The MLB Draft allows young and upcoming baseball players from college and high school to take their first step towards being a professional in the league. Once they get drafted, they are assigned to various minor league teams under their drafted teams to gain experience. Eventually, they are called up to make their MLB debuts one or two years later.
The first baseball player to ever get drafted in the MLB was Rick Monday in 1965. Since then, young players from high schools and colleges have proved their talents by competing against one another to get drafted in the league. Ever since twenty rounds in the draft were introduced, 614 young baseball players have been drafted by the teams every year. Notable newcomers in the 2023 edition of the MLB Draft include the likes of Paul Skenes, Dylan Crews, Chase Dollander and Max Clark among others. Likewise, the 2024 MLB Draft will also bear witness to many newcomers becoming professionals for the first time in the world of baseball.
Rules for Entering the MLB Draft
The MLB has provided the fans and upcoming baseball players with various rules about how they can enter the MLB draft as per the MLB website. The most important rule is that the player has to be a resident of the United States, Canada or U.S. territories like Puerto Rico. They should also graduate high school to enter the draft. Moving on, if they are attending four-year colleges, then they should have completed their junior or third year of college or at least should have turned twenty-one years old. Moreover, players who have attended one year of junior college can also enter the draft.
When is the 2024 MLB Draft?
The 2024 MLB Draft is all set to take place in Arlington, Texas, United States from July 14, 2024, to July 16, 2024. The draft will start on July 14, 2024, at 7 pm ET and will continue on July 15, 2024, at 2 pm ET before concluding on July 16, 2024, at 2 pm ET. It will be held at the Cowtown Coliseum.
FAQ's On MLB Draft
A. Yes, baseball players can enter the MLB Draft multiple times.
A. Yes, only twenty-three players have been successful in debuting in MLB directly after the draft.
A. MLB can only draft students who have graduated high school.
A. No, the player first has to be a resident of the United States, Canada or U.S. territories like Puerto Rico to enter the MLB draft among other rules.
A. The first six picks for the 2024 MLB Draft have been determined through a lottery system.
