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With a lack of a 2020 Minor League season, or even an Arizona Fall League, the general feeling ahead of Thursday’s Rule 5 Draft was the annual event that typically ends with the Winter Meetings would be relatively quiet.
Turns out, that feeling was wrong.
A total of 18 players were taken in the Major League phase, tying the 2016 and ‘17 Drafts for the most selections since 19 were taken back in 2010. The Minor League phase was extremely active, with 56 players taken. The total of 74 players selected was the most since 79 picks were made in the 2004 Rule 5 Draft. A total of 15 of the 18 players taken in the Major League phase were right-handed pitchers, while two outfielders and a shortstop were also selected.
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NEW YORK The Mets swung a trade, lost a young starting pitching prospect and added significant upper-Minors depth on Thursday during a busy Rule 5 Draft.
In a common type of draft day deal, the Mets selected right-handed pitcher Luis Oviedo from the Indians with intentions to trade him to the Pirates for cash considerations, according to a source. Teams frequently use their Rule 5 Draft position to select players for other clubs, as the Mets have done multiple times in recent years.
The Mets also lost right-hander Dedniel Nunez to the Giants. A 2016 international signing out of the Dominican Republic, Nunez gave the Mets a glimpse of high-upside potential when he struck out 94 batters over 80 innings split between Class A Columbia and Class A St. Lucie in 19. But the Mets, with expectations of a tight 40-man roster this winter, did not protect him in advance of the Rule 5 Draft. A rebuilding Giants team will need to keep Nunez on its roster for the entire
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It turned out to be an active Rule 5 Draft after all. Topped by right-hander Jose Soriano, 18 players were chosen in the Major League phase of the Rule 5 Draft on Thursday equal to the number of selections in 2017 and 2016 and just shy of the 19
It turned out to be an active Rule 5 Draft after all.
Topped by right-hander
Jose Soriano, 18 players were chosen in the Major League phase of the Rule 5 Draft on Thursday equal to the number of selections in 2017 and 2016 and just shy of the 19 players picked in 2010.
Players taken as part of Thursday s process held virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic must stick with their new clubs for the duration of the 2021 season (or at least 90 days on the active roster if they spend time on the injured list) or else be offered back to their original club. Rule 5 picks cost $100,000, and the players are offered back at $50,000 if they do not stick with their new team.