Here's how 2024 Rule 5 Draft picks are faring

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The Rule 5 Draft is older than the American League, with big league clubs first plucking players from Minor League rosters in 1892. The Draft has taken several different forms in its more than a century of existence and has included three Hall of Famers (Christy Mathewson, Hack Wilson, Roberto Clemente), two MVPs (Willie Hern¨¢ndez, Josh Hamilton), three Cy Young Award winners (Hern¨¢ndez, Johan Santana, R.A. Dickey) and more than three dozen All-Stars.

Last December, teams made 15 selections in the Major League phase of the Rule 5 Draft. Those players must remain on the active big league roster of their new clubs for the entire 2025 season, or else clear waivers and be offered back to their previous organization for half of their $100,000 Draft price. Players can be placed on the injured list, but if they don¡¯t accrue at least 90 days of active service time this year, the Rule 5 guidelines will extend into next season until they do.

Let¡¯s take a quick look on the status of the 2024 Rule 5 picks:

White Sox: Shane Smith, RHP (from Brewers)
Made the White Sox rotation, gave up two runs in 5 2/3 innings against the Twins in his first start.

Marlins: Liam Hicks, C (from Tigers)
Made the Marlins, has gone 4-for-18 while splitting catching duties with Nick Fortes.

Angels: Garrett McDaniels, LHP (from Dodgers)
Made the Angels bullpen, has surrendered three runs (two earned) in 3 1/3 innings.

Athletics: Noah Murdock, RHP (from Royals)
Made the Athletics bullpen, has yielded six runs in six innings.

Nationals: Evan Reifert, RHP (from Rays)
Returned to the Rays on March 18, currently on the development list.

Blue Jays: Angel Bastardo, RHP (from Red Sox)
On Toronto¡¯s 60-day injured list after having Tommy John surgery last July, may miss the entire season.

Reds: Cooper Bowman, 2B (from Athletics)
Returned to the A¡¯s on March 12, currently on the injured list at Triple-A Las Vegas.

Rays: Nathan Lavender, LHP (from Mets)
On Tampa Bay¡¯s 60-day injured list after having internal brace surgery last May, should return in the second half.

Twins: Eiberson Castellano, RHP (from Phillies)
Returned to the Phillies on March 25, currently at Double-A Reading.

Cubs: Gage Workman, 3B/SS (from Tigers)
Made the Cubs, has gone 0-for-6 as a reserve.

Braves: Anderson Pilar, RHP (from Marlins)
Returned to the Marlins on March 20, currently at Triple-A Jacksonville.

Padres: Juan Nu?ez, RHP (from Orioles)
Returned to the Orioles on March 25, currently at Double-A Chesapeake.

Brewers: Connor Thomas, LHP (from Cardinals)
Made the Brewers bullpen, has allowed 12 runs in 5 1/3 innings.

Rays (trade with Phillies): Mike Vasil, RHP (from Mets)
Claimed on waivers by the White Sox on March 23, made the White Sox bullpen, has pitched four scoreless innings.

Braves: Christian Cairo, INF (from Guardians)
Returned to Guardians on March 20, currently at Triple-A Columbus.

For now, seven of last year¡¯s Rule 5 selections are in the Majors, with two more on the 60-day injured list and the other six returned to their original teams. Smith, whose deception helps his average three-pitch mix play up, is the leading candidate to be the most significant contributor in 2025.