In April, MLB had tossed around the idea that the MLB Draft could potentially be reduced to just five rounds, given that the collegiate and high school baseball seasons have been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. We’ve been covering draft prospects that the San Diego Padres should target, under the assumption that the draft would be just five rounds.
On Saturday, that idea was confirmed. This has a strong impact on fringe players projected to be drafted just outside the first five rounds. Juniors in college will almost certainly be returning for their senior year, and high school players will attend colleges they have verbally committed to.