The Rule 5 Draft

By Andrew Hefner

December 8, 2024

***

Purpose of the Draft

Rule 5 began in 1920 and still operates to help provide MLB opportunities to prospects who are being blocked from within their organization. The Yankees are notorious for not having many opportunities on the Major League stage for prospects. Many great young players in the Yankees' farm system will fall victim to this. The Draft helps to counteract this issue. 

A great example of how the draft has helped Minor Leaguers is former Yankees prospect, and current Red Sock, Mickey Gasper. Gasper was taken in the 27th round of the 2018 MLB draft by the New York Yankees. As a catcher, first baseman, and second baseman, he provided great defensive skills while often batting about that key .300 mark in the minors. After spending 6 seasons in the Yankees system he was left unprotected in last year’s Rule 5 Draft and was plucked from the Yanks by the Boston Red Sox. Just a few months later, Gasper would get his chance to play in Fenway for the Red Sox, as, after injuries plagued the team, the call was made. Although it was a short stint, the opportunity may never have been provided to him if he was still with the Yankees and his path to the Majors shows exactly why the Draft exists. 

How Does it Work?

The Rule 5 Draft works similarly to how the normal Amateur Draft works. The worst team by win-loss record gets the first pick, then the second worst, and so on. The key, however, is that each team making a pick must not have a full 40-man roster. This means whoever gets picked will immediately get added to the 40-man and have a better chance of making the majors sooner. During each team's pick, an unprotected player (meaning not on the 40-man roster) can be picked. The team will pay 100 thousand for the player to help with the turnover cost. Players are draft eligible if, 1. They were signed under the age of 18 and they have not been placed on the 40-Man within 5 years of the signing or, 2. If they were signed at 19 or over and have not been placed on the 40-Man within 4 years. Again, the goal is to provide a route to the Majors for serving Minor Leaguers who have not yet gotten their chance. 

Who Have the Yankees Protected

The deadline to add players to the 40-man roster was in November, and this year the Yankees added 2 extra players to the roster to protect.

Caleb Durbin was the first to be protected. He is a great infield prospect and has been rumored to be taking Gleyber Torres’ spot in the Majors as the starting 2nd Baseman. 

The second protected player was catching prospect Jesús Rodríguez. The young catcher spent the majority of his 2024 season in High-A Hudson Valley and slashed a .302 average with 10 home runs. He will join Austin Wells, Jose Trevino, and J.C. Escarra as the catchers on the 40-man roster. 

Worst Case Scenario

Pitching prospect Zach Messinger had an excellent season in Double-A last year. It seemed he was well on his way to being a Yankees starting pitcher. With the draft approaching, though, this dream may not be a reality after he was curiously left off the 40-man roster. Messinger was taken in the 13th round of the 2021 draft by the Yankees and has enjoyed an excellent minor league career, sporting a 3.76 ERA in 80 appearances. He is ranked as the Yankees’ number 17 prospect and has plenty of pro potential. Many teams are looking for good arms and pitchers are the most frequently taken position in the draft so it seems Messinger could be on his way out this Wednesday. 

My Thoughts

The Rule 5 Draft hurts me every year as I enjoy attending Somerset Patriots games and watching these young prospects play as much as possible. There is a different connection with fans and players in the minors. I dislike watching some of the guys who I’ve had real conversations and connections with or that I see a lot of potential in getting taken away from my favorite team. For Mickey Gasper, it worked out well and I’m proud of what he has been able to accomplish. At the same time, someone like Messinger who I see as a future Yankees ace potentially going to a team like the Athletics or Marlins scares me. I hope those picked have great careers ahead of them but seeing them in Pinstripes instead would make me even happier.