One Rule 5 Draft Option For Pirates to Consider (+)
In recent years, the Pittsburgh Pirates have been active in the annual Rule 5 Draft in December.
Before we get into it, let’s talk about the rules. Players eligible for the Rule 5 draft are not on the 40-man roster. Teams must protect players who originally signed at 19 years or older within four years of signing. Players who signed at 18 years old or younger must be added to the 40-man roster within five years.
If a team selects a player, they must remain on that team’s active roster or the injured list for the duration of the season. Otherwise, a player becomes subject to waivers and must be offered back to the original team for $50,000 if they clear.
Two offseasons ago, the Pirates had the first selection and chose right-hander José Soriano from the Los Angeles Angels and traded for fellow righty Luis Oviedo. Neither player is still with Pittsburgh.
Last year, the Pirates chose left-handed reliever José Hernández from the Los Angeles Dodgers, who spent the 2023 season with the Pirates and remains on the 40-man roster.
The Pittsburgh Pirates find themselves in a different position this offseason. Coming off of a 76-86 showing in 2023, they are closer to competing than before. The eye towards the future is turning into the present.
Because of that, the Pirates may opt to not make a selection in this year’s Rule 5 Draft. But there is one player who could make sense if the Pirates do make a pick.
Among the many players across the league who were not protected is Troy Johnston, a first baseman in the Miami Marlins’ organization. Johnston is considered Miami’s No. 21 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline.
The 26-year-old is coming off of a very strong season at the plate between Double-A Pensacola and Triple-A Jacksonville. Johnston played 83 games in Double-A, where he slashed .296/.396/.567 with 23 doubles, 18 home runs, 83 RBIs and 16 steals. He carried a respectable 17.3% strikeout rate and walked in a healthy 11.3% of his plate appearances. All-in-all, he had a remarkable 152 wRC+ with Pensacola.
His success in Double-A led to a promotion to Triple-A, where he played in 51 games. Again, Johnston impressed. Johnston hit .323 with an OPS of .923 (133 wRC+). He recorded 13 doubles, eight home runs and 33 RBIs to go along with eight more steals.
Johnston’s experience in the upper-levels of the minor leagues adds to his appeal. It makes him a safer target in that he has a better chance of lasting the season on the Pirates’ active roster.
Johnston is on the older side when it comes to prospects. He turned 26 years old in June. That shouldn’t make much difference for the Pirates, though.
Last year, the Oakland A’s selected Ryan Noda, who was 27 years old on opening day. Noda ended up having a good season for Oakland last year with a 123 wRC+ and 16 home runs in 123 games. Like Johnston, Noda had experience in the upper-levels of the minors.
Considering where the Pirates are at in their rebuild, they should be looking more for someone they feel can come in and contribute right out of the gate instead of hiding a player on the bench or in the bullpen to gain another prospect with upside for later down the road.
Ideally enough, Johnston would help in solving one of the Pirates’ biggest needs this winter at first base. The left-handed hitter could pair with Connor Joe and give Pittsburgh a formidable platoon.
The potential acquisition of Johnston would be cheap. He would only make the major league minimum. In turn, the Pirates could focus all their efforts into allocating their resources into the starting rotation. Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington will be seeking at least two, and potentially even three starting pitchers this winter. That will cost some money.
If Cherington decides to make a selection, Johnston seems like an ideal candidate.
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