The 2025 MLB Rule 5 Draft quietly reshaped several pitching staffs around the league. At the center of it all, the Colorado Rockies made a bold move by grabbing right-hander RJ Petit with the first overall pick.
This draft is designed to unearth overlooked talent. Colorado might’ve found exactly what it needs: a power arm with groundball tendencies, built to survive the brutal realities of Coors Field.
Rockies Bet Big on RJ Petit With No. 1 Rule 5 Pick
The Rockies didn’t just use the top pick; they used it with a clear organizational strategy in mind. After another season of inflated ERAs and late-inning breakdowns, Colorado turned to the Rule 5 market for immediate bullpen help.
Who Is RJ Petit?
RJ Petit isn’t your typical anonymous Rule 5 flier. At 6-foot-8 and 300 pounds, the 26-year-old righty is one of the most physically imposing pitchers in pro baseball.
Detroit originally drafted him in the 14th round out of Charleston Southern in 2021. He’s steadily climbed the minor league ladder without much fanfare but with a lot of effectiveness.
Across Double-A and Triple-A, Petit has quietly put together the kind of profile front offices covet in modern relievers. Over 47 appearances, he posted a 2.44 ERA, 2.94 FIP, and 3.35 xFIP.
Those numbers suggest his performance is backed by strong underlying metrics, not just luck or defense. He’s not flashy, but he gets the job done.
Petit’s Power Arsenal Fits Today’s Game
Petit arrives in Colorado with a full starter’s arsenal that should translate well in a bullpen role. His repertoire includes:
For a Rule 5 reliever, that’s a rare level of depth. Most clubs are thrilled to get two reliable pitches; Petit brings five, with velocity and movement to spare.
Why RJ Petit Makes Sense for Coors Field
Coors Field is where many promising pitchers go to suffer. The Rockies believe Petit’s profile gives him a fighting chance.
His track record suggests he can keep the ball on the ground and avoid the kind of airborne damage that turns routine fly balls into extra-base hits at altitude. That’s a big deal in Denver.
Groundballs Over Fly Balls in Denver
Last season, the Rockies’ staff was battered to the tune of a 5.18 team ERA, plagued by high walk rates and low strikeout totals. That’s a catastrophic combination in a hitter-friendly environment.
Petit’s 42.1% groundball rate offers a partial antidote to the problem. While 42.1% isn’t elite, it’s a solid foundation for Coors, especially when paired with his strikeout capability and multi-pitch mix.
The two-seamer and slider in particular should help him induce weak contact on the ground. Colorado’s infield can go to work rather than watching balls sail into the gaps.
Inside the 2025 MLB Rule 5 Draft Landscape
Petit headlined a Rule 5 Draft that was modest in volume but meaningful in intent. Teams across the league used the mechanism to address pitching depth and seek value on the margins.
Notable Picks Beyond Petit
In total, 13 players were selected in the MLB phase of the Rule 5 Draft. Among them, a couple of names stood out as potential impact arms:
Several organizations elected to pass on the MLB phase entirely. That wasn’t an accident; it reflects front offices that either feel comfortable with their current depth or aren’t willing to commit a 26-man roster spot all season to a Rule 5 pick.
In today’s specialized, matchup-heavy bullpens, that roster flexibility is precious. Sometimes you just can’t risk it.
Triple-A Phase: Quiet Moves, Real Impact
While the MLB phase drew the headlines, the Triple-A phase was far more active, with 55 players selected. This lower-profile portion of the draft often becomes a long-term depth play.
Clubs hunt for late bloomers or specific role players to plug into their upper minors. Several picks were flipped almost immediately via trades, showing how teams use the Rule 5 Draft as both a talent acquisition tool and a trade chip.
The broader pattern is clear: organizations are aggressively trying to rebuild or reinforce pitching depth at every level. They know the 162-game grind chews up arms, and you’d better be ready.
What Petit’s Selection Signals for the Rockies’ Future
By making RJ Petit the first overall Rule 5 pick, the Rockies sent a clear message. They’re not going to let Coors Field serve as an excuse for mediocre pitching anymore.
They want arms with the right traits to survive—and maybe even thrive—in Denver’s thin air. If Petit brings his minor league numbers and groundball tendencies to the majors, Colorado might have landed a cost-effective bullpen piece in a draft most folks tend to ignore.
The Rockies have been searching for pitching answers for years. Honestly, that’s the kind of under-the-radar move that could shift a season—or even nudge the whole staff’s direction.
Here is the source article for this story: 2025 MLB Rule 5 Draft Results
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