Beginning with the shortened 2020 MLB Draft, all 30 teams had the option to sign an unlimited amount of undrafted free agents. However, signing bonuses were capped at $20,000.
The limit allowed clubs to sign notable players at a steep discount. The system remained in place for the 2021 MLB Draft, which consisted of only 20 rounds.
While this year’s MLB Draft had the same format, the league removed the $20,000 cap on signing bonuses for undrafted players, via Kyle Glaser of Baseball America:
Signing bonuses for undrafted players will no longer be capped at $20,000, Major League Baseball confirmed to Baseball America on Friday. Effective this year, there will be no maximum on the signing bonus an undrafted player can receive, although any amount over $125,000 will count against a team’s bonus pool.
Despite there no longer being a maximum on the signing bonus an undrafted player can receive, any amount over $125,000 will count against a team’s bonus pool.
The largest signing bonus for an undrafted free agent is $735,000, which the Cincinnati Reds gave to Nevada outfielder TJ Friedl in 2016.
The Los Angeles Dodgers added 19 players to their organization during the 2022 MLB Draft and have shown in the past they are willing to sign undrafted players.
In 2020, the club agreed to terms with Robbie Peto out of Stetson University. The right-hander is 5-0 with a 4.35 ERA and 1.37 WHIP in 49.2 innings pitched between Single-A Rancho Cucamonga and High-A Great Lakes this season (18 games, one start).
Complete list of Dodgers selections on Day 3 of 2022 MLB Draft
After selecting nine players in rounds 1-10, the Dodgers took four shortstops, three outfielders and three pitchers with their final 10 picks.
The group includes Kyle Nevin, Jacob Meador, Chris Newell, Jose Izarra, Nicolas Perez, Jared Karros, Payton Martin, Cameron Decker, Chris Alleyne and Carter McCulley.
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