Picking A 21st Century All-Rule 5 Team

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — In honor of tomorrow’s 2018 Rule 5 draft, here’s an all-star game of players picked in the Rule 5 draft in the 21st century updated to reflect what has happened over the past year. To make the list, a player had to make it fully through Rule 5 eligibility requirements. In other words Jose Bautista one of the best players picked in the Rule 5 draft this century, but since he ended up being traded back to his original team before fulfilling Rule 5 requirements, he’s not eligible. The same story is true for Ender Inciarte and Shane Victorino.

The team is based on long-term success. What is notable is how the Rule 5 draft generally is awash in relievers, but there are very few starting pitchers to choose from. It’s hard to find a catcher, but there have been some success stories in the infield. But overall, this spells out what are the best case scenarios in the Rule 5 draft over the span of 17 drafts.

Since last year’s first version of this, we have updated it with Omar Narvaez, a White Sox’ minor league Rule 5 pick replacing Jesus Flores as the team’s catcher. Daniel Winkler has been added as an additional reliever.

The Marlins acquisitions of Justin Bour and Alejandro De Aza stand out the most because they were minor league Rule 5 picks.

C–Omar Narvaez

1B–Justin Bour

2B–Dan Uggla

SS–Everth Cabrera

3B–Marwin Gonzalez

UTIL–Ryan Flaherty

OF–Odubel Herrera

OF–Delino Deshields

OF–Josh Hamilton

UTIL OF–Alejandro De Aza

DH–Chris Shelton