The Major League Baseball Draft is the main process through which MLB selects upcoming baseball players for its teams every year. These players are mostly selected from colleges but also get selected from high schools. This process is also known as the First-Year Player Draft or the Rule 4 draft.
The first MLB draft took place in 1965 and Rick Monday of Arizona State University was the first player to be drafted by the Kansas City Athletics. Since then, the MLB draft has taken place every year with new players being introduced into the leagues. Notably, the MLB draft takes place in the middle of the season every year, mostly in July. The 2024 edition of the MLB draft is all set to take place from July 14, 2024, to July 16, 2024, in Arlington, Texas, United States. Notably, the Cleveland Guardians will be getting the first overall pick for the first time as a result of winning the 2024 MLB Draft Lottery. 2024 will also see many upcoming players taking their first step towards being a professional in the world of MLB.
MLB Draft Rounds
There are 20 rounds in the MLB draft process as of 2024. Notably, MLB has the most rounds during the draft as compared to other professional leagues like NFL, NBA, NHL and MLS. These 20 rounds for the MLB draft were introduced in 2021, which also includes the compensatory picks as well as the competitive balance rounds.
However, the MLB did not always consist of 20 rounds. Initially, it was an event with unlimited rounds, which then decreased to 50 rounds. This was again decreased to 40 rounds as per the New York Times. The 40-round method of the MLB draft continued till 2019. The 2020 MLB draft was reduced to only five rounds due to the Covid-19 pandemic. From 2021, the 20-round system has been in place during the MLB draft. The reduction to 20 rounds from 40 rounds helps the teams select the most talented players, and make the draft process more successful and more effective in the process.
How many picks are in the MLB draft?
The MLB draft results in a total of 614 players being selected ever since the 40-rounds were reduced to 20-rounds in 2021. Initially, there was no limit, however, since 2021, the teams have been restricted to 180 players from clubs, four domestic farm teams and one or two complex teams.
FAQ's On Rounds in the MLB
A. The first MLB draft was held in 1965.
A. The MLB draft 2024 will have 20 rounds.
A. The MLB draft order is determined through lotteries.
A. No, most MLB draft picks first play in the minor leagues. Notably, only 23 players directly joined the major leagues after the draft.
A. MLB has 614 draft picks as of 2024.
A. The Cleveland Guardians will have the #1 pick in the 2024 MLB draft.
