Comp Picks Alters 2026 Draft Strategy, Dramatically

[BleedingBleu]

As already reported, Bloom was able to receive two Top 100 Picks (#68 & #72) in the upcoming Draft to go along with the #13 pick the wet-fart for a Draft Lottery produced and the #32 pick via Competitive Balance A.

Prior to the deal, the Cardinals had the 8th highest Signing Pool allotment at ~$13.7M.

1 - Tampa Bay Rays: $19,590,500
2 - Pittsburgh Pirates: $18,592,800
3 - Chicago White Sox: $17,090,000
4 - Minnesota Twins: $16,410,400
5 - Kansas City Royals: $15,505,000
6 - Atlanta Braves: $15,415,700
7 - Colorado Rockies: $15,103,600
8 - St. Louis Cardinals: $13,741,900
9 - San Francisco Giants: $13,674,500
10 - Athletics: $13,399,500

For the 2025 Draft, the #68 & #72 Picks added about ~$2.4M to the team’s draft pool; which would move the Cardinals into the Top 5 for Draft Pool Allotment.
68. Brewers: $1,254,400
72. Cardinals: $1,145,900

This means they’ll have almost $2M more to spend on Draft Picks then they had last season when they had the 7th Highest at a combined $14.2M and the #5 Pick (Slotted at $8.1M). Hopefully, the Cardinals will see some high value HS players drop into their loving arms at #13, because they are ripe to take advantage of such good fortunes.

Where the Draft Is Headed Next: Money, Models, and Development
The 2026 MLB Draft is about more than just the players selected. It’s a pivotal moment in how teams build their future. Over-slot bonuses will continue to be a major tool in a team’s arsenal. As teams get better at scouting, data analytics, and player development, the draft will become an even more dynamic part of how organizations approach the long-term build.

The teams that will succeed in 2026 are the ones that balance financial risk with talent evaluation. In the years to come, the draft will continue to evolve, and front offices will have to stay one step ahead of the changes.

Some of you might remember the 2025 Brewers Draft Strategy; which emphasized high-upside, high school talent. They ended up selecting 12 high school players, with a significant chunk of those prep players on Day 2.

The 2025 Brewers had similar Pick Slotting, but far less money allotment (~13.1M). Hopefully, Bloom’s recent investments in Jupiter, funneling cash towards their new Pitching Academy and Player Development, will allow the Cardinals to leverage these compensation picks to acquire loads of high-end HS Talent in the 2026 Draft.

Get those scouts out to the HS Diamonds!

[82birds]

food for thought.
thanks BB

[BrockFloodMaris]

As already reported, Bloom was able to receive two Top 100 Picks (#68 & #72) in the upcoming Draft to go along with the #13 pick the wet-fart for a Draft Lottery produced and the #32 pick via Competitive Balance A.

Prior to the deal, the Cardinals had the 8th highest Signing Pool allotment at ~$13.7M.

1 - Tampa Bay Rays: $19,590,500
2 - Pittsburgh Pirates: $18,592,800
3 - Chicago White Sox: $17,090,000
4 - Minnesota Twins: $16,410,400
5 - Kansas City Royals: $15,505,000
6 - Atlanta Braves: $15,415,700
7 - Colorado Rockies: $15,103,600
8 - St. Louis Cardinals: $13,741,900
9 - San Francisco Giants: $13,674,500
10 - Athletics: $13,399,500

For the 2025 Draft, the #68 & #72 Picks added about ~$2.4M to the team’s draft pool; which would move the Cardinals into the Top 5 for Draft Pool Allotment.
68. Brewers: $1,254,400
72. Cardinals: $1,145,900

This means they’ll have almost $2M more to spend on Draft Picks then they had last season when they had the 7th Highest at a combined $14.2M and the #5 Pick (Slotted at $8.1M). Hopefully, the Cardinals will see some high value HS players drop into their loving arms at #13, because they are ripe to take advantage of such good fortunes.

Where the Draft Is Headed Next: Money, Models, and Development
The 2026 MLB Draft is about more than just the players selected. It’s a pivotal moment in how teams build their future. Over-slot bonuses will continue to be a major tool in a team’s arsenal. As teams get better at scouting, data analytics, and player development, the draft will become an even more dynamic part of how organizations approach the long-term build.

The teams that will succeed in 2026 are the ones that balance financial risk with talent evaluation. In the years to come, the draft will continue to evolve, and front offices will have to stay one step ahead of the changes.

Some of you might remember the 2025 Brewers Draft Strategy; which emphasized high-upside, high school talent. They ended up selecting 12 high school players, with a significant chunk of those prep players on Day 2.

The 2025 Brewers had similar Pick Slotting, but far less money allotment (~13.1M). Hopefully, Bloom’s recent investments in Jupiter, funneling cash towards their new Pitching Academy and Player Development, will allow the Cardinals to leverage these compensation picks to acquire loads of high-end HS Talent in the 2026 Draft.

Get those scouts out to the HS Diamonds!

Many thanks for the informative, and outrage-free post!

[Carp4Cy]

The risks though with HS.

Jordan Walker
Jack Flaherty

[Ejgonz22]

The risks though with HS.

Jordan Walker
Jack Flaherty

They both at least made it to the big leagues. They aren’t bad examples of late first round picks.

[sikeston bulldog2]

The risks though with HS.

Jordan Walker
Jack Flaherty

They both at least made it to the big leagues. They aren’t bad examples of late first round picks.

With some success.

[BleedingBleu]

The risks though with HS.

Jordan Walker
Jack Flaherty

Both are in MLB. Do Cooper Hjerpe (OrSt), Zack Thompson (UK), Griffin Roberts (WF), James Ramsey (FSU), and Zack Cox (UArk) next

[BleedingBleu]

As already reported, Bloom was able to receive two Top 100 Picks (#68 & #72) in the upcoming Draft to go along with the #13 pick the wet-fart for a Draft Lottery produced and the #32 pick via Competitive Balance A.

Prior to the deal, the Cardinals had the 8th highest Signing Pool allotment at ~$13.7M.

1 - Tampa Bay Rays: $19,590,500
2 - Pittsburgh Pirates: $18,592,800
3 - Chicago White Sox: $17,090,000
4 - Minnesota Twins: $16,410,400
5 - Kansas City Royals: $15,505,000
6 - Atlanta Braves: $15,415,700
7 - Colorado Rockies: $15,103,600
8 - St. Louis Cardinals: $13,741,900
9 - San Francisco Giants: $13,674,500
10 - Athletics: $13,399,500

For the 2025 Draft, the #68 & #72 Picks added about ~$2.4M to the team’s draft pool; which would move the Cardinals into the Top 5 for Draft Pool Allotment.
68. Brewers: $1,254,400
72. Cardinals: $1,145,900

This means they’ll have almost $2M more to spend on Draft Picks then they had last season when they had the 7th Highest at a combined $14.2M and the #5 Pick (Slotted at $8.1M). Hopefully, the Cardinals will see some high value HS players drop into their loving arms at #13, because they are ripe to take advantage of such good fortunes.

Where the Draft Is Headed Next: Money, Models, and Development
The 2026 MLB Draft is about more than just the players selected. It’s a pivotal moment in how teams build their future. Over-slot bonuses will continue to be a major tool in a team’s arsenal. As teams get better at scouting, data analytics, and player development, the draft will become an even more dynamic part of how organizations approach the long-term build.

The teams that will succeed in 2026 are the ones that balance financial risk with talent evaluation. In the years to come, the draft will continue to evolve, and front offices will have to stay one step ahead of the changes.

Some of you might remember the 2025 Brewers Draft Strategy; which emphasized high-upside, high school talent. They ended up selecting 12 high school players, with a significant chunk of those prep players on Day 2.

The 2025 Brewers had similar Pick Slotting, but far less money allotment (~13.1M). Hopefully, Bloom’s recent investments in Jupiter, funneling cash towards their new Pitching Academy and Player Development, will allow the Cardinals to leverage these compensation picks to acquire loads of high-end HS Talent in the 2026 Draft.

Get those scouts out to the HS Diamonds!

Many thanks for the informative, and outrage-free post!

I think it could be the big picture plan unfolding, especially with the potential post-2027 Lockout recovery and long term turnaround

[CCard]

Drafting a winning team for profit. The Cardinal Way. On sale at your local Barnes and Noble in the clearance isle. The true definition of unrealized gains, draft picks. Takes years to get them to the majors and productive (if they ever produce at all) then when they hit arbitration you sell them to a contender and start all over again. Sell the base on this perpetual "rebuilding" and pocket the cash. So smart only a billionaire would do it.

[BleedingBleu]

Drafting a winning team for profit. The Cardinal Way. On sale at your local Barnes and Noble in the clearance isle. The true definition of unrealized gains, draft picks. Takes years to get them to the majors and productive (if they ever produce at all) then when they hit arbitration you sell them to a contender and start all over again. Sell the base on this perpetual "rebuilding" and pocket the cash. So smart only a billionaire would do it.

How much did they win the last decade with the midmarket FA “splurge” strategy?

