Tampa Bay Rays receive 16th pick in the 2018 MLB Draft

The 2017 MLB Regular Season is over, which means it is time to instantly look forward to next June when the 2018 MLB Draft will take place.

The Tampa Bay Rays finished the season with a record of 80-82, the 14th best record in all of baseball, meaning that they will select 16th overall in next year’s draft.

The Detroit Tigers surged to the bottom of the standings to get awarded the top pick overall next season. The complete order of the first round is as follows:

1. Tigers
2. Giants
3. Phillies
4. White Sox
5. Reds
6. Mets
7. Padres
8. Braves
9. Pirates
10. Athletics
11. Orioles
12. Blue Jays
13. Marlins
14. Mariners
15. Rangers
16. Rays
17. Angels
18. Royals
19. Cardinals
20. Twins
21. Brewers
22. Rockies
23. Yankees
24. Cubs
25. Diamondbacks
26. Red Sox
27. Nationals
28. Astros
29. Indians
30. Dodgers

This will be the first time in franchise history that the Rays select at 16th overall and their highest first selection since Casey Gillaspie at 20th overall in 2014.

Some former notable 16th overall selections include Lance Berkman, Shawn Green, and former Rays closer, Roberto Hernandez.

The Rays could also gain some picks if they are to give their free agents to be qualifying offers, but what round depends on the amount given to those players by opposing teams in free agency.

This is unlikely, however, as the Qualifying Offer is approx. $18 million this offseason, which is far and above what the Rays can afford, should a departing free agent accept.