Top Rule 5 Eligible Players from your team

by toonsterwu on Nov 19, 2025 1:56 AM EST

Well, since today was protection day, I thought it might be a good idea to have a thread about this. I haven't found a list of top unprotected guys yet (but I haven't looked that hard), as everything is focused on who was protected. I don't think there's a need to post the protected guys. Everyone can go to mlbtr to look at it. Granted, the number of truly intriguing guys for Rule 5 have diminished. I'll post the my take on the Cubs top unprotected guys, with my pros and cons as to why the decision was made/why they might get picked, after the jump. I'm hopeful that people will post lists for their teams, as there's no point for me to have a thread on unprotected Cubs players.

Top Unprotected Cubs Prospects (IMO) - There is some speculation by people (fans really, but one of them is a really knowledgeable fan so I think that's got some people chatting about it) that some of the Cubs unprotected guys may be potential compensation pieces for the Red Sox/Padres (that is, those organizations may not want these guys on their 40, so if they pass through Rule 5, then a deal could happen).

(name, age, level finished 2011)

* Dae-Eun Rhee, 22, A+ - This one surprised/bothered me and yet I could understand it somewhat. At year's end, he was hitting mid-90's (still sat more 92/93) with a plus change and decent slider. Furthermore, he was working 6 or more late in the year. Callis recently said in the Cubs prospect chat that Rhee was borderline top 10 (I have him 6th) with a chance to be a number 3 starter. The talent's there, and as a lot of sources have noted, the stuff was really strong late in the year (9.35 K/9, 2.65 BB/9 in July/August). On the flip side, he can hit mid-90's as a starter, but can he sit mid-90's out of the pen? If he can't, then you've got a long man with an injury history, and you'd have to really love his starter potential to use up a spot this year. I could see a small market team rolling the dice.

* Jeffry Antigua, 21, A+ - Lefty had an odd season, but finished strong. On the plus side, he's got 3 solid pitches, good stamina, and fastball is more consistently in the low 90's. On the flip side, it's debatable if he has a plus pitch, and a team may not want to put a guy like that in their pen for a year right now. I have him in the mid-teens for Cubs prospects.

* Jay Jackson, 24, AAA - Former top prospect has fallen hard (BA had him outside of the top 30, same for me). Still can get the velo up there, but slider is inconsistent. I do wonder if he might benefit from a pen move (and focusing on one secondary pitch), so could be an intriguing gamble for a team.

* Marcus Hatley, 23, AA/Kyler Burke, 23, Shortseason/Blake Parker, 26, AAA - Hatley was sent to AFL, so could see a team taking a gamble. Has big time power stuff, but is raw (fb in the mid-90's, power slider). Missed a year with injuries. Kyler Burke moved to pitching this year and the stuff looks good, with a nice 3 pitch arsenal. Some Cubs fans have speculated that he could get a rotation look next year. Power stuff, but raw. Parker finished strong, and has a live fastball with a good slider. Stuff isn't good enough to expect more than a middle relief role, IMO.

* Marwin Gonzalez, 22, AAA - Versatile middle infielder plays a solid short, is young, toolsy, and some still expect some pop out of the bat. That said, he's not a plus glove and the bat is still a huge work in progress.

* Ryan Flaherty, 25, AAA - Versatile player can spot at 6 positions. Has legitimate, big time power, and a decent approach at the plate. That said, contact ability is questionable, hasn't settled in at a corner spot (more because he's moved around so much), and is getting older. Bad run in AAA. Possible super-util, but Cubs have Baker, and a couple guys who could fill a similar role.

To be honest, if Gonzalez/Hatley/Burke/Parker/Jackson/Antigua get picked and stick for the entire year, I think, as a Cubs fan, I tip my cap, wish them the best, and move on. The Cubs left a ton of spots open on the 40 (6) and they'll need some upper level positional backups/role guys, and I'm not sure they'll find better than Flaherty through Rule 5 or FA, but that's me.

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Comments

Not really worried to lose any of those guys...

Personally don’t care too much for Flaherty or Rhee. I like LeMahieu more than Flaherty, and I just don’t buy Rhee as a consistent mid-90’s guy. He sounds like he might be a good pitcher, but not exactly a guy I’d lose sleep over. Plus, I doubt he’d last on a big league roster right now anyway.

by SenorGato on Nov 19, 2025 2:49 AM EST reply actions

rhee

no one was saying that he was consistent mid-90’s, but that he was consistently hitting mid-90’s. At the start of the year, he wasn’t doing that (he was topping out low 90’s). By mid-season, that was legitimately occurring, hitting 95/96 in game as a starter (I saw him early and once late, and it was night and day on his fastball, at least, by the gun readings … to be clear, he was sitting more 92/93). Furthermore, late in the year, including going longer, most people were saying that not only was the changeup plus, the slider was above average more and flashing better.

That said, it’s fair to question if he’d last on a big league roster right now, particularly since it’s unknown as to what type of velocity he could offer from the pen in short spurts.

by toonsterwu on Nov 19, 2025 5:34 AM EST up reply actions

as a total side note

Bruce Miles has loosely confirmed that the concern the Cubs had with Rhee was that they weren’t certain he was ready to help this year and didn’t want to take up a roster spot. Still think it’s risky, but I can understand their concerns in that regard.

by toonsterwu on Nov 22, 2025 6:42 PM EST up reply actions

Mets

Mets did protect Familia, Carson, Flores, Puello, Nieuwenhuis, Lagares and Havens, i.e. 7 players who either performed well at upper levels in 2011 or are young with physical potential.

