Major League Baseball has presented a comprehensive blueprint to remake the amateur player acquisition system, a move that would fundamentally change how prospects enter professional baseball. The centerpiece of the proposal is the elimination of high school draftee eligibility, a step that would force aspiring players to wait at least two years after graduation before they could be considered for the draft.
Under the plan, the traditional 20‑round draft would be trimmed to just 12 rounds, and overall signing bonuses would be cut by more than half compared with the previous year’s totals. In addition, each pick would be assigned a hard slot value, meaning teams could not negotiate above the predetermined amount without forfeiting the selection.
Key Elements of the Proposal
The framework also introduces an international amateur draft that mirrors the domestic draft in both structure and bonus compensation, while guaranteeing that the total number of affiliated Minor League Baseball teams remains at 120. Draft eligibility would be tied to age and class status: players must be at least 20 years old by September 1 of the draft year and would become eligible two years after their high school graduating class.
To increase flexibility, the proposal expands draft‑pick trading but imposes limits on moving first‑round selections in consecutive years and caps the number of additional picks a team can acquire in the top three rounds. The draft lottery would shrink from the top six picks to the top four, and the distinction between revenue‑sharing payors and payees would be eliminated. Ten players selected by MLB would be required to attend the draft and would receive a $50,000 stipend for their participation, while draft‑combine medical evaluations would become mandatory.
Proponents argue that the changes would revitalize college baseball by encouraging more players to pursue higher‑education routes before turning professional. However, critics warn that high‑school draftees — who previously enjoyed the quickest path to the majors — could face delayed opportunities and reduced financial rewards. The ultimate impact on player development, fan interest, and the broader baseball ecosystem remains to be seen.