Explaining Free Agency for International Prospects

Professional International Players

Now there is a clause for international prospects who are not deemed ‘amateurs’ under the collective bargaining agreement but still can be eligible to play in the MLB

Under the CBA, players who are at least 25 years old and have participated in a minimum of 6 seasons in a professional baseball league outside of the MLB (recognized as a professional league by the MLB) can be signed by an MLB team and does count towards the international bonus pool.

This usually means that players with this type of experience get signed for longer, more lucrative contracts, in hoping that the player can take that talent and transition it to the MLB quicker than international prospects, and even potentially college and high school draft picks.

With the players having professional experience in their respective leagues, it is understandable why they would command more money. While they will come into the MLB as rookies, they are no strangers to playing baseball every day, and leagues like the Nippon Professional Baseball league are full of talented players and very competitive teams.

Most international prospects come from Cuba, Japan, and South Korea, as there are well established professional leagues within these countries that are recognized by the MLB.