Major League Baseball’s draft, being held Wednesday and Thursday, is radically different this year:
* In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, the draft has been reduced from 40 rounds to five.
* The cancellation of college and high school baseball seasons means that scouting departments are lacking valuable performance data this year and didn’t get to witness how players handled the pressure of NCAA Tournament.
* Signing bonus deferrals are in place this year as part of the March 26 agreement between MLB and the MLB Players Association. Players will receive $100,000 of their signing bonus this year, and then 50% of the remaining amount over the two subsequent years.