\tThe Rule 5 Draft Faces an Uncertain Future<\/p>\n
\n\tMLB’s current collective bargaining agreement expires at 11:59 p.m. ET on December 1. Unless the league and players’ union reach a new agreement, a lockout could begin December 2. That would put the scheduled December 9 Rule 5 Draft directly in the middle of a potential work stoppage.\n<\/p>\n
\n\tThere is already a recent example of how a lockout can disrupt this process. During the previous labor stoppage in 2021, the Major League phase of the Rule 5 Draft was canceled. The Minor League portion was still conducted remotely, but teams did not get the usual opportunity to select players for their big-league rosters.\n<\/p>\n
\n\tThe same possibility exists this offseason. The scheduled Winter Meetings could be disrupted, and the Major League portion of the draft could be postponed or canceled. If that happens, teams could eventually revisit the process after a new collective bargaining agreement is reached.\n<\/p>\n
\n\tThat uncertainty makes it difficult to know exactly what the Rule 5 landscape will look like in December. However, Minnesota still needs to make its protection decisions before that uncertainty is resolved.\n<\/p>\n
\tA Much Smaller Group of Twins Prospects<\/p>\n
\n\tLast offseason, Minnesota added six prospects to its 40-man roster ahead of the Rule 5 protection deadline. Connor Prielipp<\/a>, Andrew Morris<\/a>, Kendry Rojas<\/a>, John Klein<\/a>, Gabriel Gonzalez<\/a>, and Hendry Mendez<\/a> all received protection.\n<\/p>\n \n\tThe Twins could add a player or two this year, especially if they want to avoid losing someone with interesting upside. However, this year’s group is considerably less imposing. Yasser Mercedes<\/a> is the most intriguing name, while several other players have reached the upper levels of the organization without establishing themselves as must-protect prospects.\n<\/p>\n \n\tHere are some of the players worth monitoring.\n<\/p>\n \tYasser Mercedes, OF, High-A Cedar Rapids<\/p>\n \n\tMercedes is the most interesting prospect in this group and the only player eligible from Twins Daily’s top 20 prospect rankings. The 21-year-old outfielder was ranked No. 19 in the organization’s updated rankings. Minnesota originally signed Mercedes for $1.7 million during the 2022 international signing period. He has long possessed an intriguing combination of athleticism, power, speed, and arm strength. His development has been uneven, but the tools remain exciting.\n<\/p>\n \n\tMercedes finished the 2026 season with a .249 batting average, 18 home runs, and 52 stolen bases. His overall .796 OPS shows some offensive production, although his numbers became less impressive after moving up to High-A. He still has plenty of work to do offensively, particularly when it comes to consistency against more advanced pitching.\n<\/p>\n \n\tHe is the highest-upside player Minnesota needs to consider protecting. However, his developmental stage creates a difficult decision. A player selected in the Major League Rule 5 Draft must remain on the selecting club’s active roster throughout the following season, barring certain exceptions. Mercedes might not be ready for that type of responsibility.\n<\/p>\n \n\tCulpepper is an interesting pitching option after spending time as both a starter and reliever during the 2026 season. The 24-year-old right-hander was a 13th-round selection by Minnesota in 2022. Last year, he appeared in 42 games, recording 84 strikeouts across 79 2\/3 innings. His 4.29 ERA and 1.46 WHIP aren’t particularly impressive, but he has some intriguing stuff. His fastball regained velocity during the season, and his slider remains his best offering.\n<\/p>\n \n\tCulpepper reached Triple-A and transitioned into a relief role. That experience could make him more attractive to another organization looking for bullpen depth. Still, Minnesota would need to decide whether his overall profile warrants a 40-man roster spot.\n<\/p>\n \n\tPasqualotto is another potential bullpen option. The 25-year-old right-hander was selected in the 12th round of the 2023 MLB Draft and has steadily moved through the Twins’ minor league system. He struck out 95 batters in 70 innings during the 2026 season while posting a 3.73 ERA and 1.27 WHIP. He pitched at three different levels, including a brief stint with the St. Paul Saints late in the season.\n<\/p>\n \n\tHis strikeout numbers are encouraging, but he has limited experience against Triple-A competition. Pasqualotto has a chance to become an organizational bullpen option, although the Twins might prefer to see him continue developing before committing a 40-man roster spot.\n<\/p>\n \n\tRosario is one of the more intriguing offensive players on this list. The 24-year-old outfielder has consistently shown power throughout his minor league career, and he continued that trend in 2026. He hit .260 with 22 home runs, 54 RBI, and an .845 OPS across the minor league season. His promotion to Triple-A went well, as he hit 11 home runs and posted a .913 OPS in 42 games with St. Paul.\n<\/p>\n \n\tRosario has legitimate power potential, but there are questions about his ability to make consistent contact against advanced pitching. His performance at Triple-A gives the organization something to consider, especially with his age and experience. He is among the more realistic offensive candidates for a 40-man roster spot.\n<\/p>\n \n\tSchobel was a competitive balance pick in the 2022 MLB Draft and entered professional baseball with plenty of expectations. He has spent much of his career developing as a middle infielder, but the offensive production has been inconsistent. The 25-year-old hit .228 with seven home runs and a .673 OPS during the 2026 season. He has some defensive versatility, but his offensive numbers don’t make a particularly strong case for protecting him this offseason.\n<\/p>\n \n\tSchobel still provides organizational depth, but Minnesota has other infield options competing for opportunities. He would be a difficult player to justify adding to the 40-man roster.\n<\/p>\n
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