According to two sources close to the situation, day one of the 2026 MLB Draft will include the first four rounds. This will include the awarded compensation picks to the Astros, Padres and Phillies after the fourth round.
In total, day one of the 2026 MLB Draft will be 135 picks.
Rounds 5 through 20 will then be run on day two.
It's yet another change coming to the format of the MLB Draft, an event that has seemingly been thrown a new wrinkle each of the last few years.
Going back to 2021, the Draft used to be three days with the first day only including the first round and its Compensation/compensatory picks. That was just 36 picks.
A new CBA brought changes to the 2022 Draft. That year, Round 1, Competitive Balance Round A, Round 2, Competitive Balance Round B, and Compensation Picks were done on day one -- a total of 80 picks.
That format remained for three years before last year. The 2025 Draft shortened the event to two days, stuffing Rounds 1-3 into the first day and finishing out the rest of the draft on an accelerated second day. 2025 saw 105 names called on day one.
The 2026 Draft will welcome yet another new experience for front offices and draftniks alike. Four rounds and 135 picks.
Another new CBA is set to be rafified following the 2026 season. Changes to the 2028 Draft, big or small, are likely on the horizon as well.