Cubs Protect Two Top 30 Prospects From Rule 5 Draft

The Chicago Cubs faced key decisions on four long-time prospects as they prepared for the Rule 5 Draft next month.

The Chicago Cubs faced decisions on four key prospects as they had to make their Rule 5 Draft protections on Tuesday.

In order to protect those players, the Cubs had to move them to the 40-man roster. If they didn’t, they would expose them to the Rule 5 Draft next month.

Of particular note were the four Top 30 prospects, as ranked by MLB.com, within their organization.

Those players were right-handed pitcher Michael Arias (No. 12), right-handed pitcher Porter Hodge, (No. 26), catcher Pablo Aliendo (No. 27) and right-handed pitcher Kohl Franklin (No. 28).

The Cubs protected two of them — Arias and Hodge. A third player not in the Top 30, left-handed pitcher Bailey Horn, was also protected. That set the Cubs' roster at 40.

This means that Aliendo and Franklin will be exposed to next month's draft. 

The moves can be critical for the Cubs’ future, as there are players that could make their way to the team one day.

The Cubs saw some of their recent draft picks and player development pay off this season with the promotions of pitcher Jordan Wicks, outfielder Peter Crow-Armstrong and outfielder Alexander Canario.

The Cubs just hired a new manager in Craig Counsell, one of the most surprising moves of the offseason so far. Counsell was the manager of the Milwaukee Brewers before he hit free agency and signed a five-year, $40 million deal to take over the Cubs. It is the largest contract ever given to a manager. To make room, the Cubs fired David Ross.

Meanwhile, the Cubs will turn their attention to free agency, where they hope to try and keep slugger Cody Bellinger and could pursue two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani.

The Rule 5 Draft, or the Winter Meeting Draft, will take place on Dec. 6 in Nashville.

Players signed at age 18 or younger who had not been added to the 40-man within five seasons of becoming a pro, or players who signed at age 19 or older and had not been added to the 40-man roster within four seasons were eligible for protection.

For teams that draft a player in the Rule 5 Draft, they must pay $100,000 to the player’s club, put him on their 26-man roster immediately and put him out outright waivers if they release him the following season. If he clears waivers, he goes back to his former team for $50,000.