In addition, compensation picks were distributed for players who did not sign from the 2019 MLB draft and for teams who lost qualifying free agents.

[2] In a plan to allow teams to sign an unlimited number of undrafted players for $20,000 each, MLB ultimately opted to shorten the 2020 draft to five rounds.

[3] The draft was originally planned to be hosted live for the first time in Omaha, Nebraska, to accompany the later-cancelled 2020 College World Series.

[8] The Detroit Tigers, who had the worst record of the 2019 MLB season, selected Spencer Torkelson with the first overall pick in the draft.

[9] As punishment for their role in the sign stealing scandal, the Houston Astros forfeited their first- and second-round picks in the draft.