Major League Baseball’s owners have floated a sweeping amendment that would effectively bar high‑school prospects from signing professional contracts beginning in 2028, forcing them to wait until they are at least 20 years old and two years removed from graduation.
The proposal has sparked a lively debate among the sport’s next generation, with 18‑year‑old shortstop James Clark weighing the allure of an immediate pro debut against the academic and athletic development that a college experience could provide.
History shows that many future stars bypassed college altogether; Pete Crow‑Armstrong, Mike Trout and Bobby Witt Jr. all signed as teenagers, and Pittsburgh Pirates right‑hander Konnor Griffin made his MLB debut at 19 this season.
Yet a growing contingent of prospects is charting a different course. Roch Cholowsky chose UCLA, and Ole Miss standout Mike Bianco argues that college programs offer a robust support system and a chance to earn a degree while honing skills.
The shift is underpinned by expanded scholarship opportunities and the perception that college baseball can accelerate a player’s readiness. Former University of Tennessee coach Tony Vitello, now at the helm of the San Francisco Giants, notes that teams increasingly trust collegiate programs to shape talent.
The 2025 draft reinforced the trend: 56 college players were selected among the top 90 picks, underscoring the depth of talent available on campus.
Meanwhile, the minor league ecosystem has been trimmed, with MLB cutting 40 affiliates in 2020, prompting teams to look to college diamonds as fertile ground for polished, game‑ready arms like Paul Skenes, who starred at LSU before reaching the majors.
Players such as Ben Brown, drafted by the Phillies at 17, value the formative experience of early professional play, while others, like Nick Kurtz, spent three college seasons before emerging as the American League rookie of the year.
The College Advantage
College baseball now offers more scholarships than ever, a stronger developmental pipeline, and the chance to earn a degree — benefits that appeal to prospects like Roch Cholowsky and Pete Crow‑Armstrong as they weigh their futures.