Although the Major League portion of the 2021 Rule 5 Draft was postponed indefinitely due to the ongoing MLB lockout, the minor league portion of the Rule 5 Draft carried on as planned. Fifty-one players were selected in the Triple-A phase of the event, which allows teams to select players who were not protected on a 38-man Triple-A roster (similar to the MLB 40-man roster). Minor League Rule 5 selections cost $24,500 apiece, and that sum is paid from the drafting team to the player’s former organization.
It’s rare, but not unprecedented, to see players from the Minor League Rule 5 Draft ultimately make an impact at the MLB level. Names like Justin Bour and Alexi Ogando are recent examples of big leaguers to emerge from this process, and as you’ll see in the list of names selected today, there were a handful of draftees who already have some MLB experience (but have since been outrighted off the roster). As with the Major League Rule 5 Draft, not all teams will make selections, and some will make multiple picks. Teams with full 38-man Triple-A rosters weren’t eligible to make selections.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the draft, with a handful of notes on some of the recognizable names to follow (* denotes prior Major League experience)…
Round 1
- Orioles select RHP Nolan Hoffman from Mariners
- Pirates select LHP Zach Matson from Rockies
- Nationals select 2B Andrew Young* from Diamondbacks
- Marlins select INF Charles Leblanc from Rangers
- Cubs select LHP Conner Menez* from Giants
- Rockies select LHP Gabriel Rodriguez from Braves
- Tigers select RHP Elvis Alvarado from Mariners
- Angels select LHP Kenny Rosenberg from Rays
- Mets select RHP Alex Valverde from Rays
- Padres select RHP Grant Gavin from Royals
- Guardians select LHP Erik Sabrowski from Padres
- Phillies select RHP Matt Seelinger from Giants
- Reds select OF Ronnie Dawson* from Astros
- Athletics select OF Gabriel Maciel from Twins
- Braves select 1B John Nogowski* from Giants
- Mariners select OF Tanner Kirwer from Blue Jays
- Cardinals select OF Ben DeLuzio from Diamondbacks
- Blue Jays select RHP Abdiel Mendoza from Rangers
- Red Sox select LHP Austin Lambright from Royals
- Yankees select RHP Steven Jennings from Pirates
- White Sox select INF Moises Castillo from Cardinals
- Brewers select RHP Caleb Boushley from Padres
- Astros select RHP Ruben Garcia from Tigers
- Dodgers select C Kekai Rios from Brewers
- Giants select OF Michael Gigliotti from Rays
Round 2
- Orioles select RHP Cole Uvila from Rangers
- Pirates select RHP Nic Laio from Rangers
- Nationals select RHP Curtis Taylor from Blue Jays
- Marlins select LHP Robert Garcia from Royals
- Tigers select RHP Nick Kuzia from Padres
- Mets select RHP Carlos Ocampo from Cubs
- Guardians select RHP Brett Daniels from Astros
- Athletics select OF Vince Fernandez from Giants
- Braves select LHP Luis De Avila from Royals
- Mariners select OF Walking Cabrera from Rockies
- Cardinals select RHP Carlos Guarate from Padres
- Red Sox select RHP Brian Keller from Yankees
- Yankees select RHP Manny Ramirez from Astros
- Dodgers select RHP Carson Fulmer* from Reds
Round 3
- Pirates select 3B/1B Jacob Gonzalez from Giants
- Nationals select RHP Matt Brill from Diamondbacks
- Marlins select INF Cobie Vance from Athletics
- Braves select RHP Allan Winans from Mets
- Mariners select RHP Tommy Wilson from Mets (later traded to Orioles for cash considerations)
- Cardinals select OF Jonah Davis from Pirates
- Dodgers select RHP Jon Duplantier* from Giants
Round 4
- Nationals select RHP Dakody Clemmer from Guardians
- Marlins select RHP Luarbert Arias from Padres
- Braves select RHP Tanner Andrews from Marlins
- Cardinals select LHP Nelfri Contreras from Dodgers
Round 5
- Marlins select INF Carlos Santiago from Dodgers
Some largely anecdotal observations…
- The Giants lost a trio of former big leaguers in Menez, Nogowski and Duplantier — the latter two of whom just signed minor league contracts with San Francisco within the past few months. Menez has a 3.20 ERA in 25 1/3 MLB innings over the past two seasons but has been hit hard in Triple-A. For a Cubs team known to be looking for pitching depth in the rotation and the ’pen, he becomes an immediate option in 2022.
