The MLB draft is right around the corner. With the annual event set to take place on July 11, 2021, teams and baseball fans will be eagerly anticipating the event. In this section, we’ll provide an overview of the draft and the key dates you should know if you’re following the event. Get ready for a rundown of the MLB draft!
What Time Is the MLB Draft Today
The MLB Draft is an annual event that allows Major League Baseball teams to select outfield players who have completed high school or college. These players become eligible for selection after their high school class has graduated, or if they have already completed their junior year in college. The draft has been held every June since 1965, and began as a way of ensuring competitive balance within the league. Generally, teams are allowed to retain exclusive rights over the players they’ve drafted for at least a year before any other team can acquire them.
The MLB Draft typically consists of 40 rounds and often includes over 1,200 selections in total. Typically the more successful teams will draft lower in the first round than those with poorer records, but all teams get equal opportunities to select new players in later rounds. After each team completes its allotted selections in the first round, they then continue on through subsequent rounds until they reach either their agreed upon quota of picks or the entire 40 rounds are finished.
During these later rounds a team can select any baseball player left undrafted regardless of what organization he was previously affiliated with (e.g., amateur baseball leagues). The player positions eligible for selection in this draft include pitchers, catchers, infielders, outfielders, and designated hitters so long as he is expected to play professional baseball soon after being selected at those respective positions.
How Does the MLB Draft Work?
The MLB Draft is an annual event which determines the order in which Major League Baseball teams select amateur baseball players. The draft order is determined based on the team’s previous year’s standings, with the team with the worst record getting the first pick. The process occurs in two phases; a competitive phase and a signing phase. During the competitive phase, teams select players from college, high school or foreign schools and submit them to MLB for approval. Once approval is granted, signings for these players take place during the signing phase of the draft. Teams can sign through their assigned picks until August 1st of each year; after that any player not signed must wait until next year’s draft to re enter into negotiations.
All 30 Major League teams are given consecutive picks in each round of the pro baseball draft, based on their reverse order of finish at the end of each season (the team with the worst record selecting first). Teams also have international picks and compensation picks to choose from in addition to selections earned through normal standings. Regarding eligibility requirements for selection: any player who has lived outside of North America and/or is under 25 years old as of July 12th is eligible regardless of school status or nationality.
Once selected by a particular team, each player must negotiate a contract with that franchise before they can officially join its roster or minor league affiliates (Minor League Baseball Organizations). Players selected in later rounds may elect to play college ball instead if they don’t receive an acceptable offer promptly after being drafted by an MLB team — doing so will make them re-enter into negotiation again during another upcoming draft cycle.
Key Dates of the MLB Draft
The MLB Draft is a vital event for sports enthusiasts as it signifies the beginning of a new season. It also gives teams the opportunity to build their rosters and potentially find the next star of their franchise. Knowing the important dates and times of the MLB Draft is essential for all avid sports fans. Here we will discuss the key dates of the MLB Draft and what they mean.
Opening Day
Opening Day, the first day of the Major League Baseball Draft, is a highly anticipated day in baseball. It marks the start of the official MLB Draft process and is typically held in June. During Opening Day, teams take turns selecting amateur players eligible for the draft. Teams generally select players based on their evaluation of a player’s physical skills and potential to impact a Major League roster.
On Opening Day, all 30 Major League teams select a predetermined number of players during what is known as “the main phase” of the draft. There are a total of 40 rounds that teams must complete within 17 days following this initial selection period. During this time, teams are also allowed to trade picks in order to improve their overall selections and round out their team’s rosters.
The MLB Draft concludes with what is called “the negotiated phase,” where remaining eligible amateur players are allowed agents to negotiate contracts with specified teams. At the conclusion of this process, all picks have signed professional contracts with either minor league or major league affiliated teams — making them officially part of an MLB organization!
First Round
The Major League Baseball Draft takes place each June and involves rounds of selections among amateur players from the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and other parts of the world. The MLB Draft is divided into several “rounds,” with the first round being the most significant in terms of recognition and compensation for the player selected.
