Rule 5 Eligibility

opie · 08-05-2022, 01:23 AM

I've read the 2021 MLB rules (labeled pages 82-88) (https://registration.mlbpa.org/pdf/majorleaguerules.pdf) and its still foggy if current minor league players (not on the 40) that were released prior still get 3-4 years of pro service prior to being eligible for the Rule 5 draft. Rule 5(c)(4)(c) states:

"A player who has been released unconditionally from a Minor League roster and is otherwise subject to selection pursuant to Rule 5(c)(1) or Rule 5(c)(2), shall be subject to selection at any subsequent Rule 5 Selection Meeting if the player is on a Minor League Reserve List... at the time of the Rule 5 Selection Meeting."

What does otherwise subject to selection mean here? Rule 5(c)(1)(a) and 5(c)(1)(b) say that 18 year olds require four pro years and 19-and-overs require three pro years before R5 eligibility. To me, that means if the player was released prior, you still need these pro years before becoming R5 eligible.

OOTP 23 allows players to be eligible if they were released, even if they are under the 3-4 pro season requirement. But I don't think that's what the rule is stating here.

StratMan · 08-05-2022, 03:24 PM

My opinion is that OOTP should forget about the major league rule and make all players fulfill their 4 or 5 minor professional seasons before Rule 5 eligibility.

With all of the top 100 prospect releases after a couple weeks of rookie ball that has been a problem with every version I've owned (15 years), these players now immediately have to be put on 40 man rosters or expose them to Rule 5 as well. Having less players to protect might help stop some of the Rule 5 activity where you just can't protect enough players.

08-05-2022, 01:23 AM	#1
opie Minors (Single A) Join Date: Apr 2018 Posts: 57	Rule 5 Eligibility I've read the 2021 MLB rules (labeled pages 82-88) (https://registration.mlbpa.org/pdf/majorleaguerules.pdf) and its still foggy if current minor league players (not on the 40) that were released prior still get 3-4 years of pro service prior to being eligible for the Rule 5 draft. Rule 5(c)(4)(c) states: "A player who has been released unconditionally from a Minor League roster and is otherwise subject to selection pursuant to Rule 5(c)(1) or Rule 5(c)(2), shall be subject to selection at any subsequent Rule 5 Selection Meeting if the player is on a Minor League Reserve List... at the time of the Rule 5 Selection Meeting." What does otherwise subject to selection mean here? Rule 5(c)(1)(a) and 5(c)(1)(b) say that 18 year olds require four pro years and 19-and-overs require three pro years before R5 eligibility. To me, that means if the player was released prior, you still need these pro years before becoming R5 eligible. OOTP 23 allows players to be eligible if they were released, even if they are under the 3-4 pro season requirement. But I don't think that's what the rule is stating here. Last edited by opie; 08-05-2022 at 10:29 AM.

08-05-2022, 03:24 PM	#2
StratMan Minors (Single A) Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 68	My opinion is that OOTP should forget about the major league rule and make all players fulfill their 4 or 5 minor professional seasons before Rule 5 eligibility. With all of the top 100 prospect releases after a couple weeks of rookie ball that has been a problem with every version I've owned (15 years), these players now immediately have to be put on 40 man rosters or expose them to Rule 5 as well. Having less players to protect might help stop some of the Rule 5 activity where you just can't protect enough players.