Pirates 2024 Rule 5 Draft: Full details, roster deadline, players who are eligible

As they look to be competitive in 2025, the Pittsburgh Pirates have a lot of decisions to make on the free-agent and trade markets this offseason. But first, they have to make some decisions about the prospects they risk losing in this year's Rule 5 Draft.

The Nov. 19 deadline for all 30 MLB clubs to set their 40-man rosters is quickly approaching, and any player not added to his organization’s roster by then will become eligible to be selected by another club in the Rule 5 Draft, which is set to take place Dec. 11 in Dallas.

Explaining MLB's Rule 5 Draft: What it is, who is eligible and when it takes place

In the Rule 5 Draft, teams select players to add to their 40-man rosters in the reverse order of the previous season's standings. While many teams won't make a selection, those that do must also pay $100,000 to the team from which the player was selected.

A player becomes eligible for the Rule 5 Draft if he has not been added to his team's 40-man roster after a specified number of seasons based on his age when initially signed. Players signed at age 18 or younger become eligible after five seasons of not being added to their team's 40-man roster, while players signed at age 19 or older become Rule 5-eligible after four seasons.

If the Pirates want to protect eligible players from the Rule 5 Draft and avoid the risk of losing them to another club, they must add him to their 40-man roster before the Nov. 19 deadline.

Pirates have decisions to make on Omar Alfonzo, Sammy Siani ahead of Rule 5 Draft

Of the Pirates' Top 30 prospects (per MLB Pipeline), only one is eligible for the Rule 5 Draft this year. Catcher Omar Alfonzo was signed by the Pirates in 2019 as a free agent but was unable to make his pro debut until 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He started the 2024 season in Single-A Bradenton and earned a promotion to High-A Greensboro in August. He slashed .252/.357/.403 across both levels and saw time at first base as well as behind the plate.

The Pirates will also have a decision to make with outfield prospect Sammy Siani, who is presenting an interesting case for a 40-man roster spot despite not being one of Pittsburgh's Top 30 prospects. Siani has been one of the best hitters in the Arizona Fall League this year, building upon a breakout 2024 season that earned him a promotion to Double-A Altoona.

Siani is a contact hitter who can play all three outfield positions. Finding a roster spot for him wouldn't be that difficult; the Pirates just have to decide if they've seen enough from him to warrant consideration as a Major League depth option next season.

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