The Braves won the grievance filed by MLB players' association on behalf of Carter Stewart, the team's eighth overall selection in the 2018 draft, who the team failed to sign. The resolution allows the team to keep its 2019 compensatory pick (No. 9 overall).
The grievance questioned whether the Braves made an offer worth at least 40 percent of the eighth pick’s slot value. The Braves could be rewarded a compensation pick only if their offer hit that threshold.
Negotiations were complicated by Stewart's right-wrist injury discovered during post-draft medical evaluations. He switched to the Boras Agency following the failed negotiations and sought free agency.
Stewart has since enrolled at the junior college Eastern Florida State College, passing on his commitment to Mississippi State, which allows him to re-enter the draft next summer. He was the Braves’ No. 1 prospect, according to former scouting director Brian Bridges, but neither party anticipated medical obstacles in reaching an agreement.
The Braves will pick ninth and 21st in the first round of the MLB draft in June.
