Rice Baseball should have at least one player selected in the 2020 MLB Draft. Here’s what to expect from the Owls and how to watch the draft this week.
The 2020 MLB Draft is going to be different in more ways than one. First, it’s typically aligned with the end of the college baseball season which came to a screeching halt in mid-March. Second, and most importantly, it’s only five rounds long. Rice baseball had six players selected in the 2019 Draft, but that came over the span of 40 rounds.
How to Watch the 2020 MLB Draft
Round 1
Dates: Wednesday, June 10
Times: 7 p.m. ET
TV: MLB Network / ESPN
Picks: 1-37
Rounds 2-5
Dates: Thursday, June 11
Times: 5 p.m. ET
TV: MLB Network / ESPN2
Picks: 38-160
What to expect for Rice Baseball
The abridged nature of the draft makes it increasingly likely that few Owls, if any, will hear their names called this week. Standout shortstop Trei Cruz is the only player that most experts believe will be selected. D1 Baseball rated him as the No. 35 college prospect ($) in the draft. Most mock drafts in recent weeks have projected him as a Day 2 selection.
With so few selections, teams will be less inclined to gamble than they would have been in a 40 round draft. Less high school prospects will be taken with more pro-ready college players available. Players with injury concerns, like Rice pitcher Roel Garcia, will see their draft chances lessened from where they might have stood in a traditional year.
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Players who aren’t drafted are allowed to sign for a reduced bonus. There will be a handful of prospects that opt to go that route, but many will choose to return to college for the upcoming season. That’s going to make the 2021 Draft class impressive.
