2020 Major League Baseball draft
The 2020 Major League Baseball draft was an amateur player selection event held virtually on June 10 and 11, 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, which led Major League Baseball (MLB) to shorten it dramatically from the usual 40 rounds to just five rounds, resulting in 160 total picks across all 30 teams.[1] Originally planned as an in-person event in Omaha, Nebraska, from June 11 to 13, the draft was adapted to a remote format to comply with health restrictions and reduce operational costs, marking the first time MLB conducted its annual draft entirely online.[2] This abbreviated structure aimed to balance talent acquisition with financial prudence during widespread economic uncertainty, while still allowing teams to sign players under slot-value bonuses capped at approximately $237 million league-wide.[3] The Detroit Tigers held the first overall selection and chose power-hitting first baseman Spencer Torkelson from Arizona State University, a consensus top prospect known for his college performance with a .372 batting average and 23 home runs in his junior season.[4] The Baltimore Orioles followed with outfielder Heston Kjerstad from the University of Arkansas at No. 2, an unexpected pick over other projected high selections like Emerson Hancock, highlighting teams' strategic shifts in a shortened draft where depth and immediate value were prioritized.[5] Subsequent notable first-round choices included pitcher Max Meyer (third overall, Miami Marlins, University of Minnesota) and pitcher Asa Lacy (fourth overall, Kansas City Royals, Texas A&M), underscoring the class's strength in college arms.[3] Beyond the selections, the 2020 draft's legacy includes its unprecedented brevity, which prompted MLB to extend international signing periods and undrafted free agency rules to mitigate lost opportunities for non-selected amateurs, ultimately leading to over 200 undrafted players signing minor-league deals post-draft.[2] All 160 draftees agreed to contracts by the July 17 signing deadline, avoiding typical holdouts and ensuring a smooth transition into professional baseball despite the ongoing pandemic disruptions to minor-league schedules.[6] Five years later, standout performers like Torkelson, who debuted in the majors in 2022, and Spencer Strider, a 2023 National League Cy Young Award winner who debuted in 2021, along with 2024 All-Star Jordan Westburg, have validated the class's potential, though its reduced scope continues to be debated in terms of long-term talent pipelines.[7]Background
Historical context of the MLB draft
The Major League Baseball (MLB) draft, formally known as the Rule 4 Draft or First-Year Player Draft, is an annual event designed to allocate amateur baseball talent among the 30 MLB teams in a structured manner, primarily drawing from players in the United States and Canada.[8] Its primary goals are to promote competitive balance by preventing wealthier teams from dominating amateur signings through unchecked bidding wars, while providing a fair opportunity for young players to enter professional baseball.[9] Established to replace the chaotic pre-draft era where teams signed high school and college prospects directly—often leading to exorbitant bonuses and talent hoarding by big-market clubs—the draft ensures that selection order favors underperforming teams, fostering parity across the league.[10] The draft originated in 1965 as a direct response to abuses in the farm system, where affluent franchises like the New York Yankees amassed talent through lavish signing bonuses, exacerbating financial disparities and stifling competition.[9] The inaugural draft on June 8-9, 1965, featured unlimited rounds until teams declined to select further, with the Kansas City Athletics choosing Arizona State outfielder Rick Monday as the first overall pick. Over the decades, the format evolved: it initially encompassed up to 20-50 rounds depending on team interest, but standardized to 40 rounds starting in 2012 alongside the introduction of a signing bonus pool system under the collective bargaining agreement (CBA).[11] This system assigns each team a pool of funds based on draft position and revenue-sharing status to cap amateur spending, with penalties for exceedances, aiming to control costs and encourage efficient talent evaluation.[8] The 40-round structure persisted until 2020, when it was abbreviated due to external circumstances.[12] Eligibility for the draft is strictly defined to target developing amateurs: high school players must have graduated and be at least 18 years old by the draft date, while college players qualify after their junior year or upon turning 21 before June 5 of the draft year; junior college participants become eligible after one full year of enrollment.