Pirates fans are worried this revamped prospect will get taken in Rule 5 Draft

The Rule 5 Draft giveth, and the Rule 5 Draft taketh away. And this year, the Pittsburgh Pirates might have to be worried about the latter.

Several unprotected prospects will be up for grabs at this year's event, which is set to take place Wednesday at the MLB Winter Meetings in Dallas, and the Pirates face the distinct possibility of losing a former first-round pick in outfield prospect Sammy Siani (2019, round CB-A).

While he isn't one of Pittsburgh's Top 30 prospects according to MLB Pipeline, Siani is coming off of a breakout season and a stellar performance in the Arizona Fall League that could make him particularly appealing to rival teams after the Pirates chose not to protect him from this year's Rule 5 Draft. In fact, Jonathan Mayo of MLB Pipeline named Siani as one of 11 players most likely to get snatched up Wednesday afternoon.

"There isn’t a huge track record of success here, but a swing change vaulted out of High-A Greensboro to Double-A for the first time," Mayo wrote. "If a team takes him, it will be based on his Fall League showing (.375/.457/.550) and because he runs well and can play all three outfield spots."

Pirates risk losing former first-round pick Sammy Siani in Rule 5 Draft

Siani, who was selected by the Pirates at No. 37 overall in the 2019 MLB Draft, seemed to have a breakthrough offensively in 2024 as a result of some mechanical changes to his swing. Still, he has never played above the Double-A level, which is likely one of the reasons why the Pirates didn't feel comfortable adding him to their 40-man roster for the 2025 season.

Still, it's easy to see why Siani might appeal to other teams at the Rule 5 Draft. Given his offensive upside and defensive versatility, he profiles as a fourth or fifth outfielder who could help a team that needs depth at any of the three positions.

Siani turned heads earlier this year after recording hits in all but one game he played in during his stint in the AFL, which included a 15-game hitting streak. If he continues to produce at a high level, we could be seeing him in the major leagues sooner than later – whether it's with the Pirates or another team.

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