MLB’s fourth amateur Draft Lottery is scheduled for Tuesday at the Winter Meetings in Orlando. This event, agreed upon by MLB and the MLB Players Association as part of their collective bargaining agreement, aims to minimize tanking and enhance competitive fairness. The lottery determines the top six draft picks.
For reference, the Nationals secured the first pick in the 2025 Draft despite having the sixth worst record in the league.
2026 MLB Draft Lottery Viewing Information
- Date: Tuesday, December 9
- Time: 5:30 p.m. ET
- TV Channel: MLB Network
- Live Stream: Fubo (trial available)
The lottery will commence around 4 p.m. ET, with results announced later on MLB Network.
Odds for No. 1 Pick The 18 teams not participating in the postseason each have a chance for the top pick in this year’s Draft. Teams with poorer records have correspondingly higher chances of securing the No. 1 pick.
| Team | Odds for No. 1 Pick |
|---|---|
| White Sox | 27.73% |
| Twins | 22.18% |
| Pirates | 16.81% |
| Orioles | 9.24% |
| Athletics | 6.55% |
| Braves | 4.54% |
| Rays | 3.03% |
| Cardinals | 2.35% |
| Marlins | 1.85% |
| Diamondbacks | 1.51% |
| Rangers | 1.34% |
| Giants | 1.01% |
Due to the new structure, ties are resolved based on the previous year’s performance. Notably, the Rockies are ineligible for a lottery pick despite their poor record.
First Round Order The new draft order specifies that only the first round will be lottery-determined. The remaining draft selections will follow the reverse order of the previous year’s standings. This innovative method aims to maintain fairness throughout the Draft process.
