How many rounds are in 2025 MLB Draft? Why league changed number of rounds in 2021

John Leuzzi Paste BN NETWORK

Show Caption

In 2021, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred and Major League Baseball took a page from the NFL's playbook when it comes to its first-year player draft: take the show on the road.

The decision has been a rather smart (and successful) one. It has not only added an additional fan event to the All-Star Week itinerary, but it has made the first few rounds more of a nationally televised event for fans who couldn't travel to that year's All-Star city to see who their respective MLB team will add to their hopeful World Series-winning puzzle.

But that isn't the only change that was brought to the overall MLB draft process. That other notable change was to the length and duration of the MLB draft itself, specifically the number of rounds and picks that take place each year.

Here's what you need to know about how many rounds are part of the MLB draft, including the first round draft order and full draft schedule:

How many rounds are in MLB draft?

The 2025 MLB Draft will consist of 20 rounds, which will be split into two days: July 13 and July 14. It is the fifth consecutive season that the MLB draft will be 20 rounds, which is the same number of years that the draft has taken place in the same host city of the All-Star Game.

History of MLB draft rounds

Like many of the professional leagues' (NFL, NHL and NBA) rookie drafts, the MLB draft has gone through its fair share of alterations over the years.

Noted by Baseball America, the length of rounds for the MLB draft were determined by the teams from the first MLB draft in 1965 until 1998. Starting in 1998, the MLB draft moved to 50 rounds until it was trimmed down to 40 rounds in 2012.

The MLB draft in 2020 was reduced heavily to five rounds due to the COVID-19 pandemic and owners looking to save money. Since the 2020 MLB Draft consisted of 35 fewer rounds, teams were allowed to sign an unlimited number of undrafted players for $20,000.

In 2021, the MLB draft went to 20 rounds and has stayed put since.

MLB draft first round order 2025

The Washington Nationals have the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft. Here's the full first-round order of picks for the MLB draft:

* Denotes Prospect Promotion Incentive Pick

** Denotes Free Agent Compensation Pick

Note: The Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets and New York Yankees don't have a first-round pick due to receiving a 10-pick penalty on their first picks for exceeding the second tax threshold of the competitive balance tax

When is the first round of the MLB draft?

The first round of the 2025 MLB Draft will begin at 6 p.m. ET at the Coca-Cola Roxy, a concert venue located in The Battery Atlanta outside of Truist Park in Atlanta.

MLB draft schedule 2025

Here's a full look at the 2025 MLB Draft schedule:

July 13: Round 1 through 3 (including competitive balance rounds, compensation picks and prospect promotion incentive picks) | 6 p.m. ET
July 14: Rounds 4 through 20 | 11:30 a.m. ET

How to watch MLB Draft 2025? TV channel, streaming options

TV channel: ESPN | MLB Network
Streaming options: ESPN app | Fubo (free trial) | MLB.com

ESPN and MLB Network will both televise the first three rounds on July 13, while MLB Network will continue its Day 1 coverage after the first 43 picks for the remainder of the selections. Streaming options include the ESPN app (with a TV login) and Fubo, which carries both networks and offers a free trial to new subscribers.

Day 2 of the 2025 MLB Draft will not be carried on linear or national television. Instead, MLB.com will exclusively stream rounds 4 through 20 of the 2025 MLB Draft on July 14.

Facebook Twitter Email