A long-standing tradition in Major League Baseball (MLB) takes place every December, in the Rule 5 Draft. The Draft intends to prevent MLB teams from hoarding prospects. But, how exactly does the Rule 5 Draft work? Here’s an overview of how the Rule 5 Draft works in Major League Baseball.
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The format
Much like the Rule 4 Draft — otherwise known as the First-Year MLB Draft — all 30 teams draft in reverse order, meaning the team with the worst record can draft first. The Rule 5 Draft typically takes place in December during the Winter Meetings.
Now, it’s important to note that only teams with space on the 40-man roster can participate in the Rule 5 Draft. We’ll get to why in a minute.
Rather than selecting amateur players, MLB teams select players on Minor League rosters of other clubs. However, any player selected in the MLB phase of the Rule 5 Draft must be added to the 40-man roster and MLB 26-man roster upon selection and held on to for the entirety of the next season.
Otherwise, that player must be offered back to their original team.
Rule 5 Draft picks can be placed on the injured list. But to avoid circumvention of the Draft by drafting a player and stashing that individual on the IL to take over their rights, that player must be active on the team for 90 days.
If not, that player would be “subject to the aforementioned roster restrictions in the next campaign.”
Should a Rule 5 Draft pick stay on an MLB team for the entirety of the next season, the team that had the player’s rights — whether it was through the direct pick or a trade for the rights — retains full control.
Teams draft until no more players are selected, as this is an optional draft. There is also no limit on how many players a team can lose in the draft.
Who’s eligible?
Minor League players that are not on the 40-man roster are eligible if they were A) 18 or younger when signed and this is their fifth Rule 5 Draft or B) 19 or older and this is their fourth Rule 5 Draft.
For example, a college player — who is typically drafted and signed at either age 20 or 21 — signed in 2020 would become eligible in the fourth draft (2023) after becoming a pro.
What notable players have been taken in the Rule 5 Draft?
Even though many of the Rule 5 Draft picks don’t turn into impact MLB players, there are exceptions to the rule.
Arguably the most notable example is Baseball Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente, who was selected by the Pirates from the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1954. Clemente would turn into a 15-time All-Star, two-time World Series champion, and member of the 3,000-hit club.
Joakim Soria, Shane Victorino, Johan Santana, Josh Hamilton, and Darren O’Day are among examples of Rule 5 Draft picks that would turn into MLB All-Stars. In more recent memory, Garrett Whitlock, Trevor Stephan, and Tyler Wells are among other players taken and instantly became MLB mainstays.