Philly Leader

The Rule 5 Draft, a unique event in baseball, concludes the annual Winter Meetings by offering major league opportunities to players who might not otherwise receive them. This year's draft is set for Wednesday at 2 p.m. ET in Dallas. Teams will have the chance to enhance their rosters with low-risk talent.

Unlike the amateur Draft, where order is partly determined by a lottery, the Rule 5 Draft follows the reverse order of last season's standings. The White Sox, holding the worst record in 2024, have the first pick, followed by the Rockies, Marlins, Angels, and A's. Teams with identical records are ordered based on their win-loss record from the previous season.

Players eligible for selection in the Major League phase must have turned pro at age 18 or younger in 2020 or at age 19 or older in 2021 and not be on a 40-man roster. Clubs selecting a player must pay his former team $100,000 and keep him on their active big league roster throughout the following season. Players cannot be sent to the Minors without clearing waivers and being offered back to their original organization for half their draft price.

In addition to the Major League phase, there is also a Minor League phase where anyone not protected on a big league or Triple-A roster can be selected for $24,000 without any roster restrictions.

Recent successes include ten players taken in last year’s Major League Rule 5 Draft; six remained with their organizations through the entire 2024 season: Mitch Spence (Athletics), Anthony Molina (Rockies), Nasim Nuñez (Nationals), Ryan Fernandez (Cardinals), Justin Slaten (Red Sox), and Stephen Kolek (Padres).

Notable all-time selections include Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente as well as modern-era players like Mark Canha and Odúbel Herrera.

This year sees several Top 30 prospects left unprotected by clubs. Some generating early buzz include A’s second baseman Cooper Bowman (No. 20), Cubs outfielder Christian Franklin (No. 21), Rockies righty Yujanyer Herrera (No. 29), Twins outfielder Kala’i Rosario (No. 19) and Guardians lefty Ryan Webb (No. 26).

For more updates on Major League Baseball topics, sign up for our daily Morning Lineup newsletter.