Major League Baseball has proposed a massive overhaul to the domestic amateur-entry system that would remove high school players from the draft entirely, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN.
The proposal includes several landmark changes to the current talent acquisition structure. Under the new system, college players would become eligible for the draft after their sophomore year. Additionally, the length of the MLB Draft would be shortened significantly, moving from the current 20-round format down to just 12 rounds.
Financial implications are also a core part of the proposed overhaul. MLB aims to cut the total bonus pool for drafted players from the current mark of $358.7 million to $200 million. These changes would fundamentally alter the talent pipeline for professional baseball, shifting the primary development responsibility to the collegiate level while reducing the overall number of players entering the professional ranks annually.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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