MLB Orders Winter Scouting Moratorium For Draft-Eligible Players

"There are plenty of complicated nuances involved, but the gist of the new policy is that no team employee is to scout amateur players, either with their own eyes or video/data-tracking equipment, for a period of the winter. This is to encourage players to rest, rather than staying in top game shape for showcases. This applies only to domestic, draft-eligible players. It doesn't apply to international players or undrafted free agents."

"The moratorium covers a period from October 15th to January 15th for high school players. There is a slightly narrower window for college players, going from November 15th to January 15th. During those windows, MLB team personnel are not allowed to see any draft-eligible player in a baseball setting. That includes games, showcases, training sessions "and any other activities related to throwing, hitting, catching or fielding." They are also not allowed to procure video or data-tracking info on players."

"All baseball fans are surely aware that arm injuries have become increasingly common in the modern era. Major elbow and shoulder surgeries that require absences of more than a year - particularly for pitchers - are a regular occurrence nowadays. The amateur ranks have not been spared this trend, as the frequency of injuries has also impacted high school and college players."

The Amateur Recovery Period Policy bars team employees from scouting domestic draft‑eligible amateur players in person or via video/data during specified winter windows to encourage rest. The moratorium runs October 15 to January 15 for high school players and November 15 to January 15 for college players. Covered activities include games, showcases, training sessions and "any other activities related to throwing, hitting, catching or fielding." Teams may not procure video or data-tracking information; if a player sends unsolicited video, the club must notify MLB within 24 hours. The policy excludes international players and undrafted free agents. A December 2024 MLB study examined rising arm-injury rates among amateur pitchers and position players.

Read at MLB Trade Rumors