The history of the Rule 5 draft reads like a catalog of last chances. For most players, going unprotected in the Rule 5 is a sign that their days as a prospect are over, and that their career as an organizational minor league player has begun. Most years, it’s a longshot that a single player emerges from the draft of players organizations have left unprotected to have real success.
The cream of the 2017 Rule 5 draft thus far is starting pitcher Brad Keller. Keller was selected by the Cincinnati Reds and quickly dealt to the Kansas City Royals, where he’s accumulated 4.