The economics of the MLB Draft play a large part in when players get selected, as general managers strategize as to how to best allocate their respective team's bonus pool.
In the first 10 rounds of the MLB draft, each pick is assigned a certain amount of guaranteed bonus money that teams are allowed to spend on signing a player without facing a penalty. Teams can opt to spend more or less than the allotted slot value, but may incur a penalty if they exceed the amount — or risk losing a player if it's not the money he was looking for.
In the first round, some GMs look to acquire players who will sign for under slot value so that they can push bonus pool money to players selected in later rounds.
Here's a look at financial picture for each of the three New England players who were selected in the first round.
