MLB Draft 2021 guide: Start times, pick order, TV channel, live stream

For the first time in 2021, the MLB Draft will be part of the All-Star events. 

MLB moved its annual selecting-the-future-stars event from its traditional slot of early June to mid-July, with the hopes that adding it to the sport’s premier mid-season showcase will put a bigger spotlight on the event. 

It’s an event worthy of more eyeballs. The Draft’s first round has been aired live on MLB Network since 2012 — you’ll remember a kid named Mike Trout was the only potential first-round pick to show up in the studio for that one — and this year ESPN joins the broadcast.

Here’s what you need to know about the event. More details will be added — such as the list of representatives for each team — as they become available.

When is the MLB Draft in 2021?

Date: July 11-13

Start time: 7:07 p.m. ET (July 11) | Day 2 starts at 1 p.m. and Day 3 starts at noon.

TV channel: MLB Network (ESPN for Day 1)

Live stream: MLB.com

The draft will begin July 11 and continue through July 13, with the first day’s broadcast on MLB Network and ESPN and the other days streamed on MLB.com.

Where is the MLB Draft in 2021?

City: Denver

Location: Bellco Theatre

Need to know: The 2021 MLB All-Star Game was originally scheduled to be held in Atlanta, but MLB moved the game and all associated events to Denver in response to a law passed in Georgia that was seen as restrictive on voting rights. 

The MLB Draft has been held in the MLB Network studio in NYC since 2012, but it’s moved this year to be part of the All-Star festivities. The Bellco Theatre seats 5,000 and is connected to the Denver Convention Center. It’s about a mile-and-a-half from Coors Field.

What time does the 2021 MLB Draft start?

The first round of the 2021 MLB Draft begins at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday, July 11. Day 2 begins at 1 p.m. ET on Monday, July 12 with Rounds 2-10. Round 11 starts at noon ET on Tuesday, July 13. The MLB All-Star game will be held that night.

MLB Draft TV schedule, live stream

MLB Network will broadcast a pre-draft show on Sunday, July 11 before showing the draft from 7 p.m. to the conclusion of the first round and the Competitive Balance A round (the first 36 picks). While the other rounds are available exclusively online, MLB Network will continue to provide draft coverage and analysis. You can also live stream all three days of the event for free on MLB.com.

Competitive Balance picks, explained

Starting in 2017, MLB added picks to the draft designed to help boost franchises that might not be able to compete with the largest, strongest franchises for free-agent talents. The teams with the 10 lowest revenues and the teams in the 10 smallest markets are eligible to receive a bonus pick, either after the first round or after the second round. Some teams qualify on both lists, but are only eligible for one additional pick. These competitive balance picks are the only draft picks that can be traded, and they can only be traded once.

Here are the picks for 2021.

2021 MLB Draft order of picks, Day 1

Reminder: The Astros do not have a first-round pick in 2021; loss of that pick was part of the penalty resulting from the franchise’s sign-stealing scandal. 

Competitive Balance Picks