Major League Baseball has abandoned its attempt to start an international draft of amateur players in 2014.

The decision likely pushes the matter back to collective bargaining for the labor contract that will start in 2017.

Under the five-year labor deal agreed to in November 2011, the sides held discussions about a draft and MLB had the right to inform the union by Saturday if it planned to start one next year.

Eight players will attend the Major League Baseball draft on June 6.

It is the largest group of potential draftees to attend the broadcast, breaking last year's mark of five.

The group includes six high school players, one junior college shortstop and a college outfielder. Each player is expected to be selected on the first night of the event.

"Major League Baseball is very pleased with the turnout for this year's Draft," Commissioner Bud Selig said. "We look forward to showing these young men and their families a memorable evening, on such a special occasion in their lives, with the many accomplished baseball figures who will represent our 30 clubs at MLB Network's Studio 42."

Since Joe Mauer was drafted first overall in 2001, there have been just 12 high school catchers taken in the first round of the draft.

That could change as prep catchers appear to be a strength heading into next month's draft.

Reese McGuire, Jon Denney and Nick Ciuffo are all projected to be first round picks.

"The other two guys are more offensive, but McGuire has already shown good defensive skills," one scouting director said. "He has good flexibility and he has good throwing skills. He's a hot commodity, too, as a left-handed-hitting catcher."

The Houston Astros will hold the first of four regional workouts of high school and college players on Sunday.

The first workout will be held in the Los Angeles area and 20 prospects have been invited to attend.

The Astros have the No. 1 pick in the Draft for the second year in a row.

The Minnesota Twins have the fourth overall pick in next month's amateur draft and they plan to take either a college pitcher or a high school outfielder.

Eight Minnesota scouts have watched the two Georgia high school outfielders, Austin Meadows and Clint Frazier.