[Findest2001]

Have they played a single day in MLB? September call-up perhaps? Or only spring training? If the answer is "no, they only played ST", then yes their service clock has not started yet. On the player screen if you go to profile>contract, and scroll down into the bottom window on the screen you can see their actual service-time clock. I use it with every single player I scout, trade for, sign, and promote through the minors. You should find it handy for this very question. I believe it says "Service Time 1 year 22 days" or something to that effect. If it says 0 Years, 0 Days for your guy, then you know his clock hasn't started yet.