MLB proposes 12‑round domestic and international drafts, ages raised

Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association are negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement that expires on Dec. 1, 2026. In its latest proposal the league seeks to cut both the domestic and a new international draft to 12 rounds and to create separate $200 million signing‑bonus pools for each draft. The plan would raise the minimum age for domestic draftees to 20 and require them to be at least two years removed from high school, effectively eliminating high‑school players from the draft. International amateurs would have to be 18, up from the current 17.

The proposal would also slash total amateur compensation by at least $200 million annually, reducing the current combined domestic and international bonuses of roughly $600 million. MLB argues the changes will focus on college‑aged players and strengthen the college pathway, citing that 75 % of recent major‑league players came from college and that recent draft classes have produced many major‑league-ready prospects.

The MLBPA rejected the offer, calling it “flat‑out bad for baseball” and saying it would “cripple the next generation of players.” The union warned the plan would destroy player rights and cut opportunities for high‑school and junior‑college athletes. The dispute adds to looming concerns of a lockout or work stoppage if the two sides cannot reach an agreement.