Reaching the major leagues takes talent, years of work and one of two paths in: the draft or an international signing. From there, almost everyone climbs through the minors before making it.
The two doors in
In the U.S., players enter through the annual draft, usually out of college or high school. In Latin America, teams sign young players as international free agents starting at age 16, often through their academies in the Dominican Republic and Venezuela.
The long climb
Once signed, a player works up through the minor-league levels: Rookie, A, Double-A and Triple-A. Only a fraction make it: fewer than 10% of those who sign ever reach MLB. It can take 4 to 6 years, and many never get the call. That’s what makes debuting in the majors so special.
FAQ
At what age do Latinos sign?
From age 16, as international free agents.
How long is the road?
Usually 4 to 6 years in the minors, and only a small share make it.
