The league planned to hold the 2020 draft in Omaha, Nebraska, the site of the College World Series. Instead, much as the NFL did two months ago, the MLB will conduct a virtual draft from the MLB Network studios in Secaucus, New Jersey.
This year’s draft will be a significantly slimmed down version compared to previous years, consisting of just five rounds instead of the usual 40-round extravaganza. The first round will be held on Wednesday, with the remaining four rounds to be conducted the following day.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the 2020 MLB Draft.
When and where is the draft?
Originally scheduled to be held in Omaha, Nebraska, the 2020 MLB draft will instead be held in Secaucus, New Jersey, in the MLB Network studios. As was the case for the NFL Draft in April, general managers will make their selections remotely.
The selection process begins on June 10 with the first round (which includes selections from 1 to 29) and the Competitive Balance Round A (which includes selections from 30 to 37).
Rounds two to five will be held on Thursday.
MLB Draft start time
The first round of the draft begins at 7 p.m. ET on June 10. Day 2 begins at 1 p.m. ET and the final day of the draft gets underway at 12 p.m. ET on June 5.
TV channel
MLB Network and ESPN will each produce live coverage of the Draft’s opening night on Wednesday, June 10 from 7 p.m. ET, marking the first time that multiple networks will provide live primetime coverage of the MLB Draft.
ESPN Deportes will broadcast the first round of the draft in Spanish, between 7 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. ET.
Live stream
A live stream of the draft will be available on MLB.com and MLB Pipeline. The MLB Network Radio channel on SiriusXM will also cover the first night of the MLB Draft from 6 p.m. ET on Wednesday.
MLB Draft picks order
With the Houston Astros forfeiting their first-round pick as part of their penalty for illegally stealing signs, 29 teams as opposed to the usual 30 will pick in the first round on Wednesday.
They will draft in the following order.
Detroit TigersBaltimore OriolesMiami MarlinsKansas City RoyalsToronto Blue JaysSeattle MarinersPittsburgh PiratesSan Diego PadresColorado RockiesLos Angeles AngelsChicago White SoxCincinnati RedsSan Francisco GiantsTexas RangersPhiladelphia PhilliesChicago CubsBoston Red SoxArizona DiamondbacksNew York MetsMilwaukee BrewersSt. Louis CardinalsWashington NationalsCleveland IndiansTampa Bay RaysAtlanta BravesOakland AthleticsMinnesota TwinsNew York YankeesLos Angeles Dodgers
Competitive Balance Round A order
The franchises that have either one of the 10 smallest markets or one of the 10 smallest revenue pools receive an extra pick at the end of the first or second round. Seven teams will enter the 2020 MLB Draft with an extra first round pick, which can be traded and are not subject to forfeiture.
Number in between brackets indicates the progressive order of picks relative to the first round.
Pittsburgh Pirates (30)Kansas City Royals (31)Arizona Diamondbacks (32)San Diego Padres (33)Colorado Rockies (34)Cleveland Indians (35)Tampa Bay Rays (36—via trade from St. Louis Cardinals)
