As reported by multiple news outlets, changes to the 2021 Amateur Draft include:

- After being held in early to mid-June for decades, the 2021 MLB draft will move to July 11-13 and will be held in Atlanta as part of the All-Star Game festivities.

- 20 rounds minimum, and likely not to exceed 30 rounds total.

- College players who turn 21 years old within 45 days from the draft are eligible. This extends that deadline to August 27.

- Signing deadline has been moved to August 1, 2021.

- Payment of Signing Bonuses. All signing for players drafted or signed as a passed over free agent shall be paid under the following schedule:

     Within 30 days of approval: Up to $100,000
     July 1, 2022: 50% of the remainder
     July 1, 2023: 50% of the remainder

- In the event that each Club plays less than 81 regular season games in 2020, MLB has the right, after conferring in good faith with the MLB Player's Association, to modify the Draft order.

- Signing Bonus Values. The 2021 signing bonus slots shall be equal to the signing bonus slots associated with that same selection in the 2019 Draft, regardless of the number of rounds in the 2021 Draft (i.e., the signing bonus value for the first overall selection in the 2021 Draft will be the same as the signing bonus value for the first overall selection in the 2019 Draft).

- Passed-Over/Non-Drafted Players. Each Club may sign an unlimited number of passed over players for $20,000 or less.

- No Club may trade its Competitive Balance pick.

As a result of the draft date changes, look for more high school and college showcases, games, and leagues, and possibly a medical combine to be created moving forward. All of these would allow clubs to gather more information before they make their picks.

One direct effect of moving the draft back a month includes the elimination of one or two minor league teams for each MLB club. The short-season clubs would no longer exist outside of a team's spring training facilities and team complexes in the Dominican Republic.