MLB proposes sweeping overhaul of amateur draft, banning high‑school signings

Major League Baseball owners have presented a draft reform package as part of upcoming collective‑bargaining negotiations. The plan would eliminate high‑school players from draft eligibility, require college prospects to be sophomores before entering, and raise the minimum age for international amateurs to 18. The domestic amateur draft would be trimmed from 20 to 12 rounds and the total signing‑bonus pool would be cut from $358.7 million to $200 million. An identical 12‑round international draft would replace the current free‑signing system, with a $200 million bonus pool and stricter age rules.

The league argues the changes will lower scouting costs, encourage college attendance, and increase transparency for international signings. The MLB Players Association has publicly rejected the proposals, calling them harmful to the future of the game and to young players’ opportunities. A special component of the plan targets the Dominican Republic, proposing education‑program requirements and a code of conduct for independent trainers. The dispute comes as the current CBA expires after the 2026 season, raising the risk of a labor standoff that could affect the 2027 season.