The 2025 Rule 5 Draft sent a pretty clear message about where front offices still see hidden value: on the mound, and almost always from the right side.
With 13 Major League phase picks—12 right-handed pitchers and just one position player—this year’s draft showed how teams use Rule 5 as a low-cost way to find bullpen help, stash upside arms, and patch depth charts for the new season.
Pitching Dominates the 2025 Rule 5 Draft
If you were hoping for bats in this year’s Major League phase, well, you probably came away disappointed.
The market leaned hard toward pitching, especially right-handed relievers with upside or starters who might fit in the bullpen.
That’s just how modern rosters work. Teams want fresh, optionable arms and cheap contributors who can survive a 162-game grind.
RJ Petit Becomes the First Overall Pick
The Colorado Rockies set the tone with the first pick, grabbing RHP RJ Petit from the Detroit Tigers system.
Petit jumps in as Colorado’s No. 26 prospect and projects as a bulk reliever—pretty much the ideal Rule 5 role.
For a Rockies team that’s always fighting altitude, finding arms who can eat multiple innings is key.
Petit’s got a durable frame, the ability to face a lineup more than once, and stuff that should work in relief. Colorado hopes he can steady the middle innings while they figure out the rotation.
White Sox Roll the Dice on High-Upside Arms
The Chicago White Sox went after ceiling, not polish. They used their Rule 5 picks to land two interesting righties:
Both guys have limited upper-level experience, but that’s part of the intrigue.
The Sox are betting on raw stuff and the chance to develop, not a finished product. In a rebuild, Chicago can afford to carry a Rule 5 arm or two, letting these pitchers take lumps against big leaguers while coaches tinker with their mechanics and pitch mixes.
Daniel Susac: The Lone Position Player Makes a Move Home
In a draft full of pitchers, the one position player picked in the Major League phase stood out for both his role and his new home.
Twins Pick, Giants Keep
The Minnesota Twins picked catcher Daniel Susac, then quickly sent him to the San Francisco Giants.
This move keeps Susac in Northern California, which probably matters more than people realize for a young catcher learning the big league ropes.
Catchers are always in demand, and Susac’s selection shows how valuable backstops are if they can handle a staff and hit at least a little. For the Giants, it’s a low-cost shot at a potential long-term catcher—plus, he gets to grow with their pitching staff.
Marlins’ Pitching Depth Put to the Test
The Miami Marlins keep proving that if you stockpile arms, someone will come knocking. They lost two righties in the Major League phase:
Both moves show just how deep the Marlins’ pitching runs. When you develop arms year after year, you just can’t protect them all on the 40-man.
Teams like the Cardinals and Phillies pounced, hoping these arms can help stabilize their bullpens or cover injuries over the long haul.
Understanding the Rule 5 Draft Mechanics
The money and roster rules for the Rule 5 Draft are pretty simple but have a big impact. For Major League phase picks:
This setup forces teams to be picky. They’re not just buying a lottery ticket—they’re tying up a 26-man roster spot, usually in the bullpen or on the bench.
That’s why bulk relievers, multi-inning arms, and glove-first catchers are always Rule 5 favorites.
Triple-A Phase: Quiet Moves, Big Potential
The Triple-A phase doesn’t get the headlines, but it can shape depth charts in a sneaky way. This year, 55 players switched organizations in that part of the draft.
Nationals Lead the Way in the Minor League Phase
The Washington Nationals were the busiest club in the Minor League phase, adding six players there on top of their Major League pick, Griff McGarry.
In the Triple-A phase, it’s cheaper and the rules are looser:
For a team like Washington in transition, it’s a smart way to rebuild depth. These picks might turn into injury fill-ins, trade pieces, or even surprise contributors who just needed a fresh start.
What the 2025 Rule 5 Draft Tells Us About Today’s Game
The 2025 Rule 5 Draft wasn’t flashy, but it revealed a lot about how teams think. More and more, clubs use the process as a strategic tool to:
Out of 13 Major League picks, 12 were right-handed arms. Only one position player got the call. That pretty much sums up the modern game’s fixation on pitching depth.
Velocity rules, and teams treat fresh arms like gold. The Rule 5 Draft still offers one of the best shortcuts to find both.
Here is the source article for this story: Watch the 2025 Rule 5 Draft live from Orlando (2 p.m. ET)
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