Scouting

No a scout cannot start negotiations with a highschool player until his Sr year. The same with colleges. But just as well the rules are fickeled and like everything else, has loop-holes.

If a 16 year old has graduated school or dropped out then he is free to do what he likes!

Though I think these rules do not apply in latin countries.

SO Bryce Harper had no help deciding to get his GED after his 10th grade year in high school?

Scouts have no rules and can speak with a player at anytime and at any age. There are draft elgible rules for when a player can be drafted but the talks and negotiations can be begin at anytime.

Many high school kids commit to a college even before their 10th grade year in school. The college coaches have NCAA rules related to when they can evaluate and when they can be in contact in person and on the phone. But they are surely offering unless of course the player is giving himself the scholarship that he is commiting to as a 10th grader.