Has a Player Ever Declined a Draft Pick?

The MLB Draft serves as a way for Major League Baseball (MLB) to recruit the next generation of talented baseball players from colleges and high schools across the United States. These newcomers then sign a contract with the teams that draft them and are assigned to various minor league teams, thereby starting their journey towards becoming a professional.

The MLB Draft is held once every year since 1965. It usually takes around the mid-point of the MLB season, especially during the All-Star weekend. Young and upcoming talented baseball players from different colleges and high schools give their best performance so that they can declare themselves for the draft. These allows the MLB teams to gain an interest in these young players whom then acquire during the draft. The 2024 MLB Draft, taking place from July 14, 2024 to July 16, 2024 will also see the addition of many new players from colleges and high schools to all the MLB teams.

Can Players Decline a MLB Draft Pick?

Yes, players have declined their draft picks during the MLB Draft and there have been several instances of the same. The MLB Draft every year is notable for being the entryway of upcoming talents into the world of professional baseball. For this, all the MLB teams choose draft their preferred players during the event.

However, a major reason for a player to decline their draft pick would be so that they can further develop their skillsets and get a higher draft pick in the future. Another major reason is that once the player is drafted, he and the team are not able to come to a mutual conclusion regarding the contract and the salary. In such case, the player can decide to decline the draft and not join the team. He can again get into the MLB Draft the next year. However, if he is not drafted the next year, then he will regarded as an “undrafted free agent” and can sign a contract with any MLB team.

Notable Players Who have Declined MLB Draft Picks

Several notable players have declined their picks in the MLB draft. These are the players to do so -

Ozzie Smith

Ozzie Smith was initially drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the seventh round of the 1976 MLB Draft. However, he declined the draft. Later he was drafted by the San Diego Padres during the fourth round of the 1977 MLB Draft. Notably, Smith is a fifteen-time MLB All-Star and also won the World Series in 1982 with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Tim Lincecum

Tim Linceum was first drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 48th round of the 2003 MLB Draft. However, he declined it and and preferred to play college baseball. He was again drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 2005 MLB Draft. Once again, he rejected the contract and the signing bonus of $700,000. He was finally drafted by the San Francisco Giants during the first round of the 2006 MLB Draft and was given a signing bonus of $2.025 million. Since then, Tim Lincecum has been a four time MLB All-Star and three-time World Series Champion in 2010, 2012 and 2014 with the San Francisco Giants.

Gerrit Cole

Gerrit Cole was first drafted by the New York Yankees in the first round of the 2008 MLB Draft as a high schooler. However, the declined the draft instead decided to play college baseball for the UCLA Bruins for three years. He was finally drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first round of the MLB Draft. He is a six-time MLB All-Star and also the 2023 AL Cy Young Award Winner as of 2024.