In today’s MLB Draft landscape, where bonus pools and spending caps dictate much of the strategy, teams are constantly looking for ways to stretch their dollars. With limited flexibility in the early rounds, organizations have leaned into a value-driven approach: acquiring as much quality talent as possible within their financial constraints.

One key to that strategy is maximizing the picks that come just after the first round.

Each year, the draft features more players with first-round talent than there are first-round slots. As a result, teams often see tremendous value in using their second selections, particularly those in the Competitive Balance Round A and early second round, to take calculated risks on high-upside prospects who may have slid due to signability concerns, injuries or perceived risk. Prep pitchers, especially right-handers, are a frequent target in this range (picks 35 to 50), where the upside often outweighs the risk and the price tag is slightly lower than in the top 30.

***CLICK FOR DRAFT BOARD***

In many cases, a team’s second pick is treated internally as another first-rounder. The signing bonuses given out in this range reflect that mindset. Clubs are willing to invest significant portions of their bonus pool on these selections, knowing they could be landing a premium talent at a discount, especially when targeting high school arms with frontline potential or hitters with loud tools but less polish.

That investment varies dramatically depending on draft position. For example, this year the gap between second picks is wider than ever, ranging from Kansas City selecting at No. 28 overall (Competitive Balance Round A) to the New York Yankees not picking again until No. 103. That is a massive swing in opportunity and value.

Despite those timing differences, the second pick remains a crucial inflection point for every team’s draft class. Whether it comes early on Day 1 or well into Day 2, it is often the pick that defines a club’s appetite for risk, upside and long-term projection.

Below is a look at where each MLB club will make its second selection in this year’s draft:

RELATED CONTENT: