A.J. Preller’s staff selected Trey Wingenter in the 17th round out of Auburn in 2015 and Ty France in the 34th round that year, and signed both college juniors for $100,000. David Bednar, a 35th-round pick, signed a year later out of Lafayette College for $50,000. All three played in the big leagues last season.
The Padres are not alone in maneuvering around the decision to limit the 2020 draft to five rounds, a cost-cutting measure as baseball’s owners look to stage some semblance of a season in the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic.