Major League Baseball has cautioned its teams about urging players to leave high school baseball to avoid the amateur draft and opt for international free agency, which offers more flexibility.
The warning was issued in a memo sent to front offices by John D’Angelo, Major League Baseball’s vice president of amateur and medical baseball operations.
According to the memo, some clubs have been encouraging amateur players in the United States and Canada to skip high school baseball to establish residency in a foreign country. This would make them eligible to sign under the International Amateur Talent System instead of the Rule 4 Draft.
The memo labels these efforts as “highly inappropriate” and a violation of major league rules and the league’s collective bargaining agreement with its players.
Clubs found engaging in such practices could face significant penalties, including the loss of draft picks or international bonus pool money.
While the amateur draft has been in place since 1965, only competitive balance selections from the 20-round draft can be traded, and teams exceeding their signing bonus allotments face penalties.
In contrast, the international amateur talent system offers more freedom for players and teams. Though there are penalties for teams exceeding their international bonus pool money, players have the autonomy to choose their new teams.
Despite Major League Baseball advocating for an international draft, the players’ association has rejected the idea.
