LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- After former Atlanta center fielder Michael Bourn signed a free-agent contract with Cleveland on Monday, the Braves were assured of a compensatory draft pick created between the first and second rounds.
It will be the 31st or 32nd overall pick, a few spots behind the Braves' original 28th spot near the end of the first round.
The Braves lost their first-round pick for signing free agent B.J. Upton after he declined a qualifying offer from Tampa Bay. When Bourn declined the Braves’ similar one-year, $13.3 million qualifying offer, Atlanta signed Upton to a five-year, $75.25 million contract to be its new center fielder, replacing Bourn.
Braves general manager Frank Wren said the difference in picking from the 28th draft slot or the 31st or 32nd was insignificant.
Bourn got a four-year, $48 million contract with the Indians, with a fifth-year vesting option that could make it worth $60 million.
More early arrivals: After Juan Francisco and B.J. Upton reported Tuesday morning, shortstop Andrelton Simmons was the only projected starting position player not in camp. Braves position players are not due to report until Thursday and the first full-squad workout is Friday, but most of them are already in camp and took batting practice inside Champion Stadium, separate from the official workout that pitchers and catchers had on the backfields behind the stadium.
