November 19 marked the final day teams could add prospects to the 40-man roster before the 2024 Rule 5 Draft. Thus, several MLB teams moved to protect eligible players by adding them to thr 40-man roster. Among the notable names protected included a top pitching prospect for St. Louis and several former first-round picks.
The most notable names added to 40-man rosters on the 19th were Colson Montgomery (White Sox) and Tink Hence (Cardinals).
Montgomery, a 2021 first-round pick, hit .214/.329/.381 last season in Charlotte (AAA). He’s got great tools, including a plus eye (69 BB over 130 G) and power. Montgomery, however, has been derailed by injuries in part. He hit .313 with three home runs in the Arizona Fall League, putting a nice end to a tough 2024 for Montgomery.
Hence, meanwhile, struck out 109 over 79.2 IP in Springfield (AA) last season as the Cardinals have moved him up slowly. However, Hence could make his MLB debut next season.
Other notable names added to 40-man rosters included Robert Hassell (Nationals), Mick Abel (Phillies), Kade Strowd (Orioles), Matthew Lugo (Angels), Denzel Clarke, and Ryan Cusick (Athletics).
Abel had a tough 2024, as he walked 78 over 108.2 IP and lost some luster on his prospect status. Still, Abel is a former first-round pick who can miss bats and had some success in the upper Minors.
Strowd is a right-handed reliever who struck out 71 over 51.1 IP. The Orioles reliever can pump it up to 96 MPH and pair his fastball with a cutter and low-80s changeup.
Lugo, a 2019 second-round pick, posted a .954 OPS in what was his best season as a pro. The Angels acquired him for reliever Luis Garcia last July.
Cusick was a first-round pick of the Braves in 2021 and a piece in the Sean Murphy trade to the A’s. He was an electric pitcher at Wake Forest but hasn’t lived up to standards in pro ball. Cusick struck out 66 over 63.2 IP last season in the Minors but walked 40.
Gunnar Hoglund, a fellow 2021 first-round pick, was also added to the Athletics’ 40-man roster.
The flurry of movement also saw notable former top prospects DFA’d. Among those names included Jordyn Adams (Angels), Brennen Davis (Cubs), Bryan Mata (Red Sox), and George Valera (Guardians).
The flurry of 40-man roster adds was made on the 19th since it was the deadline to add players to it before the Rule 5 Draft. Players who are 19 or older when drafted or signed must be added four years after their first pro deal, while 18 or younger must be added five years or risk exposure.
Generally speaking, this marked the first time high schoolers or international free agents signed in 2020 and college players taken in the 2021 MLB Draft are eligible for the Rule 5. An exception to that was Montgomery, a high schooler who was drafted and signed at 19 years old in 2021.
Aside from the 40-man roster shifts on November 19, two other notable moves occurred. Nick Martinez accepted his qualifying offer, the only player to do so. Additionally, the Rays traded Jose Siri to the Mets.