MLB Draft: 2025 date, location, how to watch and format

Continue reading for all you need to know about the MLB Draft, including 2025 dates and schedule, location, format of the draft and more.

MLB Draft 2025 start date

The 2025 MLB Draft will begin on Sunday, July 13, 2025, two days before the 2025 MLB All-Star Game.

The draft will take place over three days, finishing on Tuesday, July 15, 2025.

How to watch the 2025 MLB Draft, TV channel and streaming

The 2025 MLB Draft will broadcast on ESPN and MLB Network.

The first round of the draft will be shown on ESPN, which is available through traditional cable packages and streaming services such as YouTube TV.

The draft will be shown on MLB Network from the second round on.

MLB Draft 2025 location and venue

The 2025 MLB Draft will take place in Atlanta, Georgia, the host city for the 2025 MLB All-Star Game. An exact venue is yet to be announced.

Since 2021, the draft has taken place in the same city or area as the MLB All-Star Game, which, in 2024 was at the Texas Rangers’ Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. The 2024 draft took place at the nearby Cowtown Coliseum in Fort Worth, Texas.

Prior to 2021, the draft was held at MLB Network studios in Secaucus, New Jersey.

Which team has the first overall pick?

The Washington Nationals were awarded the first overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, following the results of the MLB Draft Lottery on December 10, 2024.

How many rounds are in the MLB Draft?

There are 20 rounds in the MLB Draft. 

How many picks are in the MLB Draft?

More than 600 players will be selected in the MLB Draft.

How is the MLB Draft order decided?

The MLB Draft order is determined by a lottery system, as well as regular season record from the previous year.

As of 2023, the first six picks of the draft are determined by a lottery system, with every non-playoff team (of which there are 18) from the previous year in the draw. The teams with the worst records have the best odds of landing the top picks, although it is not guaranteed that they do.

In 2024, the Cleveland Guardians landed the top overall pick despite having a 2% chance of getting it.

Every pick outside of the top six of the first round is determined by the each team’s regular season record from last season.