A few hours before the start of the MLB draft, the Giants took a step to make sure past draftees are taken care of this summer. The organization announced Wednesday afternoon that the weekly $400 stipends for minor leaguers have been extended through Sept. 7, the original end date of the minor league season.
The Giants, like most of MLB, previously announced they would pay minor leaguers through at least June 30, but at the time of that announcement their intention always was to eventually extend that through the final couple months of the season. The total commitment the rest of the summer is about $1 million. The A's were the lone team to initially balk at continuing to pay stipends, but they came around as well, and all 30 teams have now committed to paying minor leaguers.
As MLB and the MLBPA continue to negotiate over a restart of the big league season, the expectation is that the entire minor league season soon will officially be canceled. Most minor leaguers are at home right now, many living with their parents, hopeful that there is some plan put in place that allows them to get reps in 2020.
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The Arizona Fall League may be expanded to allow for further participation, and instructional leagues may be put into place to allow the majority of minor leaguers to have some sort of a season. The Giants also plan to carry some of their better prospects on the taxi squad if MLB resumes, allowing them to work out with big leaguers.
The MLB draft begins later Wednesday and includes four rounds Thursday. The Giants will add seven additional players to their minor league pool by the end of the day Thursday.
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