These are the players who may be most intriguing in a Rule V draft left exposed:

RHP Collin McHugh, age 24
Did well in AA last summer, 89-92 mph fastball plus an assortment of secondary pitches he commands pretty well. Limited ceiling as potential future back-end SP - somewhat similar to 2011 rookie Dillon Gee - but a good shot to get there. Seems pretty smart.

RHP Brad Holt, age 25
Former supplemental 1st round pick, got converted to bullpen last summer where he did well after early struggles. Used to throw 93-96 mph fastball initially when he was a top 100 overall prospect prior to 2009, velocity has dropped to 90-93 mph range in recent years. Has failed to come up with a consistent secondary pitch and has shaky command. Possibly worth a flyer - if lost velocity ran be re-discovered

RHP Rhiner Cruz, age 25
Hard throwing reliever with command issues. Fastball sits in 94-97 mph range and he has touched 98, 99 mph. Throws an inconsistent but sometimes good breaking pitch (slider / slurve). Has battled command issues and hasn´t struck out as many as one would expect based on his plus raw stuff. Has been in pro-ball since 2003, so progress has been really slow. Still, arms like these don´t grow on trees, so certainly worth a flyer.

3b Jefrey Marte, age 20
After showing some early promise at a very young age, Marte has failed to live up to potential over past couple of years, struggling with both defense & making consistent contact. He did appear in 2011 Future´s game after a strong April but struggled throughout the rest of the 2011 in High A. Marte then hit well in the Arizona Fall League but broke his wrist in the final week of play and may not be ready for the start of 2012. The potential still is there and age is one his side. Yet, 1b or an OF corner is his probable future positions and his skill set is a tad worse than that of SS Wilmer Flores who was protected yesterday, especially in terms of making contact with quick enough hands. Seems kind of a reach as a Rule V pick and may be difficult to hide on a roster.

Besides these 4, don´t see any Mets prospects who really make sense here.

by Doob on Nov 19, 2025 3:07 AM EST reply actions

any difference in holt's velocity

as a starter and a pen arm this year? sounds awfully like what happened to jay jackson, a slight loss in velocity and inconsistent secondary pitch (Jay Jackson’s command has been fine, though).

by toonsterwu on Nov 19, 2025 5:36 AM EST up reply actions

Poor

reports on Holt’s FB out of the pen. 90-91 with little to no movement.

by Peter North on Nov 19, 2025 1:23 PM EST up reply actions

Agree with those four

Marte, Holt, and McHugh would be the 3 most considered candidates. You could add Dylan Owen, a pretty low ceiling guy, but a guy who has already had some success in AAA. Owen had a 4.26 ERA in AAA last year, and currently has a 1.73 in Venezuela. Maybe Nick Carr, a power arm who like Holt and Cruz is walking too many guys.

Not sure I agree with all of those scouting reports though. I especially don’t buy that Marte hasn’t lived up to his potential. I think the main issue there is probably that he broke his wrist last week.

by acerimusdux on Nov 19, 2025 8:42 AM EST up reply actions

One more

I believe Mets RHP Adrian Rosario who was part of the K-Raud “haul” from Milwaukee also is available. Since he got picked by BAL in the Rule V draft a year ago out of Low A-Ball, he might be of interest being a year advanced and coming off a solid season in Low & High A-Ball. Seems to have a good live arm with a fastball in the 92-94 mph range and at age 22, youth on his side. His upside is probably higher than Holt´s at this point - though upside is a relative term at this point.

by Doob on Nov 20, 2025 2:47 AM EST up reply actions

Rosario

I think his velocity is down some as well. Even when he was picked the report was “Adrian Rosario went a pick ahead of him, to the Orioles, and was one of the more under-the-radar players picked. One scout said the Brewers farmhand threw harder in the past but now sits at 88-91 mph and has a solid slider.” And he really didn’t fare well this year in A+ ball; I think I’d rather have Holt.

Also, don’t see a team wanting him at this point, but I wonder whatever happened to Chin Lung Hu? Apparently he’s playing right now in the Australian Baseball League, and still not hitting much.
http://web.theabl.com.au/stats/stats.jsp?t=l_bat&lid=595&sid=l595

by acerimusdux on Nov 20, 2025 9:19 AM EST up reply actions

One other possibility

CF/LF Sean Ratliff, Age 24
Fourth round pick in 2008. Hit .317/.371/.562 for AA Binghamton in 2010. Missed all of 2011 after getting a line drive to the face in the on-deck circle. If his eyesight has recovered enough, he could be a plausible 5th OF for someone.

by psiogen on Nov 20, 2025 8:39 PM EST up reply actions

I can't see him lasting an entire season in the majors that way

You can’t learn how to hit MLB pitching from a bench. Ratliff is too old, with too low of a ceiling to hold on a bench for a season.

