The 2020 Major League Baseball Draft will be held June 10-11, according to a memo secured Friday by multiple media outlets.
The memo indicates the plan is for teams to draft remotely via video conference. Draft rooms aren’t allowed as of now, but the memo indicates that all plans could change as the draft approaches, depending on developments related to the coronavirus pandemic.
The first day of the draft would start at 7 p.m. ET and would consist of the first round (37 total picks). The final four rounds (123 picks) of the shortened five-round draft would be the following day, beginning at 5 p.m. ET.
The draft was previously reduced to five rounds due to financial considerations related to the COVID-19 outbreak. Owners will save money with the shorter draft. The 2019 draft was 40 rounds.
The deadline to sign drafted players will be Aug. 1, according to Baseball America.
After the fifth round concludes on June 11, teams will be able to sign an unlimited number of free agents at a maximum of $20,000 each.
Among the candidates to be selected first in the 2020 draft are Arizona State first baseman Spencer Torkelson and Vanderbilt infielder Austin Martin.
The Detroit Tigers hold the No. 1 overall selection, and the Baltimore Orioles will choose second.
MLB Network will televise both days of the draft.
–Field Level Media
