The Rule 5 draft begins at 12 p.m ET as this year’s Winter Meetings in Las Vegas, Nevada draw to a close. Those unfamiliar with how the draft works can check out MLBTR’s full primer on the event here, but the short version is that teams with open 40-man roster spots can select players with four to five years of pro experience from other organizations if said player hasn’t been protected on the 40-man roster. Players who signed at 18 years of age or younger but have five years of experience can be selected, as can players signed at 19 or older who have four years of experience. Each selection costs $100K, but it’s not mandatory for teams to make picks. Clubs must carry chosen players on their active rosters (or the major league disabled list) throughout the entire 2016 season. Doing otherwise would expose them to waivers, and they’d then be offered back to their original club. Teams can also work out trades with the original organization to keep the selected player in the organization but send him to the minors.
The Rule 5 order is based on the reverse order of last season’s standings. You can find Baseball America’s preview of the festivities right here. Here are this year’s results:
First Round
1. Orioles — Richie Martin, INF (Athletics)
2. Royals — Sam McWilliams, RHP (Rays)
3. White Sox — Jordan Romano, RHP (Blue Jays); acquired by Rangers
4. Marlins — Riley Ferrell, RHP (Astros)
5. Tigers — Reed Garrett, RHP (Rangers)
6. Padres — full 40-man
7. Reds — Connor Joe, INF/OF (Dodgers)
8. Rangers — Chris Ellis, RHP (Cardinals); acquired by Royals
9. Giants — Travis Bergen, LHP (Blue Jays)
10. Blue Jays — Elvis Luciano, RHP (Royals)
11. Mets — Kyle Dowdy, RHP (Indians)
12. Twins — full 40-man
13. Phillies — Drew Jackson, INF (Dodgers); acquired by Orioles for international draft bonus capacity
14. Angels — pass
15. Diamondbacks — Nick Green, RHP (Yankees)
16. Nationals — pass
17. Pirates — pass
18. Cardinals — full 40-man
19. Mariners — Brandon Brennan, RHP (Rockies)
20. Braves — pass
21. Rays — full 40-man
22. Rockies — pass
23. Indians — pass
24. Dodgers — full 40-man
25. Cubs — pass
26. Brewers — pass
27. Athletics — pass
28. Yankees — full 40-man
29. Astros — pass
30. Red Sox — pass
The Orioles made a great pick
by picking someone who has yet to stay healthy for any minor league season?
No, because they can play “she bangs” as his walk up music
the younger generation may not get the reference.
All the more reason to play it!
lol…that’s great
LOL
Then the Blue Jays did even better
ELVIS HAS LEFT THE ROYALS!
Yes.
Where are all those Padres prospects that our fan base was so worried about losing?
I’m starting to side with some of the critics who say our farm is way over rated.
That’s a unique take, for sure.
Teams may have passed because those guys weren’t close to ready to be in the majors. Using them on the big league roster starts their service clock and it can hinder their progress and development.
If the Padres system is overrated (I don’t know if it is or not), I don’t think the Rule 5 draft has much to do with it.
They protected all the good ones and even some of the “meh” ones. Only guy left who I thought might get taken was Michael Gettys.
Either protected or too far away from the majors to be a viable choice.
Remember that these plays have to be on the major league roster all season for the new team to keep them.
That didn’t stop Preller from taking multiple Rule 5 guys who never played above A-ball.
Just saying it seems odd.
Again. The Padres had no one worth taking that was available to be taken. Which prospect do you think is overhyped that wasn’t taken? I’ll give you a hint: Anderson Espinoza was protected and Cal Quantrill isn’t eligible until next year so you can’t say them.
Preller did it when he was trying to lose. Not many teams currently in that situation
1. Royals. 2. Orioles 2. 3. Marlins. That’s 3 right there. You can add the 2019 mariners to the list also but they’re trying to get back up to the top Sooner. I don’t think there were anymore than that when the padres did it.
Those teams don’t want to lose valuable service time rushing a top prospect to the majors. The hope is to take these top prospects and maximize as many good years they have.
