MLB Draft and MLB Draft Combine details announced
Major League Baseball on Thursday officially announced details for the 2022 MLB Draft and Draft Combine. For a second consecutive year, the MLB Draft will be featured during All-Star Week, taking place in Los Angeles from July 17-19, while the Draft Combine will be held at Petco Park in San Diego from June 14th-20th. MLB Network will once again provide extensive coverage of the MLB Draft and Draft Combine.
The Draft will feature 20 rounds across the three days, including the first two rounds, compensatory round(s) and competitive balance rounds on the opening night of the Draft. Selections on day two will feature picks in rounds 3 through 10, while the final day will cover rounds 11 through 20. For the third time in history, the Orioles will have the first selection of the Draft. Previously, Baltimore drafted right-handed pitcher Ben McDonald (1989) and catcher Adley Rutschman (2019), who is currently ranked as the number one overall prospect by MLB Pipeline.
The top 300 draft-eligible players, as identified by USA Baseball and MLB Clubs, will be invited to attend the 2022 Draft Combine along with up to 30 supplemental invites. The Combine will provide an opportunity for players to participate in a series of medical and performance assessments as well as educational programming designed to prepare them for careers in professional baseball. All players will have the opportunity to participate in a pro-style showcase workout, as well as strength and performance assessments. Additionally, high school players will have the option to participate in games against other high school Combine attendees.
As part of the Combine experience, attendees will benefit from the opportunity to interview and interact directly with Major League Club general managers and scouting directors, as well as an enhanced medical evaluation process. Participants at the MLB Draft Combine will also have opportunities to be featured on MLB social media channels, in addition to receiving personal branding training and access to real-time content and custom video for their own platforms.
MLB Network will cover the MLB Draft Combine throughout the week of June 14th, including dedicated exclusive coverage live from Petco Park on Thursday, June 16 and Friday, June 17. MLB Network’s stable of talent will provide analysis and breakdowns as the players undergo their pro-style showcase workout. Interviews with players and Club personnel will also be featured as part of the coverage.
The inaugural Draft Combine in 2021 was held at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina and the Raleigh Convention Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. More than 150 draft-eligible players attended the 2021 Combine, including Henry Davis, who also attended the 2021 Draft and was the top overall selection.
Additional details regarding the Draft and Draft Combine will be announced in the coming weeks and months, including media credentialing information, coverage information, and names of decorated former Major League players and coaches who will be in attendance at each of the events.