- The Dodgers selected a pair of former top 100 prospects: Fulmer and Duplantier. Fulmer was the No. 8 overall draft pick back in 2015 and was at one point viewed a potential No. 1 overall pick out of Vanderbilt, but he’s struggled badly through parts of six MLB seasons. Duplantier landed on the back half of Baseball America’s Top 100 in 2018-19 and was a top-10 prospect within the D-backs’ system from 2017-20.
- Several of the players in the first round of today’s draft have been included in past big league trades you may recall (some of particular note):
- Andrew Young was the third player sent from St. Louis to Arizona (alongside Carson Kelly, Luke Weaver and a Competitive Balance draft pick) in the Paul Goldschmidt blockbuster.
- Elvis Alvarado was traded from the Nationals to the Mariners along with Aaron Fletcher and Taylor Guilbeau in the deadline trade that sent relievers Hunter Strickland and Roenis Elias to D.C.
- Matt Seelinger was traded from the Pirates to the Rays in exchange for shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria. Tampa Bay traded him to San Francisco as a PTBNL in an Erik Kratz deal a year later.
- Gabriel Maciel went from Arizona to Minnesota alongside Jhoan Duran and Ernie De La Trinidad in the trade that originally sent Eduardo Escobar to the Diamondbacks.
- Michael Gigliotti was traded from the Royals to the Rays in a deal that granted Kansas City permanent rights to then-Rule 5 pick Stephen Woods Jr.
bravesfan0618
Braves keep stockpiling pitching and got a backup 1st baseman. An I mean a backup.
Chipper Jones' illegitimate kid
Nah Nogowski is Freeman’s replacement
dsett75
I think they’ll resign Freeman, but the longer it takes, the more intriguing it gets. If Freeman signs elsewhere, I think Atlanta will immediately sign Rizzo.
snakqadj
or trade for Olson
Please, Hammer. Don't hurt 'em.
The Braves did already trade Bryce Ball and the first baseman right behind Ball this offseason. I don’t like Rizzo for the team but if Freeman doesn’t stay they could always trade for Olson or move Riley to first after acquiring a 3rd baseman.
Riley played 1st base well enough when they plugged him there. One could argue a huge trade centered around Pache and Waters for Jose Ramirez would make the Braves better with Ramirez at third and Riley at first.
Zonedeads
Why would you take a good 3rd baseman and move him to 1st?
RunDMC
Square peg, round hole — always that kid in the corner.
noraj9
I mean I get both sides. Ramirez+Riley > Riley+Rizzo
Albert Belle's corked bat
And the Rays took no one! …. Learn from this organization.
GreenReign
Doesn’t make any sense as to why they wouldn’t. Why miss out on an opportunity to add players to your organization for nothing?
all in the suit that you wear
Each team can protect 38 players. If a team picks a player, that player gets added to the list. If you have a full list of 38 players, you cannot make a pick. The list is not made public. So, it looks like the Rays value 38 players already in their organization more than anyone available to be picked.
GarryHarris
The Rays lost what I thought might be the biggest find in LHP Kenny Rosenberg to the Angels.
jorge78
Fascinating! Thanks Steve!
duffys cliff
Winans had a very, very nice year at AA Binghamton last year. If he continues to develop at AAA, he could be a nice piece for Atlanta.