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by Russ on Nov 21, 2025 11:45 AM EST up reply actions

You're probably right, but crazier things have happened

by psiogen on Nov 21, 2025 12:26 PM EST up reply actions

Disagree on age/ceiling

I liked Ratliff’s potential as a good power bench bat before the injury, the issue here is that the eye injury was potentially career threatening and he just had another surgery of some sort in the last month. If he had spent the season healthy and in AAA though, I think he’d likely be ready for a bench job right now.

Actually here are some details from Adam Rubin back in April:

Ratliff has undergone two surgeries so far. The first laser procedure did not hold because the retina was nearly fully torn. The second, more invasive procedure was performed last Tuesday at the University of Miami’s renowned Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, where the 24-year-old Ratliff now travels once a week. For now, his right eye isn’t functional for everyday activities, in part because the lens has been removed in order to try to secure the retina back in place.

"My right eye is pretty cloudy," Ratliff said. "I couldn’t do anything with it right now. I can’t drive. I can’t really do anything. It’s basically because there’s no lens on my eye. They put me completely under. I think they took the lens off my eye and went in and took all the vitreous fluid out of my eye and put in like silicon oil and some other stuff. They lasered it down again to make sure the retina held flat with my eye. It’s a far more invasive form of the same procedure, just to get my retina to stay flat.

"They’re saying it’ll come back along further through the rehab. Just given time, it will get back to as good as it can. In six months I go back in and have another surgery."

So the recent surgery was apparently the one where they finally put a lens back in there. But I don’t think anyone really knows at this point whether the guy will ever again see well enough to hit a baseball.

by acerimusdux on Nov 21, 2025 5:55 PM EST up reply actions

forgot the link

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/mets/post/_/id/20026/farm-report-ratliff-rebounding-from-eye-injury

by acerimusdux on Nov 21, 2025 5:57 PM EST up reply actions

Retina detachment

I´ve had that surgery myself - actually on both eyes. The more invasive - which I had on my right eye - is the one with oil - which needs to be taken out again in a seperate surgery. That´s usually the sign of a pretty heavy damage to the retina. An eye that undergoes this procedure usually can be saved - but probably won´t have the same vision it used to have before.
The less invasive - which I had on my left eye - is the one were they put in some sort of mild gas which evaporates automatically after a few months. The vision usually returns close to 100 % after this procedure.

Actually wasn´t aware that Ratliff had this procedure. It certainly hurts his chances of returning as a pro Baseball player significantly. Besides, I´d be concerned with possible collisions leading to a re-injury and a potential total loss of vision because of it.

by Doob on Nov 22, 2025 12:55 AM EST up reply actions

Rays

Nick Barnese (RHP) — 22, AA. Strikes me as a strong candidate to be selected early in the Rule 5 draft; he was on most prospect guides’ Top 20 lists from 2009-2011 and has been successful in the upper minors. Barnese has good-but-not-great tools across the board — a low-90s FB, plus CH, and an above-average hard CU. Pitched fairly well last year but had moderate control issues and hasn’t really taken that step forward to become a top-shelf pitching prospect. Here’s what John had to say about Barnese (and Lara, whom I mention below) earlier this year.

Cole Figueroa (2B) — 24, AA. Classic middle infield utility-type, another guy I could clearly see going in the Rule 5 draft. Although primarily a second baseman, he played 12 games at short and 36 at 3B last year. Not particularly toolsy but has a fair base of skills across the board — he can hit a little bit, has very nice strike-zone judgment, draws walks, doesn’t strike out, and is a smart baserunner. No MLB power (career minor-league SLG: .393), but he strikes me as a guy whom a lot of teams could stash on the roster as the backup SS without hurting themselves in the short run. Brian Roberts had a pretty similar MiLB profile albeit with better raw foot speed.

Marquis Fleming (RHP, reliever) — 22, AA. Had 104 Ks in 80.1 IP at AA last year; that’s 11.7 K/9 (which is pretty good in my book). He’s the kind of pitcher you’d expect to read about in Moneyball — he’s got an average FB that sits around 90 but throws a wide variety of plus to plus-plus changeups in the 70s that generate a metric ton of swinging strikes. He’s had some minor control issues, and he’s been pretty terrible in the AFL this year, so perhaps the Rays think his stuff won’t play in the majors. The numbers suggest otherwise, and I think he could clearly be stashed at the back of a bullpen right now. Also, you could go friend him on Facebook if you were so inclined.

Braulio Lara (LHP) — 22, A. Was strangely homer-prone last year for the first time in his career, which led to a rather ugly stat line (4.94 ERA vs. 3.93 FIP). He’s also old for his level, but he’s a lefty who can hit 95-96, and those guys always seem to go in the Rule 5 draft. The Rays took a similar (but worse) guy in Cesar Cabral last year. If he’s selected by a contending team, I’d expect him to be returned.

