As part of the new collective bargaining agreement, the signing deadline was moved from August 15 to July 13, forcing teams to sign their draft picks at least a month earlier than previous years.
In 2011, 98 of the 331 players drafted within the first 10 rounds were still unsigned headed into deadline day (August 15). This year, as a result of the new, accelerated signing deadline, only 17 of the 338 players selected in rounds 1-10 remained unsigned headed into July 13.
Furthermore, this is the first year I can recall nearly every first-round (and supplemental-first round) draft pick gaining significant experience before their full-season debut in 2013. Now, instead of assigning a prospect to Class-A Short Season to open the 2013 season, their experience may garner a more aggressive and favorable promotion to Low-A, instead. Basically, every draft pick's estimated time of arrival in the major leagues could improve by as much as a full season.
Here is a look at a host of top picks from the 2012 draft class and how they’ve capitalized on the chance to make their professional debut nearly a year ahead of schedule.
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