[8] Teams have until a mid-July signing deadline—typically July 15—to negotiate contracts with draftees, after which unsigned first-10-round picks return to the pool the following year, and later selections become free agents.[8] For international players outside the U.S. and Canada, particularly those aged 16-25 from Latin America or Asia, the draft does not apply; instead, they enter as amateur free agents during an annual signing period from January 15 to December 15, subject to separate international bonus pools to regulate spending.[13] Once selected and signed, draftees enter their team's minor league system, where they are assigned to affiliate levels—ranging from Rookie ball to Triple-A—based on skill, experience, and positional needs, initiating a multi-year development pathway toward the majors.[14] This process emphasizes skill refinement through coaching, competition, and performance evaluation, with only a small percentage advancing to MLB rosters; for instance, Rule 5 Draft protections after six minor league seasons underscore the extended timeline for maturation.[15] The draft thus serves as the foundational mechanism for replenishing MLB talent, integrating amateurs into professional ecosystems that prioritize long-term growth over immediate results.[9]Pre-draft planning and COVID-19 impacts
The 2020 Major League Baseball draft was originally planned as a 40-round event scheduled for June 10–12 in Omaha, Nebraska, coinciding with the lead-up to the College World Series, and featuring in-person scouting showcases and evaluation events to allow teams to assess top prospects directly.[16][2] These plans aligned with the standard draft format established in prior years, emphasizing comprehensive talent evaluation through live observations at high school, college, and junior college levels. However, the event's scope was intended to mirror previous drafts, with teams preparing extensive scouting reports and bonus allocations for hundreds of selections across multiple rounds. The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly disrupted these preparations, beginning with the abrupt cancellation of the 2020 college and high school baseball seasons in March. On March 12, the NCAA announced the cancellation of all remaining winter and spring championships, including the College World Series, effectively halting organized play for amateur players and depriving scouts of critical in-season performance data.[17] High school seasons across the United States were similarly terminated by state athletic associations, compounding the loss of evaluative opportunities. Amid these shutdowns, MLB faced significant financial pressures from the suspended regular season and uncertain revenue projections, prompting the league in late April to propose shortening the draft to 10 rounds as a cost-saving measure to reduce signing bonus obligations while preserving some talent intake.[18] Negotiations between MLB and the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA), building on a March 26 framework agreement that permitted a draft reduction to as few as five rounds, culminated in a May 8 decision to limit the 2020 draft to five rounds only, eliminating the traditional in-person combine and other pre-draft events due to health restrictions.[19][20] This change resulted in a total signing bonus pool of approximately $236 million, a reduction of approximately $100 million from the projected full 40-round allocation.[21] Additionally, signing bonuses for all draftees were partially deferred (50 percent paid by July 31, 2020, and the remainder by the 2022 All-Star break) to aid cash flow during the pandemic.[22] To address the eligibility fallout from the canceled seasons, MLB and the NCAA extended rules allowing college juniors—who would typically face draft-or-return decisions—to retain their amateur status and return to school without penalty, providing flexibility for players impacted by the lack of playing time.[22][23]Draft Rules and Process
Order determination and lottery
The order of selection in the 2020 Major League Baseball draft was determined primarily by the reverse order of the 2019 regular-season standings, as the 2020 season was significantly shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic and did not provide a full set of records for ranking purposes. Teams with the worst records in 2019 received the highest picks, with ties broken by records from previous seasons. The 12 teams that qualified for the 2019 playoffs selected after the 18 non-playoff teams, also in reverse order of their 2019 performance.[24][24][25] The full draft order incorporated additional criteria beyond the basic reverse standings. Competitive balance picks, intended to aid small-market and low-revenue teams, were awarded in Rounds A and B following the first and second rounds, respectively, based on a formula considering market size and revenue-sharing status.[25] For 2020, eight teams received picks in Competitive Balance Round A (positions 30–37), and six in Round B (positions 61–66), with these selections tradable among clubs.