Rushing them to the majors just for the sake of a prospect grab would be utterly foolish. You’re probably wasting 2 years of service time trying to get them to figure things out.
For facts sake, I’d like to point out that not a single Padres top-30 prospect was available to be taken
So is your argument just that some of the Padres 31st+ ranked prospects are all overhyped?
68 top-30 prospects from other clubs were though
google.com/amp/s/amp.mlb.com/262486372-top-availab…
its a very low risk high reward if he can put it all together and make the opening day club. If not it only cost 50k.
First Rule 5 draft I’ve paid attention too I’m surely excited (:
Hopefully Rule 5 draft picks get traded lol
Third!
Lay off the fifth
Not uncommon. 4 of the top 6 picks last season were traded.
Martin to the birds was about as obvious as a selection could be. Look for a 2nd round pick from us too.
Yeah man, Matt Chapman, what a disappointment
Chapman, Olson, and Sonny Gray are the only ones who have panned out so far in the last 15 years.
Marwin Gonzalez comes to mind.
shane victorino
Cahill and Addison Russell too. And I like a lot the last three 1st rounds picks in Puk, Beck, and Murray.
don’t forget Josh Hamilton
You consider Russell panning out? Cahill was okay, not spectacular. I like Puk, hopefully he can stay healthy, and Beck should be pretty good as well. And I just hope Kyler plays baseball at this point.
Dan Uggla and Hector Rondon
You don’t consider Russell panning out? Panning out does not mean the player has to have a HOF career. Panning out means they become a decent major league player for several years. Regardless of your feelings about him as a person, Addison Russell definitely fits that description and then some.
Roberto Clemente
donald trump
Of course Russell panned out. Helped win a World Series. Had a monster grand slam in that NLCS too while the Cubs were at the time still in a tight series with the Dodgers. I guess Oakland getting fleeced in the deal might sway your judgement.
Now as a person yeah maybe he ain’t such a great guy, but from a rule 5 pick success story are you kidding of course it was an eventual success- for another team.
Ummm…yeah?
Russell was not a Rule 5 draft pick. The Cubs got him from the A’s in a trade for Shark and hammel. The A’s drafted him in the regular draft. Rondon was the rule 5 pick that played on the WS team.
Sorry I don’t consider a career .242 hitter panning out.
Odubell Herrera as well.
Johan Santana and Jose Bautista
The A’s need a new scouting director, tired of these first round picks going to waste.
I mean the pick was fine. Keeping Aaron Brook, Luis Barrera, and Skye Bolt over Martin is a brutal error
I would have kept Luis Barrera and Skye Bolt any day over Martin
Yes, keeping Brooks, Dull, and this new tanner Anderson guy over Martin is a mistake.
Yeah I agree they made the wrong move as well keeping Brooks on the roster. Barrera is solid and hopefully Bolt can avoid any more injuries. I think it came down to Eli White and I feel like he can be a solid player, its just frustrating seeing these first round picks not stick with our team.
I can’t wait until the next EXPANSION DRAFT! Las Vegas Stars and some Mexican team since MLB wants more “diversity”.
Mexico City Amigos
Another problem with Mexico City is the elevation. From my understanding it’s even higher than Denver.
Yes, over 2,000 feet higher.
It is 50% higher than Denver.
Other problems include the 50% poverty rate in Mexico, the extreme income inequality, cartel violenc/influence, kidnapping problems and political corruption that would make Chicago Democrats blush.
I also would like to see a team in Mexico, only problem is the last 20y or so, with roving bands of cartels and thugs would take a company of US soldiers to guard the players and team personnel completely independent from the mexican government in order to keep them safe.
Mexico City Cartel
Vegas and Montreal, move the Rays to Nashville or Portland
The only three viable markets in size right now are Vegas, Raleigh and San Antonio/Austin.
Montreal couldn’t even get an English language radio deal before the strike, so people greatly over-estimate it’s viability because of a small number of die-hards remaining
Why does Raleigh make more sense than Nashville? Geography?
