Shortened 2020 MLB Draft Gives League Terrible New Excuse for Eliminating Minor League Teams
By Michael Luciano
MLB has been trying to curtail what they feel is an excessive amount of minor league baseball teams, even willing to get rid of as many as 42 separate teams in their first wave. If they want to finally put that plan into action, the coronavirus-induced stoppage could be the best way to realize this unfortunate fantasy.
The league has already agreed to shorten the 2020 draft to five rounds, which would inevitably lead to more players choosing to play college baseball instead of going into the draft. Fewer drafted players means fewer players on minor league rosters, which could give Rob Manfred justification for eliminating those teams.
I feel like this is going to be a boon for college baseball, and an easy path for MLB to reduce the number of MiLB teams. Sadly. https://t.co/kBDJdPCrNi
— Chris Towers (@CTowersCBS) March 27, 2020
The shortened draft effects the lower levels of the game the most, and that just happens to be the level Manfred wants to eliminate most of all.
The league wants to eliminate all short-season baseball, which consists of lower Class-A and rookie ball, by 2021.
“MLB in its negotiations with Minor League Baseball is seeking to drastically reduce the number of affiliated minor league teams, which would in essence kill off those clubs. For instance, MLB wants to eliminate short-season ball entirely in time for the 2021 season” https://t.co/bIDvAXphYB
— MATTY? (@Lavelle6Matt) February 15, 2020
Normally an essential asset in transitioning unprepared players to the pro level, these teams' import decreases when these players don't even have access to pro opportunities.
Minor league baseball is one of the most organic ways to grow interest in the game and develop young prospects, but the system as it is currently constructed could be cut short by MLB if it doesn't make them as much money as they think it should. All we as minor league fans can do is hope that the 42 teams Manfred wants to get rid of get taken off the chopping block at the negotiation table.