In Major League Baseball (MLB), a Rule 5 player is a player who has been selected in the annual Rule 5 draft. This draft was created to prevent teams from stockpiling young talent in the minor leagues, instead allowing them to play in the majors. The Rule 5 draft is a complex system that has been established to create a more level playing field within the MLB. In this article, we’ll explain the details of the Rule 5 draft and what it means for players.
History of the Rule 5 Draft
The Rule 5 draft was created in the 1950s as an offshoot of the reserve clause, which was in place to ensure players could not negotiate with other teams. The reserve clause was abolished in 1975, and the Rule 5 draft was created to replace it, allowing players to move freely between teams. Since its inception, the Rule 5 draft has been used to give teams the opportunity to pick up young players who may have been overlooked in the amateur draft.
The Rules of the Rule 5 Draft
In order to be eligible for selection in the Rule 5 draft, a player must meet several criteria. First, the player must have been signed to a professional contract at least four years prior to the draft, or at least five years prior if they were signed at the age of 18 or younger. Additionally, the player must not have been placed on the 40-man roster of the team that originally signed them.
When a player is selected in the Rule 5 draft, the team that selects them must keep them on the Major League 25-man roster for the entire season or offer them back to their original team. If the player is offered back, then their original team must accept them and the player can then be assigned to the minor leagues. If the team that drafted the player is unable to keep the player on the 25-man roster for the entire season, then the player must be offered back to their original team.
Benefits of the Rule 5 Draft
The Rule 5 draft is beneficial for both players and teams. For teams, it provides them with an opportunity to acquire players who may have gone overlooked in the amateur draft and to acquire young players who are ready to contribute at the Major League level. For players, it provides them with an opportunity to get to the Major Leagues and to receive the associated salary and other benefits.
Conclusion
The Rule 5 draft is an important part of the MLB, providing teams with an opportunity to acquire young talent and giving players an opportunity to make it to the Major Leagues. While the process is complex, understanding the basics of the Rule 5 draft can be beneficial for teams and players alike.