Rangers Could Find Quality in Rule 5 Draft

This year’s Rule 5 draft includes several players who could help the Rangers in the future.  A few of them could even help in 2026.  After researching some of the top Rule 5 prospects, I have narrowed the list down to eight players I think would be worthy of selection by the Rangers.  If the Rangers select a Rule 5 player he has to stay on either the 26-man roster or the IL for all of 2026. He has to be active for at least 90 days in 2026.

With the Rangers drafting 14^th there is a chance that none of these guys are available, but hopefully at least one of them will be.  My list includes six pitchers, an OF who can also play 1B, and a catcher.  The Rangers are looking to cut payroll in 2026, and one way to do so is to include a Rule 5 player or two to your roster.

RJ Petit, RHP, Tigers

Petit strikes a very imposing presence on the mound.  At 6’8” and 300 pounds the 25-year-old is one inch taller and eighteen pounds heavier than Aaron Judge.

The reliever reached AAA in 2025 and struck out 33 in 23 innings while putting up an ERA of 2.74.  He also pitched 43.1 innings at AA in 2025 with an ERA of 2.28.  He strikes out batters while showing an average command, and has shown an above average ability to generate ground ball rates.  He has a mid-90s fastball and has reached 98 mph.  He also throws a slider and a changeup. 

If he is selected by the Rangers he would slot in right after Emiliano Teodo as our second best relief pitcher prospect with a good chance to surpass Teodo.

Hayden Mullins, LHP, Red Sox

Mullins has reached AA ball.  He made 18 starts at AA in 2025 and put up an ERA of 2.44.  His overall ERA for the year was 2.21.  

He is 6’ tall, but has a 6’7” extension.  He has above average stuff.  His low 90s fastball has reached 95 mph.  He also throws a low 80s gyro-slider, an upper 70s sweeper, and a changeup. 

He turned 25 years old at the end of the 2025 season.  If he became a Ranger, he might crack the top 5 in our top prospects list.

Matt Pushard, RHP, Marlins

At 28 years old, Pushard is the oldest prospect among those mentioned in this article.  He is a late blooming success. 

He pitched at AAA for all of 2025 and put up an ERA of 3.61.  His 33.97 whiff rate this past season was good enough to put him in the 96^th percentile for all of AAA.  The reliever finished the year with 11.1 scoreless innings across the end of the regular season and the playoffs.  His fastball sits 94-96 and touches 97 mph.  Besides his fastball he throws a low 80s sweeper, a curveball, and a changeup.

Zach McCambley, RHP, Marlins

The 26-year-old McCambley had a very good season in 2025.  He split the season between AA and AAA, but most of the time he was at AAA.  Overall, he pitched 62 innings with a 2.90 ERA and a 1.0 WHIP.  He struck out 83 and walked 22. 

His fastball sat at 93-95 and reached 97 mph.  He has three plus pitches and has effective command.  He throws a cutter, a slider and a curveball. 

He is one of the top relief prospects available in the Rule 5 draft.  He would have a good chance at sticking with the Rangers throughout 2026 and might even become a valuable piece in the bullpen.

Alimber Santa, RHP, Astros

Santa is a 22-year-old reliever who pitched very well in AA this past season.  That earned him a promotion to AAA at the end of July.  He pitched in 15 games at AAA.  After struggling in his first 8 appearances there, he improved in the last 7 appearances.  Before his promotion he put up a AA-best 1.26 ERA. 

One report mentioned that he struggled with inconsistent release points at AAA which can be remedied.  He has a six-pitch repertoire.  He throws a slider, sinker, cutter, 4- seam, changeup, and curveball.  He threw the curve only 9% of the time, but it is a very promising pitch for him.  His most frequently used pitch this past season was his slider.  In AAA, opponents whiffed at the pitch 42% of the time. 

The Rangers could use a relief pitcher like Santa not just for the future, but this year as well. 

Yordanny Monegro, RHP, Red Sox

Monegro didn’t turn 23 years old until after the 2025 season.  He presents a special case as a Rule 5 eligible prospect.  He had Tommy John surgery this August and therefore will miss the entire 2026 season.  In his case, a team selecting him would be able to keep him on the IL for the entire 2026 season and not have to offer him back to the Red Sox.  He would have to be active for 90 days in 2027 and could not be sent to the minors.

He is a starting pitcher and put up an ERA of 2.67 in AA in 2025 over 8 starts and 9 appearances.  in 33.2 innings he struck out 49 and only walked 8 in AA.  He shows good command with swing-and-miss stuff and gets a high rate of ground ball outs.  He throws a slider, 2-seam, 4-seam, curveball and changeup.  If he joins the Rangers he would most likely be our fifth best starting pitching prospect.

Daniel Susac, C, A’s

When Susac was drafted in 2022 there were some boards who ranked him as high as the 9^th best draft prospect.  He was picked nineteenth by the A’s.  He is a solid receiver with an elite arm and a good makeup.  He has already had a successful AAA season.  His OPS in AAA in 2025 was .832 in 360 AB.

I think he would make a great addition to the Rangers.  He would easily become the Rangers top catching prospect and should be ready to contribute to the Rangers even in 2026.  The Rangers have struggled to find a long-term answer at catcher and Daniel Susac could be that answer.

Kyler Fedko, OF, Twins

Fedko split this past season between AA and AAA and he had success at both levels.  He has a breakout season.  The 26-year-old hit 28 HR and had 38 stolen bases in 46 attempts. 

He can play all three OF positions and played more in CF in AA than both of the other OF positions combined.  He can also play 1B and has started 32 times there in the past two seasons combined. 

His bat speed improved 2 mph from 2024 to 2025.  He has improved his power while maintain a good approach.  Being a RH hitter who can play all three OF positions as well as 1B, Fedko would fit in nicely on the 2026 Rangers.

Honorable Mentions:

Tyler Vogel, RHP, Giants

Dylan Delucia, RHP Guardians

Carter Baumler, RHP, Orioles

Wuilfredo Antunez, OF, Guardians

Jared Southard, RHP, Angels

Jose Rodriguez, RHP, Dodgers