The State College Spikes on Tuesday released their schedule for the inaugural season of the Major League Baseball Draft League.
A 68-game slate will open at home at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park on Monday, May 24, with a 6:35 p.m. first pitch against an old New York-Penn League rival, the Williamsport Crosscutters.
It marks an earlier start than the Spikes had been accustomed to during the NYPL days, when opening day traditionally came in late June.
Each of the MLB Draft League’s six teams will play an even split of 34 home games and 34 away. The Spikes will wrap up the season at home against Williamsport at 6:35 p.m. on Aug. 13. The league’s championship game will be played on Aug. 15.
In addition to 15 home dates against the Crosscutters, the Spikes will welcome two other former NYPL teams to Medlar field. The West Virginia Black Bears visit June 11-13, and the Mahoning Valley Scrappers visit June 22-24 and June 29-July 1.
New opponents this year are the Trenton Thunder, formerly of the AA Eastern League and Frederick Keys, formerly of the Advanced-A Carolina League. Trenton visits Medlar Field on May 28-30, July 4-5, and July 27-29, while the Keys come to town May 31-June 1.
In response to fan input, the standard start times for Spikes home games Monday through Saturday are moving up to 6:35 p.m., and Sunday home games will start at 4:05 p.m. Memorial Day against Frederick and July 5 against Trenton also will be 4:05 p.m. starts.
A full 2021 promotional schedule will be released at a later date.
Season ticket and flex book packages are available by calling (814) 272-1711 or on the Spikes website.
Announced in November as part of MLB’s sweeping overhaul of its minor league system, the Draft Leaguewill serve as a showcase for draft-eligible players to gain exposure and up their stock with major league clubs prior to the draft, which has been moved from early June to the All-Star break in July. The Draft League was created by MLB in partnership with Prep Baseball Report, which ‘will provide support for the league’s staffing, player and coach recruitment, on-field operations, and administrative functions,’ according to an MLB release.
The league will primarily focus on invited draft-eligible college players, but will also on occasion include elite high school prospects.
After the draft in July, the league has a few options for keeping rosters full once drafted players sign with their major league clubs, league president Kerrick Jackson said in November..
Because the draft has been reduced from 40 to 20 rounds, hundreds more prospects will be looking to sign free agent deals and could have the opportunity to showcase their skills in July and August with a Draft League team.
Jackson said he also believes that without the minor league short season that had been the first stop for many newly drafted players, MLB clubs may look to keep their signees in the Draft League to stay active until instructional leagues start up in the fall.
