MLB Draft Backgrounds Show Off Home Flavor Of Players, Executives

With this year’s draft held remotely, the inside looks from around baseball at each team’s decision makers looked different this year. Instead of board rooms crowded with scouts and executives, there were team presidents and general managers sitting alone in their offices and collages of a team’s scouts and executives joined on video conferences.

The NFL draft two months ago produced some indelible images in similar circumstances as coaches and executives drafted from home. Arizona Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury set up in front of an idyllic backdrop. Dallas Cowboys president Jerry Jones drafted from his yacht. New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick was briefly replaced at his desk by his dog. Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel’s family turned his living room into a surrealist scene.

Because baseball’s draft was held after states started easing stay-at-home orders, more executives were able to go into their offices to draft, limiting the spectacle.

But with everyone drafting remotely and all the players stuck at home, instead of in MLB Network’s Studio 42 or with their team, there were still some standout scenes.

Spencer Torkelson started the night strong, both when the Tigers drafted him first overall and when he settled in for the draft in front of a trio of classic movie posters—Caddyshack, Jaws and The Sandlot.

D-backs general manager Mike Hazen was one of the few executives to draft from home and be joined by his family.

Dodgers president Andrew Friedman showed off one of baseball’s most iconic views, the interior of Dodger Stadium.

Lefthander Asa Lacy, who was drafted fourth overall by the Royals, held his draft party in front of a full bar.

Even the analysts got in on the game. MLB.com’s Jim Callis was based in his home office, which prominently displayed a bubble hockey game and a massive fax/copier.