Thanks to the pending 2025-26 MLB lockout, there’s still uncertainty about the upcoming Rule 5 Draft. However, we do know that players who’ve done enough to warrant protection will either get it or potentially be exposed once it’s ultimately held. So, with the 2026 Minor League season winding down, let’s take a look at the names who may very well be atop the list of Rule 5 Draft candidates.
Astros
For those who pay attention to the Rule 5 Draft, the players who are generally in demand are either A) catchers or B) pitchers. If precedent is any indication, that will be what happens again should the 2026 Rule 5 Draft ultimately be held.
The Astros have some decisions to make. Jackson Nezuh, who’s been a massive swing-and-miss pitcher, should be protected by Houston this fall. James Hicks had a very good run in the Arizona Fall League in 2025 but wasn’t taken last December. Doesn’t throw too hard, generates ground balls.
Will Bush will whiff. However, the catcher, down in Double-A, has pop and should be protected by the Astros.
Blue Jays
Expect Nolan Perry and Gage Stanifer to be protected. Those two won’t be going anywhere. However, the case of Brandon Barriera is interesting.
Barriera was a first-round pick from 2022 who made just 13 outings as a professional this season. The left-hander struck out 40 over 38 innings, walking 29 between Low-A and High-A Dunedin.
If there’s one team that knows about taking players with limited pro experience in the Rule 5 Draft, that would be the Blue Jays. Toronto landed Spencer Miles, who’s been one of the key pieces for that Blue Jays bullpen this season. However, you have to love Barriera to take him.
Braves
It was a big breakout season for right-hander Cedric De Grandpre. A 2021 draft pick by the Braves, De Grandpre struck out 156 over 124 innings across three levels this season.
De Grandpre has a deep pitch arsenal, which includes a cutter, a curveball, a slider, and two fastballs that ran up to 97 MPH in Triple-A.
Brewers
- Ryan Birchard
- Dylan O’Rae
- Brock Wilken
- Matthew Wood
Ryan Birchard is going to the AFL, as the Brewers will see what exactly they have with the right-hander. Birchard walked over a batter per inning but posted gaudy strikeout numbers.
Brock Wilken is a former first-round pick with pop. However, he slashed .197/.325/.373 in Triple-A and likely will be left off the 40-man roster, as opposed to being protected.
Dylan O’Rae and Matthew Wood are both fascinating players. O’Rae and Wood finished in the top six of the Southern League in walks. Both are pesky hitters, and Wood, a catcher, would likely be a popular name off the board.
Aside from those four listed above, groundball machine Tate Kuehner is another name to watch.
Cardinals
Ixan Henderson missed most of 2026. However, it’s hard to forget what he did in 2025. Henderson allowed just five home runs over 132 innings and struck out 134 with Double-A Springfield.
However, he only tossed 13.2 IP in 2026. Fastball up to 94 MPH this season, as well as three secondary offerings.
Cubs
Jaxon Wiggins entered 2026 as, arguably, the best prospect in the Cubs’ system. But it won’t end that way, as injuries and struggles down at Triple-A ravaged his season.
He should still be protected.
Nazier Mulé, a good pitching prospect and still 21 years of age, is a different story.
Diamondbacks
Demetrio Crisantes will be protected, as he’s one of the best prospects in the Arizona system. But there are other decisions that the D-Backs will have to make.
Both Caden Grice and Ashton Izzi were high draft picks, while Josh Grosz was a notable prospect in the Yankees’ and Rockies’ systems who didn’t perform well in 2026.
Hard-throwing righty Wellington Aracena should also be protected.
Dodgers
It’s been an interesting past few seasons for Jackson Ferris, a 2022 draft pick by the Cubs who was acquired years ago for Michael Busch. However, September 2026 was, arguably, his best month in some time. A sub-1.00 ERA and a ton of swing-and-miss.
However, he, along with Adam Serwinowski and Christian Zazueta, should be protected.
Giants
Joe Whitman has been a steady hand in the upper Minors over the past few years. Whitman struck out 67 over 79 in Triple-A this season. More importantly, he’s limited the home run ball.
Marlins
Kemp Alderman, Karson Milbrandt, and Brayden Taylor are all notable prospects and should be protected.