Yes. A team in Nashville is automatically competing with the Cubs and Cardinals for a fanbase. It’s kind of penned in from day 1
Raleigh has a lot more room to grow beyond the city itself
Cardinals and Cubs? Tennessee is pure Atlanta territory!
Obviously, someone does not understand fan geography. Tennessee is full of Braves fans and not much else from an MLB perspective.
okay, so a Nashville team has to compete with two 100-year old, well entrenched fanbases to the north and West, and the Braves to the east and south.
inferiority complexes aside, the point still stands, not much growth potential there (something i bet they wish they’d considered before expanding to Tampa…)
Mexico City White Devils — The mascot could be a pale-faced ghost-like figure with an eagle tattooed on its forehead. It would give some nice counterbalance to that Cleveland team.
Mexico City Chupacabras.
Sounds like my idea for a nfl expansion team, the Pensacola Palefaces. Their logo would be General Custer getting scalped. Let’s not be all PC, right? The fans can do the “welfare fraud fake neck injury”’in the stands and the mascot can be a white dude who appropriates other cultures as his own.
They can get ghost face killa to do many anthems before killing the white ghost.
2, of many, problems with Vegas….a large portion of the population are transplants (like Miami) and already fans of another team…and it will have to be another humidor park.
Nonsense, hasn’t hurt their hockey team, and the NFL is on the way there. Las Vegas would accommodate major league baseball just fine.
Big difference between 41 games at 17,500 capacity, 8 games at 65,000 and 81 games (guessing 45,000 cap.) in the middle of summer at night when the casinos are running full tilt.
One of the ideas with Miami and TB was that tourists would flock to the games as well as locals. That hasn’t worked out so well.
I’m still curious to see how well the raiders do as far as ticket sales in the long run. I’m sure the first year will be fine but when you consider the cost for out of town fans….it will be very expensive.
i just was in vegas, Couldnt believe how cold it got at night. They love hockey in that town.
It’s high desert…2,000 ft/elevation. Lived there 9 years and it snowed (just flurries) most years. It does get cold in the winters but also bakes in summer time. It can stay above 100 util midnight. It’s still cooler then where I live now though.
Cold? Maybe in December. I’ve been ther in June and July: 107 at 11pm is not fun.
My guess is that the Raiders will do great in Vegas as the casinos will offer tickets just like they do for all the Cirque shows and the performers
Was there last January. Can confirm it dropped below 30 at midnight.
neither of those teams have had a consistent winning product either. Yeh marlins have two postseasons and two championships in 28 years. TB has made the playoffs 3 times in 25 years. If you turn out a winner people will come.
I think some smart business men will find a way of coming up with travel packs from La and the Bay Area that make people want to go to Vegas for the fun food drink and entertainment that ends with a Sunday Raiders game then you fly home.
“If you turn out a winner”…key word “IF”. 2003 Marlins WS team drew 16,290….2008 Tampa WS team drew 22,259. Tourist destinations are built on things like fun in the sun and casinos…baseball…not so much .
Since 2008, every team in MLB has at least two playoff appearances EXCEPT the Marlins and Padres, who have ZERO.
FYI, the Rays have 4 playoff appearances in that 2008-2018 time frame, and a .516 winning pct. As a Padres fan, it really hurts to see our winning pct at about .412 during that period.
And some our fan base is still preaching “patience.”
haringbone…I am sure someone will. It still won’t be cheap though. Not with Vegas weekend rates at hotels.
Vegas used to be a pretty cheap getaway in the 1990’s and even early 2000’s. Not so much anymore. Even old places like the Trop are $180+/- on weekend and you can bet rates will be even higher on weekend that are home games.
Gone are the days of reasonable room rates and great meal or buffet prices.
“Since 2008, every team in MLB has at least two playoff appearances EXCEPT the Marlins and Padres, who have ZERO.”
Seattle Mariners and Chicago White Sox say hi.
For once, you are right. I meant to say “National League,” but got caught up in thinking about the Rays. So, yes, I made a mistake.
Leave the snark to people who are good at it.
Maybe if you didn’t constantly post such blatantly wrong, easily disprovable comments people on here would start to take you seriously. Maybe.
But at least you are finally to starting to admit to it when you get something wrong as opposed to just crawling back into your little hole or trying to spin it in a way that makes you sound right.
I don’t know whether to laugh at you or pity you. When I get facts wrong, I admit it it. You however don’t know the difference between facts and mere speculation.
Stay in school, WCR.
No you don’t, you just slink away just like your alter ego Pads Fans. You’ve done it multiple times in the past two months.
Still not WCR and if you were paying attention you’d know that.
What facts did I get wrong? You know, real “facts.”
LOL at “slinking away.”
Stop stalking me, twerp.
For he moment, they got a nice squad, just as soon as things dip they’ll quit showing up just like many other places.
It takes winning and then the next year is when you see the bump in attendance because now the fans believe. In the Marlins case they kept themselves from having a shot at experiencing that bump because they had a fire sale after each WS win and put a bunch of guys on the field that then fans didn’t know who they were.
In the Rays case, it honestly doesn’t matter how good they are as long as they’re stuck in that horrible park that is horrible to get to. But here’s the proof I’m talking about that it finally takes the next year to see that bump.
1991 Braves that went from worst to first drew only 2,140,217 fans. That’s a little over 26,400 per game. The next year they drew 3,077,400 fans. That’s nearly 38,000 per game. The next year (1993) they drew 3,884,720. That’s nearly 48,000 per game.
That’s how you build attendance and get people to flock to watch a winning ball club. It takes time. It doesn’t happen overnight because of 1 winning season. I expect the 2019 Braves to come close if not top 3,000,000 in a attendance because 2018 was the Braves return to being competitive and the 2019 team should be even better. So there’s the buzz and excitement that folks want to come out and watch.
It’s different in the west when ppl there talk of 110 degree weather. Ask anyone who has lived both in Florida and Az,NV, etc… 90’s Florida and 100, even tad over isn’t close to as bad as summer in Florida with the humidity.
Been both myself also, not to mention it cools off in most all western states at night, really cools. San Diego,Sedona AZ where have spent significant time at both.
You’re so right. I’ve lived in both places as well. In the South, an 89-degree day can be nearly incapacitating with the humidity. It just suffocates you.
Still, 107 at 11pm in Vegas is bad in its own way.
The west coast ryan thing, the Preller medical records thing, the Myers/Rosales thing and the players signing with a team that traded them thing.
All I did here was correct another objective mistake. You then started with the personal attacks.
You’re a proven liar. You can’t even keep them straight anymore.
The “Preller medical records” thing? WTF are you talking about? Were you defending Preller’s lack of ethics and integrity? Figures: birds of a feather.
Now quit stalking me, Ryan.
You keep saying “proven.” I don’t think you know what that means. I have no reason to lie to some 14 year-old Internet troll.
No I have never defended Preller on that. If you disagree than drop a link.
My name still isn’t Ryan and you brought this upon yourself when you tried to spread false rumors then slink away when you were called on it.
Las Vegas Rays?
Mexico City Wall Bangers
Mexico City Cartel with a wicked mascot.
Mexico City Walls … Trump an owner?
What would Bryce Harper’s salary be in Pesos?
Well $30m is 607,984,500 pesos using an fix rate of 20.26615.
And if he goes to the Sebu Lions can you give that to me in Yen please?
38,634,822,200¥
Thanks.
At team in Mexico is a bad idea. There are plenty of cities in the US and Canada that could us an MLB team. I’d like to see a team in Albuquerque or Tucson.
Agree. Can people not understand that Mexico is a Third World country.
Do you know what Third World even means? Here’s a hint, is has nothing to do with poverty, you guys should take your stereotypes somewhere else.
Happy early Birthday to Richie Martin! Good news: you get a chance to earn a spot on a major league team. Bad news: it’s the Orioles. Enjoy the cross-country trip.
I’d be fine with that if I were him. I think Baltimore gives him every chance to stick with the big league club. Oakland wouldn’t even give him a 40-man roster spot, and he’d likely be in AAA for a while. Good place for him to be for sure.
Sweet I wanted the Marlins to select Riley Ferrell. I would like to see them select Tyler Jay or Forrest Wall next.
I’ll bet Ferrell stays with them all season. I think they should take a chance on someone else too for sure, like Jay
High upside, but with control problems. Good pickup, tho.
“Clubs must carry chosen players on their active rosters (or the major league disabled list) throughout the entire 2016 season.”
Not sure if it’s a copy/paste fail or just a simple typo but I’m pretty sure you mean 2019 season. Not trying to be critical, you can delete my post after correction.
No, 2016 is right. We got an election coming up. Where have you been?
Lol did you make that handle just for this joke?
He was on the Manifest plane
Great TV show!!
I predict the Dbacks will choose Nick Green from the Yankees.
Good call! Saw this guy pitch on Staten Island. He has some good stuff.
I can’t take credit.. Jeff Todd isn’t faster than twitter.
im glad junior fernandez was not selected.
I’m with you, I thought Junior and Max were gone for sure
Yet
So the Mets must have sold their pick to the Phillies? BA says they pick 11th
Padres should have dealt theirs instead of wasting it. Kinda like their return for Tyson Ross and lyles last season.
I am not sure but since their 40 man is full they may not be allowed to even make a pick and then trade it.
Clear a 40-man spot by DFAing Jose Pirela. Next
Okay, they updated it. Somehow they initially skipped two picks, including the Mets selection of Dowdy. I figured they might try for a lefty.
“entire 2016 season”.
The jays really took an 18 year old from rookie ball.
19 by opening day
As a royals fan, I’m sad to see him go. Very high ceiling. I think our gm was hoping his age would protect him.
I think Luciano should’ve been protected over Arnaldo Hernandez. I don’t expect Luciano to stay with the Jays though.
Connor Joe is not a catcher, apparently it was announced wrong. He’s played first, third, and outfield.
Great, only the 294,971,985,711,978th RHP in the Tigers organization. smh we needed position players.
Still can’t believe we didn’t protect Richie Martin. Great defender and the bat was coming around. Yet we kept Jorge Mateo, Luis Barrera, Aaron Brooks, and Skye Bolt.
Mateo I can forgive. The other 3… WTF Beane.
Ain’t no thing but Kyle Dowdy? Really?
Wrong Nick Green.
pass
That can’t be the correct link for nick green. I thought he was a pitcher. Also, why would anybody draft a 40 year old who hadn’t played in 5 years.
LMAO
I really hope it is that Nick Green ! (I know it’s not)
White Sox Rule 5 pick: Jordan Romano link to milb.com
25-year old RHP Canadian with one game of AAA experience. Has been a SP most of his minor league career. I can’t see the White Sox stashing him on their 25-man active roster all season unless they feel he can become a competent option in their bullpen.
I can easily see my wife and daughter rooting for him to make the White Sox roster. His good looks and solid educational background at a Catholic high school and Oral Roberts University also makes him a fine candidate to portray a North-West Mounted Police officer on Hallmarks “When Calls the Heart” TV series if he doesn’t cut in MLB.
sox flipped him to texas for cash. 2nd year in a row they’ve done this
I recall that from last December. Interesting update. As of 12:00 pm CT the official White Sox site only posted the claim and not the subsequent flip. m.mlb.com/cws/roster/transactions
Interesting to see the Mariners selection of former White Sox farmhand Brandon Brennan who pitched in Mexico last season as a member of the Colorado Rockies.
MLB.com has posted the flip update on their draft board.
I”m also glad that MLB teams passed on both RHP’s Spencer Adams and Zach Thompson who were each eligible to be selected in this Rule 5 Draft. Spencer was #26 on the White Sox top-30 prospect list and spent the second half of 2018 at AAA Charlotte. Thompson was the more likely to be drafted despite his highest level being AA. Thompson did pitch in the AFL following the 2018 season and showed flashes of excellence in that very competitive league that features many top prospects.
