Brewers Land Top Pick in Competitive Balance Round B of 2026 MLB Draft - and That’s a Big Deal
In most pro sports, the draft is designed to help the teams at the bottom climb back up. It’s a classic case of the rich getting taxed and the struggling getting a leg up.
Win too many games, and you’re likely picking near the end of the first round. But Major League Baseball has its own way of leveling the playing field - and the Milwaukee Brewers are once again reaping the benefits.
Thanks to MLB’s Competitive Balance Round system, the Brewers have been awarded the first pick in Competitive Balance Round B of the 2026 MLB Draft. It’s a unique twist in the draft process that gives small-market clubs like Milwaukee a chance to stay competitive, even when they’re winning.
What Is the Competitive Balance Round?
Let’s break it down. The Competitive Balance Rounds - Round A and Round B - are essentially bonus picks given to teams that rank in the bottom 10 either in market size or revenue.
These picks are slotted in after the first and second rounds, and they rotate annually. One year a team might land in Round A, the next in Round B.
This year, Milwaukee lands in Round B, and because they finished with the best record in baseball in 2025, they get the first pick in that round. That’s right - the team that dominated the regular season is now being rewarded with a valuable extra draft pick. It’s a rare case where success on the field doesn’t come at the cost of draft capital.
Why This Matters for the Brewers
For a small-market team like Milwaukee - often operating with a modest payroll - these extra picks are more than just a bonus. They’re a strategic weapon. The Brewers have built a reputation for maximizing value in the draft, and this pick gives them more flexibility to do just that.
While the exact slot of the pick isn’t locked in yet (compensatory picks for teams that lose qualified free agents still need to be finalized), it’s expected to land around 66th overall, just like last year.
But here’s where it gets even more interesting: Competitive Balance picks can be traded - unlike traditional draft selections. Milwaukee’s front office knows how to use that to their advantage.
Just last year, they flipped their Round A pick to the Red Sox in the deal that brought in Quinn Priester. So whether they use this pick to draft a high-upside prospect or as a trade chip to bolster the big-league roster, the Brewers have options.
Bonus Pool Boost
Another key part of this equation is the bonus pool money. MLB assigns each team a pool of money to spend on signing their draft picks, and the more (and earlier) picks a team has, the larger that pool becomes.
That extra cash gives the Brewers room to get creative - maybe they go over-slot for a high school arm with upside, or spread the money across multiple undervalued players in later rounds. Either way, it’s a subtle but powerful advantage.
And if recent history is any indication, Milwaukee knows how to make the most of that flexibility.
A Rare Win-Win Scenario
Typically, teams that win big during the season pay for it in the draft. But the Brewers are in a unique position where their regular-season dominance actually helped them move up the draft board in this specific round. It’s a rare win-win - success on the field, and a valuable asset off it.
For a franchise that has leaned heavily on homegrown talent and savvy front office moves to stay in contention, this is another tool in the toolbox. Whether they use the pick or flip it for immediate help, the Brewers continue to walk the tightrope between building for the future and competing in the now - and they’re doing it as well as anyone in the league.
Bottom line: Don’t sleep on this pick. It may not come in the first round, but in the hands of a front office like Milwaukee’s, it could turn into something big.