With the news today that free agent shortstop Ian Desmond will sign with the Texas Rangers and become a left fielder, the Dodgers will move up a spot in the first round of the 2016 draft once the signing becomes official.
Because Desmond rejected the Washington Nationals’ qualifying offer after last season, he will cost the Rangers their first non-protected pick in the draft. That happens to be the 19th overall selection. The Dodgers, who were slated to draft 21st, will now move up a spot and pick 20th.
The Dodgers also hold the 32nd pick (compensation for losing free agent pitcher Zack Greinke, who rejected a qualifying offer and signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks) and the 36th pick (compensation for failing to sign pitcher Kyle Funkhouser after last year’s draft) in the June draft. Only the Cardinals (23, 33, 34) and Padres (8, 23, 24) will make their third pick in the draft before the Dodgers.