The Los Angeles Dodgers added Jacob Amaya, Jorbit Vivas, Eddys Leonard, Michael Grove and James Outman to their 40-man roster ahead of the deadline to do so for the 2021 Rule 5 Draft that is scheduled to be held Thursday, Dec. 9, the last day of the Winter Meetings.
However, that does remain somewhat in question as the league is facing an increasing likelihood of a lockout, which would preclude the Major League portion of the Rule 5 Draft from being held. Nevertheless, the aforementioned prospects are guaranteed to remain with the Dodgers organization.
Players who were signed at age 19 or older and have been in professional baseball for four years are eligible to be taken in the annual Rule 5 Draft.
So too are those who were signed at 18 or younger and have played five years. A player selected during the Minor League phases can be placed on any roster in the Minors and does not have to be offered back to their original club.
Amaya, Grove and Outman were with the Dodgers as non-roster invitees to Spring Training this year. Outman now is shining for the organization in the Arizona Fall League.
Leonard batted a combined .296/.390/.539 with 29 doubles and 22 home runs for Low-A Rancho Cucamonga and High-A Great Lakes. He’s played second base, third base, shortstop and center field thus far in the Minors.
Vivas also spent time with the Quakes and Loons this past season, hitting .312/.396/.496 with 26 doubles and 14 home runs on the year.
Billy McKinney and Zach Reks were designated for assignment as corresponding moves to free up enough spots on the 40-man roster.
What Minor Leaguer players could Dodgers have protected?
Along with the five who were selected, the Dodgers held the option to add Leonel Valera, Gus Varland, Robinson Ortiz, Guillermo Zuniga, Justin Yurchak, Devin Mann, Jeren Kendall and Omar Estevez, among others.
Last year the Dodgers protected Gerardo Carrillo, Andre Jackson, Edwin Uceta and Zach Reks. Jackson, Reks and Uceta then went on to make their respective MLB debuts during the 2021 season. Though, Uceta was designated for assignment during the postseason and now is with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
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