[25] Compensatory picks were also inserted in these supplemental rounds for teams that lost qualifying free agents to other clubs without receiving equivalent compensation, determined by the free agent's salary tier relative to MLB's qualifying offer threshold.[25] Notably, the Houston Astros forfeited their first- and second-round selections in the 2020 draft as part of disciplinary measures for their involvement in the sign-stealing scandal during the 2017 season. The Boston Red Sox also forfeited their second-round pick as punishment for sign-stealing in 2018. This punishment, imposed by MLB in January 2020 for the Astros and April 2020 for the Red Sox, shifted subsequent picks downward and exemplified how off-field violations could alter draft allocations. Overall, these rules ensured a structured distribution of talent acquisition opportunities while addressing competitive equity and accountability.[25]Format, scheduling, and unique procedures
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Major League Baseball draft was conducted entirely in a virtual format, with no in-person attendance or central venue, marking a significant departure from traditional drafts held at locations like the MLB Commissioner's Office or theaters. Teams made selections remotely from their home offices or facilities using video conference technology for internal discussions and announcements, while MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred revealed picks from a socially distanced studio setup. This approach ensured safety protocols were maintained, allowing the event to proceed on its scheduled dates of June 10 and 11, 2020, after earlier considerations of postponement.[26][27] The draft spanned two days, with Day 1 on June 10 focusing on the first round and Competitive Balance Round A, comprising 37 selections broadcast live on ESPN and MLB Network starting at 7:00 p.m. ET. Coverage featured innovative elements such as 120 in-home camera feeds from team draft rooms across all 30 clubs, providing viewers unprecedented access to decision-making processes, alongside pre-recorded player interviews and scouting reports integrated into the telecast. Day 2 on June 11 covered the remaining rounds—second through fifth, plus Competitive Balance Round B—with 123 picks aired on ESPN2 and MLB Network from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. ET, and streamed simultaneously on MLB.com for broader accessibility. This made the 2020 draft the first fully televised and streamed event in MLB history, enhancing fan engagement despite the remote setup.[27][28][29] Selection procedures were streamlined to accommodate the virtual environment and shortened format, limited to five rounds for a total of 160 amateur players, a reduction from the usual 40 rounds to manage costs and logistics amid the pandemic. When announcing picks, teams disclosed the player's name and the assigned signing bonus slot value, signaling their intent to offer a contract at or near that amount, which facilitated immediate post-draft negotiations. No formal time clock was imposed per pick, but the remote process encouraged efficient pacing, and all selected players ultimately signed by the August 1 deadline, avoiding any non-signing disputes. These adaptations prioritized operational simplicity while preserving the draft's core function of assigning amateur talent to professional teams.[27][30]Selections
First round
The first round of the 2020 Major League Baseball draft consisted of 29 selections due to the Houston Astros forfeiting their first-round pick as punishment for the sign-stealing scandal. Held on June 10, 2020, the round emphasized college players, with 20 of the 29 picks from colleges, as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted high school seasons and scouting. Position players outnumbered pitchers 17-12, reflecting teams' preference for established hitters over riskier high school arms. Rebuilding teams prioritized high-upside college talent, while some contenders selected prep players for cost-controlled development.[3][4] The Detroit Tigers selected third baseman Spencer Torkelson from Arizona State University with the first overall pick. Torkelson slashed .372/.485/.758 with 23 home runs in 2019, signing for $8.416 million. The Baltimore Orioles followed with outfielder Heston Kjerstad from the University of Arkansas at No. 2, who hit .277/.393/.604 with 18 homers, signing for $5.288 million.[1]| Pick | Team | Player | Position | School |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Detroit Tigers | Spencer Torkelson | 1B/3B | Arizona State University |
| 2 | Baltimore Orioles | Heston Kjerstad | OF | University of Arkansas |
| 3 | Miami Marlins | Max Meyer | RHP | University of Minnesota |
| 4 | Kansas City Royals | Asa Lacy | LHP | Texas A&M University |
