How Baseball’s Rule 5 Draft Works Explainer
The Rule 5 Draft lets MLB clubs select certain experienced minor leaguers left off another organization’s 40-man roster. Its purpose is to keep teams from stockpiling players who may be ready for a major-league opportunity.
Clubs select in reverse standings order and need an open 40-man spot. The selecting team pays a fee and adds the player to its 40-man roster, but the central obligation concerns the active major-league roster.
To keep the player without restriction, the new club generally must carry him on the active roster for the next season, with minimum active-time rules when injured-list time applies. It cannot simply draft and immediately send him to the minors.
If the club no longer wants to carry the player, it must follow waivers and offer him back to the original organization before obtaining unrestricted minor-league control. A trade can change the practical result while preserving the Rule 5 restrictions.
Experienced players left off the 40-man roster may become available.
Age at signing affects the required professional seasons.
A selected player generally must stay on the active roster for the next season.
The pick cannot be used merely for unrestricted minor-league depth.
The drafting club must follow waivers and the return procedure.
The original organization gets an opportunity to take the player back.
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