AT YOUR SERVICE

For the first time, Baseball America is factoring MLB service time into prospect eligibility

- J.J. COOPER

Rookie status in MLB is more complicated than it is in the other American major sports leagues.

A player can have MLB experience in multiple seasons and still qualify as a rookie. Rookie status in baseball is dependent on various thresholds of playing time and service time.

The most straightforward ways for an MLB player to exhaust rookie eligibility are as follows:

■ A position player exceeds 130 career major league at-bats.

■ A pitcher logs more than 50 career major league innings.

These playing time thresholds are frequently met in one season, but not always. Either way, it’s easy for fans to discern which players have crossed 130 at-bats or 50 innings.

Where rookie status gets complicated is when MLB service time comes into play.