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An introduction to Major League Baseball’s draft

On June 4, Major League Baseball will host its 54th annual Rule 4 draft, better known as the first-year player draft. The Mets ended the regular season with an 70-92 record in 2017, finished fourth place in the National League East, and will make the 6th overall selection.

Draft-eligible players come from a variety of backgrounds. The following players residing in the United States and its territories are eligible to be drafted:

  • All college juniors and seniors
  • College freshmen and sophomores at four-year programs who are at least 21 years of age at the time of the draft
  • All junior college players, regardless of age
  • High school seniors

All draftees, with a handful of exceptions, must be signed by July 15.