For a team with just one winning season in the past six years, the Twins must find another franchise player atop the draft like they did 16 years ago when they drafted Joe Mauer with the No. 1-overall pick in 2001. Mauer went on to win the 2009 A.L. MVP award, and is a six-time All-Star. The Twins now have the tough task of deciding which elite prospect in the 2017 MLB Draft could be its next franchise player.
MORE: Greatest No. 1 picks ever | Worst No. 1 picks ever
Like the 2001 MLB Draft, which also featured elite college players Mark Prior (No. 2, Cubs) and Mark Teixeira (No. 5, Rangers), there is no obvious selection at pick No. 1.
College pitchers Kyle Wright (Vanderbilt) and Brendan McKay (Louisville) are both worthy of the top pick; McKay maybe even moreso considering he’s also an elite hitter. High school senior RHP/SS Hunter Greene is also an elite two-way prospect and could hear his name called with the first-overall choice.
Minnesota has until the night of June 12 to decide which prospect will be the next face of its franchise. Until then, here’s everything you need to know about the 2017 MLB Draft, including date(s), times and draft order.
When is the 2017 MLB Draft?
The 2017 MLB Draft begins at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, June 12, with Rounds 1 and 2. That includes the Competitive Balance Round A, which follows Round 1, and the Competitive Balance Round B after Round 2.
Day 2 of the draft starts at 1 p.m. on June 13 and will include Rounds 3-10. The MLB Draft concludes on June 14 with Rounds 11-40, starting at noon.
MORE: MLB Draft results, analysis
How many rounds is the MLB Draft?
The 2017 MLB Draft will last 40 rounds, plus the two compensation (Competitive Balance) rounds that follow Rounds 1 and 2. The MLB Draft was reduced from 50 rounds to 40 rounds in 2012.
How to watch the MLB Draft
You can watch the MLB Draft live on MLB Network and MLB.com. The preview show starts at 6 p.m. ET, followed by live draft coverage at 7 p.m. on MLB Network and MLB.com.
Round 1 through the Competitive Balance Round A will air live on MLB Network and MLB.com. Round 2 through Competitive Balance Round B will stream live on MLB.com.
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On Tuesday, June 13, Rounds 3-10 will stream live on MLB.com at 1 p.m. (preview show begins at 12:30 p.m.). On Wednesday, June 14, Rounds 11-40 will begin at noon and will stream live on MLB.com.
2017 MLB Draft order
Round 1 (June 12)
Competitive Balance Round A (June 12)
Round 2 (June 12)
Competitive Balance Round B (June 12)
Rounds 3-40 (June 13-14)
(Rounds 3-10 on June 13; Rounds 11-40 on June 14)
