Brewers Rule 5 Draft Preview: 10 Names To Consider Selecting, 5 Who Could Be Poached

Pitchers

4. Tanner Burns, RHP, Guardians

Tanner Burns is a former first round pick and the Guardians are known for developing pitching and Burns shows a lot of traits the Brewers like. He's had strong results in the upper levels of the minors as both a starter and reliever. Burns' induced vertical break (IVB) on his fastball is elite, running 20 inches of IVB, and that's a number the Brewers typically covet. He can adapt to different roles, which would be needed in Milwaukee, who could use him as a starter, reliever, or swingman.

5. Justin Slaten, RHP, Rangers

Slaten is a typically Rule 5 selection, similar to the profile Gus Varland had last year. He's a power pitcher, reaching the upper 90s that finally figured out some walk problems and has experience in the upper levels of the minors. He generates whiffs and has quality stuff and would be an excellent option for the Brewers bullpen, if he lasts long enough in the Draft to get to Milwaukee's pick.

6. Shane Drohan, LHP, Red Sox

You can never have enough lefties. Drohan showcased improved stuff in 2023. He struggled once promoted to Triple-A as a starter, but he has four pitches, including a big league changeup. Focusing on that changeup, Drohan could find a role out of a bullpen as a lefty with an elite offspeed pitch.

7. CJ Van Eyk, RHP, Blue Jays

Van Eyk has the pedigree of a top pick, but has struggled to stay healthy over his career. He's healthy now, though, and has a hammer curveball that could play up out of the bullpen. His fastball could play up as well in shorter stints, which will be needed if he's going to succeed at the big league level.

8. Brendan Cellucci, LHP, Red Sox

Cellucci has a profile similar to that of Brent Suter in the fact that he's a soft-throwing lefty with a pitch arsenal that just stymies hitters and is very analytically freindly. He generates a lot of whiffs and tops out at just 91 MPH. His slider is his best pitch.

9. R.J. Dabovich, RHP, Giants

Dabovich didn't pitch much in 2023, missing most of the season with hip surgery, but he brings the heat. Dabovich can top out at 99 MPH and sits in the mid-90s. While health is a concern, Dabovich has the power profile that would make him fit right in in Milwaukee's bullpen. He may not be ready to start the season, but when he is finally ready to go out there, he has the stuff to be a leverage arm.

10. Ryan Fernandez, RHP, Red Sox

Fernandez also throws heat, topping out at 97 MPH and has a three pitch mix, including a cutter and slider. He generates a lot of strikeouts and can spin the ball well, which is a trait the Brewers historically target. Fernandez has struggled to stay on the field in the past, but he's healthy right now and he could help out the bullpen.

The Milwaukee Brewers have several prospects eligible to be selected by other teams this year. They protected their top players, Jeferson Quero and Bradley Blalock, but have left several more unprotected.

In recent years, the Brewers have been wise in their protection decisions. They haven't lost a player in the major league phase of the Rule 5 Draft since 2016 when Miguel Diaz was picked by the Padres. The Brewers have the 3rd longest active drought in baseball between Rule 5 Draft losses. Only the White Sox and Braves have gone longer without losing a player in the Draft.

Here are five Brewers minor leaguers who could get selected in the 2023 Rule 5 Draft.

1. RHP Evan McKendry

The Brewers traded for McKendry mid-season and he put up some solid numbers in Triple-A this year. He's a starter and he's close to the big leagues but the Brewers chose not to protect him even with their pitching depth problems. While the ceiling isn't very high, McKendry is a proven performer, he was 3rd in Triple-A in strikeouts among qualified pitchers. He's healthy, has high minors experience, and could intrigue another team.

2. RHP Justin Yeager

The Brewers got Yeager in the William Contreras trade. His first season with the Brewers didn't go as planned. He suffered an early injury, only making it into three games. He didn't give up a run in those games, and returned to play in the Arizona Fall League. He appeared in nine games and had a 6.23 ERA in a small sample, but may have impressed enough with his stuff.

3. OF Carlos D. Rodriguez

Not to be confused with the pitching prospect Carlos F. Rodriguez, Carlos D. Rodriguez is a contact-hitting outfielder. He just posted a .291 batting average in Double-A, which was 3rd in the Southern League among qualified hitters. He added 21 doubles, but lacks over-the-fence pop. He's a contact machine, striking out just 50 times all season. A team in need of an outfielder that can get on base could look at Rodriguez.

4. IF Cam Devanney

Cam Devanney would be a solid utility infield option for teams in search of one at the Rule 5 Draft. He hit .271/.362/.461 with 27 doubles, 11 homers, and an .823 OPS at Triple-A Nashville. While maybe lacking upside, Devanney can play all four infield spots and brings a solid bat. There's value in that and perhaps another team will give him a shot.

5. LHP Adam Seminaris

Seminaris only made 16 starts this year and the ERA wasn't good at 5.95, but there are some positives. He has upper minors experience, he has prospect pedigree, he kept walks down, and he was able to prove he was healthy in the Arizona Fall League. Some team could take a chance on Seminaris in the Rule 5 Draft.

Another name to reportedly watch is Tobias Myers, who was a starting pitcher for Double-A Biloxi this year. He ate up innings, leading the Southern League in innings and strikeouts, but his ERA was near 5.00.

The Rule 5 Draft is quite unpredictable. The Brewers aren't at risk of losing any important pieces. At the same time, they have a chance to add a talented player or two if they so choose. It's tougher for hitters to stick and relievers are commonly taken in the Rule 5 and that's a route the Brewers could go again.