Get ready for an exciting afternoon of baseball's future stars! The 2025 Rule 5 Draft is just around the corner, and you can catch all the action live from Orlando at 2 p.m. ET.
But what's all the buzz about? The Rule 5 Draft is a unique opportunity for Major League clubs to take a chance on players who might have slipped through the cracks. It's a chance to discover hidden gems and potentially transform a team's fortunes.
Here's how it works: The draft order is based on the reverse of the previous season's standings, giving the worst-performing teams the first picks. Each team must have space on their 40-man roster to make a selection, and they pay a fee of $100,000 for the privilege. But here's where it gets interesting: if the drafted player doesn't stick around on the Major League roster for the entire season, the drafting team can offer him back to his original team for half the price.
And who's eligible? Players who turned pro at a young age and haven't made it to the 40-man roster yet. This year, that includes players who went pro at 18 or younger in 2021 and those who were 19 or older in 2022.
The draft order is set, and the Rockies, with the worst record last season, will have the first pick. They'll be followed by the White Sox and Nationals, among others, each hoping to find that diamond in the rough. The full order is as follows:
- Rockies (37)
- White Sox (35)
- Nationals (37)
- Twins (40)
- Pirates (39)
- Angels (35)
- Orioles (40)
- Athletics (39)
- Braves (40)
- Rays (40)
- Cardinals (39)
- Marlins (39)
- D-backs (40)
- Rangers (34)
- Giants (39)
- Royals (38)
- Reds (39)
- Mets (39)
- Tigers (39)
- Astros (39)
- Guardians (38)
- Red Sox (39)
- Mariners (38)
- Padres (36)
- Cubs (31)
- Dodgers (38)
- Blue Jays (37)
- Yankees (35)
- Phillies (34)
- Brewers (39)
But wait, there's more! The Rule 5 Draft also has a Minor League phase, where costs double for a Triple-A pick. This phase offers even more opportunities for teams to bolster their farm systems. Unlike the Major League phase, players selected here aren't subject to roster restrictions, allowing for more flexibility.
So, will your favorite team take a chance on an up-and-coming star? Tune in to find out! And don't forget to join the conversation in the comments. Is the Rule 5 Draft a fair system for players and teams? Are there any players you're particularly excited to see drafted? Share your thoughts!
