MLB Proposes Dramatic Changes to the Draft Structure

July 13, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Tate Southisene was selected by the Atlanta Braves as the 22nd overall pick during the MLB Draft held at The Coca-Cola Roxy. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images. In a significant move during ongoing collective bargaining discussions, Major League Baseball has put forward a sweeping redesign of the MLB Draft process. Among the proposed changes are the establishment of an international draft, the elimination of draft eligibility for high school players, and the introduction of tradeable draft picks.

Additionally, the plan suggests a reduction in the draft's length from 20 rounds to just 12, alongside stringent limitations on the financial bonuses that teams can offer to amateur players. J.J. Cooper from Baseball America has provided an insightful analysis of these proposed changes, although much of the content is behind a paywall. For those without a subscription, Bob Nightengale from USA Today and Mike Axisa at CBS Sports have also reported on the potential impact of these modifications.

One of the central proposals involves shrinking the draft from its current 20 rounds to 12. Historically, the draft has seen numerous alterations, reducing from a 50-round format to 40, then to its present structure in 2021. Under the new proposal, any player not selected would face a $10,000 cap on signing bonuses, a significant drop from the current allowance of up to $125,000 for undrafted amateurs. This cap could deter many promising players from pursuing a professional career, as the financial incentive to forgo college baseball diminishes considerably.

The introduction of an international draft has been a long-standing point of contention, with MLB hoping to address systemic issues in how talent is acquired from Latin America. The proposed system would implement two distinct 12-round drafts for domestic and international players, each backed by equal bonus pools. While some argue that this could help regulate the current chaotic system of under-the-table agreements with young talents, others fear it may undermine the incentives for local trainers who develop these players.

Furthermore, the owners aim to drastically cut the total funds available for signing bonuses from approximately $600 million to $400 million, divided equally between domestic and international players. In a shift to streamline negotiations, teams would no longer be able to haggle with players over signing bonuses, as they would be bound to accept the MLB's designated slot value.

The most controversial aspect of the proposal is the age restrictions for eligibility. Currently, American players can enter the draft upon high school graduation, typically at 18, while international players can do so at 16. Under the new rules, high school players would lose their eligibility entirely, potentially reshaping the landscape of player development in baseball.