Dodgers: LA Selects Three Players in Minor League Rule 5 Draft
Major League Baseball may be in a lockout, but the Minor League Rule 5 Draft was not hindered. The Dodgers selected three players from the Rule 5 Draft.
The Dodgers selected C Kekai Rios (Brewers) and RHPs Carson Fulmer (Reds) and Jon Duplantier (Giants) in the 2021 Minor League Rule 5 Draft.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) December 8, 2021
Rule 5 Definition
For those unfamiliar with what this all means, here is the definition. “The Rule 5 draft aims to prevent teams from stockpiling too many young players on their minor league affiliate teams when other organizations would be willing to have them play in the major leagues. The Rule 5 draft is named for its place in The Official Professional Baseball Rules Book.” This isn’t meant to be condescending, the Rule 5 draft can be confusing until you realize it’s just meant to keep the organizations’ amount of players balanced.
Who Are The Guys LA Took?
Kekai Rios was originally drafted in 2018 by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 28th round. Rios is likely going to be catching depth for the Dodgers in the minors.
Carson Fulmer is a name probably more familiar to everyone. A former first round pick, he’s got 130 innings at the major league level for White Sox, Tigers, Orioles, and most recently the Reds. In the show, he has a career 6.41 ERA, and attended the “MLB college” as some call it at Vanderbilt University. He’s also likely to be reliever depth, but never underestimate the Dodgers organization when it comes to reclamation projects.
Jon Duplantier is another right-handed pitcher who has seen major league experience, in both 2019 and 2021. He has 6.70 ERA in 49 career innings. He was originally drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2016 draft, in the third round.
The Future
While these moves can be seen as minor league depth only, there are always surprises in baseball. Fulmer and Duplantier in particular have MLB experience, and with a good minor league development system, it wouldn’t be shocking to see them on the Dodgers at some point. Let us all hope they can pitch soon at all, meaning this lockout gets resolved.
NEXT: Former LA Catcher Announces Retirement
They can not be for Minor League experience only. I believe Rule 5 requires them to be added to the club’s active 26 man roster. A Rule 5 draftee must be outright released to remove them from the 26 man roster.
That is true in the major league rule 5 draft…this was the minor league version.
Always trying to find a needle in a haystack Friedman….
It’s interesting that both these pitchers with MLB experience both have ERA’s well above 6. Must be some reason for their teams leaving them unprotected from rule 5 draft.
Ya the dumpster diver in full swing. Afffff
heh at least they’ll be safe in the minors away from doc
Someone please tell Andy he’s not in Tampa anymore
Call it a Fire Sale instead of rule 5 draft…yatta yatta yatta!!!