The Rule 5 Draft, set for Wednesday during the Winter Meetings in Orlando, is generating early attention as teams and analysts discuss which unprotected minor league players could be selected. The draft allows clubs to select eligible players from other organizations who are not on their team’s 40-man roster, provided those players have spent a specified number of years in professional baseball.
Among the prospects highlighted ahead of this year’s draft is Griff McGarry, a right-handed pitcher in the Philadelphia Phillies system. McGarry has been recognized for his impressive pitching tools since college but has struggled with command. His fastball averages 94 mph and can reach higher speeds, while his slider achieved a 52 percent miss rate in 2025. The Phillies moved him back into a starting role this season to continue developing his repertoire and improve control. He recorded a career-low walk rate, though it still stood at 5.3 per nine innings.
Other notable names include Cameron Cauley of the Rangers, Christian Cerda of the Diamondbacks, Will Childers of the Brewers, Hayden Mullins of the Red Sox, Samy Natera Jr. of the Angels, RJ Petit of the Tigers, José RodrÃguez of the Dodgers, Alimber Santa of the Astros, Tyler Stuart of the Nationals (who is recovering from Tommy John surgery), Daniel Susac of the Athletics, and Ryan Watson of the Giants.
Players are eligible for selection if they were signed at age 19 or older and have four or more years in pro ball or were signed at age 18 or younger with five or more years in pro ball.
Teams are expected to finalize their decisions on whether to make selections as Wednesday approaches.