Those are the major guys I can see being of interest to teams in the Rule 5 draft.

by AndrewTorrez on Nov 19, 2025 7:49 AM EST reply actions

i like Barnese

but I do wonder if he’s the type that could stick on a roster for an entire year, so I can understand why he was left unprotected. Hard to imagine him getting any sort of rotation duty next year in the bigs as of now, and in the pen, just another guy.

by toonsterwu on Nov 19, 2025 8:07 AM EST up reply actions

wouldn't be an asset this year, to be sure

but a bottom-division club could take him, stash him at the back of the pen in 2012, have him come down with some sort of unspecified injury at midseason, and then send him to AAA in 2013. You’re gambling on upside, of course, but that’s pretty much what second-division teams ought to do.

by AndrewTorrez on Nov 19, 2025 8:49 AM EST up reply actions

don't disagree

it’s a worthy gamble if a team opted for that route (same with Rhee in a similar vein), and a 2nd division team should look at guys like that if they have the opening/need. Just saying that I understand why he was left unprotected (similar to the Rhee decision, but also a bit different from the Cubs and Rhee as the Cubs don’t have that type of pitching depth).

by toonsterwu on Nov 19, 2025 8:58 AM EST up reply actions

I imagine that Fleming and Figueroa are the two most likely to get picked up.

I like CF more than others but I think he could be worth adding as a utility guy for someone.

by Dbullsfan on Nov 19, 2025 1:15 PM EST up reply actions

in a world where

Clint Barmes is apparently worth $11 million, I like Cole Figueroa a hell of a lot.

by AndrewTorrez on Nov 19, 2025 4:32 PM EST up reply actions

Royals didn't protect anyone I don't believe

LHP Brandon Sisk seemed like the one I would of protected if I was GMDM. 26 years old, 60 IP, 39 Hits, 58 Ks, seemed to be decent control. Seems like he could at least be a good LOOGY.

This is the list kansascity.com put out.

Blaine Hardy and Brandon Sisk, right-handed pitcher Eduardo Paulino, infielders Rey Navarro and Irving Falu and outfielder Paulo Orlando.

Scouting the Royals
Royals Prospects

by 306008 on Nov 19, 2025 11:21 AM EST reply actions

I believe that you’re wrong about them not protecting anybody. I saw in 2 places that they put Ryan Verdugo, the 2nd pitcher they got from SF in the Melky Cabrera trade, on their 40-man on Friday.

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by Fla-Giant on Nov 19, 2025 5:18 PM EST up reply actions

Me Too on Verdugo

by killa on Nov 19, 2025 5:33 PM EST up reply actions

That was a few days ago.

I was talking last night.

Scouting the Royals
Royals Prospects

by 306008 on Nov 19, 2025 5:37 PM EST up reply actions

white sox

jordan danks (CF): at this point, mostly known as john’s little brother. very good defender at all outfield positions and a bit of speed but that’s about it. 29.5% K rate over two full seasons in AAA is not going to make it in the majors, particularly since the power some thought he might develop never did. maybe could be a fifth outfielder for a NL team and last the season.

terry doyle (RHP): a command pitcher with a meh low 90s fastball, which he cuts sometimes, average-ish change, bad slider, and a good curveball when he’s on. notable largely because he had a very, very good AFL campaign: 8 GS, 27.1 IP, 12 H, 5 BB, 22 K, a .135 batting average against and a league-leading 0.62 WHIP. perhaps more impressive because he only has a half season of AA. of course, he’s also 26 years old. maybe some team took note of that 27 inning performance; maybe could be an innings-eating middle reliever.

yes, not very interesting, even measured against the extremely low rule 5 draft bar. but, if they were, the team with by far the worst farm system in baseball could have found a 40 man spot for them.

by larry on Nov 19, 2025 12:08 PM EST reply actions

Doyle was awfully impressive in AFL, no doubt

Yoenis Cespedes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aW9ge8l3jY8
^ the bottom video ^
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by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Nov 20, 2025 12:20 AM EST up reply actions

Yankees

Pat Venditte is most interesting name not protected - will be interesting to see if anyone picks up the switch-pitcher.

by cookiedabookie on Nov 19, 2025 5:27 PM EST reply actions

Perhaps the most interesting

but not the most likely to be picked.

Since bench storage is in their future, pos. players are largely limited to somehow useful bench players. Kevin Russo (IF) and Ray Kruml (OF) are possibles. Not likely. Maybe Dan Brewer, he’s younger (24), has some speed and ability to play multiple OF spots.

If looking for a younger guy to stash somehow, perhaps Jose Pirela, 21 YO SS in AA. But team would have to keep him - NY would very likely pay to take him back. Same with Abe Almonte, 22 OF in A.

Maybe resigned FA IF Reegie Corona - he was already picked in ‘08. Hasn’t played in 2 seasons due to injury. Isn’t there a different rule if picked a second time?

As for pitchers, Venditte perhaps, but Tim Norton, Craig Heyer, Jeremy Bleich, or recently resigned Grant Duff are more likely “take a flier” types to me. Only Heyer was injury free last year. Maybe Jairo Heredia (21, A) - he could be injury stashed for a while.

Not a bunch of big upside guys, but teams take the upside guys back if they don’t stick.

by nyyfaninlaaland on Nov 20, 2025 4:21 AM EST up reply actions

Also important to remember

only an average of 19 guys total picked over the last 5 drafts, far less than 1 per team. Almost 1/2 are returned.

No team has had more than 2 players picked since Yanks had 4 and Angels 3 in 2008.

Since then, NYY, BOS, and LAA have had 2 picked each in ’09 and ’10, as did CLE and BAL in ’10.

It seems to me it could be very much in the interest of smaller market and lower division clubs to expand the active roster to 26 - it could greatly expand mobility in the Rule 5 draft.

by nyyfaninlaaland on Nov 20, 2025 4:50 AM EST up reply actions

I would pick Norton in a heartbeat if I was another team.

