| 2021 Major League Baseball draft | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General information | |
| Date | July 11–13, 2021 |
| Location | Bellco Theatre Denver, Colorado |
| Networks | MLB Network ESPN (first round) |
| Overview | |
| 612 total selections in20 rounds | |
| First selection | Henry Davis Pittsburgh Pirates |
| First round selections | 36 |
The2021 Major League Baseball draft took place on July 11–13, 2021. In conjunction with the2021 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, the draft was held inDenver.[1] The draft assigned amateur baseball players to MLB teams. The draft order was set based on the reverse order of the2020 MLB season standings.[2] In addition, compensation picks were distributed for players who did not sign from the2020 MLB draft and for teams who lost qualifyingfree agents.[3] On March 26, 2020, MLB and theMLBPA reached a deal that included the option to halve the draft to 20 rounds due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.[4] MLB ultimately opted to shorten the draft to 20 rounds.[5] In total, 612 college and high school players were drafted.[6]
ThePittsburgh Pirates, who had the worst record of the 2020 season, selectedHenry Davis with thefirst overall pick in the draft.[7] As punishment for their role in thesign stealing scandal, theHouston Astros forfeited both their first- and second-round picks in the draft.[8]
On April 2, 2021, MLB announced that the2021 MLB All-Star Game, along with the draft, was being relocated fromAtlanta in protest of theGeorgia State Legislature's passage of theElection Integrity Act of 2021; three days later, Denver was announced as the new host city.[9][10]
Chase Silseth made his MLB debut for theLos Angeles Angels on May 13, 2022, making him the first player from the 2021 draft to make his major league debut.
The deadline for teams to sign drafted players was August 1, 2021.[11]
| All-Star | |
| * | Player did not sign |
|---|
| Pick | Player | Team | Position | School |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | Jay Allen | Cincinnati Reds[Compensation 1] | Outfielder | John Carroll Catholic High School (FL) |