Every Rule 5 Draft pick in Royals history

KANSAS CITY -- As the Winter Meetings wind down every year, one of the key events that takes place is the Rule 5 Draft, a chance for teams to pluck eligible players not on the 40-man roster of another organization. This event usually flies under the radar of most casual baseball fans, but every so often it produces big league talent.

? How the Rule 5 Draft works | History of the Rule 5 Draft

Through the years, the Royals have acquired some valuable talent through the Rule 5 Draft, including Joakim Soria, Brad Keller and most recently, reliever Matt Sauer.

Here’s a look through the history of Kansas City’s picks in the Rule 5 Draft:

2023: RHP Matt Sauer: The Royals selected Sauer from the Yankees’ organization and had him in the bullpen on Opening Day in '24. It was a rough experience for the then-25-year-old, who allowed 14 earned runs in 16 1/3 innings. The Royals offered him back to New York on May 26, 2024, and he was placed back in Triple-A with the Yankees.

2019: RHP Stephen Woods Jr.: Woods had a promising Spring Training and was in the conversation to make the 26-man roster before the pandemic shut down baseball. He then had a poor Summer Camp, was offered back to the Rays, and the Royals eventually completed a trade to keep him in the organization.

2018: RHPs Sam McWilliams, Chris Ellis: McWilliams didn’t pan out with the Royals, but Ellis did appear in one game in '19, making his MLB debut before being returned to the Cardinals.

2017: RHPs Brad Keller, Burch Smith: Keller actually was picked by the Reds from Arizona, then dealt to the Royals. He was a tremendous find for a bit, posting a 3.50 ERA from 2018-20, mainly as part of the Royals’ rotation. Keller spent six years with Kansas City but struggled at the end before becoming a free agent. Smith was picked by the Mets from Tampa Bay, then dealt to the Royals. He appeared in 38 games for the Royals in ’18, posting a 6.92 ERA.

2011: LHP Cesar Cabral: Cabral was selected from the Red Sox organization, but he was immediately dealt to the Yankees.

2010: RHP Nate Adcock: Selected from the Pirates, Adcock pitched two years with the Royals, and in 2012, he had a 2.34 ERA in 12 games before eventually being waived.

2009: LHP Edgar Osuna: He never made it to the big leagues, but he bounced around the Minors and the Mexican League.

2008: LHP Jose Lugo: Selected from the Twins, Lugo never made it to the big leagues.

2006: RHP Joakim Soria: Selected from the Padres, Soria evolved into one of the best closers in Royals history, saving 160 games from 2007-2011.

2005: LHP Fabio Castro: Selected from the White Sox, Castro never made it to the big leagues.

2004: LHP Andy Sisco: Selected from the Cubs, the big 6-foot-10 lefty played two years for the Royals. His best season came in '05 when he posted a 3.11 ERA in 67 games. After a brief stint with the White Sox in '07, he never pitched in the big leagues again.

2003: RHP Jason Szuminski: Selected from the Cubs, Szuminski didn’t make it with the Royals, though he did get a cup of coffee with the Padres in '04.

2002: RHP D.J. Carrasco, C Ronny Paulino: Carrasco, taken from the Pirates, had a productive three-year career with the Royals, going 14-15 with a 4.81 ERA. Paulino, taken from the Pirates, didn’t pan out with the Royals, but he had an eight-year career with the Pirates, Mets, Orioles and Marlins.

2001: RHP Miguel Asencio: Taken from the Phillies, Asencio was a hard thrower who struggled with command. But he lasted two years in Kansas City, with a 6-8 record and 5.14 ERA.

2000: OF Endy Chavez: Selected from the Mets, Chavez played one year in Kansas City, hitting .208 in 29 games in '01. But he wound up with a nice 13-year career in the big leagues, playing with the Mets, Nationals, Mariners and others.

1999: 3B Damian Rolls: Taken from the Dodgers, Rolls, a local kid, didn’t work out with the Royals, but he later enjoyed a five-year career with the Rays.

1995: OF Miguel Mejia: Taken from the Orioles, Mejia never made it to the big leagues.

1994: OF Jon Nunnally: Taken from the Indians, Nunnally had a big rookie year in ’95, hitting 15 doubles, six triples and 14 home runs. He played two more years in Kansas City before finishing his career with the Reds, Red Sox and Mets.

1992: LHP Billy Brewer: Taken from the Expos, Brewer was an effective lefty, playing three seasons in K.C., pitching in 144 games and posting a 3.95 ERA.

1989: LHP Bill Wilkinson: Selected from the Pirates, Wilkinson didn’t pan out.

1983: C Orlando Sanchez: Taken from the Cardinals, he played in 10 games in '84 and hit .100.

1982: OF Joe Simpson: Taken from Mariners, Simpson played in 89 games in '83 and hit .168.

1980: RHP Jim Wright, RHP Dave Wehrmeister: Wright, taken from Phillies, went 2-3 with a 4.04 ERA over two years with the Royals. Wehrmeister, taken from Yankees, never pitched for Kansas City.

1979: INF Manny Castillo: Taken from the Cardinals, Castillo played one year for the Royals in '80 and appeared in seven games.

1973: 1B Tony Solaita: Taken from the Pirates, Solaita hit 23 home runs in three seasons with the Royals.

1971: OF Steve Hovley: Taken from the A’s, Hovley hit five home runs with a .262 average in two years in Kansas City.