Miami’s stockpiled swing-and-miss relievers over the past few years, and Nigel Belgrave is one. The 24-year-old struck out 83 over 68.1 IP with Double-A Pensacola this season.
The big wild card among this group is Jace Beck. Beck was signed by the Cubs last winter, and then flipped to Miami in the summer for Braxton Garrett. Mid-90s fastball, as well as a changeup and two breaking balls. A ton of swing-and-miss, although he’s been hit around of late in Triple-A, too.
Mets
Jack Wenninger seems like a lock to be protected. However, Jacob Reimer, a good power bat but also someone who’s had trouble staying healthy, is another one of those wild cards.
Nationals
- Jarlin Susana
Don’t expect him to be on the board.
Orioles
Enrique Bradfield Jr. has a high floor, thanks to the speed and glove. However, he doesn’t project to be a big offensive threat.
However, keep an eye on the pitchers. Juaron Watts-Brown has a high floor thanks to how much swing-and-miss he can generate, even though 2026 wasn’t kind to him. Forret, re-acquired from the Rays in August, suppresses well-hit contact.
Kiefer Lord has a fastball in the mid-90s, along with enough secondary stuff to envision him as a reliever at the MLB level next season. Even if he’s only capped out at High-A.
Phillies
After a breakout season in which Bryan Rincon hit nearly 30 home runs in Double-A, he will be protected. Mavis Graves, a big arm in High-A, should be an interesting name to watch.
Pirates
Right-hander Derek Diamond is a name to watch. Mid-90s fastball, slider, and a ton of swing-and-miss down the stretch for Triple-A Indianapolis.
Now, you may ask yourself why Whiff% gets mentioned so much here. Well, swing-and-miss correlates to strikeouts, and ergo, outs. Two of the top 10 pitchers in swing-and-miss among International League hurlers last year wound up being taken in the Rule 5 Draft. Believe me, it matters.
Rangers
Aidan Curry was an undrafted free agent signed back in 2021 and was not taken last December. However, Curry may very well be in more demand now.
The right-hander was a swing-and-miss machine in Double-A, as he was able to strike out 128 over 104 innings between Frisco and Triple-A Round Rock.
Rays
Xavier Isaac is up with Triple-A Durham, one step away from the Rays’ Major League roster. Plus raw pop and a good eye at the plate.
Jackson Baumeister was near the top of the strikeout list among Double-A pitchers. Chris Clark, acquired from the Angels this past winter, is a Harvard man who has a sinker that’ll run up to 97 MPH, plus a lot of pitches in his toolbox.
Red Sox
Blake Wehunt will be protected. One of the better pitching prospects in the Boston system, Wehunt struck out 104 batters over 100 innings this year.
Nicholas Judice, who is headed to the Arizona Fall League, is another one of those sleeper names to watch. Hasn’t pitched much, as Judice capped out at Low-A almost three years after he was acquired from the Yankees for Alex Verdugo.
Reds
Once former first-round picks, both Collier & Floyd are at a crossroads.
Collier had another underwhelming season, while Floyd hasn’t pitched much at all since going pro in 2023.
Rockies
I noted back in June just how good of a year it’s been for Bryant Betancourt. Between two levels, Betancourt hit a career-best 17 home runs. A catcher with some offensive punch, one who can drive the ball to the pull side and make consistent contact.
Jackson Cox had a breakout year, while Roc Riggio is a second baseman with pop.
Royals
Despite high swing-and-miss, Carson Roccaforte is a big power hitter who should be protected from the Rule 5.
Hunter Owen had a nice season, working his way up to Triple-A. Owen struck out 112 over 97 innings.
Tigers
Max Anderson is one of the best pure contact hitters in the Minors. He won’t be going anywhere.
Jaden Hamm is a notable pitching prospect in the Detroit system. Pitched well in 2025 but missed all of 2026.
Jojo Ingrassia missed a lot of bats in A-ball this season, mostly with the Red Sox.
White Sox
Lucas Gordon is one of those under-the-radar pitchers to watch. Gordon finished the Double-A season with the third-most strikeouts in the Southern League (123), with a good amount of swing-and-miss.
As noted back in July, Gordon’s fastball will top out around 90 MPH. But Gordon does have the secondary stuff to play off it.
Check out more of our MLB and Minor League coverage, including our non-tender candidate list.