The first round of the MLB Draft typically consists of thirty picks for teams to select from eligible international and collegiate baseball players. After every team has selected a player from this pool, additional rounds occur until every team has filled their roster as indicated by pre-season scouting rankings. The order of selection or “draft order” is determined based on records in reverse order with teams that had losing records receiving higher draft picks than those with winning seasons. While some players may receive special signing bonuses or demands outside normal parameters set by MLB trading rules, many get locked into contracts they cannot escape until they have used up all their remaining eligible years in their respected league or professional development league (PDL).
Players selected in the first round have an opportunity to move directly into minor leagues that serve as apprentice leagues for aspiring Major League Baseball players on their way to a successful career in professional baseball. This prestigious level jump is only made possible through extraordinary levels of talent and skill exhibited in high school or college baseball games along with areas such as scouts’ assessments, metrics gathered during workouts and evaluation day drills at pro organizations. It gives them the opportunity to compete amongst themselves for recognition and advancement within professional organizations such as affiliates or major-league clubs throughout their respective sport organizations across America.
Second Round
The Second Round of the Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft is an important part of the annual selection process. All remaining players that have not already been selected in the First Round will be considered for selection during this round. This round’s selections are often considered to be ‘high-end’ prospects with a good opportunity of developing into successful professionals. Typically, teams will select a pitcher, shortstop and outfield in this round, as well as a few first basemen.
During the 2021 MLB Draft, the second round is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, June 8th at 7PM EST (00:00GMT on Thursday 9th June). The total duration should last around 3 hours and 30 minutes – although this may vary depending on how quickly each team is able to make their individual decisions. Team selections are generally determined by their pre-rank ordering set over two weeks earlier on May 25th 2021 – although trades may be made between teams if they so wish.
Third Round
The third round of the MLB Draft takes place on day two of the draft, and it consists of picks 70-104. During round three, teams continue to select college players they project will best fit their organization. A few high schoolers may be selected from rounds 3-10; however, the vast majority of high school players are selected in the first and supplemental rounds. Picks in the third round are typically high-ceiling college prospects with skill-sets that may require further development for a successful major league career. Many position players who played multiple positions during their college careers are also taken in this round.
Fourth Round
The fourth round of the Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft is an opportunity for teams to make selections that could potentially become long-term assets. The draft consists of rounds one through forty and each team can make up to fifty picks in total. If a player has not been selected by the fourth round, they must wait until after the fifth round to sign with a team.
In the fourth round, teams may use their picks on high school or college seniors who were not previously drafted or players who have finished their college eligibility at two-year or four-year colleges. Additionally, any international players born outside of the United States from ages sixteen to twenty are eligible to sign professional contracts in this round as well.
During this round, teams usually draft players based on raw talent over more polished performers since these picks draw less attention than earlier selections. Teams also take a greater risk when selecting amateur players during this phase because it is difficult to predict how these individuals will develop over time. Teams rely on careful scouting and analysis during this phase for successful selections since it is the least covered portion of the MLB Draft.
Fifth Round
The fifth round of the Major League Baseball Draft typically features future contributors in professional baseball. It marks the start of where teams find potential players, who may eventually make it to the major league level. The fifth round can also be a popular spot for senior signees and high school players who are looking to make an impact.
Players selected in this round have generally had successful college careers and may have already made impressions on scouts during summer tournaments like the Cape Cod and Northwoods Leagues. A big bonus for these recruits is that they usually come with a signing bonus as well, since teams are now willing to spare more money and draft picks in order to land an impact fifth-round pick.
Teams look out for valuable talent during this round starting with catchers, outfielders, first basemen and left-handed pitchers. Speedsters are selected often during this round too thanks to some warp-speed running times that come across the board at this point in the draft. Innovative strategies by MLB clubs help them target players in specific areas rather than just going with overall talent too, something useful for finding certain kinds of player archetypes such as a left-handed power hitter, relievers or middle infielders all selectable through careful team work at this important piece of the puzzle.
