how many rounds in mlb draft

The Major League Baseball (MLB) draft currently consists of 20 rounds. This format has been in place since 2019, reduced from as many as 40 rounds in previous years to improve efficiency and cut costs. In the 2025 MLB draft, there were a total of around 615 picks made across these 20 rounds, including additional compensatory and competitive balance picks that can slightly vary the total number each year.