Competitive balance round

The Competitive balance round was introduced in the Amateur draft in its 2013 edition as a result of the Collective Bargaining Agreement signed after the 2011 season. The round is designed to give teams from small markets an advantage if they meet certain conditions, namely if they play in one of the smallest 10 markets, rank in the bottom 10 in revenue, or receive revenue sharing. These picks can be used in trades, which is not the case for regular draft picks.

The Competitive balance round is part of the supplemental first round, taking place after the first round proper and the Compensation Round A which is geared to teams who have lost a type A player through free agency.

The first player ever drafted in the competitive balance round was pitcher Sean Manaea, by the Kansas City Royals, with the 34th pick of the 2013 draft. The next pick in that draft, originally held by the Pittsburgh Pirates, was the first to be traded, being sent to the Miami Marlins as part of the trade for Gaby Sanchez; Miami selected Matt Krook with the pick.