The 2025 Rule 5 Draft brought fresh talent and surprise picks as 13 players found new homes in Major League Baseball, with the Colorado Rockies kicking things off by selecting right-hander RJ Petit from the Detroit Tigers. Known for his solid strikeout numbers in the minors, Petit leads a class heavy on pitching as clubs look for hidden gems to bolster their rosters ahead of the 2026 season.
The Chicago White Sox were notably active, making two selections in the major league phase: right-handers Jedixson Paez from the Red Sox and Alexander Alberto from the Rays. The White Sox, who have leaned into youth during their rebuilding phase, are clearly betting on high-upside arms to develop under their system.
In one of the day’s more interesting moves, the Twins picked up catcher Daniel Susac from the Oakland A’s only to flip him to the San Francisco Giants. Susac stood out as the only position player taken in the major league round, underlining just how rare it is for non-pitchers to move in this draft.
Other notable selections included Peyton Pallette (Guardians), Spencer Miles (Blue Jays), Cade Winquest (Yankees), and Roddery Muñoz (Astros). Muñoz, a right-hander from the Reds, could slot into Houston’s bullpen mix, offering strikeout potential and swing-and-miss stuff.
While the major league phase garners the headlines, the minor league round often supplies organizational depth. The Cubs and Mariners both scooped up multiple players in the Triple-A phase, hoping to strike gold with overlooked prospects. For the Mariners, the draft served more as a quiet rebalancing of their farm system, especially following recent trades.
History shows the Rule 5 Draft can produce impact players. The White Sox, for instance, saw their 2024 Rule 5 selection Shane Smith turn into an All-Star. With that in mind, clubs are increasingly open to taking chances on high-upside arms who might just need the right environment to thrive.
The Rule 5 Draft continues to be baseball’s most overlooked source of intrigue—one where calculated risks could lead to unexpected rewards on the diamond next spring.