Sixth Round
The sixth round of the MLB Draft consists of picks from 151 to 200, each corresponding to a team’s pick. Teams continue to choose from all sources, amateurs, college and high school players. The order for the Draft is based on last season’s reverse standings with the team with the worst record from the previous season having first pick in each round and World Series champion having the last pick.
With their sixth round pick teams can draft players who did not sign in previous rounds or players who have requested ‘6th Round Money’. This is an amount that the team believes would be a fair value for someone drafted in that part of the draft and gives them additional leverage in signing negotiations.
Teams also may use their sixth round pick as compensation if they do not sign a player they had selected earlier in that drafts’ current or re-entry portions.
Seventh Round
The Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft begins with the first round and is completed with the 40th round. Rounds two through five are divided by day, taking place over two separate days. The seventh round commences on Day 3 of the draft, a few rounds after the sixth round. It is the final stage of an arduous process for teams to acquire new talent from the amateur baseball players vying for a selection to an MLB team in America.
In total there are seven rounds; Round one on day one, followed by rounds two through five on days two and three. The sixth and seventh rounds occur during day three only, concluding the draft process where teams select “sleeper” or hidden prospects and free agents who were eligible but went undrafted in higher rounds. This gives teams lower in order another chance at selecting potential impact players that could one day make their way to play in Major League Baseball.
Eighth Round
In the Eighth Round of the Major League Baseball draft, teams select eligible amateur players for their squads. The order for picks follows the inverse order of winning percentage from the prior season with the exception of unofficial or declared compensation picks which are inserted before or after certain rounds based on a team’s loss in free agency.
Players can be drafted from various playing sources: Division I and Division II college baseball, junior colleges, high schools and international players (players who are not residents/citizens of the United States who are formally associated with a professional team). At this stage in the draft, most newly-selected players will have some college experience; players who attended a four-year college may have signage opportunities extended to them if they have eligibility remaining. By the end of this round, a would-be franchise would have built its minor-league system with 30 new players in total.
Ninth Round
The Major League Baseball (MLB) draft is an event held annually that allows teams to select amateur baseball players and other first-time eligible players. It follows the MLB Amateur Draft, which consists of 40 rounds organized into two phases: the regular phase, containing thirty rounds; and the compensation phase, consisting of ten more rounds.
The ninth round of the MLB Draft typically occurs after several hundred picks have been made. This round is especially unpredictable as it often contains players who are invited to try out for MLB teams, but offered specific deals instead, making their draft status nearly impossible to predict. This round also can contain promising undrafted players from previous years, and occasional surprises as clubs decide to take a chance on a talented athlete or someone based purely on potential rather than performance. Nine rounds means that some 80 prospects get picked up by different teams in the organization, giving them a chance to fulfill their dream of playing professional baseball one day.
Tenth Round
The tenth round of the MLB Draft traditionally follows the completion of minor league rounds. Players selected in this round will likely be considered organizational depth, with their ability to rise through the ranks dependent on their performance in the Minor Leagues. The potential for these players varies greatly and is influenced by factors such as age, size, and level of competition.
The following are a few notable players who were drafted in the tenth round of past Major League Baseball drafts:
- Kris Bryant (2013): A two-time All-Star and 2016 National League MVP award winner, Bryant was selected as the No. 2 overall pick in 2013 by the Chicago Cubs.
- Trevor Bauer (2011): A two-time All-Star (2018 & 2020) who has won three individual pitching awards including a Cy Young in 2020, Bauer was drafted No. 3 overall out of UCLA to Cleveland Indians.
- Jesus Luzardo (2016): Originally drafted out of high school by Washington Nationals, Luzardo burst onto his major league career as an Oakland Athletic in 2019 and has since earned 15 individual pitching awards including consecutively finishing top 5 for AL Rookie of the Year Award both 2019 & 2020 seasons respectively.
Eleventh Round
The eleventh round of the Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft begins after the tenth round is completed. At this point, most players who have been drafted up to this point are considered for signing bonuses and teams may begin to negotiate with some prospects. Generally, players who are drafted in the eleventh round or later rarely receive the sizable signing bonuses that can be provided to top draft picks. However, some prospects have gone on to have successful MLB careers and were even selected as All-Stars after being taken in later rounds.
