The MLB Draft is in early June. Along with the international J-2 (for July 2, when new international players become available) cycle, those are the most cost-effective ways of adding low-cost talent long-term. The disturbing trend (It’s disturbing for many people, at least) of players signing away free agency seasons for safe long-term contracts makes both cycles more important. That doesn’t make the selection process easy or guaranteed. A team is best-served being “top half” than “bottom half” in both processes. Do the current seasons (MLB and MiLB) play a part in preferences?
As a baseball fan, you don’t have to like that owners have some of their best talent in a bit of a stranglehold to realize what’s happening.