Major League Baseball (MLB) owners have proposed significant changes to the league’s draft system, including banning high school players from signing with major league teams and adding an international draft. The proposed changes aim to raise the age for international amateurs and reduce the money spent on signing bonuses.

Proposed Changes

The amateur draft for players residing in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico would be cut from 20 rounds to 12 beginning in 2027 under the proposal. An identical 12-round draft would be started for international prospects. Starting in 2028, a prospect for the amateur draft would have to be at least 20 years old by the Sept. 1 of their signing year and two years removed from the graduating year of their high school class.

MLB cited increased revenue in college baseball as reasoning for the proposed changes. The league also noted that 75% of high schoolers signed from 2012-19 did not reach the major leagues. The players’ association claimed the plan would decrease compensation by $1 billion over five years, including $400 million from this year to 2027.

Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.