There is a big difference here though. Baseball is probably going to be the only big sport that tries to save significant money here. The NFL looks like business as usual so far. The NBA and NHL might delay their drafts, but that is more about timing and TV. I anticipate them having their typical drafts remotely on TV for the same bonus levels as in the past.
Baseball has one disadvantage in missing 90% of the current scouting season. The players are no different talent-wise however. They will accumulate WAR in the first 6-7 years of their major league career which will mostly be 3-10 years from now. If MLB eliminates a draft and shoves everyone into next year with the same pool they are essentially cutting bonuses by 50% for WAR that will happen when the virus is long gone.
MLB will have reduced revenues and profits because of the coronavirus. Current players who have much more money than amateurs will certainly lose salary. Future players have less to lose and they seem to be attacked first.
I could see more risk for MLB teams in a draft this year without most of a season and personal workouts. But that does not change the talent. It changes the risk and teams would rightly pay less than slot for top picks but then more than slot for more later round picks to make up for that. That would be rational talent-acquisition behavior. MLB seems to be going for making profit at the expense of the little guy behavior and that is wrong.
Every major sport has a draft and a union that cares more for veterans than rookies. Why is MLB always the worst at taking care of their amateurs than everyone else?
