The format for this year’s MLB Draft — like just about everything else this spring — will be dictated by the coronavirus outbreak. The MLB season is on hold for now, and the league and MLB Players Association has already agreed to a revised format for the 2020 MLB Draft.
As part of the deal, MLB gained the right to shorten the 2020 draft to five rounds, though that could be “increased at MLB’s discretion”. MLB has yet to decide on a date for the draft, but has committed to it being no later than July.
A shortened 2020 draft will have a sizable impact for New England prospects. In our breakdown of the five consequences of the coronavirus outbreak for New England players, we noted that fewer players will be selected in the 2020 MLB Draft, more players will choose to go the junior college route to remain eligible for the 2021 MLB Draft, and more players will return to college for an extra season.
Earlier this week, we broke down the draft prospects for the top 10 New England players eligible for the 2020 and 2021 drafts. Today, we will shine the spotlight on 15 other New England draft prospects who might slide due to the increased depth in the 2021 draft.