Is Heredia eligible? If so, I am surprised the Yanks didn’t protect him.

by cookiedabookie on Nov 20, 2025 5:11 PM EST up reply actions

Cound be interesting anyway

Would be more interesting if it was an odd angle or something, but he’s done pretty decently in the minors.

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by Brickhaus on Nov 23, 2025 4:45 AM EST up reply actions

For the Nationals

The two that I thought might get protected but didn’t get the call were Bradley Meyers, RHP and Erik Komatsu, OF. I was surprised that the Nationals protected Eury Perez (OF) and Jhonatan Solano ©.

by d_c_guy on Nov 19, 2025 5:34 PM EST reply actions

Twins

RHP David Bromberg - the former league leader in Strikouts in both the FSL and Midwest leageus in 2 different seasons
OF Angel Morales - the much maligned candidate, some say because of his youth is a better prospect than Hicks.
RHP Manuel Soliman - the hard thrower who is still learning how to pitch, being moved off of 3B a few seasons ago, with still tremendous upside.
RHP Tom Stuiffbergen -the former WBC star pitcher, looked mature beyond his years then, and has only improved even if marginally

are a few that come to mind….

Yoenis Cespedes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aW9ge8l3jY8
^ the bottom video ^
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by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Nov 19, 2025 5:39 PM EST reply actions

Morales

Seems like he could have an outside chance of being selected with a mind towards cutting a deal to then send him to the minors. Something that gets missed in the Rule 5 process is that a lot of teams don’t intend for a selected player to stick in the majors. Usually trades towards this end go down pretty smoothly . . .after all, the whole reason that these guys are draft-eligible in the first place is that keeping their rights aren’t a priority for their respective teams.

by mrkupe on Nov 19, 2025 5:45 PM EST up reply actions

yeah good point, i could see that as a high possiblity

Yoenis Cespedes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aW9ge8l3jY8
^ the bottom video ^
MLB Move Type "B" compensation to the post second round, pre third round area.

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Nov 20, 2025 12:19 AM EST up reply actions

On the trade after pick theory

this strategy doesn’t get employed usually with young prospects that still have a chance, but more typically with older guys their prior org just doesn’t see as a fit soon.

It only costs 1/2 the $50K a team got to take a guy back. If he’s young and still might have a future, most teams will take them back and thank the picking club for the tip.

by nyyfaninlaaland on Nov 20, 2025 3:49 AM EST up reply actions

it should be noted

The original team is not the one which holds leverage in such a situation, because they don’t control the player’s rights at the moment.

by mrkupe on Nov 20, 2025 4:38 PM EST up reply actions

But it's not a one way street either

for the picking team it’s keep him on the active roster, waive him to see if someone else wants to try to carry him, or offer him back.

If the original club wants the guy back, how much incentive do they have to make a trade?

I’m simply saying most players whose rights have been traded to the picking club are not guys the original org wants back that much. Go the wikipedia page on the Rule 5 draft and see which selections have been traded - not the immediate , likely prearranged trades, the ones that happen late in ST or into the following season.

by nyyfaninlaaland on Nov 24, 2025 4:18 AM EST up reply actions

Soliman

looks like a decent risk. Pick him, see what he has in ST. If you like it, you can stash him in the bullpen for the year like the Twins did with Santana (NOT saying Soliman is like Santana) or, as mentioned, work a trade.

by Gunnarthor on Nov 22, 2025 10:23 AM EST up reply actions

With you

Manny Soliman is a very good speculative Rule V play in theory. With the bulky bullies in MLB now, a team could probably stash a guy with talent like this & see what happens.

by Matt0330 on Nov 22, 2025 1:59 PM EST up reply actions

yeah, Sergio Santos got a bit more time to perfect his craft , but looked what happened ChiSox closer now.

Yoenis Cespedes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aW9ge8l3jY8
^ the bottom video ^
MLB Move Type "B" compensation to the post second round, pre third round area.

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Nov 23, 2025 4:06 AM EST up reply actions

Angels

The only notable Angels eligible are probably Loek “the walking tree” Van Mil and Trevor Reckling.

go long with extenze...i do

by angelsownredsux on Nov 19, 2025 6:19 PM EST reply actions

wasn't LVM a Rule 5 guy last year?

Not the major league segment of the draft, but still.

by mrkupe on Nov 19, 2025 7:01 PM EST up reply actions

I thought he was just recently taken off of the forty man roster...

I would think that would have made him ineligible last year

go long with extenze...i do

by angelsownredsux on Nov 19, 2025 10:04 PM EST up reply actions

my bad

He was actually acquired through a trade, I think.

by mrkupe on Nov 19, 2025 11:04 PM EST up reply actions

yep Van Mil for LHP Brian Fuentes back in August 2010

Yoenis Cespedes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aW9ge8l3jY8
^ the bottom video ^
MLB Move Type "B" compensation to the post second round, pre third round area.

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Nov 20, 2025 12:19 AM EST up reply actions

Reckling might be an interesting gamble...

