SAN DIEGO -- At his post-Draft press conference each June, Padres general manager A.J. Preller always offers a reminder of the extensive work that goes into every Draft.

"The scouting season is a year-round thing," Preller said recently, echoing his annual truism. "The preparation for a Draft is really a year-round process."

In 2020 -- arguably the strangest Draft year in baseball history -- Preller's mantra will be put to the test.

On the heels of an amateur season that was largely wiped out because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Preller and scouting director Mark Conner have prepared for the Draft without a trove of data that would've come from spring baseball. The Draft has also been limited to five rounds.

Despite the obvious challenges, Preller remained upbeat and optimistic that he'll be able to bolster San Diego’s already strong farm system.

"It's a very unique year for baseball, and the Draft's no different," Preller said. "Our scouts pride themselves on being prepared year round. ... Because of that, I think we're in a spot where we've done our work, and we have good information.

"Obviously, you'd have loved to have seen these guys play in the spring season. Some guys we saw a little bit more than others. But you've got to adjust. We'll rely on some of the history that we have, then try to make adjustments and go off some different types of information."

In the past three years, Preller has used the Draft to add a trio of current top-50 prospects to the system. Then again, all three of those prospects -- MacKenzie Gore, Luis Campusano and CJ Abrams -- skyrocketed during their senior seasons of high school, with each taking home state player of the year honors.

"That Draft-year season is obviously important," Preller said. "Obviously, the more information you have, the more times you get to see a guy play, I think you always feel more comfortable. But this is the hand we're dealt this year."

Day 1 of the 2020 Draft airs tonight on MLB Network and ESPN at 4 p.m. PT and includes the first 37 picks. Day 2 begins at 2 p.m. PT on Thursday on MLB Network and ESPN2 and spans the remainder of the 160 picks.

• MLB Network channel locator

Comprehensive coverage will be available on MLB.com and MLB Pipeline, which will simulcast MLB Network’s broadcast. Go to MLB.com/Draft to see when teams pick, the Top 200 Prospects list, mock drafts from analysts Jim Callis and Jonathan Mayo, scouting video and more. And follow @MLBDraft and @MLBDraftTracker on Twitter to see what Draft hopefuls, clubs and experts are saying and to get each pick as it’s made.

Here’s how the Draft is shaping up for the Padres, whose first selection is the No. 8 overall pick:

State of the system
Even with the graduations of Fernando Tatis Jr., Chris Paddack, Francisco Mejía and a handful of others, the Padres still own the sport's No. 2 farm system, according to MLB Pipeline. That's partly because Preller has been able to reinforce his ranks through the Draft.

Abrams -- the team's first pick last June -- currently checks in as the No. 25 overall prospect, according to MLB Pipeline. Gore, the team's first-round selection in 2017, is the top overall pitching prospect. In short, the Padres haven’t been rebuilding their farm system in the wake of those graduations. They’ve been reloading.

What they’re saying
"You put the focus more on a smaller group of players. Your focus becomes a little bit more intense, a little bit sharper. In general, it's new, it’s a different deal. We'll figure it out as we go. We're spending more time on fewer players -- that's probably the biggest difference we've had so far." -- Padres GM A.J. Preller

Whom might they take?
Callis' mock Draft for MLB.com projects Max Meyer to land in San Diego. Meyer, a 6-foot right-hander from the University of Minnesota, boasts a wipeout slider and a fastball with life. There are questions as to whether he's best suited for the rotation or bullpen. If the Padres don't select Meyer, Callis says Oregon prep righty Mick Abel is an option. Mayo's latest mock Draft for MLB.com has the Padres selecting prep outfielder Zac Veen. Louisville lefty Reid Detmers and prep outfielder Robert Hassell might also be available.

Money matters
Each team gets an allotted bonus pool equal to the sum of the values of its selections in the Draft. The more picks a team has, and the earlier it picks, the larger the pool. This year, with a five-round Draft, all signing bonuses of drafted players will apply toward the bonus pool total.

For 2020, there is a $20,000 limit on bonuses for non-drafted free agents. There is no limit to the number of undrafted players teams may sign, but they cannot go over $20,000 per player. These bonuses do not count toward the pool total.

The Padres have a pool of $10,674,000 to spend, including $5,176,900 to spend on their first selection.

Shopping list
The Padres’ system is deep almost everywhere, but especially so on the mound and in the middle of the infield. If there’s one area they might be lacking, it’s big-time power bats. (Of course, Campusano and Hudson Potts fit that bill.)

Despite the abundance, Preller often emphasizes his desire for pitching and middle-infield talent. Don’t be surprised if he goes back to the well.

Trend watch
Preller drafted three prominent college pitchers in 2016 -- Cal Quantrill, Eric Lauer and Joey Lucchesi. Since then, the Padres have skewed toward high schoolers, particularly high school arms.

The recent first-round picks
2019: CJ Abrams, SS
2018: Ryan Weathers, LHP
2017: MacKenzie Gore, LHP
2016: Cal Quantrill, RHP
2016: Hudson Potts, 3B
2016: Eric Lauer, LHP