One of the few perks that comes with losing 101 games in an MLB season is a high draft pick.
The White Sox finished with the third-worst record in the MLB which in years past meant they were guaranteed the third overall pick. However last season the MLB decided to do away with the draft order being determined by the standings and implemented a Draft Lottery to take its place. The change was thanks to the new Collective Bargaining Agreement in an effort to reduce tanking amongst teams.
The lottery will take place on December 5th, during the Winter Meetings in Nashville. This season there are 17 non-playoff teams eligible for the first overall pick. The White Sox have a 14.7% chance to win the lottery. The rest of the odds are as follows:
- 18.3% Oakland Athletics (50-112)
- 18.3% Kansas City Royals (56-106)
- 18.3% Colorado Rockies (59-103)
- 14.7% Chicago White Sox (61-101)
- 6.1% St. Louis Cardinals. (71-91)
- 6.1% Los Angeles Angels (73-89)
- 4.3% New York Mets. (75-87)
- 3.0% Pittsburgh Pirates (76-86)
- 2.0% Cleveland Guardians (76-86)
- 1.6% Detroit Tigers (78-84)
- 1.2% Boston Red Sox (78-84)
- 1.0% San Fransico Giants (79-83)
- 0.9% Cincinnati Reds (82-80)
- 0.7% San Diego Padres (82-80)
- 0.6% New York Yankees (82-80)
- 0.4% Chicago Cubs (83-79)
- 0.2% Seattle Mariners (88-74)
- 0.0% Washington Nationals (71-91)
The Nationals are the only non-playoff team since they are a payor club, (a club that gives revenue-sharing money instead of receiving it) and payor clubs are not eligible to be selected in consecutive lotteries. The highest they can pick in 2024 is 10th, despite having the fifth-worst record in the MLB.
The draft order for the first six picks will be decided by the lottery. After that picks 7-18 will be decided based on record.
The first round of the MLB Draft will take place on July 9th.
