The Los Angeles Dodgers entered the 2016 Major League Baseball Draft with three picks in the first round, and four selections within the top 65. Moreover, Los Angeles was armed with a bonus pool of $9,336,500, which is their largest total under the current system since it was put in place in 2012.
In a break from tradition, the Dodgers selected high school shortstop Gavin Lux with their first selection (No. 20 overall). After taking Louisville catcher Will Smith with the No. 32 pick, the Dodgers drafted a trio of right-handers.
The first of that group was Vanderbilt right-hander Jordan Sheffield, who became the third Commodores pitcher selected by the Dodgers in the past two drafts. He was followed by Mitchell White (second round, No. 65) and Dustin May (third round, No. 101).
Prior to the draft concluding Saturday afternoon, Jim Callis of MLB.com reported the Dodgers agreed to a contract with May:
First bonus I've heard: Dustin May, @Dodgers agree to terms on $1 mil. Texas HS RHP, 6-ft-6, 90-93, great spin rates, great hair. @MLBDraft
— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) June 11, 2016
May’s signing is the only that’s been reported at this time, though has not been confirmed by the club. The value of the 101st pick was $590,800, which currently puts the Dodgers over slot.
That was to be expected, as teams can spend just shy of five percent more than their total bonus pool and only need to pay a 75 percent tax on the overage. Exceeding the allotted pool money by more than five percent comes with a larger tax and forfeit of future draft picks. May has a fastball that sits in the low-to-mid 90s, and was committed to Texas Tech.