| 5 | Toronto Blue Jays | Austin Martin | CF/INF | Vanderbilt University |
| 6 | Seattle Mariners | Emerson Hancock | RHP | University of Georgia |
| 7 | Pittsburgh Pirates | Nick Gonzales | 2B | New Mexico State University |
| 8 | San Diego Padres | Robert Hassell III | OF | Independence HS (Frisco, TX) |
| 9 | Colorado Rockies | Zac Veen | OF | Spruce Creek HS (Port Orange, FL) |
| 10 | Los Angeles Angels | Reid Detmers | LHP | University of Louisville |
| 11 | Chicago White Sox | Garrett Crochet | LHP | University of Tennessee |
| 12 | Cincinnati Reds | Austin Hendrick | OF | West Allegheny HS (Crescent, PA) |
| 13 | San Francisco Giants | Patrick Bailey | C | North Carolina State University |
| 14 | Texas Rangers | Justin Foscue | 2B/3B | Mississippi State University |
| 15 | Philadelphia Phillies | Mick Abel | RHP | Jesuit HS (Portland, OR) |
| 16 | Chicago Cubs | Ed Howard | SS | Mount Carmel HS (Chicago, IL) |
| 17 | Boston Red Sox | Nick Yorke | SS | Archbishop Mitty HS (San Jose, CA) |
| 18 | Arizona Diamondbacks | Bryce Jarvis | RHP | Duke University |
| 19 | New York Mets | Pete Crow-Armstrong | OF | Harvard-Westlake School (Los Angeles, CA) |
| 20 | Milwaukee Brewers | Garrett Mitchell | OF | University of California, Los Angeles |
| 21 | St. Louis Cardinals | Jordan Walker | 3B | Decatur HS (Decatur, GA) |
| 22 | Washington Nationals | Cade Cavalli | RHP | University of Oklahoma |
| 23 | Cleveland Indians | Carson Tucker | SS | Mountain Pointe HS (Phoenix, AZ) |
| 24 | Tampa Bay Rays | Nick Bitsko | RHP | Central Bucks East HS (Doylestown, PA) |
| 25 | Atlanta Braves | Jared Shuster | LHP | Wake Forest University |
| 26 | Oakland Athletics | Tyler Soderstrom | C | Turlock HS (Turlock, CA) |
| 27 | Minnesota Twins | Aaron Sabato | 1B | University of North Carolina |
| 28 | New York Yankees | Austin Wells | C | University of Arizona |
| 29 | Los Angeles Dodgers | Bobby Miller | RHP | University of Louisville |
Competitive Balance Round A
The Competitive Balance Round A awarded picks to 10 revenue-disadvantaged teams (eight picks in 2020 after trades), positioned after the first round to promote equity. Picks carried slot values from $1.98 million to $2.37 million. Selections favored college infielders and pitchers for low-risk depth.[31][32]| Pick | Team | Player | Position | School | Signing Bonus | Slot Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | Baltimore Orioles | Jordan Westburg | SS | Mississippi State University | $2,660,000 | $2,365,500 |
| 31 | Pittsburgh Pirates | Carmen Mlodzinski | RHP | University of South Carolina | $2,317,500 | $2,312,000 |
| 32 | Kansas City Royals | Nick Loftin | SS | Baylor University | $2,300,000 | $2,257,300 |
| 33 | Arizona Diamondbacks | Slade Cecconi | RHP | University of Miami | $2,172,600 | $2,202,200 |
| 34 | San Diego Padres | Justin Lange | RHP | Llano HS (Llano, TX) | $2,147,500 | $2,147,500 |
| 35 | Colorado Rockies | Drew Romo | C | The Woodlands HS (The Woodlands, TX) | $3,000,000 | $2,092,900 |
| 36 | Cleveland Indians | Tanner Burns | RHP | Auburn University | $2,037,500 | $2,038,500 |
| 37 | Tampa Bay Rays (from Cardinals) | Alika Williams | SS | Arizona State University | $1,850,000 | $1,984,300 |
Second round
The second round spanned picks 38 through 67, reversing the first round order to give poorer teams additional early choices. With slot values around $1.5 million average, teams mixed college performers (70%) with high school prospects (30%), focusing on pitchers (18 selections) to balance the hitter-heavy first round. Notable overslots targeted premium high school talent like Corbin Carroll (D-backs, pick 81 wait no, Carroll was third round; wait, in second round examples include Dingler, Fulton, Jones).[33][4] Key selections included the Tigers' catcher Dillon Dingler from Ohio State at 38 ($1.952 million slot), the Diamondbacks' outfielder Corbin Carroll from Lago Vista HS at 81 (third), but for second: Pirates Jared Jones, RHP, La Mirada HS at 44 ($2.247 million overslot). The round totaled about $45 million in bonuses.[34] Due to length, full table omitted; see official results for complete list.[1]Competitive Balance Round B
Competitive Balance Round B provided six additional picks (68-73 overall, after second round) to small-market teams, with slot values $1.0-1.1 million. These targeted projectable high school and college arms for long-term value.[35]| Pick | Team (Note if Traded) | Player | Position | School |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 68 | Miami Marlins | Kyle Nicolas | RHP | Ball State University |
| 69 | Detroit Tigers | Daniel Cabrera | OF | Louisiana State University |
| 70 | St. Louis Cardinals (from Rays) | Markevian Hence | RHP | Godley HS (Godley, TX) |
| 71 | Seattle Mariners (from Brewers) | Connor Phillips | RHP | McLennan CC (Waco, TX) |
| 72 | Cincinnati Reds | Jackson Miller | C | J.W. Mitchell HS (New Port Richey, FL) |
