Juan Nunez selected in Major League portion by Padres, others lost in Minor League phase
*Cover Photo Credit: Grant DeVivo
In the first week of December, the Major League Baseball Rule 5 draft occured. Any Minor League players not already on the 40-man roster are eligible to have their contract purchased by another team. Those selected in the Major League portion are automatically given an invite to Spring Training to compete for a big league roster spot. Those selected in the Minor League phase are simply assigned to an affiliate within their new organization.
The Orioles did not select any Rule 5 eligible players, Major or Minor Leagues. However they lost a handful of players during the process. Their now-former No. 8 prospect, right-hander Juan Nunez, was the most notable name to depart as he was selected by the San Diego Padres and will now have a chance to make their 26-man Opening Day roster this upcoming spring.
Other notable names were lost to other organizations including some outfield prospects and a ton of pitching depth. Here is the full list of players who were taken from the Orioles by other teams during the entire Rule 5 draft. Best wishes to all of these guy as they begin the next chapters in their baseball careers.
Major League Rule 5 Draft (w/career MiLB numbers)
Juan Nunez, RHP, San Diego Padres (230.2 IP, 3.32 ERA, 288 K, 107 BB, 1.249 WHIP)
The 24-year-old out of the Dominican Republic was included in the 2022 Jorge Lopez trade, rose as one of the team's highly-anticipated young arms on the rise. Injuries limitted his 2024 season, but he posted a solid 1.091 WHIP and a 2.45 ERA in 7 games this season while striking out 38 batters. If he fails to make San Diego's roster, then he will be returned to the Orioles before Opening Day.
Minor League Rule 5 Draft (w/career MiLB numbers)
Tyler Burch, RHP, Colorado Rockies (174.2 IP, 3.1 ERA, 186 K, 59 BB, 1.277 WHIP
Injuries took away most of Burch's 2024 season, but he has shown tremendous potential in the past as a quality bullpen arm. Acquired in 2021 by Baltimore for Freddy Galvis, Burch broke out in 2023 with a 3.07 ERA in 41 innings of work. The 27-year-old is armed with a high-90s fastball and a very sharp slider, and he will now look to showcase his potential in an effort to one day pitch in the Rocky Mountains.
Dan Hammer, RHP, Tampa Bay Rays (211.1 IP, 5.11 ERA, 263 K, 179 BB, 1.599 WHIP)
Hammer, a 27-year-old Philly product, is a hard thrower who specializes in swings and misses. He owns a career 11.2 K/9, and he struck out 49 batters in 42 innings of work for the Baysox this season. Though some command issues and high walk rates occasionally get in the way, Hammer now has a grand opportunity to solidify his craft for good in Tampa Bay's top tier pitching development system.
Zach Peek, RHP, Milwaukee Brewers (161.2 IP, 3.90 ERA, 196 K, 65 BB, 1.318 WHIP)
The 26-year-old North Carolinian involved in the 2020 Dylan Bundy trade has been marred by arm injuries the past two seasons. However, when he is healthy, he is about as solid of a pitching prospect as there is. Back in 2022, he made 11 starts for the Baysox and posted a 1.191 WHIP, 40 strikeouts, and just 13 base on balls. The Baysox began his transition as a reliever this season, so it is yet to be seen as to what the Brewers organization will decide to do with Peek moving forward. Nonetheless, they are getting a very promising pitching prospect who when healthy, displays all the makings of a potental big league arm.
Jean Pinto, RHP, Houston Astros (251.2 IP, 3.72 ERA, 307 K, 96 BB, 1.188 WHIP)
The 23-year-old native of Venezuela was acquired in 2021 as part of the Jose Iglesias trade. He seemingly progressed and got better as each year passed, and he was beginning to be recognized as a rising pitching prospect for Baltimore, perhaps another under-the-radar snag by Mike Elias. In 2023, Pinto threw 81.2 innings split between the Ironbirds and the Baysox, and he posted a 3.10 ERA with a 1.254 WHIP and 101 strikeouts. His 2024 season was eliminated by Tommy John surgery, and now the Astros will look to utilize his crafty "mix it up" pitching style on the bump and build him back up.
Elio Prado, OF, Philadelphia Phillies (.241 BA, 20 HR, 134 RBI, .350 OBP, .701 OPS)
Prado has displayed good range and baserunning abilities before thanks to his quickness as an athlete. He has 32 stolen bases in the last two seasons split between Delmarva and Aberdeen, and he even showed off some power in 2023 with 14 home runs and a .402 SLG. The Phillies thrive in developing outfield depth, and Prado will be sharing the outfield next season with some of the Phillies' most elite prospects. This should represent a great, new opportunity for Prado.
John Rhodes, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers (.225 BA, 32 HR, 183 RBI, .319 OBP, .687 OPS)
The power-hitting outfielder was a former 4th round pick in 2021 out of the University of Kentucky, and he was frequently posted on the Orioles' top prospect charts on MLB Pipeline. In 2023 with the Baysox, he smashed 17 home runs in 108 games while slugging .422. He was a solid offensive producer during his time with the Baysox, as he collected 125 RBI during his tenure by the bay. As Rhodes' time in Birdland concludes, he will look to carry his power potential to his new organization all the way out in California.
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