FanPulse: How will rule changes impact the 2020 MLB Draft?

Welcome to SB Nation FanPulse, a survey of fans across MLB. Each week, we send out questions to the most plugged in Braves fans, and fans across the country. Sign up HERE to join FanPulse.

This week’s SB Nation FanPulse questions centered on the 2020 MLB Draft. There are still a lot of uncertainties regarding the draft at this point. The one thing we do know is that it would be shortened significantly with just five or 10 rounds. While that might not have a lot of impact on the elite prospects, there will be a lot of high school players that will likely opt to go to college.

That scenario was the subject of our first FanPulse question which asked if you are a 2020 Draft prospect, do you enter this year’s draft? Sixty-two percent of FanPulse voters responded with a no answer. I think this is the correct answer unless you are one of the guys that has been projected as a first round talent.

Our next question focuses on the NCAA granting an extra year of eligibility to spring/summer athletes and whether or not that will have an impact on the Draft. Sixty percent of FanPulse voters responded with yes. Again, I don’t think it will impact the very best prospects but it will instead on those players who may be a little less sure of their draft position.

This figures to be a very college-centric draft in that it is the college players that scouts have had the most opportunities to see. The coronavirus pandemic struck just as high school seasons were getting ramped up and has forced the cancellation of many showcase events. Seventy-nine percent of our FanPulse voters say that the rule changes will affect high school players going pro and I think they are right. Some high school players won’t have a lot of choice given the limited amount of time to perform in front of Major League scouts this summer.

The last question was an interesting one and is one that I haven’t heard discussed a lot. It asked whether or not MLB should allow current high school seniors to enter the draft after just one year of college. Unsurprisingly, 61% of FanPulse voters answered yes. I think it would be something good to explore but I don’t have a lot of confidence in it actually happening.

That is it for this week. Let us know what you think in the comments below. If you want to take part in future FanPulse voting then head over to this link to get signed up!