Everything to Know About Wednesday's Rule 5 Draft: A Comprehensive Guide
The annual Rule 5 Draft is a unique event in baseball, offering a second chance for players who might not have otherwise made it to the big leagues. This year, it's set to take place in Orlando, Florida, at 2 p.m. ET on Wednesday, streaming live on MLB.com. Here's a breakdown of what you need to know.
The Draft Order: A Reverse of Last Season's Standings
Unlike the amateur Draft (Rule 4), the Rule 5 Draft order is determined by the reverse of the previous season's standings. This means the team with the worst record gets the first pick, followed by the next worst, and so on. For instance, the Rockies, with the worst record in 2025, have the first pick, followed by the White Sox, Nationals, Twins, and Pirates.
Here's the complete draft order for 2025:
- Rockies (43-119, 38)
- White Sox (60-102, 34)
- Nationals (66-96, 37)
- Twins (70-92, 40)
- Pirates (71-91, 39)
- Angels (72-90, 34)
- Orioles (75-87, 40)
- Athletics (76-86, 39)
- Braves (76-86, 40)
- Rays (77-85, 40)
- Cardinals (78-84, 39)
- Marlins (79-83, 39)
- D-backs (80-82, 40)
- Rangers (81-81, 34)
- Giants (81-81, 39)
- Royals (82-80, 38)
- Reds (83-79, 39)
- Mets (83-79, 39)
- Tigers (87-75, 39)
- Astros (87-75, 38)
- Guardians (88-74, 38)
- Red Sox (89-73, 40)
- Mariners (90-72, 38)
- Padres (90-72, 35)
- Cubs (92-70, 31)
- Dodgers (93-69, 38)
- Blue Jays (94-68, 37)
- Yankees (94-68, 35)
- Phillies (96-66, 32)
- Brewers (97-65, 39)
Player Qualifications and Costs
- Players who turned pro at 18 or younger in 2021 or 19 or older in 2022 are eligible for the Major League phase if not on a 40-man roster.
- Clubs must pay $100,000 to the player's former team and keep the player on their active big league roster for the entire following season.
- Players can't be sent to the Minors without clearing waivers and being offered back to their original organization for half their Draft price.
Minor League Phase
- Anyone not protected on a big league or Triple-A roster is eligible for the Minor League phase, with a selection cost of $24,000.
- Players selected in this phase are not subject to roster restrictions with their new organizations.
Recent Successes and All-Time Best Picks
- Shane Smith, Liam Hicks, and Angel Bastardo were among the 15 players taken in last year's draft, with three sticking with their organizations through 2025.
- Seven Rule 5 selections since 2012 have amassed 5.0 or more career bWAR, including Mark Canha, Odúbel Herrera, and Brad Keller.
- Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente is considered the best player ever selected in the Rule 5 Draft, but comparisons across eras are challenging due to rule changes.
Top Available Prospects
- Top 30 prospects not protected by their clubs are available, but their selection depends on talent and proximity to the big leagues.
- Early buzz surrounds Blue Jays outfielder Yohendrick Pinango, Braves right-hander Blake Burkhalter, and more.
Remember to stay tuned for the live stream on MLB.com and get ready for the exciting possibilities that the Rule 5 Draft brings!
