Rule 5 Draft Alters Ten Clubs’ Top 30 Prospect Rankings

The 2025 Rule 5 Draft quietly shook up the prospect scene across Major League Baseball. Thirteen players—mostly right-handed pitchers—found new homes, each with a clearer path to big league innings in 2026.

From power arms with nasty sliders to a high-upside catcher switching Bay Area teams, this year’s class proves the Rule 5 Draft still uncovers hidden gems and fills development gaps. Contenders and rebuilding clubs both leaned in.

Rule 5 Draft 2025: Fresh Arms, New Opportunities

The big story? Teams went all-in on pitching. Almost all of the 13 picks were right-handed arms, many with at least one standout pitch and the kind of bullpen-ready profiles that can stick on a Major League roster for a full season.

The draft also shook up several clubs’ Top 30 prospect lists. Front offices now have to reconsider depth charts, succession plans, and how fast to push certain players next year.

Boston Red Sox: Losing Paez, Elevating Uberstine

The Boston Red Sox lost right-hander Jedixson Paez early in the Rule 5 shuffle. Paez has battled injuries, and Boston’s choice to leave him unprotected gave another team a shot at his upside.

To adjust, the Red Sox bumped Tyler Uberstine into their Top 30. Uberstine throws from a near-sidearm angle, giving hitters a different look and making him tough to square up.

He’s got enough pitchability to project as starting depth. If injuries hit the rotation, don’t be surprised if he gets a shot as a swingman in Boston.

Yankees Rebuild Pitching Depth with Cade Winquest

The New York Yankees chased upside and grabbed Cade Winquest, a righty with a sharp curveball and a fastball that sits in the mid-90s. Their farm system needed a boost after trades and graduations thinned the ranks.

Winquest’s mix of velocity and breaking-ball bite fits the Yankees’ pitching mold. If he commands the zone, he might just push his way into the Bronx bullpen in 2026.

Cleveland Guardians Add Spin with Peyton Pallette

The Cleveland Guardians kept to their style, going for a pitcher who thrives on spin and deception. They picked up Peyton Pallette, a reliever with a high-spin curve and a changeup that misses bats.

Cleveland’s known for sharpening secondary pitches and dialing in command. If they can help Pallette find the zone more often, he could become a valuable multi-inning arm.

White Sox Double Up: Paez and Alberto Join the Mix

The Chicago White Sox got aggressive, landing two arms: Jedixson Paez and Alexander Alberto. Paez’s health is still a question, but the upside is worth a shot for a rebuilding team.

Alberto brings something else—a big frame, a high-velocity fastball, and a plus slider. That combo screams late-inning relief, and if he throws enough strikes, he could move up Chicago’s bullpen ranks quickly.

Rockies Target Size and Slider with RJ Petit

The Detroit Tigers lost RJ Petit to the Colorado Rockies. Petit stands 6-foot-8 and uses that height to create tough angles, making his already good slider even nastier.

Colorado sees Petit as a potential bulk reliever—someone who can soak up multiple innings and help a thin rotation, especially at altitude. If he figures out Coors Field, his slider could be a real weapon there.

Giants Steal a Catcher: Daniel Susac from the A’s

Not all the action was on the mound. The Oakland Athletics lost catcher Daniel Susac to the San Francisco Giants, a move that could shake up the Bay Area’s future behind the plate.

The Giants are banking on Susac’s mix of power and receiving skills. They believe his defense will carry him while they work on his approach at the plate. Sure, there are questions about his selectivity and swing choices, but catchers with pop and defensive chops don’t show up in the Rule 5 every year.

Nats and Phillies Exchange Power Arms with Flaws

The Washington Nationals went for upside with Griff McGarry, a pitcher who has the stuff for late innings but has always struggled with control. For a rebuilding club, it’s a simple bet: if McGarry finds the zone, he could be part of their next contending core.

The Philadelphia Phillies added Zach McCambley, another bullpen-ready arm. McCambley flashes a plus-plus slider and a cutter that pairs nicely with it, giving him the look of a high-leverage reliever. If he keeps hitters off-balance and stays consistent, Philly might have found another late-inning option.

How the 2025 Rule 5 Draft Reshaped Prospect Lists

Several organizations scrambled to adjust their internal rankings and public Top 30 lists after these moves. Boston re-slotted Uberstine. Oakland now has to recalibrate at catcher without Susac.

Clubs like the Yankees and Guardians suddenly found a bit more pitching depth, which they badly needed.

The Rule 5 Draft isn’t just a footnote anymore. It’s become a strategic tool that:

With 2026 on the horizon, the real story is still unwritten. Will any of these arms—or maybe that one notable catcher—stick on active rosters and actually turn raw tools into real production? Maybe one of them transforms a simple Rule 5 flier into a legit long-term Major League asset. It’s always a bit of a gamble, isn’t it?

 
Here is the source article for this story: How the Rule 5 Draft impacted 10 clubs’ Top 30 Prospects lists