Quick Reaction: 2024 Rule 5 Draft Results

Perhaps we’ve had enough excitement over the past 24 hours, but the Rule 5 draft has come and gone with no major storylines attached to it. The Rangers were one of only two teams not to make a selection in this year’s draft, along with the Baltimore Orioles. On the opposite side, the Phillies were the most active team in the draft, selecting seven players in total to add to their prospect pool. Some of those are likely to be trade pieces for the Phillies in the coming days as they look to capitalize on the success they had in 2024 and return to the postseason in 2025.

While the Rangers remained idle for the draft, they did lose a prospect in Ricky DeVito. DeVito was a RHP for Double-A Frisco, who will now look to find success in the Marlins farm system. Another familiar name to Rangers’ fans was Liam Hicks who was selected by the Marlins in the Major League Phase of the draft (#2 Overall). Hicks was part of the Tigers’ return in the Rangers’ trade deadline acquisition of Carson Kelly this past July.

In total, 83 players were selected across 8-rounds. One of the more intriguing selections was the first-overall selection of Shane Smith (RHP) by the White Sox. Smith, formerly of the Brewers farm system, is a prospect that could have a high ceiling in the major leagues as a reliever, especially if health and command play pivotal roles. Signing with the Brewers in 2021, the Wake Forest product has spent three years in the minor leagues, boasting a 2.69 ERA along the way. In 2024, Smith spent five games at AAA, recording 6.2IP, 7 SO and 2.70 ERA. If his development continues to ride the current trajectory, the White Sox might have scored with a solid back-end reliever for years to come.

2024 RULE 5 DRAFT RESULTS:

Major League Phase (Selected Player Must Stay on Active Roster for Full 2025 Season)
Round 1: