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Oakland A’s learn Competitive Balance Draft spot

By David Hill

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 11: A detailed view of the cap and Wilson baseball glove belonging to Tony Kemp #5 of the Oakland Athletics sitting on top of the dugout steps against the Chicago White Sox in the bottom of the seventh inning at RingCentral Coliseum on September 11, 2022 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 11: A detailed view of the cap and Wilson baseball glove belonging to Tony Kemp #5 of the Oakland Athletics sitting on top of the dugout steps against the Chicago White Sox in the bottom of the seventh inning at RingCentral Coliseum on September 11, 2022 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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At least one of the Oakland A’s 2023 MLB Draft questions has been answered.

On Thursday, the Competitive Balance picks for the draft were announced. The A’s have the eight pick in Round A, the final selection in that group.

Oakland A’s know one draft spot

It is worth noting that the Competitive Balance picks can be traded as well – the only picks in the draft that can be moved to another team. Since the likes of the Mariners, Rays, and Guardians are in the draft, and are all teams that have been linked to the A’s in trade rumors in the past, it is possible that Oakland could come away with another draft pick in the first two rounds.

That is especially the case after last season. Three of those picks were traded last year, and with the A’s looking to make further deals to free up payroll, the idea that those picks can be traded is worth remembering. With the Rays and Guardians both heavily involved in the Sean Murphy Sweepstakes, those picks could be part of a trade package.

This is also another way for the A’s to be able to restock their farm system. Due to injuries and top prospects not panning out, the A’s had one of the worst farm systems in the majors at the end of the 2021 season. Trades thus far have helped, but with the ascensions of some of their prospects, the A’s still do not have the type of talent they need in the system to truly come out of the rebuild.

Maybe this pick can help. Maybe the A’s can find another prospect that can develop into a future star. If nothing else, by accumulating these picks, they are giving themselves a chance to find that piece.

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The Oakland A’s have the eighth pick in Round A in the Competitive Balance draft. Maybe that pick can turn into another top prospect down the line.