Rangers29
Dang, four Rangers were taken. Honestly not much remorse for any except for Uvila and maybe Laio. Uvila’s just a good dude that I wanted to see succeed, and Laio had a good performance in… Down East? He might’ve gotten promoted to Hickory, but it was either low-A or high-A (I haven’t checked yet). He could very well end up being a successful reliever, but our system is loaded with potentially good relievers so it really isn’t that bad for us.
sergefunction
These guys could man the field if the lockout goes on.
Elvis and Walking are two first names that stand out. I’ll become fans of them in Lockout Ball 2022.
bravesfan
Braves were really active this draft. Lord.
seamaholic 2
Probably just bored. Minor league Rule 5 selectees can be very easily replaced, often with guys who have been in extended spring training or just keeping one or two more guys you would otherwise have released. It’s kind of just an exercise in keeping busy.
LivingRoomGM
Who makes these decisions then? Young FO personnel?
Datashark
Giants (6) sure got plucked a lot in this. Giants farm and recent signings obviously has eyes on them – Farm system they have is deep
Ducky Buckin Fent
Yeah, but that’s a good sign.
It definitely shows system wide MiLB depth. Which can be a pretty Big Deal navigating the long regular season. I’m more used to losing guys as a Yankee fan than picking them up. Usually they came back to the Yanks.
But sometimes they don’t (Torrens, Whitlock) & it’s a drag. 6 is a *lot* though. SFG doing something right with their farm.
usafcop
2 of the 6 were literally just scooped up so that’s not really from their farm system.
Datashark
I mentioned recent signings, but that shows that their player evaluations are doing well
fathead0507
Braves prepping for Freeman’s departure with Nogowski
hiflew
If the Braves are replacing a former MVP with a guy from the AAA Rule 5 draft, it should be a good year for the Mets and Phillies.
leefieux
In Pittsburgh, we called him ‘The Big Nogowski’.
PutPeteRoseInTheHall
I just can’t imagine Freeman leaving. When I think of the Braves I think of Freeman. Plus, he’s already started building a family out there. If it’s just one year separating he and the Braves, I think the Braves should just give it to him. He isn’t showing signs of stopping or really even slowing down
Kruk it
It’s just nice to see any baseball news
HalosHeavenJJ
I know very little about prospects but I’d grab an arm from AA in the Rays system every chance I got.
kellin
His stats in the last couple years don’t look terrible, so maybe he’ll turn into something.. probably relief, but heck we should be happy with that..
Ducky Buckin Fent
@mlb1225 & @mendoza line: know anything about Jennings? Thank you.
@goastros123 & @Nuanced Jamesian: same question in re Ramirez. Thanks.
mlb1225
Spin-rate monster. ~2500 RPM on his fastball, ~3000 RPM on his curve. Solid command, but he doesn’t have any really good offerings. He only sits around 88-90 MPH, tops out around 92-93 MPH. At best, he’s probably a #5 innings eater or swingman.
Ducky Buckin Fent
#5 starters certainly have value. Guess we’ll see how long he sticks on the 40 man. Interesting that they went after a spin rate darling.
Doesn’t look like the Pirates ever tried him in the pen. Not sure what to make of that. The Yanks hold out hope that a kid’ll make it as a starter…well, until it’s abundantly clear he will not. Complete opposite of the Ray’s who make that determination pretty quickly. I see the argument for both. But I think Cash would be better served imitating that from TB.
But I’ve no idea how the Pirates are in re starter or reliever stuff & what that looks like to them.
Thanks as always for the detailed response.
mlb1225
While there is plenty of value in #5 starters, that’s his ceiling, probably the very tippy-top of his ceiling. He mainly pitched out of the pen last season, mainly in a multi-inning role. Low-leverage, mutli-inning arm is probably the most realistic outcome if he makes it to the majors. Though the spin rate has always intrigued me on him. Not a bad gamble to take in the Rule 5.
Ducky Buckin Fent
I get it.
Multi-inning guys are pretty valuable too. Well…good one’s are anyway. See if Blake can help him. He’s done a really good job with some fringy pitchers. Cortez was unbelievable, & your own Clay Holmes now looks like a solid bullpen arm. I know the Yanks are counting on him to help round out the ‘pen in ’22.
See if we can get lucky again. Can’t remember the last time we took a Rule V player. & two of them!? My stars. I can hardly stand the excitement.
JohhnyBets67
Ducky this is the Minor league rule 5. None of these guys are on the 40 man and I suspect that the Yankees use the minor league rule 5 draft every year like almost every other team.
mlb1225
Maybe, but Jennings isn’t like Holmes. I think Holmes has an 80-grade sinker and a wipeout slider. He just had zero idea where it was going when the Pirates traded him. The same can’t be said about Jennings. There’s no one really good pitch.
Ducky Buckin Fent
It is.
Right there in the title too…jeeez starved for some Yankee news.
Well, @Bets, it is now even less exciting than I previously found it. Which – turns out – is actually possible. So.
Ducky Buckin Fent
Yeah. Holmes certainly has the stuff. But: Cortez does not, & he threw pretty well, somehow. Also: I somehow missed ” minor league”. Which is a pretty important detail to all of this.
Mendoza Line 215
Sorry Ducky.As Sargent Schultz used to say,I know nothing! I don’t get that far into the weeds on minor leaguers.
deweybelongsinthehall
Manny Ramirez to the Yankees? Better start checking for substances.
Chicken In Philly?
Hey now! It’s Just Manny being Manny, or in this case, not that Manny.
MLB Top 100 Commenter
Hey, careful, I resemble that remark!
Rsox
Young could actually be a nice pickup for Washington. Capable of playing 3B if Kieboom struggles.
Did anyone notice the fact that Walking Cabrera has an almost 2 to 1 strikeout to walk ratio? Irony…
dsett75
I just realized, even though Detroit got them in the ML version of the Rule 5 draft, that the Tigers have hit perfectly on their picks the last 2 drafts. Their RF platoon (as of right now) of Baddoo and Reyes are both claims from the Twins (Baddoo) and I think San Diego (Reyes).
Eat'EmUpTigers
Reyes was 4 years ago and from the Nats*
GarryHarris
The Tigers may have just walked away with a decent reliever from the Padres system in Nick Kuzia. They traded for one project in Elvis Alvarado while losing another in Ruben Garcia. The Padres lost 5 pitchers.
Dunk Dunkington
Nice add with Connor Menez for the Cubs.
mister guy
yeah bummed to see him go – he is one of those guys who can be really good but suffers from every once in a while being REALLY not good and that tends to skew his numbers
Salvi
Red Sox took 2 more minor leaguers, while losing none. I like the strategy the team is using, by building from bottom up. No, I don’t expect much from these two other than depth pieces.
Everyone one of their moves these day seem to be more about stocking the minor leagues, than helping the big league team. This forces a more patient strategy to building a contender, but it also creates longevity for their run at a championship, when it is complete.
seamaholic 2
You realize that’s a bad sign right? They don’t have anyone in the lower minors that anyone wants.
Salvi
Do you realize that the players have to be in the minors several years before they’re available for this draft? Dombroski decimated the Red Sox Minor Leagues, trading anyone with even a spec of talent.
This is a new strategy, under Bloom. It will take several years before they have too many 5 or 6 year minor leaguers.
deweybelongsinthehall
Dembrowski won. I like Bloom but this is not the Olympics. A bronze metal is not good enough. Work still to do.
JohhnyBets67
Dombrowski won 1. Bloom’s been there 2 years. I suspect Bloom’s process won’t gut your system to win one. Sox look like their in good shape.
Salvi
Cherington won too. Your point?
GarryHarris
Who did Dave Dombrowski trade from the MiLB? Yoan Moncada couldn’t play on the BoSox team and Michael Kopech only broke out last season. Chris Sale gave the BoSox a WS and let’s see what happens this season.
User 355748524
Gabriel Rodriguez 2021 Stats (Low-A)
32 IP
22 H
30 ER
04 HR
59 SO
47 BB
05 HBP
04 BK
13 WP
seamaholic 2
He’s a recently converted outfielder. Definitely not ready for prime time yet but throws high 90’s from the left side.
