The Baseball Writers Association of America revealed the finalists for the 2024 awards tonight. Bobby Witt Jr. was among the American League MVP finalists, securing him a top three finish in the voting. As Matt Eddy of Baseball America points out (on X), this result earns the Royals an extra draft pick after the first round in 2025.
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 achieves early success in the majors.
A player could earn their team a pick by winning Rookie of the Year or finishing within the top three in Cy Young or MVP voting during their pre-arbitration years (essentially their first three seasons). A team can only receive one PPI selection per player. In previous seasons, Julio Rodríguez, Gunnar Henderson, and Corbin Carroll earned their teams PPIs by winning Rookie of the Year awards.
Kansas City carried Witt, a consensus top prospect, on their roster for the entire 2022 season. Though he didn’t earn Rookie of the Year, finishing fourth in voting, Witt becomes the first player to secure his team an extra selection through a top three MVP placement in his third season. This path is more challenging and will likely occur less frequently than winning Rookie of the Year. Regardless, the Royals will welcome the added draft pick.
In February, the Royals signed Witt to an 11-year extension guaranteeing him slightly under $289 million. This did not disqualify Witt from Prospect Promotion Incentive eligibility, even though he no longer slotted for a league minimum salary. He is likely to finish as the MVP runner-up behind Aaron Judge after accumulating a season approximate worth nine wins above replacement (WAR). Witt won the batting title and led the majors with 211 hits while slashing .332/.389/.588 with 32 home runs and 109 RBIs. He also played stellar defense at shortstop, the most demanding position in the infield. The Royals’ 86 wins snapped a nine-year postseason drought.
Witt’s selection is the only guaranteed PPI to date, but more could arise once award winners are announced next week. The Padres and Orioles would 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 longer shot for AL Rookie of the Year.
The Pirates cannot earn an extra pick for Paul Skenes finishing in the top three in Cy Young voting because Pittsburgh did not call up the star righty until early May. They would not receive a selection if Skenes wins Rookie of the Year for the same reason. However, Skenes would earn himself a full year of service time in the likely event that he places in the top two in ROY voting.
The other Rookie of the Year finalists do not meet the PPI criteria. Luis Gil was not on two of the preseason Top 100 lists at Baseball America, ESPN or MLB Pipeline — 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 in December. Eddy reported in September (in *Baseball America* ) that players who sign extensions before their MLB debuts are not eligible for a PPI selection. Chourio’s extension differs from Witt’s because the latter had already played in MLB before signing.
Bobby Witt Jr.’s MVP Finalist Status Earns Royals Extra Draft Pick Under New Prospect Promotion Incentive
New Rules Reward Player Development
The Kansas City Royals are celebrating a double win this season. Not only did Bobby Witt Jr. have a breakout year, hitting the scene as one of MLB’s brightest young stars, but his performance also has tangible benefits for the team’s future. His status as an American League MVP finalist means the Royals will receive an extra draft pick in the upcoming MLB Draft, thanks to a new rule designed to incentivize player development.
Understanding the New Rule
Introduced by Major League Baseball (MLB) in recent years, this unique incentive aims to reward teams for cultivating and promoting homegrown talent. Teams whose players achieve significant individual recognition – such as finishing among the top finishers in MVP voting – are granted an additional selection in the next year’s draft.
Key Benefits for MLB Teams:
- Increased Draft Capital: The extra pick provides teams with an added opportunity to acquire promising prospects and bolster their future rosters.
- Incentivized Player Development: By rewarding teams that invest in developing their players, the rule encourages a focus on long-term success through player cultivation.
- Competitive Balance: The incentive can help level the playing field by providing less successful teams with resources to rebuild and compete for championships.
Bobby Witt Jr.’s Impact on the Royals
Witt Jr.’s performance in 2023 has been nothing short of remarkable. His consistent hitting, impressive defensive plays, and overall contributions have established him as a cornerstone player for the Royals’ future.
Witt Jr.’s Stats: A Snapshot of Success
| Category | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Batting Average | .250 |
| Home Runs | 18 |
| Runs Batted In (RBIs) | 67 |
The future looks bright for the Royals. With a talented young core led by Witt Jr., their extra draft pick offers them further ammunition to build a competitive team for years to come.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Player Development Incentives
This new rule highlights MLB’s commitment to incentivizing player development and rewarding teams that invest in creating homegrown talent. As the league continues to evolve, it is likely that we will see further innovations aimed at fostering a more competitive and balanced playing field.
