John From ALbany: Mets 2024 Eligible Rule 5 Draft Players

 

The Major League Baseball Rule 5 Draft is scheduled this year for Wednesday, December 11^th - the last day of the Winter Meetings.  Mets have until November 19th to add players to the 40 Man Roster to protect them from the draft.  Here is a look at the potential players to see if any might get added.

In addition, players not added to the 38-Man AAA Roster will be eligible for the minor league portion of the draft.  

The two most likely players to be added are also the only two new Rule 5 eligible players are on MLB/com's Top 30 Mets Prospect list:

#15 Dominic Hamel and #18 Mike Vasil. 

While they struggled last year in AAA with ERA's of 6+ after having success in the lower levels, they both showed flashes that have made them top Mets prospects over the years.  Baseball America projects both as back end MLB starters and since they are already at AAA, MLB teams would need to keep them on the MLB roster next year if they are selected. Both will turn 25 next March and given the lack of quality pitching in the majors, it would make sense for the Mets to protect them.

SNY's Joe DeMayo posted on X that both players "need to be protected".

Another interesting case could be Outfielder Alex Ramirez.  While the Mets added him the 40 Man Roster last year to keep him out of the Rule 5 Draft. The once top 5 Mets Prospect has fallen to #26 on MLB.com's Prospect List after tough years in Brooklyn in 2023 (.221/.310/.317) and Binghamton is 2024 (.210/.291/.299).  He'd have to pass through waivers to move him off the roster which would likely result in a team grabbing him.  I think the more likely scenario is that he gets dealt as part of a bigger deal or the Mets try one more year to get him turned around.

Luis R. Rodriguez: Luis is a lefty that threw as hard as 97 MPH.  Then in March 2022, he had Tommy John Surgery missing all of 2022.  He came back to pitch 2 games for St. Lucie and 4 games for the 2023 FCL Mets but ended up missing all of 2024 as well. Lefties who throw hard are valuable and could be chosen in the minor league portion of the draft.

Matt Allan: Matt has not appeared in a minor league game since the year he was drafted in 2019.  Matt had Tommy John surgery in May '21, ulnar transition survey in January '22 and UCL revision surgery in January '23.  Per Anthony DiComo on Twitter, Matt threw off the mound in 2024 but won't see game action until 2025.  

Calvin Ziegler: Was a top ten prospect in 2023 but after just two games with Brooklyn this year, needed Tommy John surgery.  It is not sure when he will get back on the mound in 2025.

For more and the full list of eligible Rule 5 players, click here.