‘Cold weather players will be hurt’ by likely changes to 2020 MLB Draft

Northeastern pitcher Brandon Dufault (Windham, N.H.) could be affected by the shortened draft. (Photo by Trent Spruell)

New England draft prospects received more bad news related to the fallout of the coronavirus outbreak last night when Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association 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” per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. MLB has yet to decide on a date for the draft, but Rosenthal writes it will not be later than July.

What does it mean for New England players? According to Massachusetts-based player agent Jack Toffey, it's not good.

"The big ripple effect that you'll see is guys in colder climates aren't going to get a fair shake in the draft," Toffey said. "Cold weather players will be hurt in the draft. The 2021 draft will be loaded with players who reclassify or go back to school and reset their junior year in college."