MLB Draft Details And Answers
The Major League Baseball draft will begin June 10, and while negotiations between MLB and the players continue to be the big news in the sport, the draft will certainly take on increased exposure leading up to the event with very little else going on.
Most of the details are now out regarding the draft. With so many ramifications of a five-round draft, there have been many questions. The sport is answering them to allow scouting directors time to prepare for the June event.
Day 1 of the draft will take place June 10 at 7 p.m. and cover the first round totaling 37 picks. Rounds 2-5 totaling 123 picks will begin at 5 p.m. on June 11.
You’re likely to see a production similar to that of the NFL draft, with a general manager or other team executive from each organization on a video call. It doesn’t seem likely that orgs will be allowed to have a draft room. I’m sure it’ll be broadcast on MLB Network like always.
We already knew signing bonus details from the March agreement. Teams are allowed to delay signing bonuses with a max of $100,000 within 30 days of a signing, 50 percent of the remainder due July 1, 2021, and the remaining 50 percent on July 1, 2022. Slot values are frozen from 2019.
Other questions that cropped up over the past month:
Q: We know about signing bonuses, but when is the signing deadline?
A: The deadline to sign players will be Aug. 1.
Q: Please explain what the heck this undrafted free agent market means.
A: First of all, any draft-eligible player who goes undrafted can be signed for $20,000. That period will begin June 14. According to Kiley McDaniel at ESPN, there will be a dead period for contact with undrafted free agents from the end of the draft until then.
One of the big questions surrounding the undrafted free agent market was how to police what could become a sketchy business with possible under-the-table deals to entice an undrafted player to sign. Baseball has outlined this very well by not allowing orgs to offer players anything beyond what a drafted player can receive. They’re not allowed to make group signings with friends or teammates, promise increased salaries in the minors, etc. Still, with such a narrow margin for adding talent to a system this year, MLB needs to stay on top of this to avoid ultra competitive people from trying to skim the rules.
Q: Where will these draft picks go once they sign?
A: This hasn’t been officially answered, but the likely scenario is an eventual complex style of play at spring training sites, such as minor league camp during the spring. Ideas have bounced around baseball for the lower-level players, such as an expanded instructional league, lengthened Arizona Fall League, and more players taking advantage of winter leagues. This is all assuming things like this are possible months from now. The world is basically day to day, as we all know.
Q: What about the minor leagues?
A: You aren’t likely to see baseball in minor league ballparks in 2020. Minor league operations make their money off tickets, beer and hot dogs. It doesn’t make sense to send prospects to empty minor league parks. My big question, and one I’m still trying to figure out, is how MLB handles a taxi squad. Baseball’s recent proposal recommended using nearby minor league or college parks during “spring training” workouts, like a split-squad type ordeal. Will that carry over into the regular season with leftover players and additional prospects? Will the taxi squad just work out with the team but not get on-field reps? This is something I’m interested in finding out.
Scouting departments are on full blast right now researching and analyzing players ahead of June 10, such as using a shared MLB database of workout videos. They’re poring through video and data for their boards in a futuristic style of draft prep. Perhaps the future is now and the current situation sped up that process. In-person scouting will always be important for the amateur level, but this year is further advancing the analytical side of draft prep.
I’ll dive deeper into player and strategy possibilities for the Braves as we get closer to the date.