For the first time, MLB will be debuting a draft lottery to determine its draft order this year.
NHL and NBA fans are extremely aware of the lottery, and how it doesn't guarantee teams with the worst record will pick first overall. That's unfortunate for the Washington Nationals, who went a league-worst 55-107 last season.
The 2023 draft class doesn't necessarily have a clear-cut first overall pick. But getting that first pick will be important for teams at the bottom of the league as they try to bolster their farm systems.
For the Nationals, it would be a boon after they received a haul for Juan Soto from the Padres at last year's trade deadline. Their farm system, however, still needs work. The Athletics are also looking for the top pick, and their prospect pool is even shallower.
MORE: Watch the MLB Draft lottery live on fuboTV (U.S.-only free trial)
The lottery experiment will be an interesting one for MLB, as it continues to try to adapt and curb tanking throughout its league. It begins on Tuesday with the inaugural draft lottery. Here's how to watch, including streaming options.
What time is the 2023 MLB Draft lottery?
- Date: Tuesday, Dec. 6
- Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
The 2023 MLB Draft lottery will start at 8:30 p.m. ET from MLB's winter meetings in San Diego, California.
What channel is the MLB Draft lottery on?
- TV channel: MLB Network
- Live stream: MLB.com, fuboTV
The MLB Draft lottery will air on MLB Network. It will be aired from the winter meetings, and will have a simulcast from MLB.com and the MLB app. MLB Network is also available via fuboTV, which offers a free trial to U.S. users.
How does the MLB Draft lottery work?
Like other leagues' lotteries, the MLB Draft lottery will be odds-based based on the previous year's records. The Nationals, Athletics and Pirates all have the same odds to get the No. 1 pick as the three worst teams by record last season (16.5 percent).
MLB goes as far down as No. 18 for first overall odds. In this case, that's the Brewers, who will have a 0.2 percent chance of getting the first pick. MLB will go through the first six picks via the lottery, more than the NBA and NHL, and after that the order will be set based on record. Picks 19-30 are set based on teams' playoff finishes.
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MLB also has the wrinkle of expanded first rounds through compensation and competitive balance picks. As MLB.com notes, teams with the worst record aren't guaranteed spots in the top six.
MLB Draft lottery odds 2023
The three teams with the worst record in MLB last season were the Nationals, Athletics and Pirates. As such, each will have a 16.5 percent chance to get the top pick.
Below them, the Reds have the fourth-best odds at 13.2 percent, and the Royals round out the top five at 10 percent. The odds decrease gradually the higher you go in the standings.
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Here are the 18 teams in the mix for the first overall pick and their chances of getting it.
| Team | 2022 Record | Odds |
| Washington Nationals | 55-107 | 16.5% |
| Oakland Athletics | 60-102 | 16.5% |
| Pittsburgh Pirates | 62-100 | 16.5% |
| Cincinnati Reds | 62-100 | 13.2% |
| Kansas City Royals | 65-97 | 10% |
| Detroit Tigers | 66-97 | 7.5% |
| Texas Rangers | 68-94 | 5.5% |
| Colorado Rockies | 68-94 | 3.9% |
| Miami Marlins | 69-92 | 2.7% |
| Los Angeles Angels | 73-89 | 1.8% |
| Arizona Diamondbacks | 74-88 | 1.4% |
| Chicago Cubs | 74-88 | 1.1% |
| Minnesota Twins | 78-84 | 0.9% |
| Boston Red Sox | 78-84 | 0.8% |
| Chicago White Sox | 81-81 | 0.6% |
| San Francisco Giants | 81-81 | 0.5% |
| Baltimore Orioles | 83-79 | 0.4% |
| Milwaukee Brewers | 86-76 | 0.2% |