With the Rule 5 Draft looming around the corner there are plenty of interesting options for MLB ballclubs amongst available Cubans. The selections will begin today at approximately 2PM eastern time.
Held each December, the Rule 5 Draft allows clubs without a full 40-man roster to select certain non-40-man roster players from other clubs. Clubs draft in reverse order of the standings from the previous season. Players signed at age 18 or younger need to be added to their club’s 40-Man roster within five seasons or they become eligible for the Rule 5 Draft. Players who signed at age 19 or older need to be protected within four seasons.
Not every club will make a selection, but those that do pick a player must pay $100,000 to the club from which said player was selected. Rule 5 Draft picks are assigned directly to the drafting club’s 26-man roster and must be placed on outright waivers in order to be removed from the 26-man roster in the subsequent season.
Should the player clear waivers, he must be offered back to his previous team for $50,000 and can be outrighted to the Minors only if his original club does not wish to reacquire him. A Rule 5 Draft pick can be placed on the Major League injured list, but he must be active for a minimum of 90 days to avoid being subject to the aforementioned roster restrictions in the next campaign.
The Rule 5 Draft begins at 2 p.m. ET.
Here's the latest on each team's 40-man roster status and where to follow live: https://t.co/T1J0prPAJQ pic.twitter.com/nRzlNLP41e
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) December 6, 2023
Clubs may trade a player selected in the Rule 5 Draft, but the same restrictions apply to the player’s new organization. However, a club may also work out a trade with the Rule 5 pick’s original club to acquire his full rights, thereby allowing him to be optioned to the Minors under traditional circumstances.
One interesting option is Orlando Ribalta. The right-hander in the Nationals’ farm system looked very serviceable in the Arizona Fall League winning four games out of the pen for the Scottsdale Scorpions. The Cuban hurler if selected could help a team this upcoming season in relief.
Another player who was on the cusp of the big leagues was the Angels’ Orlando Martínez. Between Double and Triple A hit .270 with 12 longballs and 70 runs batted in. Given a proper chance by a team the Cuban outfielder might actually surprise.
Felix Stevens, who is the nephew of ex-big leaguer Bárbaro Cañizares slugged 27 homeruns last season in the minors with the Cubs. The first baseman-outfielder could really develop and become a serviceable power-hitter in someone’s minor league system.
Como es una tradición en cada Winter Meetings hoy se celebrará el Draft de Regla 5 (2023).
Aquí los jugadores cubanos elegibles.
RHP Denny Larrondo (21) Dbacks
OF/1B Félix Stevens (24) Cubs
OF Cristian Moré (22) Cubs
INF Yassel Pino (22) Reds
LHP Sandro Bargallo (21) Marlins… pic.twitter.com/fWiRpcYQfG— Francys Romero (@francysromeroFR) December 6, 2023
Cuban eligible for the Rule 5 Draft:
RHP Denny Larrondo (21) Dbacks
OF/1B Félix Stevens (24) Cubs
OF Cristian Moré (22) Cubs
INF Yassel Pino (22) Reds
LHP Sandro Bargallo (21) Marlins
INF Malcom Núñez (22) Pirates
OF Jairo Pomares (23) Giants
RHP Julio Rodríguez (23) Giants
RHP Orlando Ribalta (25) Nats
RHP Richard Guasch (25) Nats
RHP Yusnier Padrón-Artiles (26) Red Sox
INF Raynel Delgado (23) Guardians
INF Yordys Valdés (22) Guardians
LHP Randy Labaut (27) Guardians
OF Roberto Campos (20) Tigers
LHP Julio Robaina (22) Astros
LHP José Nodal (21) Astros
RHP Franny Cobos (22) Astros
OF/INF Rolando Espinosa (22) Astros
C Omar Hernández (21) Royals
OF Orlando Martínez (25) Angels
RHP Osiel Rodríguez (22) Yankees
RHP Pedro Santos (23) Athletics
RHP Sandy Gastón (21) Rays
RHP Lázaro Estrada (24) Blue Jays