Notable players to be taken in the eleventh round include pitcher Rob Dibble (No. 250 overall by Cincinnati Reds in 1983) and pitcher Chris Sale (No. 271 overall by Colorado Rockies in 2007). A few international players were also selected at this stage, such as Cuban pitcher Omar Luis Rodriguez (No. 273 overall by Kansas City Royals 2009) and Venezuelan infielder Felix Fermin (No. 288 overall by Cleveland Indians 1984).
Twelfth Round
The twelfth round of the Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft is a part of the annual event that takes place in all 30 MLB teams’ stadiums. The MLB RuleBook notes that “twelfth-round selections generally occur immediately following the first-round selections.” This round is significant, as it marks the point in which 40 rounds of selection have been completed and teams can start to look ahead to the next year’s draft.
In 2021, the twelfth round of draft selections occurred on June 10th. During this round, teams had five picks each, with teams being allowed to select up to 40 players under international signing guidelines. Selected players were eligible for a standard $125,000 signing bonus as well as other benefits such as student loan reimbursement, financial counseling, and other educational incentives. The twelfth round also featured some highly sought-after prospects and future Hall Of Famers such as Jordan Balazovic (Minnesota Twins), Tyler Lambert (Texas Rangers), Matthew Liberatore (Tampa Bay Rays), Drew Romo (Boston Red Sox).
Thirteenth Round
A total of thirteen rounds make up the MLB Draft, which features teams making selections of amateur players every June. The thirteenth round is where teams begin to modulate their focus from progressing their major league roster to designing lineups for rookie ball and the minor leagues.
While the thirteenth round is among the last chances for teams to find top-level talent, there are still a number of talented players available at this point because most of them have some level of experience playing in college ball or other collegiate programs. As a result, many MLB Draft prospects still get taken late in the draft due to their lack of recognition from scouts or college programs. Notable players who were drafted in the thirteenth round include Jon Lester (2002), Mark Trumbo (2004), Jimmy Rollins (1996), Matt Holliday (1998), and Craig Kimbrel (2003).
Fourteenth Round
The fourteenth round of the Major League Baseball (MLB) draft begins after all players who have signed contracts in the thirteen previous rounds have been selected. Round fourteen picks are made from eligible players who were not selected from high school or college during the first 13 rounds. Those eligible for the fourteenth round include anyone who is eligible for selection, other than those already taken in a previous round; this includes international players and junior college transfers or players with eligibility remaining scouts cannot pick in a previous year.
The selection order for the fourteenth round follows that of the thirteenth: teams pick in reverse order of wins and ties during the most recently completed season, beginning with the team with fewest wins at that point in time.
As previously stated, with MLB Draft rules governing signing bonuses and amateur eligibility, it’s important to note that teams may not sign any player selected after this round – only by waiving draft pick compensation rules can a team sign players taken up to and including round 14. Additionally, teams are not obligated to take a player if they use their selection number – they can pass altogether without financial penalty.
Fifteenth Round
The fifteenth round of the MLB Draft is the final round and, as such, is lesser-known compared to other rounds and does not get the same recognition from fans. For each year’s draft, teams have five minutes to make their selection with the team who drafted immediately before them selecting first. Players taken in this round, who often have no prior MLB experience or a minor league background, usually do not carry much worth or potential value and are usually considered armchair selections for many teams instead of being immediate picks for a team.
That being said, there have been several notable players drafted in this round throughout MLB draft history such as Chris Carpenter (Toronto Blue Jays, 1993), Ian Kinsler (Texas Rangers, 2003), Lastings Milledge (New York Mets, 2003) and Homer Bailey (Cincinnati Reds, 2004). As the last of those selected in each year’s draft class and received with lower expectations than those picked earlier in the draft process that remain unsigned will become free agents shortly after their drafting teams enter their 5th minute window for making that pick.
Conclusion
The MLB Draft is a three-day event in which teams can select players from high school and college that have declared for the draft. The draft is a long process, with each day consisting of multiple rounds. This article has gone over the key dates for the draft so you can plan accordingly.
