2025 MLB Draft and Combine: Key Dates and Format
The 2025 MLB Draft is scheduled to take place from July 13 to July 15 in Atlanta, Georgia, as part of the league’s All-Star Week festivities. Major League Baseball officials confirmed the event will coincide with the midsummer classic at Truist Park, providing a central stage for the top amateur prospects in the country. The draft serves as the primary mechanism for clubs to acquire amateur talent from high schools and four-year colleges.
When is the 2025 MLB Draft?
According to the official Major League Baseball schedule, the 2025 Draft will run for three days, starting Sunday, July 13, and concluding Tuesday, July 15. The selection process begins on Sunday evening with the first round and the Prospect Promotion Incentive picks. Subsequent rounds follow over the next two days. This schedule aligns with the league’s recent strategy of anchoring the draft to the All-Star Game, a move designed to increase visibility for incoming players.
What is the MLB Draft Combine?
The MLB Draft Combine is a multi-day evaluation event that allows club scouts and front-office executives to assess top prospects in a centralized, professional setting. While specific dates for the 2025 Combine have not yet been finalized by the league, the event typically occurs in mid-June at a neutral site. During the combine, invited players undergo medical screenings, physical testing, and on-field workouts, which provide teams with standardized data before the draft begins in July.
How does the draft order work?
The draft order for the 2025 selection process is determined by a combination of team performance and the MLB Draft Lottery. Under the current Collective Bargaining Agreement, the 18 teams that do not qualify for the postseason participate in a lottery to determine the top six picks. This system was implemented to discourage teams from intentionally losing games—a practice known as “tanking”—by flattening the odds of receiving the number one overall selection.
Key Differences: Draft vs. Combine
| Feature | MLB Draft Combine | MLB Draft |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Purpose | Evaluation and medical testing | Player selection and acquisition |
| Participants | Invited elite prospects | All eligible amateur players |
| Outcome | Data reports for scouts | Assignment of players to clubs |
Why the Atlanta location matters
Hosting the draft in Atlanta during All-Star Week creates a direct link between the game’s future and its current stars. By placing the draft in the same city as the All-Star Game, MLB aims to build a week-long celebration of baseball that appeals to both casual fans and industry insiders. This format mirrors the approach of other major professional leagues, such as the NFL and NBA, which have successfully turned their draft events into significant media spectacles.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is eligible for the 2025 MLB Draft? Generally, residents of the U.S. and Canada who have graduated high school or are at least 21 years old, as well as four-year college players who have completed their junior year or are at least 21.
- How many rounds are in the draft? The MLB Draft consists of 20 rounds, significantly reduced from the 40-round format used prior to 2020.
- Can players decline a selection? Yes, players who are drafted have the option to return to school or sign with a different organization if they do not reach a contract agreement with the team that selected them.