Pittsburgh Pirates: Five Potential Rule 5 Draft Selections

Cam DeVanney

The Pittsburgh Pirates might find a Rule 5 prospect from one of their division rivals. That’s the Milwaukee Brewers. The Brewers may not have the best farm system in the sport, but they’ll definitely have some harder choices between who to protect and who to leave exposed in the draft. Infielder Cam DeVanney may be one of those prospects.

In 515 plate appearances, DeVanney batted .264/.342/.492. DeVanney hit for his fair share of power, cranking out 23 home runs, hustling out 32 doubles, and posting a .228 isolated slugging percentage. DeVanney wasn’t an all-or-nothing batter, either. The infielder had a solid 21.4% K-rate and walked at a healthy 9.3% rate. Overall, he had a .365 wOBA and 116 wRC+.

DeVanney, a 15th-round pick, has played all four infield positions. He has mostly played at shortstop but has ample time spent at second and third base. DeVanney has played first base the least, but he can play it. That makes him an attractive option for a team who wants to take a chance on a utility power hitter.

DeVanney is older, as 2023 will be his age-26 season. But given that DeVanney performed so well with the Brewers’ Double-A and Triple-A affiliates, he’d be an interesting player to watch in the Rule 5 draft. There is the chance that he is protected, but the Brewers do have more pressing needs. In the event DeVanney is left to run through the Rule 5 gauntlet, the Pittsburgh Pirates should consider snagging him.