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The 2026 season could help determine Aaron Boone’s future with the Yankees.

According to multiple reports, Cade Winquest, a Rule 5 draft pick by the New York Yankees, has made the Opening Day roster. It’s a rarity in MLB. Here’s the definition of what a Rule 5 draft pick in MLB is:

“Held each December, the Rule 5 Draft allows clubs without a full 40-man roster to select certain non-40-man roster players from other clubs. Clubs draft in reverse order of the standings from the previous season. Players signed at age 18 or younger need to be added to their club’s 40-man roster within five seasons or they become eligible for the Rule 5 Draft. Players who signed at age 19 or older need to be protected within four seasons.”

The St. Louis Cardinals originally drafted Cade Winquest in the eighth round of the 2022 MLB draft. Winquest pitched in college for the UT-Arlington

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Manager Aaron Boone Comments on Cade Winquest

GettyBALTIMORE, MARYLAND – SEPTEMBER 20: Manager Aaron Boone #17 of the New York Yankees blows a bubble while watching batting practice before the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 20, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

Winquest is 25 years old and has not made his MLB debut yet.

Here is what Yankees manager Aaron Boone said about Winquest and his spring training:

“We feel like he’s gonna be a good pitcher. So, I think he’s shown enough to keep himself in that mix for us and to warrant us taking him. We’ll see in the end which way we go. But he’s taken to some of the minor adjustments we’ve had for him, I know the pitching group has had for him. That’s always kind of a work in progress, but I think he’s got a chance to be good.”

He will be the first Rule 5 draft pick to appear in a game for the Yankees since Josh Phelps in 2007.

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Cade Winquest’s Journey in Baseball

Cade Winquest pitched for UT-Arlington from 2019 to 2022 before beginning his professional journey with the Cardinals.

In 2025, with High-A and Double-A, Winquest posted a 3.99 ERA over 106.2 total innings.

He will be a member of the Yankees bullpen and likely given a shot to prove himself as an MLB pitcher at some point during the season.

Winquest has had mixed results in spring training, but the Yankees coaching staff clearly trusts him enough to make him a part of the Opening Night roster against the San Francisco Giants.

In 8.1 innings this spring, Winquest has given up six earned runs on 11 hits and seven strikeouts.

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