[CCard]

Drafting a winning team for profit. The Cardinal Way. On sale at your local Barnes and Noble in the clearance isle. The true definition of unrealized gains, draft picks. Takes years to get them to the majors and productive (if they ever produce at all) then when they hit arbitration you sell them to a contender and start all over again. Sell the base on this perpetual "rebuilding" and pocket the cash. So smart only a billionaire would do it.

How much did they win the last decade with the midmarket FA “splurge” strategy?

Well... Cherry picking the time length doesn't look great. They did make the playoffs in 2022 and if not for the blow up of their closer Helsley, they in all almost assuredly would've have won game one. But this model did produce two World champions and numerous playoff games. But you go ahead with your story.

[pitchingandefense]

The added bonus pool money is a very good get in this trade. I'm not sure they are going to go super heavy on high school talent though. This is supposed to be a pretty heavy college draft. According to Baseball America, "Draft cycles can be random, but the 2026 class is strengthened because an exceptional 2023 high school class is now matriculating through the college ranks." They've also acquired a lot of prospects this winter who are only one or two levels away from MLB, which seems to indicate a plan to open their competitive window beginning in 2027. That plan could be fortified by a strong college heavy draft in 2026. But if they have a situation where there is a highly regarded high school player who drops to them due to signing concerns, then they should definitely take that best player available since they will have the bonus pool available to sign him.

[Carp4Cy]

The risks though with HS.

Jordan Walker
Jack Flaherty

They both at least made it to the big leagues. They aren’t bad examples of late first round picks.

With some success.

And yet we hope for (and need) a lot more from JJW and Doyle - college picks.

Yes Flaherty had some talent and some regular season success but we never won with him. Then he got hurt at the worst possible moment. Walker hasn't had true success yet.

Meanwhile Lance Lynn was a college pitcher who won a WS and 2 pennants for us. Except for TJ, the guy just went out and made 33 starts every year.

Not saying the HS can't work, but its a tough market, especially when we need to reload with elite MOTO bat prospects sooner than later.

[BleedingBleu]

Drafting a winning team for profit. The Cardinal Way. On sale at your local Barnes and Noble in the clearance isle. The true definition of unrealized gains, draft picks. Takes years to get them to the majors and productive (if they ever produce at all) then when they hit arbitration you sell them to a contender and start all over again. Sell the base on this perpetual "rebuilding" and pocket the cash. So smart only a billionaire would do it.

How much did they win the last decade with the midmarket FA “splurge” strategy?

Well... Cherry picking the time length doesn't look great. They did make the playoffs in 2022 and if not for the blow up of their closer Helsley, they in all almost assuredly would've have won game one. But this model did produce two World champions and numerous playoff games. But you go ahead with your story.

Cherry-picking? A decade isn’t cherry-picking. It’s an era

[Talkin' Baseball]

Drafting a winning team for profit. The Cardinal Way. On sale at your local Barnes and Noble in the clearance isle. The true definition of unrealized gains, draft picks. Takes years to get them to the majors and productive (if they ever produce at all) then when they hit arbitration you sell them to a contender and start all over again. Sell the base on this perpetual "rebuilding" and pocket the cash. So smart only a billionaire would do it.

How much did they win the last decade with the midmarket FA “splurge” strategy?

Well... Cherry picking the time length doesn't look great. They did make the playoffs in 2022 and if not for the blow up of their closer Helsley, they in all almost assuredly would've have won game one. But this model did produce two World champions and numerous playoff games. But you go ahead with your story.

Cherry-picking? A decade isn’t cherry-picking. It’s an era

Let's be honest- the past 10 years have been poorly executed. A great organization lost their fastball. We expect (and the front office does to) pitchers and hitters to make adjustments when you aren't getting results. Those who don't, don't get to stay. The front office and ownership didn't adjust their model even in the face of poor results. Thus the pain of the present. The little adjustments you don't make in the present turn into a big deal. An overhaul is needed- not a tune up.

[BleedingBleu]

The added bonus pool money is a very good get in this trade. I'm not sure they are going to go super heavy on high school talent though. This is supposed to be a pretty heavy college draft. According to Baseball America, "Draft cycles can be random, but the 2026 class is strengthened because an exceptional 2023 high school class is now matriculating through the college ranks." They've also acquired a lot of prospects this winter who are only one or two levels away from MLB, which seems to indicate a plan to open their competitive window beginning in 2027. That plan could be fortified by a strong college heavy draft in 2026. But if they have a situation where there is a highly regarded high school player who drops to them due to signing concerns, then they should definitely take that best player available since they will have the bonus pool available to sign him.

+1

Good stuff