MLB Team Draft Analysis, 2011-2015

Hey everyone, draft season is upon us! We are in the final month before the draft, so it's almost prospect nerd Christmas in June.

For the past three years, I've put together a massive spreadsheet outlining the results of all 30 MLB teams in the first four rounds over the past five years. I have decided to update the spreadsheet this year. It is split into three graphs below.

I want to be clear, this just shows how each team has tended to draft over a five year period in the first four rounds. I would focus more on the total population data for each team to identify specific trends, especially as they compare to league averages. This year, I've decided to share the information in Z-score form, rather than percentage form. I think this better illustrates how teams specifically differ from the league as a whole. Looking at these total populations, which range from 16 to 32 picks, you can make some assumptions:

Anything in the z-score range of -0.50 to 0.50, is pretty much a coin toss. Anything between -0.50 and -1.25 means a team is less likely than most other teams to make that type of pick, while something between 0.50 and 1.25 means a team is more likely to make that type of pick. And anything in either the -1.25 to -2.00 or 1.25 to 2.00 ranges is a stronger pattern. Anything over 2.00 or under -2.00 means there is a very strong pattern in how that team drafts. Here's a table for easy reading -

For example, the Los Angeles Angels are almost two full standard deviations above the rest of the league in picking college players, while the Blue Jays are on the opposite end of the spectrum at just over two deviations above the league in picking high school talent.

Anyway, all that and so much more is available in the tables below. The most valuable data is in Table 1 (especially the first six columns), and Table 2. Table 3 is a more in-depth breakdown of each rounds pick mix - some may find it useful, or at least interesting. Others not so much. Table 4 shows MLB averages, which is valuable if you want to see how your team stacks up to the league as a whole in certain draft tendencies.

And a disclaimer: this was all done by hand, so there may be small errors. If you notice any, please let me know and I will edit. Thanks!

With all that said, here is EVERYTHING you wanted to know about how your team drafts, but were too afraid to ask:

P.S. I want to thank John for welcoming me back. I may not be as prolific as I have been in the past, but I hope to contribute at least once a week. Draft rankings and mock drafts are coming!