A total of 167 players are slated to attend the first-ever MLB Draft Combine this week in Cary, N.C. Fourteen of those players are from New England.
There will be a tournament with games for high school players on June 22, 23 and 26 at the USA Baseball National Training Complex. All players will have the opportunity to participate in pro-style workouts on June 24 and 26 at the USA Baseball complex. Strength and conditioning assessments will be done this week at the Raleigh Convention Center. There will also be programs on educating players about their upcoming careers in professional baseball and on social media branding.
Several ex-big leaguers also will be on hand in a variety of roles, including former All-Stars Billy Butler, Royce Clayton, Fred McGriff, Brad Penny and Rickie Weeks. MLB Network will cover the combine throughout next week, including a live five-hour broadcast on June 25 beginning at 1 p.m. EST. The five-hour show will include analysis of player workouts as well as interviews with prospects and club executives.
For the first time since the MLB Draft began in 1965, it will be held in July rather than June. It will take place in conjunction with the All-Star Game from July 11 to 13.
