This Wednesday, three Cuban-born players were selected in the Rule 5 Draft and will now join new organizations. The Rule 5 draft prevents teams from hoarding a large number of prospects in their minor league system. It also gives other teams a chance to acquire players who might otherwise be stuck in the minors
- Eligibility: A player is eligible if they are not on their parent club’s 40-man roster and have been in the professional system for a set number of seasons.
- Players signed at age 18 or younger must be protected within five seasons.
- Players signed at age 19 or older must be protected within four seasons.
- Selection: Teams with open spots on their 40-man roster can select eligible players.
- Cost: A team pays $100,000 to select a player in the major league phase of the draft.
- Roster requirement: The drafted player must remain on the selecting team’s active 26-man roster for the entire season.
- Returning a player: If the team wants to send the player to the minors, they must first offer the player back to their original team for a $50,000 fee.
- Minor League Phase Rules (Triple-A):
- Cost: Around $24,000 (e.g., $24,500 in 2021).
- Roster Requirement: No Major League roster restrictions; the player can be sent to the minors immediately.
- Offer Back: No “offer back” rule like the Major League phase.
- Protection: Teams with a full 38-man Triple-A roster are protected from being drafted in this phase.
Right-handed pitchers Sandy Gastón and Jorge Marcheco, formerly of the Angels, were selected by the Washington Nationals and the Oakland Athletics, respectively. Catcher Raudelis Martínez, signed by the Rays in 2021, was selected by the Boston Red Sox, all the players were selected in the minor league phase of the draft.
Gastón spent last season at Tri-City (A+) and Salt Lake (AAA) posted a 5-2 record, 4.84 earned run average and 89 strikeouts in 70⅔ innings, while also sporting a 1.57 WHIP. The hurler will probably start the year at Double-A for Washington.
Marcheco who was the pitcher of the year during 2023 in the Angels minor league system. Last season between A+ and AA posted a 5-7 record and a 4.36 earned run average. The right-hander has probably the best chance to make the majors of all three.
Raudelis Martínez who can play catcher, first base and in the outfield hit .239 with four homeruns and 38 runs batted in over 243 at-bats with Bowling Green (A+). Martínez’s versatility could help him progress in Boston’s farm system.