After some back-and-forth between the MLBPA and the owners, the MLB has decided to hold a 60-game season starting July 23rd. The postseason will begin on September 29th with the World Series to follow, with no change to the format. There are a few other rule changes, most notably, in regular season extra-inning games, teams automatically start with a runner on second base starting in the 10th inning, and the DH will be universal.
Rosters have expanded, too, allowing teams to start the July training camp with up to 60 players, which includes 20 eligible players under contract who are not on the 40-man roster*. This means an increased chance of recently-drafted college players seeing time in the majors. So far, six college players selected in the 2020 MLB Draft have earned spots on 60-man rosters.
Emerson Hancock, the RHP from Georgia, was picked 6th overall by the Seattle Mariners and is on the Mariners' 60-man roster. The Mariners also placed Texas A&M outfielder Zach Deloach (2nd round) and Oklahoma State 2nd baseman Kaden Polcovich (3rd round) on their 60-man roster.
Dillon Dingler, catcher from Ohio State, will be traveling a little bit north to be on the roster for the Detroit Tigers.
The Arizona Diamondbacks see potential in their 18th overall pick, Bryce Jarvis, the LHP from Duke with a perfect game in 2020, placing him on the 60-man roster. The Atlanta Braves also placed their first round LHP from an ACC school, Jared Shuster from Wake Forest, on their 60-man roster.
All told, there will be two players each from the ACC and SEC, and one each from the Big 12 and Big Ten.
A few of the top picks from this draft will not be on rosters yet, but will see some time in the minor leagues, starting next year when minor league play is slated to return. Some of these players include the top 5 picks in the draft: Spencer Torkelson (Arizona State), Heston Kjerstad (Arkansas), Max Meyer (Minnesota), Asa Lacy (Texas A&M), and Austin Martin (Vanderbilt).
*Here are some links for more information regarding rule changes for the 2020 MLB season or your MLB team's 60-man roster.
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