A Major Shakeup Could Be Coming to the MLB Draft
Major League Baseball apparently wants to switch up the way things are done with both the U.S. amateur draft and the addition of international prospects.
According to top MLB insider Jeff Passan, in the next MLB collective bargaining agreement, the league has proposed several big changes that would affect both instances.
"MLB today proposed an overhauled domestic amateur-entry system that removes high school players from the draft, makes college players eligible after sophomore year, shortens the draft from 20 to 12 rounds, and cuts bonus pool from current $358.7M to $200M, sources tell ESPN," Passan posted on X.
Passan also stated the league wants to switch from the current international signing period, where players are signed as amateur free agents, and institute an international draft - something that was discussed during the last CBA negotiations back in 2022 but never made any real headway.
"MLB’s international draft would be restricted to players who are at least 18 years old, as opposed to 16 under the current system," Passan added. "It would consist of 12 hard-slot rounds, with an initial signing bonus pool totaling $200 million for 360 amateur players residing outside the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, according to sources."
The draft changes come just weeks after the owners suggested implementing a salary cap, which would drastically affect the way teams in larger markets who have owners with deep pockets like the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, and others construct their rosters.
Adding an international draft would also be another way for the league to level the playing field when it comes to those same teams outbidding smaller market teams for the top international free agents every year.
"It is long past time to reform the international amateur system in ways that would address longstanding challenges and benefit future players," MLB said in a statement. "The enhanced transparency of the International Draft that we are proposing is a common-sense step forward that best addresses the root causes of corruption in the current system.
"Our vision for the new international system reduces the pressure on young athletes by giving them the chance to grow and develop, keeps kids in school longer while they pursue a career in baseball, and creates more playing opportunities for the older players who are left behind in today’s system."
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This story was originally published June 19, 2026 at 2:52 PM.