Throw him in a pen and see if he can get lefties out or something…maybe he lasts…if he does built off of what he (and the team) does to make himself last…He probably still has his curveball, right?

by SenorGato on Nov 21, 2025 9:36 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah

I like Trevor Reckling as a Rule V guy too. He & Manny Soliman might be my two faves if all broke right that are mentioned here.

by Matt0330 on Nov 22, 2025 2:00 PM EST up reply actions

Cards

Tommy Pham - Toolsy RH CF. 900+ OPS last two years is AA but has gotten injured both years. Worth a 25K flyer IMHO

David Kopp - 96 MPH power sinker. Could be a decent setup man. No reason not to spend the net 25K if you are a bad team…

by Lawless on Nov 19, 2025 7:56 PM EST reply actions

I don't understand the Cards leaving Pham off. Makes me think he's still not recovered from his wrist injury last year.

by Willie McGee's Twin on Nov 19, 2025 11:36 PM EST up reply actions

Agree

They had a spot for him on the 40 man and they protected Chuckie Fick, Adam Ottavino, and Sam Freeman who all have lesser upside as relief pitchers. I could see Pham having a Coco Crisp type career - possibly with more power.

by Lawless on Nov 20, 2025 8:20 AM EST up reply actions

Anyone you could possibly want from the Astros

Is probably already playing for the Major League club.

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by OremLK on Nov 19, 2025 8:42 PM EST reply actions

Padres:

There are three I believe could get some attention in the Rule 5 draft.

Jonathan Galvez 2B - 20 years old in A+. He isn’t ready for the show either Offensively or Defensively. Converted SS with good range, strong arm above average speed. Has decent contract skills for his age, but is still raw. Good upside. A team with a weakness at 2B in the system that could afford to hide him on the bench might take a flier on him.

Nick Schmidt LHP - 26 year old college lefty. Had a decent year in A+ but was really old for the level. Has talent to be a back of the roatation starter but injuries have derailed his career. Drafted in 07 23rd overall, debuted well that year. Missed all of 08 to shoulder injury/surgery, has been in high A parts of the last 3 years cause of injuries. (Over the last 3 years hasn’t even logged 300 combined innings.)

Matt Clark 1B/LF - Has a career .279/.357/.491 battling line through 4 minor league seasons (currently 24 in AAA) . Offers decent power/OBP combo, but isn’t a great defender.

"Hey Laserlips. Your mama was a snowblower."

by AirmanSD on Nov 19, 2025 9:07 PM EST reply actions

Those are the three I would mention as well

Galvez is definitely the best prospect out of those three. I doubt he will get picked though because he is so bad defensively right now. His bat is good for a 2B, but not good enough to keep him on a big league team for a year when he’s that bad in the field.

by Antonio Olivares on Nov 20, 2025 12:04 AM EST up reply actions

Pirates top 3

Diego Moreno (RHP, AA/A+). Has struck out a bunch of guys at times, but was demoted from AA to A+ in the middle of 2011 for some reason. WTM thinks there may be issues we don’t know about.

Andrew Lambo (OF, AAA/AA). Hasn’t done much in the minors lately, got demoted from AAA to AA last year, but will someone take a gamble on a former top prospect?

Brett Lorin (RHP, A+). Pitched well in A-ball last year, though old for the level; never has pitched above it, but neither had Nathan Adcock (who came to the Pirates in the same trade).

I’m no prospect maven, though; I’m basically going on what WTM says.

Not actually affiliated with whygavs.

by WHYG Zane Smith on Nov 19, 2025 9:41 PM EST reply actions

Another Twin RHP Cole DeVries

is another guy i forgot to mention, although older he was one of the better SP’s in the AFL along with many older guys.

As MrKupe mentioned, Angel Morales and DeVries both could garner a little bit of attention.

Yoenis Cespedes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aW9ge8l3jY8
^ the bottom video ^
MLB Move Type "B" compensation to the post second round, pre third round area.

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Nov 20, 2025 12:17 AM EST reply actions

DeVries LHP

by itch on Nov 20, 2025 12:55 PM EST up reply actions

RHP

via fangraphs

Yoenis Cespedes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aW9ge8l3jY8
^ the bottom video ^
MLB Move Type "B" compensation to the post second round, pre third round area.

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Nov 20, 2025 8:37 PM EST up reply actions

Red Sox

1. Cesar Cabral
Decent lefty reliever with good K rates, was picked in the rule 5 draft last year but returned to the Red Sox. Low-mid 90s heater with a good curve and slider
2. Reynaldo Rodriguez
Was very old for A+ at 25 but destroyed the level. Moved up to AA and still hit with power, good defensive 1st baseman.
3. Caleb Clay
Former high draft pick had Tommy john surgery but has 2 good breaking balls and great control gets a lot of groundballs

Honorable mention: Brock Hutzinger has some good fastball movement and a couple good off speed pitches but pitched badly in AA

by Bososx13 on Nov 20, 2025 2:59 PM EST reply actions

M-M-M-Mariners

Usually someone else takes care of this by now, but I’ll bite.

The big one is probably Phillippe Valiquette, a left-hander who signed with us as a minor league free agent a while back and is rumoured to be hitting the mid-to-high-90s on the gun. If true and if healthy, someone might want to grab him, but this is all hearsay regarding him and I’ve yet to see any independent verification.

