Major League Baseball owners have unveiled a sweeping overhaul of the amateur draft that would reshape how high school and international prospects enter professional baseball, with the changes slated to take effect beginning in 2027. The proposal seeks to curtail the current reliance on high school signings, raise the minimum age for eligibility, and impose strict financial caps on signing bonuses.
The Rationale Behind the Shift
MLB argues that the existing system, which heavily favors high school players, has produced a pipeline that rarely translates into major‑league success; data from 2012‑19 shows that 75 percent of high school draftees never reached the majors. At the same time, the league points to a surge in revenue generated by college baseball as evidence that a college‑centric model could be more sustainable and beneficial for both players and the sport.
What the New Draft Will Look Like
Under the proposal, the combined draft for the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico would be trimmed from 20 to 12 rounds starting in 2027, while an identical 12‑round draft would be created for international prospects. Prospects would need to be at least 20 years old by September 1 of their signing year and two years removed from high school graduation, effectively raising the minimum age from the current norm.
Financial Controls and Draft Mechanics
Each draft would be allocated a $200 million signing‑bonus pool subject to hard caps, and teams would be required to spend the same amount regardless of their previous record, replacing the current tiered system. Bonuses for undrafted players would be capped at $10,000, and teams would be barred from trading their first‑round pick in consecutive years while being limited to acquiring no more than three additional selections among the first three rounds.
Broader Negotiations and Historical Context
The draft reforms are being negotiated alongside discussions of a potential salary cap, a topic that has not been revisited since the 1994‑95 work stoppage that led to the first cancellation of the World Series in nine decades. The proposal comes as owners seek to balance competitive equity with the financial realities of a sport that has seen a 2.5 percent increase in signing‑bonus spending for the 2026 draft.
If approved, the first international draft would be held no earlier than September 2027 and no later than March 2028, while the inaugural reduced draft would take place in 2027. The changes would be implemented without a reduction in the 120 minor‑league teams that occupy the top four levels of the developmental system, a concession that aims to preserve employment and infrastructure.