Major League Baseball will conduct its 2020 first-year player draft beginning on Wednesday. The five-round affair will then conclude the following night, on June 11. There will be a short moratorium before teams are allowed to begin signing undrafted free agents next Monday.

Here are the details for the first night of the 2020 MLB draft:

  • Date: Wednesday, June 10
  • Time: 7 p.m. ET
  • TV: MLB Network and ESPN
  • Streaming: MLB.com
  • Picks: 1-37 (Round 1 and Competitive Balance Round A)

Because the baseball draft isn't as publicized as other major sports, we wanted to put together a primer for those who may be unaware of the storylines surrounding this year's event. As such, here are five things worth knowing and watching about the 2020 MLB draft.

1. It's (much) shorter than usual

As mentioned above, this year's draft will be a five-round sprint. Typically, the draft is a 40-round marathon, yet the league and union agreed to a reduced class as part of its pandemic-prompted negotiations. While the draft is likely to be longer than five rounds in future years, it shouldn't surprise anyone if commissioner Rob Manfred and the owners push for a permanently smaller draft in conjunction with a plan to cut about 40 minor-league teams.

2. Likely to be collegiate-heavy

Another aspect of the agreement between MLB and the Players Associations that will impact how teams draft this year entails signing bonus deferrals. Players will receive $100,000 of their signing bonus this year, and then 50 percent of the remaining amount over the two subsequent years. That, plus teams' temptation to draft college seniors who have less leverage, could lead to more high-school players honoring their college commitments instead of signing with MLB teams. In recent years, teams have drafted about 75 percent collegiate prospects; don't be surprised if this year it's closer to 80 percent.

3. Torkelson favored to go No. 1

The Detroit Tigers hold the top pick for the second time in three years, and for the third time in their franchise's existence. At present, they're expected to choose Arizona State University first baseman Spencer Torkelson. CBS Sports ranked Torkelson as the second-best player in the draft, praising his offensive potential and his near-readiness.

4. Other names to know

The rest of the top five includes the Baltimore Orioles, Miami Marlins, Kansas City Royals, and Toronto Blue Jays. Those teams might not have a chance at landing Torkelson, but they're certain to have a chance at the other members of our top five: Vanderbilt triangle player Austin Martin (No. 1); Texas A&M left-hander Asa Lacy (No. 3); Georgia right-hander Emerson Hancock (No. 4), and Minnesota right-hander Max Meyer (No. 5). You can read more about those players by checking out our top-50 rankings.

5. Teams could draft for help this year

One of the obvious ways that the draft differs from those in other sports is that the help is never immediate. Even the best prospects tend to spend a year or two in the minors. For reasons we've explained elsewhere -- including the lack of a minor-league season and the unusual big-league schedule -- that could change this year. Don't be surprised if a team or two take pitchers in the first round who make their professional debut in the majors this summer.