User 355748524
Fair enough. In any case, his stat line is a doozy.
amk1920
Imagine signing Duplantier only for him to be taken by your rival in less than 5 days
snakqadj
lmao he is a NL west player, diamondbacks giants dodgers
Rsox
Friedman is hoping to steal one from Farhan to make up for Wood and McGee
In nurse follars
There is a reason these guys are in a minor league rule 5 draft. Not likely any of them will make an impact.
rxbrgr
@Steve Adams — Curtis Taylor traded twice as well, once in a big league trade for Brad Boxberger.
Joe says...
Someone tell Cashman it’s not that Manny Ramirez.
sfjackcoke
I suspect more players were taken than in the past as there’s a freeze on players with MLB experience who might otherwise be on AAA rosters. As I understand the rules, only teams with open roster spots on their AAA roster can draft.
MiLB will happen in 2022 regardless of the status of the lockout, the only exception I believe are for those minor leaguers on the 40 man roster. To that point teams will need a full compliment of players for camp and the season. Not sure there’s anything else to take away.
Monkey’s Uncle
Walking Cabrera is now firmly entrenched somewhere on my list of favorite baseball names. His walk-up music had better be Fats Domino’s “I’m Walking”.
HankHill
80-grade name
claude raymond
Unfortunately his middle name must be Kay.
DarkSide830
Rosenberg is a curious pick because I heard him rumored as a MLB R5 option. LAA may lose him.
kenphelps44
DarkSide830 you have a point. If the lockout goes into spring training before it is settled and the minor league players are in minor league camp it would get a recent look at anyone ML Rule 5 eligible. It makes selection much easier than taking a player in December who last played in the regular minor league season or the Fall League. This could be interesting.
GarryHarris
Unless they protect him.
DarkSide830
are they allowed to though? normally the minors phase happens after. i dont think they would be able to add him to the 40 in this case.
sufferforsnakes
Anyone know anything about that pitcher the Indians took from San Diego?
GarryHarris
Erik Sabrowski is a 19 year old P- DH project and has shown well in the low minors . He throws strikes, hits well and worth watching…. Again, I’m no scout.
DarkSide830
he’s 24
Gwynning's Anal Lover
Happy to see Manny Ramirez is with the Yankees. The biggest name in the draft.
KamKid
I’m curious why a team would sign a guy to a minor league contract and then not add him to the AAA roster like with Duplantier and Nogowski. I guess in a normal offseason you wouldn’t make those types of signings before the rule 5?
VegasSDfan
Padres lost like 6 players and signed 1 pitcher. Of those 6, Arias looks the most interesting
GarryHarris
I think the Padres were cleaned out too. Maybe it’s a good thing. The only player I think might make it is the RP the Tigers took in Nick Kuzia.
The RP the Padres got from the Royals, Grant Gavin, doesn’t look like an upgrade to me. I’m no scout. I just follow the numbers and watch the players when I can.
PiratesFan1981
If Cardinals can have Jonah Davis make a bit more contact and learn to get on base with that power, he’d be a nice steal from the Buccos. Kid has power but a “free swinger”. If any team that can tame Davis, it can be Cardinals. Davis has Matt Adams type of power, but without the BA and OBP with high strike out rate. As of now, similar to Chris Davis with the “free swinging”. Low BA, big power. If Cardinals can have him control that swing and improve his ability to see the ball better, Pirates will shoot them selves in the foot. They are power deprived. Somebody has to sit this kid down and teach him how to hit. Hopefully Cardinals can do that because Pirates can’t seem to do it.
DonOsbourne
He’s 5-10, 180lbs. Matt Adams and Chris Davis don’t seem like good comps. I don’t know anything about him, but physically he doesn’t profile as a power hitter.
Mike LaValliere
Walking Cabrera?? Sounds like he would have a high OBP. I’m in.