How to watch Day 1 of the MLB Draft

The Dodgers have the last pick in the first round of the 2020 MLB Draft, 29th overall, their lone selection on Wednesday night.

Coverage begins at 4 p.m. PT on both MLB Network and ESPN, with streaming available through MLB.com and Watch ESPN. Karl Ravech and Kiley McDaniel will lead ESPN’s coverage from their Bristol, Conn. studios, with various analysts joining remotely. MLB Network’s coverage will also base its coverage out of their studios in Secaucus, New Jersey, though without team representatives present like usual.

Team executives will each chime in remotely during the broadcasts.

The draft was originally slated to take place during the College World Series in Omaha, Neb., with competing teams (including many potential draftees) invited to attend. But the coronavirus necessitated a change of plans.

Wednesday night’s coverage includes 37 picks in all — the first round (the Astros forfeited their pick for sign stealing) plus Competitive Balance Round A. The draft concludes Thursday beginning at 2 p.m. PT with Rounds 2-5, with ESPN’s coverage on Day 2 shifting to ESPN2.

The recommended slot bonus value for the Dodgers’ first-round pick, No. 29 overall, is $2,424,600, and their total bonus pool for their six picks is $5,928,400. Unlike previous years, the bonus pool can only be used for picks in the first five rounds, with bonuses for undrafted free agents after the fifth round capped at $20,000.

“It’s going to eliminate a lot of the creativity. It’s going to be a challenge,” Dodgers VP of amateur scouting Billy Gasparino said. “There’s just those six picks, and if you don’t spend the money, it doesn’t get spent.”

MLB Draft Day 1 TV info

• When: 4 p.m. PT
• What: 37 picks (Round 1, plus Competitive Balance Round A)
• Dodgers pick: 29th overall
• TV: MLB Network, ESPN
• Streaming: MLB.com, Watch ESPN