MLB unveiled a sweeping overhaul of its amateur‑entry system during Thursday’s CBA talks with the Players Association. The plan trims the domestic draft from 20 to 12 hard‑slotted rounds and halves the signing‑bonus pool to $200 million. High‑school prospects would be barred from the draft, while an international draft of equal size would launch in late 2027 or early 2028.

Under the proposal, domestic players must be at least 20 years old and international signees rise to 18, raising the entry bar. Teams could trade picks only for the following draft, with no back‑to‑back first‑round deals. Undrafted players would receive a maximum $10,000 bonus, while those placed on a minor‑league roster could earn $30,000 in their first season of play.

Owners argue the changes respond to college baseball’s rapid growth, expanded scholarships and NIL deals that now produce major‑league ready talent faster. Critics warn the cuts could strip future players of roughly $1 billion in earnings over five years and eliminate competitive‑balance picks that aid small‑market clubs. The standoff intensifies as the CBA expires Dec. 1, leaving the draft’s fate uncertain.