MLB Announced 2025 Draft, 2026 International Signing Period Bonus Pools

[Jamie Cameron]

This week, MLB released bonus pool allocations and pick values for the 2025 MLB Draft. Additionally, MLB released international signing bonus pools for the 2026 signing period.

The Padres finished the 2024 season with a playoff exit at the hands of the Dodgers. They are in a challenging financial position ahead of the 2025 draft, compared to teams who receive additional compensation picks for being revenue receiving organizations. The Padres have the 3rd smallest bonus pool overall at $6,569,600.

The Padres top 100 picks and slot values are as follows:
Slot value for pick 25: $3,606,600
Slot value for pick 99: $773,100

The Padres forfeited their second round pick for signing a player who received the qualifying offer.

Their financial and pick inflexibility puts the Padres in a challenging position ahead of a draft class shaping up to be uncertain in terms of top tier talent, but with plenty of depth through around 75 picks, with prep bats a demographic of strength.

Reminders on Draft Financials
Organizations are allowed to spend up to 5% more than their total pool without incurring a penalty, a choice many teams take advantage of. The Twins and the Rockies are the only MLB teams who have never spent any overage on their bonus pool. Any amount up to 5% over the pool is met with a 75% tax on the overage. If a team spends between 5-10% more than their pool, the penalty is 75% tax on the overage and loss of a future first rounder. Any team who exceeds their bonus pool by more than 10% up to 15% pays 100% tax on the overage and will lose a first and second round future pick. Any team who exceeds their bonus pool by more than 15% loses two future first round picks in addition to paying 100% tax on the overage.

Rounds 11-20 work differently to the first half of the draft. These picks do not come with an assigned slot value. Teams can spend up to $150,000 per pick without that spending coming out of their bonus pool. If they spend over that amount, any overage will be deducted from their bonus pool. For example, an 11th round pick signing for $250,000 will result in $100,000 being subtracted from that teams’ bonus pool. 

MLB Announces 2026 International Bonus Pools
MLB announced bonus pools for the 2026 international signing period today. The 2026 signing window opens on January 15th, 2026 and runs through December 15th, 2026. The Padres are in a group of three teams who have the second smallest bonus pools. The Padres can spend $5,940,200 in the 2026 international signing window.

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