Others include:

CF Denny Almonte, S/R, 9/24/1988
2011 (A+): 128 G, 504 AB, 75, 135 H, 28 2B, 6 3B, 24 HR, 97 RBI, 18 SB, 12 CS, 161/22 K/BB, .268/.298/.490
Former second-round pick, Greg Halman Jr. Repeated the Cal League and the Midwest League. Neither the tools nor the flaws in his game can easily be ignored.

LF/CF Daniel Carroll, R/R, 1/6/2025
2011 (A+): 131 G, 482 AB, 117 R, 144 H, 20 2B, 6 3B, 18 HR, 57 RBI, 62 SB, 14 CS, 157/88 K/BB, .299/.418/.477
Former 3rd-round pick, liked somewhat at the time for his high motor and throwing arm, but had a wacky tendency to lean into pitches and then miss half a season from the complications. He’s healthy now, but has never played above the Cal League.

LHP Anthony Fernandez, 6/8/2025
2011 (A+): 1-1, 7 G, 7,39 ERA in 28.0 IP, 48 H (4 HR), 27 R (23 ER), 26/13 K/BB
2011 (A): 7-4, 21 G (19 GS), 2.80 ERA in 125.1 IP, 109 H (6 HR), 49 R (39 ER), 107/42 K/BB
Above-average velocity for a lefty and may add more in time, but he’s also the kind of prospect that runs the risk of crashing into the double-A wall and never recovering.

RHP Jarrett Grube, 11/5/2025
2011 (AA): 5-2, 14 GS, 3.11 ERA in 84.0 IP, 79 H (4 HR), 35 R (29 ER), 69/20 K/BB
2011 (AAA): 4-4, 14 G (7 GS), 4.95 ERA in 60.0 IP, 51 H (10 HR), 34 R (33 ER), 51/ 18 K/BB
Older guy, but decent stuff and super consistent. If guys like R.A. Dickey can get selected, I don’t see why Grube couldn’t for a team that really had a pitching need.

1B/DH Dennis Raben, L/L, 7/31/1987
2011 (A+): 76 G, 309 AB, 61 R, 102 H, 23 2B, 3 3B, 18 HR, 75 RBI, 2 SB, CS, 76/28 K/BB, .330/.387/.599
If Raben were unquestionably healthy, he’d be an easy and obvious pick, but he had microfracture surgery in his knees his second year as a pro and has moved from the outfield to first and DH almost exclusively. He only played seven games after the all-star break this year.

3B/LF Nate Tenbrink, L/R, 12/21/1986
2011 (AA): 64 G, 211 AB, 30 R, 46 H, 9 2B, 6 3B, 6 HR, 25 RBI, 11 SB, 3 CS, 60/34 K/BB, .218/.337/.403
Hit .318/.409/.521 between Jackson and High Desert last year, which is why he’s even worth mentioning. After that, he suffered a concussion and this season wasn’t really able to work his way back. He’s always had exciting tools and was starting to turn those into skills, at least from the hitting side of things, but then injuries hit and he faltered.

"Ever tried? Ever failed? No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better." - Samuel Beckett Mariners Minors

by JY on Nov 20, 2025 3:02 PM EST reply actions

out of this list

Valiquette really jumps out as belonging to a class of player oft targeted in the Rule 5.

by mrkupe on Nov 20, 2025 8:22 PM EST up reply actions

Definitely.

He didn’t pitch at all this season though, and the velocity rumours started surfacing late in the year, so it’s possible that he was rehabbing and then got derailed again. We have no way of knowing.

"Ever tried? Ever failed? No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better." - Samuel Beckett Mariners Minors

by JY on Nov 20, 2025 10:38 PM EST up reply actions

Giants

Very slim pickings - not surprising since the vast majority of their top talent is on the 40-man or in A ball or lower. The best value available is in their excess pitching:
1. Justin Fitzgerald (RHP - 25.8): A farily conventional RH pitcher with average stuff (his breaking ball is his best pitch) across the board. He’s a sturdy innings-eater who has never had any arm issues. He had a pretty good year when the Giants converted him to the starting rotation in the A+ Cal League in 2010. His 2011 season in AA ball was pretty average and uninspiring. When he became a starter, his K/9 dropped from around 9 to around 7. He could eventually be a major league long reliever/spot starter if he keeps plugging away.

2. Daryl Maday (RHP - 26.3): Pretty much a carbon copy of Justin Fitzgerald (see above) in terms of stuff, age and stats, although Maday has pitched in AAA in parts of the last 2 seasons.

3. Mitch Lively (RHP - 26.2): He has had some arm issues and struggles with his control, but he’s a big strong guy with an above-average FB and decent secondary pitches. His K/9 jumped up to above 9 while pitching in A+ and AA this past season. A non-contending team could stash him at the back of their bullpen for a year if they think that his health is not an issue. He has the potential to be a decent setup man in the future.

4. Johnny Monell (C - 25.7): LHH catcher with below-average defense, but a possible above-average LH bat with pop. He had a very good year in A+ ball during 2010, but his offensive output declined noticeably in the tough environment of Richmond and the Eastern League in 2011. LHH backup catchers with pop always seem to be in high demand.
2010 (A+ Cal League): .273/.348/.484/.832 with 19 HR in 421 ABs
2011 (AA Eastern League): .249/.334/.394/.728 with 10 HR in 386 ABs

"There ain’t much to being a ballplayer, if you’re a ballplayer." - Honus Wagner

by Fla-Giant on Nov 21, 2025 11:49 AM EST reply actions

Could see a team like the Twins take Maday or Fitzgerald.

