Baseball Draft-Glance – USA TODAY
SECAUCUS, N.J. (AP) — A few things to know about the Major League Baseball draft:
WHEN: Starts Monday at 7 p.m. EDT and continues for 40 rounds over three days, with first two rounds (and two “competitive balance rounds”) from MLB Network’s studios in Secaucus. Rounds 3-10 on Tuesday and rounds 11-40 on Wednesday will be held via conference calls with teams.
FIRST PICK: Arizona Diamondbacks have No. 1 overall pick for second time, and first since taking Virginia high school shortstop Justin Upton in 2005. It’s the 50th anniversary of first draft in 1965, when Kansas City Athletics selected Arizona State outfielder (and future big league All-Star) Rick Monday.
ORDER: Determined by reverse order of finish in overall standings from last season. Also, teams not allowed to trade picks. Houston has No. 2 overall pick (along with No. 5) as compensation for not signing pitcher Brady Aiken, last year’s top pick.
MAN IN CHARGE: First draft to be presided over by new Commissioner Rob Manfred, who replaced retired Bud Selig in January. Manfred will announce names of each of first-round draft picks.
TOP PROSPECTS: LSU shortstop Alex Bregman, Vanderbilt RHP Carson Fulmer, Illinois LHP Tyler Jay, Florida high school SS Brendan Rodgers, Vanderbilt SS Dansby Swanson, UC Santa Barbara RHP Dillon Tate and Florida high school outfielder Kyle Tucker.
ON THE CLOCK: Teams have between 3 1/2 and 4 1/2 minutes to make picks in first round, and a minute in first competitive balance round, second round, second competitive balance round and rounds 3-10. Rest of draft has selections without time delays.
COMPETITIVE BALANCE ROUNDS: Started in 2013, these rounds give 10 teams with lowest revenues and 10 in smallest markets opportunity to get additional picks through lottery, held last July. Six selections awarded following first round, and teams not receiving one of those are entered into lottery for six picks following second round.
SIGNING DEADLINE: Teams must sign drafted players, other than those who were college seniors, by 5 p.m. EDT on July 17. Players who have exhausted their college eligibility have until one week before 2016 draft to sign.
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