The Rule 5 draft is a significant event in the baseball world that takes place during the winter meetings. It allows clubs to add players to their big league roster if they are not on another team’s 40-man roster. In this year’s draft, the New York Yankees found themselves in the spotlight as three of their farmhands were among the 10 picks made in the MLB portion. This article aims to analyze the impact of the Rule 5 draft on the Yankees and explore their history with this event.
In recent years, the New York Yankees have been particularly vulnerable to the Rule 5 draft. Out of the 120 picks made in the past eight drafts, an astonishing 20 picks have come from the Yankees’ pool of minor league talent. This accounts for 17% of the total picks, far exceeding the average share of 3% that each club should have if all teams had equal abilities in signing and developing players.
Despite their notable struggles with the Rule 5 draft, the New York Yankees have seen some success stories emerge from the players they have lost. Two such players are Garrett Whitlock and Trevor Stephan. Whitlock, a right-handed pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, has achieved a remarkable 3.9 WAR (Wins Above Replacement) and signed a lucrative $18.75 million extension in 2022. Stephan, a right-handed pitcher for the Cleveland Guardians, has posted a respectable 2.1 WAR and secured a $10 million extension in 2023.
While some players thrive with their selecting clubs, others find themselves returning to their original teams after a brief stint. Nestor Cortes, a left-handed pitcher, was selected by the Baltimore Orioles in 2017 and made their Opening Day roster. However, he was later returned to the Yankees. Since being returned, Cortes has impressed with a 5.3 WAR, highlighting his value to the Yankees.
In last year’s Rule 5 draft, the top six picks all spent the entire season on their respective big league rosters, resulting in their full rights transferring to their new clubs. However, the following seven picks were all returned to their original teams. This highlights the uncertainty and unpredictability surrounding the draft and the difficult decision-making process for both the selecting teams and the players involved.
While the focus of this article is primarily on the impact of the Rule 5 draft on the New York Yankees, it is worth mentioning a notable non-Yankees pick from this year’s draft. The Cleveland Guardians selected third baseman Deyvison De Los Santos from the Arizona Diamondbacks. Despite being just 20 years old, De Los Santos has already displayed immense power and has played 123 games in Double-A, making him an intriguing prospect for the Guardians.
The Rule 5 draft has proven to be a challenging event for the New York Yankees in recent years. Their disproportionate loss of talent to other teams highlights the need for the organization to reevaluate their approach to player development and roster management. While some players have thrived with their selecting clubs, others have returned to the Yankees and made significant contributions. The unpredictable nature of the draft adds an element of excitement to this winter event, as teams carefully weigh the risks and rewards of selecting players who have yet to establish themselves in the major leagues. Only time will tell how the Yankees and other teams fare in future Rule 5 drafts and if they can better protect their promising prospects.
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