Nats take Thad Ward with 1st pick of Rule 5 Draft, 15 players selected
Major League Baseball held its first Rule 5 Draft in three years on Wednesday.
The draft order is determined by reverse order of the 2022 standings. In order to make a selection, teams must have space on their 40-man roster. Teams that make a selection must pay the player's previous club $100,000. The player must also remain on the active major-league roster for the 2023 season or else be offered back to his original team for $50,000.
*Blank selection means team passed on making a pick.
| Pick | Team | Player | Position | 2022 Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nationals | Thad Ward | P | Red Sox |
| 2 | Athletics | Ryan Noda | OF | Dodgers |
| 3 | Pirates | Jose Hernandez | P | Dodgers |
| 4 | Reds | Blake Sabol | OF | Pirates |
| 5 | Royals | |||
| 6 | Tigers | Mason Englert | P | Rangers |
| 7 | Rangers | |||
| 8 | Rockies | Kevin Kelly | P | Guardians |
| 9 | Marlins | Nick Enright | P | Guardians |
| 10 | Angels | |||
| 11 | D-Backs | |||
| 12 | Cubs | |||
| 13 | Twins | |||
| 14 | Red Sox | |||
| 15 | White Sox | Nick Avila | P | Giants |
| 16 | Giants | |||
| 17 | Orioles | Andrew Politi | P | Red Sox |
| 18 | Brewers | Gus Varland | P | Dodgers |
| 19 | Rays | |||
| 20 | Phillies | Noah Song | P | Red Sox |
| 21 | Padres | Jose Lopez | P | Rays |
| 22 | Mariners | Chris Clark | P | Cubs |
| 23 | Guardians | |||
| 24 | Blue Jays | |||
| 25 | Cardinals | Wilking Rodriguez | P | Yankees |
| 26 | Yankees | |||
| 27 | Mets | Zach Greene | P | Yankees |
| 28 | Braves | |||
| 29 | Astros | |||
| 30 | Dodgers |
The Philadelphia Phillies selected right-hander Noah Song from the Boston Red Sox. Song is currently serving in the United States Navy and was placed on the club's military list. He will not count toward the Phillies' 40-man roster.
A point of clarity: Once Song finishes his military service, or the Navy grants his petition to serve in reserves while pitching (my friend @alexspeier reports the situation remains unresolved), he would then have to stay on #Phillies’ roster for an entire season, per Rule 5 regs https://t.co/dnJ6rPOZLn
— Scott Lauber (@ScottLauber) December 7, 2022
The Rays acquired right-hander Kevin Kelly from the Rockies following the first round in exchange for cash considerations.
Some notable Rule 5 picks over the years were Garrett Whitlock, Akil Baddoo, Johan Santana, Shane Victorino, and Josh Hamilton.