MLB Draft Tracker: Live Results for Rounds 3-40

The tension in the Petco Park press box was palpable as the San Diego Padres’ general manager, A.J. Preller, paced back and forth behind home plate, his eyes fixed on the scoreboard. With the first pick of the third round, the Padres had selected shortstop Cooper Kinney from the University of Georgia. Kinney, who had been projected to go in the top 10, was beaming with pride as he shook hands with his new boss. The 21-year-old was the 64th overall pick, a steal considering his impressive college resume.

The MLB draft is one of the most unpredictable events in sports, with teams often trading up and down the board to snag their top targets. With the first round already in the books, 30 teams have 30 chances to reshape their rosters and build a winner. Since the draft’s introduction in 1965, some franchises have hit the jackpot, while others have made mistakes that cost them playoff spots. The New York Mets, for example, selected Steve Chilcott with the first overall pick in 1966, only for him to struggle in the majors.

As the draft continues, there’s more to the story than just the picks themselves. Think about the families waiting anxiously at home, the coaches who’ve spent countless hours with their players, and the GMs who’ve spent months scouting and negotiating. For Cooper Kinney, the moment was a culmination of hard work and dedication. His grandfather, a baseball aficionado, had introduced him to the game when he was just a toddler. “I remember playing catch with my grandpa in the backyard,” Kinney said in an interview. “He’d throw me these hard, sharp balls, and I’d go after them like crazy.” Now, Kinney is one step closer to making his MLB debut.

With Rounds 3-40 still on the docket, the action will only get more intense. The Toronto Blue Jays, for example, have 10 picks remaining, including a third-rounder with the 97th overall selection. The Los Angeles Dodgers, meanwhile, have just one pick left, but it’s a doozy: the 12th overall selection in the 10th round. Will they use it to snag a diamond in the rough or swing for the fences and take a chance on a high-ceiling prospect?

As the night wears on, keep it locked to this MLB draft tracker for live coverage, expert analysis, and the latest news and updates from Petco Park.