The Baseball Writers Association of America announced the finalists for the 2024 awards this evening. Bobby Witt Jr. was among the finalists for American League MVP, securing him a spot in the top three of the voting. As Matt Eddy of Baseball America points out (on X), this result will grant the Royals an additional pick after the first round of the 2025 draft.
The 2022 collective bargaining agreement introduced the Prospect Promotion Incentive (PPI) to discourage teams from keeping top prospects in the minor leagues. A team carrying a top prospect for a full year of service can receive a draft choice if that player excels early in his MLB career.
A player could earn their team a PPI selection by winning Rookie of the Year, or finishing in the top three of Cy Young or MVP voting before arbitration (essentially his first three seasons). A team can only claim one PPI pick per player. Previously, Julio Rodríguez, Gunnar Henderson**, and Corbin Carroll earned their teams a PPI selection for winning the Rookie of the Year award.
Kansas City carried Witt, a consensus top prospect, on the roster for the entire 2022 season. Despite not earning the Rookie of the Year award – finishing fourth in the voting – he becomes the first player to earn his team an extra selection through the top three MVP placement in his third season. This path is more challenging and likely to occur less frequently compared to winning Rookie of the Year. Nevertheless, it’s a valuable outcome for the Royals.
In February, the Royals signed Witt to an 11-year extension worth nearly $289 million. However, this did not affect his eligibility for the PPI, even though he wasn’t on a league-minimum salary anymore. He is expected to finish as the MVP runner-up behind Aaron Judge after recording a season valued at around nine wins above replacement (WAR). Witt won the batting title and led the majors with 211 hits. He finished the year with a .332/.389/.588 slash line, including 32 home runs and 109 RBIs while playing stellar defense at the most demanding position on the infield. The Royals captured 86 wins, ending their nine-year postseason drought.
This is the only guaranteed PPI selection to date, but more could arise once award winners are announced next week. The Padres and Orioles stand to gain an extra pick if Jackson Merrill and Colton Cowser** win their respective Rookie of the Year awards. Austin Wells is also eligible but considered a long shot to win AL Rookie of the Year.
The Pirates cannot receive an extra pick for Paul Skenes finishing in the top three of Cy Young voting because Pittsburgh did not call up the star righty until early May. They would also miss out on a selection if Skenes wins Rookie of the Year for the same reason. However, Skenes would earn himself a full year of service time should he finish in the top two in ROY voting.
The other Rookie of the Year finalists don’t meet the PPI criteria either. Luis Gil was not featured on Baseball America, ESPN, or MLB Pipeline’s preseason Top 100 lists – the necessary prospect status to earn a pick. The Brewers carried Jackson Chourio** for a full season but signed him to an eight-year extension last December. Eddy reported in September that players who sign an extension before their MLB debut are not eligible for a PPI selection. Chourio’s extension differs from Witt’s because the latter had already played in MLB beforehand.
Bobby Witt Jr.’s MVP Finalist Status Earns Royals Extra Draft Pick Under New Prospect Promotion Incentive
The Kansas City Royals are celebrating not only Bobby Witt Jr.’s stellar performance during the 2023 season but also a sweet reward for his achievements. By finishing as an American League MVP finalist, Witt Jr. has earned the club an extra pick in the upcoming MLB Draft thanks to a new incentive program designed to promote player development and recognize exceptional talent.
Understanding the New Prospect Promotion Incentive
Introduced by Major League Baseball (MLB) in 2023, this innovative program aims to incentivize teams to develop their young prospects into stars. It works on a tiered system based on individual player achievement:
* **MVP Finalist:** Awarded an additional draft pick in the following year’s MLB Draft.
* **Top 10 MVP Finishes:** Receives an extra pick within the top 5 rounds of the subsequent MLB Draft.
This program is designed to reward teams who prioritize player development and create a more competitive playing field for all franchises.
Bobby Witt Jr.’s Resurgence in 2023
Witt Jr.’s journey to MVP finalist status has been one of consistent growth and remarkable progress. After a promising rookie season in 2022, he took his game to another level in 2023:
* Impressive Batting Stats:** Witt Jr. showcased a significant increase in power and average, solidifying himself as a dynamic force at the plate.
* **Defensive Prowess:** His versatility in the field, particularly at shortstop, earned him recognition as one of the top defensive players in the league.
These stellar performances propelled him into the national spotlight and ultimately placed him among the final contenders for the prestigious American League MVP award.
Benefits for the Royals and Future Prospects
The additional draft pick is a significant boon for the Royals, providing them with valuable resources to further bolster their talent pipeline. This could translate into:
* **Boosting Farm System Strength:** The extra draft selection allows the Royals to acquire promising young players who can contribute to both the short-term and long-term success of the club.
* **Attracting Top Talent:** A strong farm system often attracts free agents and top prospects, further elevating the team’s overall competitiveness.
The Impact of Prospect Promotion Incentives on MLB
This new incentive program could have a profound impact on the landscape of Major League Baseball:
* Encouraging Development:** Teams are now incentivized to invest more in their young players and create developmental pathways that lead to consistent success.
* **Erasing Competitive Imbalances:** By providing additional resources to teams with emerging talent, the program aims to level the playing field and foster a more competitive league across all franchises.
The long-term effects of this program are yet to be fully realized, but it demonstrates MLB’s commitment to promoting player development and creating a more dynamic and exciting league for fans.
