The 2025 Rule 5 draft is currently underway at the Winter Meetings in Orlando, with updates being provided on player selections as they occur. This important event offers a unique chance for talented players, who may be stymied by their current teams, to secure opportunities elsewhere in Major League Baseball.
Eligible players for this year’s draft include those who were 18 or younger when they signed professionally in 2021, as well as those aged 19 and older who turned pro in 2022, provided they are not on a 40-man roster. Unlike the amateur draft, which has adopted a lottery system for selection order, the Rule 5 draft remains straightforward, using the reverse order of the previous season’s standings.
To make a selection, clubs must have an open spot on their 40-man roster. While they aren’t required to draft a player during their turn, selecting a player involves a financial commitment of $100,000 to the team from which the player is chosen. Once selected, players must remain on the active roster or injured list for the entire 2026 season; otherwise, they will be placed on waivers. If they clear waivers, the original team has the option to reclaim them. Notably, players are not eligible to be optioned to the minors.
The draft has seen successful picks in the past, with notable names like Anthony Santander and Ryan Pressly emerging from previous years. More historic selections include legendary figures such as George Bell and Roberto Clemente. In last year’s draft, 15 players were chosen, but only four remain with their new teams, and just three have had their rights fully transferred. This year, teams such as the White Sox and Marlins have already made selections, with the White Sox picking RHP Jedixson Paez from the Red Sox, and the Rockies selecting RHP RJ Petit from the Tigers.
The competition is intense as clubs look to bolster their rosters with hidden gems from the Rule 5 draft. As selections continue to come in, the excitement builds around which players will make the leap to the major leagues and how they will impact their new teams in 2026.
Below are the picks made so far in the draft:
- Rockies: RHP RJ Petit (from the Tigers)
- White Sox: RHP Jedixson Paez (from the Red Sox)
The draft will continue to unfold, with more clubs expected to announce their selections throughout the day. Attention will remain focused on how these new picks will fit into the teams’ strategies as the 2026 season approaches.
