Pittsburgh Pirates: Five Potential Rule 5 Draft Selections

At some point after MLB’s work stoppage ends the Rule 5 Draft will take place. The Pittsburgh Pirates will have an opportunity to find a no-risk prospect. Let’s examine some potential selections for the Pirates.

It has been confirmed that Major League portion of the Rule 5 Draft will take place at some point after MLB’s work stoppage ends. That means the Pittsburgh Pirates will have an opportunity to pick up a prospect with no risk attached.

The only thing the Pittsburgh Pirates would need to do is keep whatever player they pick on the 26-man roster for the entire season. At least, if the current form of the Rule 5 is the same post-CBA negotiations.

The Pittsburgh Pirates will have the 4th overall selection. Last year, they had the #1 pick and selected hard-throwing right-hander Jose Soriano from the Los Angeles Angels. They also traded for Luis Oviedo, who they now can option to the minor leagues as they kept him around for the entire 2021 campaign. Sure, they didn’t do all that well with their Rule 5 picks, at least based on what they showed for the Bucs so far (Soriano was returned to LAA), but it’s pretty much a chance to find a diamond-in-the-rough. Plus the jury is still out on Oviedo.

With the Pirates having the #4 pick, they should capitalize on trying to get a prospect from the draft, one that could potentially help long term, and become a regular part of the roster. This is an opportunity to find an under-the-radar player, and they should take advantage of that. So with that, here are five potential prospects that will be available to the Pirates’ #4 pick.