<Li> While many NHL , NBA , and NFL draftees will eventually reach their respective leagues , the vast majority of players selected in the first - year player draft will never play in a single MLB game , including many first - rounders . For example , only 31 of 52 first - round draft picks in the 1997 draft eventually made a big - league appearance , and only 13 of those 31 appeared in more than 100 games as of 2009 . In 1997 's sixth round , only five of the 30 players selected eventually made a big league appearance , and only two of those five ( Tim Hudson and Matt Wise ) played more than 40 innings in the majors . Further illustrating the unpredictability of the draft 's middle and later rounds , none of the 30 players selected in the 18th round ever reached the major leagues , but the 19th round eventually produced an all - star and World Series MVP , David Eckstein . </Li>
<Li> While many NHL , NBA , and NFL draftees will eventually reach their respective leagues , the vast majority of players selected in the first - year player draft will never play in a single MLB game , including many first - rounders . For example , only 31 of 52 first - round draft picks in the 1997 draft eventually made a big - league appearance , and only 13 of those 31 appeared in more than 100 games as of 2009 . In 1997 's sixth round , only five of the 30 players selected eventually made a big league appearance , and only two of those five ( Tim Hudson and Matt Wise ) played more than 40 innings in the majors . Further illustrating the unpredictability of the draft 's middle and later rounds , none of the 30 players selected in the 18th round ever reached the major leagues , but the 19th round eventually produced an all - star and World Series MVP , David Eckstein . </Li>
how many picks are in the first round mlb draft
how many picks are in the first round mlb draft
52
52