The 2024 Rule 5 Draft took place on December 11, one that didn’t see much action. Only 15 players were taken but among the names included an unheralded arm from the Brewers and several arms who profile as likely relievers come 2025.
Shane Smith – White Sox
The first pick of the 2024 Rule 5 Draft went to the league’s worst team, the White Sox. Chicago (AL) opted for a starter after a hefty trade on the 11th, and it turned out to be an undrafted free agent signee from the Brewers. Shane Smith, from Wake Forest University, put up two strong seasons in the Minors, in 2023-24. Last season in Double and Triple-A, Smith struck out a combined 113 batters over 94.1 IP.
Smith doesn’t have a plus fastball but it will sit in the mid-90s and blend with his cutter, based on pitch movement profile. He’ll also work in a hard, high-70s curveball with good breaking action. Given the lack of depth in the Sox’s rotation, Smith will likely be a rotation option come 2025.
Garrett McDaniels – Angels
The Angels will look to bet that Garrett McDaniels will be a hit. The Halos took McDaniels from crosstown rival, the Dodgers, have a strong season across three levels. McDaniels struck out 84 over 73.1 IP, finishing his 2024 campaign in Double-A Tulsa.
McDaniels is a lefty, and left-handed pitchers are not easy to come by.
Evan Reifert – Nationals
Former Rays prospect Evan Reifert didn’t record great numbers over his first three seasons in the Tampa and Milwaukee systems. He did, however, pitch great with Montgomery (AA) in 2024. Reifert struck out 65 over 41.1 IP and opposing batters hit .155 off the righty.
Reifert is the type of reliever who could be described as a change-of-pace arm. The 25-year-old works from a low arm slot, with a mid-90s fastball with run and a good mid-80s slider with shape and movement.
Cooper Bowman – Reds
This will be the third organization for Cooper Bowman since he was drafted by the Yankees in 2021. Bowman was sent to Oakland in the Frankie Montas trade and fits the kind of player the Athletics like. The 24-year-old Bowman gets on base a lot (.346 career OBP), stole 40+ bases twice in a single season, and has enough power to be a MLB talent.
He’s got a nice one-handed swing and Reds fans will get a look at it next season. Bowman profiles as a utilityman who can play multiple positions.
Nate Lavender – Rays
This is the kind of move one would expect from the Rays. Nathan Lavender, a 14th-round pick by the Mets in 2021, put up gaudy strikeout numbers in the New York (NL) farm system in 2022 and 2023. Lavender missed most of 2024 thanks to internal brace surgery but in 2023, struck out 86 over 54.1 IP.
So, why is this a “Rays” move? Well, for one, the Rays often look for relievers on affordable deals, and Lavender will be on one for 2025. Second, Lavender doesn’t have amazing stuff based off the radar gun. Lavender boasts a low-90s fastball with, you guessed it, above-average induced vertical break (17’7” IVB in 2024 (AAA)). He’ll also break out a changeup and slider, the latter with sharp movement.
Gage Workman – Cubs
Gage Workman was drafted out of ASU in the fourth round of the 2020 MLB Draft, three rounds after his teammate, Spencer Torkelson was drafted first overall. It’s taken a while for Workman to put it together, as he spent parts of three seasons in Double-A. This past season, Workman posted a career-high .842 OPS, 18 home runs, and 53 extra-base hits.
Workman, like Bowman, profiles as a utility infielder. The 25-year-old played second, third, and short in the Minors.
Juan Nunez – Padres
The Padres picked 24-year-old Juan Nunez from the Padres, a risky move given he’s never pitched above A-ball. However, Nunez may make more sense than one would think. The 24-year-old hurler 125 over 104.2 IP over two levels in 2023, then 38 more over 29.1 IP in 2024 with Aberdeen (A+)
At 5’10”, Nunez is likely a reliever long-term. Nunez does have the stuff to be a reliever, including a very good slider. Baltimore orignally acquired Nunez in the Jorge Lopez trade in 2022 from Minnesota.
Connor Thomas – Brewers
Five years ago, the Cardinals selected Connor Thomas as a starter out of Georgia Tech. In 2024, Thomas had arguably his best career season — as a reliever. The 26-year-old lefty posted a strong 2.89 ERA and struck out 79 over 90.1 IP.
Thomas could be categorized as a “junk” pitcher, as his fastball only sits in the 90-92 MPH range. However, Thomas works with a bunch of different offerings, including a slider, cutter, and changeup. That arsenal gives him potential to be a crafty lefty in the Brewers’ bullpen, fitting given Milwaukee non-tendered Hoby Milner last month.
Mike Vasil – Phillies
The Rays acquired two Mets prospects in the Rule 5 Draft. Tampa traded for Mike Vasil, who was taken by Philadelphia. Should this be Vasil’s last day in the Mets’ farm system, it would end a four-year run that saw Vasil go from high-upside candidate, to big-time prospect, to a pitcher who lost some of his luster.
Vasil was a potential first-round out of high school and never had much success at UVA. He did, however, regain his form in 2022, with a 10.8 K/9, that fell to 7.3 in 2024. Vasil has a pair of good breaking balls with movement, which could make him a versatile multi-inning reliever, or even a starter.