Yoenis Cespedes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aW9ge8l3jY8
^ the bottom video ^
MLB Move Type "B" compensation to the post second round, pre third round area.

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Nov 21, 2025 10:57 PM EST up reply actions

D-backs

Left basically nobody exposed… because there wasn’t really anybody of note that they needed to protect in the first place. I mean, if you really want Lucas May, Tommy Manzella, Mark Hallberg, Tom Layne, or Kevin Mulvey, you can go to town, but that Triple-A club had such mediocre prospect talent. I see two real candidates to be picked:

RHP Mike DeMark - 28-year-old right-handed reliever, signed last year out of Indy Ball. Became the closer for Double-A Mobile and then for Triple-A Reno in the playoffs. Put up a combined 1.75 ERA in 36 innings with a 48:9 K:BB in the regular season. Probably just another guy out of the ’pen, though, and there are hundreds of similar guys available with better upside.

RHP Bryan Woodall - 25-year-old RHH drafted in the 21st round in ‘08. Broke out in the CAL in ’10, putting up a combined 2.76 ERA in 62 innings between Hi-A and Double-A with 76 K and just 13 BB. Spent all of 2011 at Double-A again, posting a 3.43 ERA in 65.2 innings, striking out 68 and walking 18. Doesn’t throw hard, but sinks everything and has gotten a few GB’s in the minors. Someone could make a $50k bet on the #‘s translating better than expected, but with the velo just in the hi-80’s and occasionally low-90’s, he won’t be taken all that early.

RHP Matt Gorgen - Yep, another reliever. Gorgen has upside, possibly fitting into the eighth inning, and threw pretty hard with some great Double-A results when we got him from the Rays in the Chad Qualls deal. But his elbow popped in Spring Training this year and he didn’t throw a pro pitch in 2011. Someone could take a gamble, maybe stash him on the 60-day if he isn’t ready by the start of the season.

Founder and Chairman of the Send Dan Some Pizzeria Bianco Commission (SDSPBC). SDSPBC is a totally, definitely for-profit organization.

by Dan Strittmatter on Nov 21, 2025 1:47 PM EST reply actions

Trevor Reckling

Former top(!!) angels LHP could maybe fit in as a LOOGY and be hidden for the future

Mike Trout- The Man, The NOW, The Legend

by miketrout on Nov 21, 2025 8:30 PM EST reply actions

I still think he has a chance to be decent

by auclairkeithbc on Nov 22, 2025 10:04 AM EST up reply actions

I swear there's a point to this

Joe Nathan just got two years and $14MM from the Rangers. That’s guaranteed money. His entire body of work over the last two years: 44.2 innings, 4.84 ERA. I think we can safely say that the relief pitching market has gone utterly bananas.

With this being the case, I’d be shocked if teams aren’t gearing up to find as many good relief arms as possible in the Rule 5. Someone like Jackson - once threw mid-90’s, could have a dominant two-pitch arsenal if the stuff comes back - is going to go a lot earlier than he would have in years past, as will any one- or two-pitch reliever who can hit 96 mph.

At least that’s how I’d react to this all.

Founder and Chairman of the Send Dan Some Pizzeria Bianco Commission (SDSPBC). SDSPBC is a totally, definitely for-profit organization.

by Dan Strittmatter on Nov 21, 2025 8:36 PM EST reply actions

Interesting theory, but the more I think about it the more I think you’re wrong. What we’re seeing now is proven major league releivers getting big bucks, and you’re extrapolating that to unproven miinor leaguers that throw hard. The issue is that the majority of teams don’t have an opening on their 25-man rosters to waste on an unproven and flaky reliever (that couldn’t even dominate in the minors) just because he throws hard.

What I believe is more likely to happen is that teams will wait until guys become minor league free agents and then sign them, put them on the 40-man and let them continue to develop in the upper minors. Just take a look at this list of minor league free agents that became available in November - there are plenty of pitchers on this list that throw in the low- to upper-90s that teams can sign right now for free and not even have to put on their 40-man roster:
http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/2011/11/minor-league-free-agents-2011/#more-13378

"There ain’t much to being a ballplayer, if you’re a ballplayer." - Honus Wagner

by Fla-Giant on Nov 21, 2025 11:42 PM EST up reply actions

I'm not saying they'll stick

Just that they’ll get picked. With the cost of the proven guys rising meteorically, the value of the unproven guys w.r.t. the proven guy rises, since the cost of a Rule 5 pick isn’t changing.

Founder and Chairman of the Send Dan Some Pizzeria Bianco Commission (SDSPBC). SDSPBC is a totally, definitely for-profit organization.

by Dan Strittmatter on Nov 22, 2025 1:09 AM EST up reply actions

I see what you’re saying, but the point I was trying to make was that the problem teams have is not coming up with the measly $50K, it’s coming up with an open spot on the 25 man roster all season long for a pitcher that is not likely to help them win. It’s easier to find potential relievers with power arms in the minor league free agency each offseason.

"There ain’t much to being a ballplayer, if you’re a ballplayer." - Honus Wagner

by Fla-Giant on Nov 23, 2025 11:51 AM EST up reply actions