The White Sox will retain each pitcher now. I wouldn’t be surprised to see each invited to their MLB spring camp as non-roster invitees. Adams would have an outside shot as a 5th starter while Thompson might slide in as a bullpen option. If not, both should be prominent members of their AAA Charlotte affiliate and depth options for the parent club in 2019.
Waste of a #3rd pick!
Sox cannot improve their team with just a little cash. They need contributors – more young promising pitching!
To Macphisto..you know way too much about the Hallmark channel.
Jays letting Romano go was a stupid mistake. Hits 97, improving control, strong physical body made for pitching, bulldog mentality. Would much rather him on the 25 man than the 18yr old pitcher they selected from KC a few picks later.
Agreed. But the Jays really needed Oliver Drake again.
Romano is a Toronto kid, born and raised nearby. Hometown boy. Pitched well in AA, When he wasn’t promoted to Buffalo it told us exactly what FO thought about him. Bergen too.
I like tracking all these rule 5 guys and reading about them as the year progresses. It is a great evalution tool for the scouting dept/GM of the club whether or not they can nail a good rule 5 guy.
Gillick had some successes: Wille Upshaw, Manny Lee, Lou Thornton, George Bell, Jim Gott, Jim Acker, Kelly Gruber.
Looking at this 40 man roster, I agree that Drake shouldn;’t be on it. Neither should be Gaviglio or Pompey or Maile or or or……
I remember Jimmer. Hidden gems found by Gillick and the great scouting and development program the Jays had in place in the late 70’s until Rogers bought the club and hired Ricciardi.
angels pass? wow!
AAA phase? Even mlb.com only has the first round listed. Kind of lame for as fast as this info is available
hopefully getting rid if connor joe wont bite the bucs since he was taken by rival reds…
I loved getting to watch Connor Joe play here in OKC last season. Not spectacular, but a solid player and a great guy! Happy for him to get his chance in the big show, bummed to not get to see him here this season! Best of luck Connor!
The Diamondbacks pick, the link to Nick Green, is to a player who is five years out of baseball.
Who did you mean to link to ?
Is Sam McWilliams any good?
I don’t think the Astros are going to get Riley Farrell back. I suspect the Marlins will have no issues keeping him for mop up duty.
However, I’m sure the Astros knew this would happen
Blue Jays had 5 open spots, decided not to keep Romano or Bergen, thought Oliver Drake was good enough to hold a spot and then they decide to draft an 18 year old Rookie League pitcher. From Rookie League to the pros? Doubt it. Well done Toronto, you continue to amaze….
Totally agree, see note above. They lost Sam Moll too in the AAA phase but drafted David Garner from the Cubs AAA.
The sell job by Atkins was a total insult yesterday. Is this a ploy to help sell tickets?
“Come see a fresh high schooler take on the Yankees!”
Spare me the bull….
They had 5 available spots. Keeping those two guys would have left them with 3. Not signing Drake makes it 4. This should have been a simple, open and shut decision. Clown show at the Rogers Centre.
At the rate Garner is going, he might not ever play.
50 game suspension for a drug of abuse in March (2nd failed test)
100 game suspension for a drug of abuse in June (3rd failed test)
He’s 26 and hasn’t played a game since 2017. My wife went to HS with him, and he’s.a good guy, but unfortunately, the drug suspensions are going to hurt him in the long run.
Drafting anyone besides maybe a pitcher you can use in the BP is a mistake. Tigers drafted Victor Reyes in 2017 Rule 5 draft and kept him on the 25 man ALL YEAR LONG and it basically took up a spot on the bench for a Pinch Runner and late inning defensive replacement when it should’ve been someone from AA or AAA that could’ve actually developed during a lost season. A horrible way to get a young position player in your organization IMHO.
Where are the results of the minor league draft?
baseballamerica.com/stories/2018-mlb-rule-5-draft-…
Blue Jays selection failed a physical when he was 16. Who does that?! Oh wait—maybe he’s actually 30.