2011 MLB draft

2011 MLB draft
Year	2011
League	Major League Baseball
Date	June 6–8, 2011
Location	Secaucus, New Jersey
Network	MLB Network
First pick	Gerrit Cole, Pittsburgh Pirates
First round	33 selections
Overall	1,530 selections

2011 MLB draft. The 2011 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft was held from June 6 through June 8, 2011, from Studio 42 of the MLB Network in Secaucus, New Jersey. The Pittsburgh Pirates held the first overall selection and used it to select right-handed pitcher Gerrit Cole from the University of California, Los Angeles. This draft class has since produced a significant number of Major League stars, including multiple All-Stars, Cy Young Award winners, and Silver Slugger Award recipients, profoundly impacting the competitive landscape of the sport.

Overview

The selection process encompassed 50 rounds and 1,530 total picks, with the first round broadcast live on the MLB Network. The draft order was determined by the reverse order of the 2010 MLB standings, granting the Pittsburgh Pirates the top choice. This event was notable for the depth of pitching talent available, particularly college arms, and for the implementation of a new collective bargaining agreement that would soon introduce signing bonus pools. Key decision-makers included general managers and scouting directors from all 30 franchises, such as Neal Huntington of the Pirates and Brian Cashman of the New York Yankees, who were evaluating amateur talent from high schools, colleges, and junior colleges across North America.

First round selections

The first round consisted of 33 selections, with the Pittsburgh Pirates choosing Gerrit Cole first overall. The Seattle Mariners, picking second, selected left-handed pitcher Danny Hultzen from the University of Virginia, while the Arizona Diamondbacks took right-hander Trevor Bauer from UCLA with the third pick. Other prominent first-rounders included Anthony Rendon (Washington Nationals, 6th), Francisco Lindor (Cleveland Indians, 8th), and Javier Báez (Chicago Cubs, 9th). The Boston Red Sox used the 26th selection on outfielder Blake Swihart, and the San Francisco Giants concluded the round by picking right-handed pitcher Joe Panik from St. John's University.

Supplemental first round selections

A supplemental round was held between the first and second rounds, comprising 23 compensatory picks awarded to teams for losing qualified free agents. These selections included future standouts like Sonny Gray, taken by the Oakland Athletics with the 18th overall pick (compensation for losing Grant Balfour), and Michael Fulmer, selected by the New York Mets at 44th overall (compensation for losing Pedro Feliciano). The Toronto Blue Jays had multiple picks, using one to select right-handed pitcher Tyler Beede, who did not sign, while the Tampa Bay Rays added left-hander Blake Snell with the 52nd overall pick, a choice obtained for the departure of Brad Hawpe.

Compensation round selections

Formally known as "Competitive Balance Round A," this round was introduced later and did not exist for the 2011 event. The compensatory selections for the 2011 draft were fully contained within the supplemental first round, as detailed above. This structure for awarding picks for lost free agents was modified under the new collective bargaining agreement that took effect for the 2012 MLB draft.

Notable later round selections

Several future MLB stars were found in the draft's later rounds, highlighting the importance of thorough scouting. The Chicago Cubs selected third baseman Kris Bryant in the 18th round, though he did not sign and was later drafted second overall in 2013. In the 11th round, the Cleveland Indians picked right-handed pitcher Cody Allen, who became their franchise saves leader. Other notable selections included Mookie Betts (Boston Red Sox, 5th round), J.D. Martinez (Houston Astros, 20th round), and Josh Hader (Baltimore Orioles, 19th round), all of whom developed into All-Star performers.

Draft order notes

The Pittsburgh Pirates earned the first overall pick by finishing with the worst record in Major League Baseball during the 2010 season. The draft order for non-playoff teams was strictly inverse to the previous year's standings, while the order for playoff teams was based on their postseason elimination and regular-season record. The New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies, as participants in the ALCS and NLCS respectively, selected near the end of the first round. This draft was the last conducted under the old free agent compensation system before the 2012–2016 MLB collective bargaining agreement instituted significant reforms, including the bonus pool structure and the movement of the signing deadline to July.

Category:2011 Major League Baseball season Category:MLB drafts by year