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.