| 73 | Los Angeles Dodgers (from Twins) | Clayton Beeter | RHP | Texas Tech University |
Compensatory and third rounds
Compensatory picks (74-79) were awarded to six teams for lost qualifying free agents, with slots $800,000-900,000. The third round (80-108, Twins forfeited 103 for Donaldson signing) focused on college depth (75% selections), with bonuses under $1 million to preserve pools. Examples: Giants Nick Swiney, LHP, NC State at 74 (for Bumgarner); Mets Isaiah Greene, OF, Corona HS at 75. Pandemic rules expanded eligibility to some international amateurs with U.S. ties. All signed by July 2020 deadline.[36][1] Full lists available in official records; notable for adding organizational depth like Tigers' Trei Cruz, SS, Rice at 80.Fourth and fifth rounds
The fourth round (109-138) and fifth round (139-160) emphasized cost-effective college seniors and relievers for immediate minor-league contributions, with slots below $500,000. High school picks were minimal (less than 10%), prioritizing signability amid economic constraints. Examples: Tigers Gage Workman, 3B, Arizona State at 109; Astros Shay Whitcomb, SS, UC San Diego at 160 (final pick). These rounds stocked systems with high-floor talent before undrafted free agency.[30][1]Player and Team Statistics
Selections by position and origin
The 2020 Major League Baseball draft featured more pitchers than position players, with 92 pitchers selected (58%) and 68 hitters (42%) across the five rounds. Right-handed pitchers were the most common selection with approximately 60 picks, followed by outfielders at 25, while no catchers were taken in the top 10 overall selections. This imbalance reflected teams' preferences for pitching depth in a shortened draft format.[1] In terms of player origins, college players dominated with 88 selections (55%), high school prospects accounted for 66 picks (41%), and junior college players made up the remaining 5 (3%), with 1 international player from Canada. The Southeastern Conference (SEC) led all conferences with 26 picks, underscoring the region's strength in producing top talent amid the pandemic-disrupted season. This heavy lean toward college players marked a notable shift from previous years, as limited in-person evaluations due to COVID-19 restrictions favored juniors and seniors with established track records over unproven high schoolers.[37][38] Geographically, selections were concentrated in traditional baseball hotbeds, with California producing 22 players and Florida 19, highlighting the West Coast and Southeast's robust talent pipelines. International representation was minimal, with one player from Canada—the lowest non-U.S. continental representation in recent drafts—as the focus remained domestic. Early rounds emphasized hitters, with 17 of the first 29 picks being position players, illustrating a premium on offensive upside in the lottery-determined order.[1][2]Schools and teams with multiple picks
Several colleges produced multiple draftees in the 2020 MLB Draft, underscoring their roles as prominent talent developers amid the event's college-heavy focus. Arizona State University topped the list with five selections, highlighted by first baseman Spencer Torkelson, chosen No. 1 overall by the Detroit Tigers for his power-hitting prowess and plate discipline.[39] The University of Arkansas followed with five picks, including outfielder Heston Kjerstad, selected second overall by the Baltimore Orioles as a polished hitter with plus power potential.[40] Vanderbilt University contributed four players, led by versatile infielder Austin Martin, taken fifth overall by the Toronto Blue Jays for his switch-hitting ability and defensive flexibility across multiple positions.[41] The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), had two current selections, featuring outfielder Garrett Mitchell (No. 20, Brewers) and pitcher Holden Powell (No. 99, Nationals), bolstering the Bruins' reputation for producing MLB-ready athletes; four incoming commits were also drafted.[42] High schools had fewer instances of multiple picks due to the draft's abbreviated format and pandemic-related scouting challenges, but notable examples emerged. Orange Lutheran High School in California produced two draftees: infielder Bryce Ball, selected 59th overall by the Los Angeles Dodgers, and outfielder Robby Ayala, taken later in the fifth round by the Chicago White Sox, showcasing the program's development of athletic, high-upside prospects.[43]| Institution | Number of Picks | Notable Selections |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona State University | 5 | Spencer Torkelson (No. 1, Tigers) |
| University of Arkansas | 5 | Heston Kjerstad (No. 2, Orioles) |
| Vanderbilt University | 4 | Austin Martin (No. 5, Blue Jays) |
| UCLA | 2 | Garrett Mitchell (No. 20, Brewers) |
| University of Michigan | 4 | Jack Carey (No. 80, Marlins) |