Tigers' extra 2026 MLB Draft pick revealed after competitive balance announcement

Among the housecleaning items that will be completed next week at the Winter Meetings will be the lottery for the 2026 MLB Draft. Along those lines, the Detroit Tigers' division rival, the Chicago White Sox, have the best odds for the No. 1 pick. For a playoff team like the Tigers, they already know their selection in the first round, holding onto the No. 23 selection in the first round.

Through way of the competitive balance rounds, even with their playoff finish, the Tigers were in line to receive an extra draft pick this offseason. Taking into account payroll revenue, market size, and winning percentage, since 2017, Major League Baseball has used the Competitive Balance Rounds to award extra picks to teams in the bottom 10 in terms of payroll or market size.

Earlier this week, the competitive balance rounds for next year's draft were set, and the Tigers will have the third selection in the Competitive Balance Round B. Unfortunately, the Cleveland Guardians, who stole the AL Central title away from the Tigers during the closing weeks of the season, will have a selection in the Competitive Balance Round A — taking place between the first-round compensation picks and the second round.

Tigers learn more about their fate in the 2026 MLB Draft

Competitive Balance Round B takes place after the second round of the draft, so, in layman's terms, Detroit is essentially adding another second-round pick to their collection of selections next year.

Everything that happens to the Tigers this offseason is going to be mentioned through the lens of what the team decides to do with Tarik Skubal. With Skubal set for free agency next winter, there's been growing speculation that Detroit would consider trading the two-time Cy Young Award winner as a way to restock its farm system.

It's a mindset that doesn't match the Tigers' situation. They were a game away from reaching the ALCS last season, and that should enable them to act with urgency this offseason to add talent around Skubal. Anything other than that feels like a failure to act accordingly.

With the extra draft pick, beyond taking a player who could serve as a restocking of the farm system, the Tigers shouldn't shy away from free agents this offseason who rejected a qualifying offer if there's anybody that interests them. The penalty of losing a draft pick would be easier to swallow with Detroit already having an extra pick in hand.