MLB First-Year Player Draft History & Rules

The MLB held its first Amateur Draft in June, 1965, and has been held annually since then.  The teams make their selections in reverse order of the past year's regular-season standings. This system was devised with the intention of assisting weaker teams to strengthen their rosters. An NL team chooses first in even-numbered years, while an AL club has the privilege of choosing first in odd-number years.

Initially, the drafts were held twice a year, in January and June. The purpose of this dual system was to give previously drafted players, who remained unsigned, the chance to sign with another club. This system was changed in 1987. There was no limit to the number of players selected or the number of rounds. In 1998, a 50-round limit was introduced.

Over the past several decades the draft rules have changed in the hopes of perfecting the imperfect system. For example, college players were once only eligible for the draft in their sophomore years. Now, a player is deemed eligible at the age of 21. A team is not permitted to trade a draft player until 1-year after he has signed a contract.

The rules of player eligibility are based upon several criteria, including the following:

• The player must be a resident of the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico or any other American territory. Canadian players were deemed eligible in 1991.
  
• Any player enrolled in an American high school or junior college, despite their nationality, is deemed eligible.
  
• The player must have never previously signed a contract with either a MLB club or a Minor League franchise.
  
• The player may be eligible for the draft regardless of his nationality if he is a registered high school or college student in the U.S. This regulation was introduced only in 1985.
  
• A ball player 21 years and older is eligible.
  
• A player that has graduated high school and has not yet attended a junior college  or college is eligible.
  
• In 1993, Cuban-born defectors living in the U.S. were deemed eligible.

The rules of draft conduct are numerous, and include the following:

• The first-year player draft generally takes place on the first Tuesday in June.
• It is conducted via conference calls from the Commissioner's office to all 30 MLB team.
• Each team selects in reverse order of their overall W-L record from the previous season.
• 2005 is the first year in which the leagues did not alternate selections.
• The draft does not exceed 50 rounds, and takes place over a two-day period; if necessary a third day is scheduled.
• There is a two-minute limit for each team to make a selection.
• All players deemed eligible for the draft must be registered with the Commissioner's office.
• The team that chooses a player has 15 days from the date of selection to submit a written contract. Once the 15-day limit has expired that unsigned player is regarded as a free-agent.