Major League Baseball proposed a sweeping overhaul to its amateur entry system during CBA negotiations, eliminating high school players from the draft and implementing hard-slot signing bonuses capped at $200 million. The plan reduces the domestic draft from 20 to 12 rounds while creating an international draft for players outside the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Current players blasted the proposal, with the union stating it "would cripple the next generation of players and damage the future of our game."

MLB's objective centers on college-aged talent, arguing players develop better with education and elite training environments. High school players have been draft-eligible since the inaugural 1965 draft when Montana's Les Rohr went to the Mets. However, the 12 largest contracts in MLB history show only one college player - Aaron Judge - while stars like Mike Trout, Mookie Betts, and Manny Machado all signed out of high school.

College baseball would absorb a talent influx under the proposal, but coaches question whether they can prioritize development over winning. Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn noted the difficulty of competing in the SEC with young players when older, more developed athletes exist. Scouting directors raised concerns about lost development time and shrinking draft classes reducing opportunities.

The proposal represents MLB's attempt to control costs and development timelines while potentially delaying top prospects' major league arrivals. Teams lose flexibility with hard-slotting, and the system could fundamentally alter how elite talent reaches the majors.