first round or Round A, rather any compensatory picks would come after competitive balance Round B. You can see the preliminary draft order here.