Major League teams increased their spending on draft picks 1.5 percent from a similar point last summer, but the total dollars spent remained below the record set in 2011 before restraints were put in place.

Fifteen teams went over their bonus pool allotments, up from 11 last year and 10 in 2011, and will pay $2.68 million in tax.

However, for the third straight year none exceeded their pools by more than 5 percent, which would mean forfeiting a first-round pick in 2015.

Teams committed $223.2 million in signing bonuses through the July 18 deadline, which applied picks who had not exhausted college baseball eligibility, up from $219.9 million at the deadline last year and $207.8 million at a similar point in 2012. The record of $233.6 million spent on amateur draft picks was set three years ago.

Major League Baseball announced Wednesday the results of the third annual Competitive Balance Lottery, which will impact the order of the 2015 First-Year Player Draft. 

Round A
(Six Draft Selections Following First Round)
1. Miami Marlins
2. Colorado Rockies
3. St. Louis Cardinals
4. Milwaukee Brewers
5. San Diego Padres
6. Cleveland Indians
 
Round B
(Six Draft Selections Following Second Round)
1. Cincinnati Reds
2. Oakland Athletics
3. Seattle Mariners
4. Minnesota Twins
5. Baltimore Orioles
6. Arizona Diamondbacks

The Competitive Balance Lottery, which was agreed upon as a part of the 2012-2016 Basic Agreement between MLB and the Major League Baseball Players Association, gives Clubs with the lowest revenues and in the smallest markets the opportunity to obtain additional draft picks through a lottery.  The 10 Clubs with the lowest revenues and the 10 Clubs in the smallest markets were entered into a lottery for the six selections immediately following the first round of the First-Year Player Draft.

The eligible Clubs that did not receive one of the six selections after the first round, and all other payee Clubs under the Revenue Sharing Plan, were entered into a second lottery for the six picks immediately following the second round of the Draft.  A Club’s odds of winning the lottery were based on its prior season’s winning percentage compared to other eligible Clubs in that lottery round.

Major League Baseball's Competitive Balance Lottery will be held on Wednesday in New York.

The Competitive Balance Lottery gives teams who have either one of the 10 smallest markets or 10 smallest revenue pools one of six additional choices after each of the first and second rounds.

This year, the Athletics, Brewers, Cardinals, Diamondbacks, Indians, Marlins, Orioles, Padres, Pirates, Rays, Reds, Rockies and Royals have a shot at the supplemental first-round picks.

The Los Angeles Angels reached an agreement on a contract with first-round pick Sean Newcomb hours before Friday's deadline.

Newcomb, the 15th overall selection last month, signed for $2,518,400, more than the recommended $2,475,600 for his slot.

Newcomb, who was a junior at the University of Hartford, went 8-2 with a 1.25 ERA -- the seventh-best ERA in the NCAA -- in 14 starts as batters hit just .162 against him.

The Washington Nationals are nearing an agreement with first-round pick Erick Fedde and one is expected to be reached before Friday's deadline.

Fedde's signing bonus will be between $2.5 million and $2.6 million, according to reports.

Fedde was projected as a potential top 10 pick last month before the news surfaced that he would require Tommy John surgery.

It remains unclear whether the Houston Astros will be able to sign No. 1 overall pick Brady Aiken before Friday's deadline.

The two sides agreed to a $6.5 million bonus just two days after he was taken first overall on June 5.

Aiken flew to Houston on June 23 to take a physical and finalize a deal, but left two days later without a contract.

It has been reported that Aiken's physical revealed concerns about his elbow that put his deal on hold.

The Houston Astros have until Friday to sign first overall pick Brady Aiken to a contract.

Casey Close, the high school left-hander's advisor, has criticized the team for using medical concerns to pressure Aiken into agreeing to a lesser bonus.

"We are extremely disappointed that Major League Baseball is allowing the Astros to conduct business in this manner with a complete disregard for the rules governing the draft and the 29 other clubs who have followed those same rules," Close said.

Houston reportedly has a $6.5 million agreement with Aiken.

"Throughout this process, we have been in touch with MLB to ensure that we are adhering to the rules at every point and we are confident that this has been the case," Jeff Luhnow said.

The Astros believe that Aiken's physical revealed a "significant abnormality" in the area of his elbow ligament, according to major-league sources.

The San Francisco Giants have agreed to terms on a contract with second-round pick Aramis Garcia.

Garcia will receive a $1.1 million signing bonus, which is slightly above the slot value for the No. 52 overall selection.

The catcher hit .368/.442/.626 with eight homers, 14 doubles and two triples as a Junior at FIU.

The Chicago White Sox have agreed to terms on a contract with Carlos Rodon, the third overall pick in last month's Major League Baseball draft.

Rodon's bonus will be worth more than $6.45 million. The slot value for the No. 3 pick is $5.72 million.

The left-hander was reportedly traveling to Chicago on Wednesday to make the deal official.

The San Francisco Giants have agreed to terms on a deal with first-round pick Tyler Beede.

The right-hander, out of Vanderbilt, will receive a signing bonus of $2.65 million, which is slightly higher than the slot value for the No. 14 pick.