The San Diego Padres won’t draft until 41st overall in June because they signed James Shields. (Getty Images)

When James Shields‘ contract with the San Diego Padres becomes official — he’s reportedly agreed to terms on a four-year contract — the Dodgers will hold the 35th overall pick in the June draft.

That’s in addition to the 24th overall pick that was theirs by virtue of their 2014 regular season record.

None of this became official until today, when the 2015 draft order was finally set. Why did it take so long?

Because Shields rejected a qualifying offer from the Kansas City Royals before signing with the Padres, the Padres forfeited the 13th overall pick in the draft (and won’t draft until the 41st overall pick). And because Shields was the last unsigned free agent who’d rejected a qualifying offer, every team can confidently say where it will pick June 8.

That’s the short version of what went into setting the draft order; BaseballAmerica.com has a nice breakdown of the particulars.

Continue reading “The Dodgers will draft 24th and 35th in June. Hold onto your red grading pens.” »