Draft question?

In the case of baseball, players do not have to actually enter the draft. Any player who is not under contract to another major league team can be drafted, provided they meet the minimum age. American ballplayers must either be 18 years old or in their senior year of high school. Players from other countries can be drafted younger. Players who are drafted are then the exclusive property of that particular team until Aug. 15. If not signed by that date, the player (provided he has not signed any kind of contract with an agent) can still go back and play college ball. They then go back into the pool of available talent for the next draft. Because these players retain their college eligibility, it is not uncommon to see the same player get drafted in 3 or 4 drafts. I personally know a young man who was drafted his senior year in high school by the Yankees, did not sign, was then drafted by the Giants last year, did not sign, and will probably be drafted again this year. Any player who is not drafted can also be signed as a free agent, but that is very unusual to see happen nowadays, particularly because of the number of rounds in the MLB draft .(not sure of the exact number, but is at least 35 rounds, pus "sandwich picks" between rounds.)