Guardians Rule 5 Draft Preview: Prospects, Strategy, and Targets

The Cleveland Guardians are staring down a pretty big decision as they get ready to lock in which young prospects they’ll shield from the upcoming Rule 5 Draft. With the deadline set for 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, November 18, the front office has to juggle talent, experience, and what the organization needs most right now.

This annual roster shuffle isn’t just some minor housekeeping. It’s really about protecting the team’s future while staying flexible for the 2025 season.

Understanding the Rule 5 Draft and Its Impact

The Rule 5 Draft exists so teams can’t just stash young players in the minors forever without giving them a real shot at the majors. The rules are pretty simple, but the impact can be huge.

If a player signs at 18 or younger, the team has five seasons to add him to the 40-man roster. Players who sign at 19 or older get four seasons before other teams can snatch them up.

Roster Space and Current Numbers

Right now, the Guardians have 37 players on the 40-man roster. That leaves space for three more additions without having to cut anyone immediately.

If they want to protect more than three prospects, though, someone else will have to go. That could mean designating a player for assignment or putting him on waivers.

Who Could Be on the Chopping Block?

A few names might get moved to open up space if it comes to that. The candidates on the bubble include:

• Nolan Jones
• Zak Kent
• Doug Nikhazy
• Nic Enright
• Will Brennan
• Johnathan Rodriguez
• Jhonkensy Noel

These players all have some upside, but the team’s priorities and timelines for development might leave them exposed if higher-ceiling prospects need protection.

Top Prospects in the Spotlight

The front office is apparently zeroing in on four main candidates to protect:

• Angel Genao – A 21-year-old shortstop who’s put up a 126 wRC+ and jumped to Double-A, showing both poise and a steady bat.
• Kahlil Watson – The 22-year-old outfielder posted a 128 wRC+ in Triple-A, which suggests he’s close to ready for the majors.
• Austin Peterson – This 26-year-old righty has a 3.21 ERA across Double and Triple-A. He’s shown he can be reliable, whether that’s starting or coming out of the bullpen.
• Yorman Gomez – At 23, Gomez put up a 2.96 ERA in Double-A. He’s got good numbers, but with not much experience at higher levels, he might be the most likely to get left unprotected.

Additional Names Worth Watching

While those four are getting most of the buzz, other prospects like outfielder Wuilfredo Antunez, lefty reliever Steven Perez, and right-hander Trenton Denholm have all had strong minor-league seasons. Any of them could sneak onto the roster if the Guardians think they fill an immediate gap.

Predictions and Strategic Considerations

Most folks around the team expect Genao, Watson, Peterson, and Gomez to get added to the 40-man roster before the deadline. Still, there’s some doubt about Gomez, given where he is in his development.

One interesting possibility: Cleveland could leave a roster spot open. That would let them select a player from another team who wasn’t protected—a move that sometimes pays off big if you spot the right guy.

Final Thoughts

The November 18 deadline is coming up fast. Inside Progressive Field, the Guardians’ leadership team will pore over stats, depth charts, and player development notes.

For fans, it’s a chance to peek behind the curtain and see how much roster decisions matter—sometimes even more than what happens on the field. These November moves? They can shape what we see next summer.

Maybe it’s Genao’s glove, Watson’s bat, Peterson’s steady play, or Gomez’s upside. The Guardians have to figure out which talent to protect—and which risks are worth taking.

The Rule 5 Draft doesn’t get much buzz, but front offices treat it like a chess match. By Tuesday afternoon, we’ll get a real sense of how the Guardians want to build for 2025 and beyond.

 
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