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The 2020 MLB draft is almost here. The 1st round will begin Wednesday afternoon, with the rest being held on Thursday. Here’s all the info you need to follow the whole thing.
How to watch Day 1
- What: 1st round, and Competitive Balance Round A (total 37 picks)
- Date: Wed., June 10
- Time: 4:00-7:30 p.m. PT
- TV: MLB Network and ESPN
- Online: MLB.com
- A’s pick: No. 26
In addition, MLB Network will host several hours of pre-draft coverage. From 1 p.m.-2 p.m. they will re-run their Front Office Focus episode, speaking with front-office personnel from various teams about this year’s top prospects. From 2:00-4:00 p.m. they’re airing a Draft Preview show.
How to watch Day 2
- What: 2nd-5th rounds (picks 38-160)
- Date: Thu., June 11
- Time: 2:00-8:00 p.m. PT
- TV: MLB Network and ESPN2 (ESPN available with Hulu TV)
- Online: MLB.com
- A’s picks: Nos. 58, 98, 127, and 157
After the 2nd round, there is a Competitive Balance Round B, followed by six free agent compensation picks, and then the 3rd round and beyond.
More info
The draft is significantly different this year, due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. There are only five rounds instead of the usual 40, totaling 160 picks overall. In addition, the whole thing will be done remotely, whereas normally it’s held at a central location with representatives from all teams present.
Another notable difference involves the draft order, which is light on Houston Astros picks as punishment for their cheating scandal. The Astros lost their 1st- and 2nd-round selections, and won’t make their first pick until No. 72, as compensation for losing pitcher Gerrit Cole in free agency. The Boston Red Sox also forfeited their 2nd-rounder after their own cheating scandal. Click here to see the full draft order.
The Oakland A’s have the standard five picks, one in each round, though they have low position due to finishing last season with the fifth-best record in the majors. To see some of the names they’ve been connected to with their No. 26 overall pick, click here for our mock draft roundup. The A’s will have a total bonus pool of $5,241,500 to work with in signing their five picks, with $2,653,400 of that representing the slot value of their 1st-rounder. After the five rounds are complete, all teams may sign unlimited undrafted players for up to $20,000 each, separate from their bonus pool.
For more info on the entire field of available prospects, click here for the MLB Pipeline Top 200 draft board.
