The 2023 MLB Rule 5 Draft completed during the Winter Meetings, which saw the Los Angeles Dodgers lose a Carson Taylor and Darlin Pinales to the Philadelphia Phillies and Arizona Diamondbacks, respectively, during the Minor League phase.
The Dodgers did not lose any players or select any players during the Major League portion of the Rule 5 Draft. Any player picked during the first round of the must remain on the selecting team’s Major League roster for the entire season or be offered back to the previous club.
Players signed at age 18 or younger become Rule 5 eligible after five seasons, while those who signed at age 19 or older are eligible within four seasons.
The Dodgers added Nick Frasso, Landon Knack and Hunter Feduccia to their 40-man roster to protect them from potentially getting selected by another organization in this year’s Rule 5 Draft.
Following the first round, the Minor League portion of the draft begins, where players who are taken have no roster restrictions placed on them in their new organizations.
Pinales, who spent the 2023 season with the ACL Dodgers and Single-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, was selected 18th overall in the Triple-A phase of the draft. He was originally signed by the Dodgers in 2019 as an international free agent out of the Dominican Republic.
The 21-year-old has struggled across his Minor League career, posting a 5.65 ERA over 108.1 innings with a 1.62 WHIP. Although he struck out 113 batters, he also walked 83.
Pinales had a strong season in 2022 when he pitched to a 2.63 ERA across 41 innings, but he took a step back in 2023 and held a 9.16 ERA over 38.1 innings with a 2.19 WHIP, which was fueled by 45 walks.
Taylor, who was the Dodgers’ fourth round pick in the 2020 MLB Draft out of Virginia Tech, was taken 54th overall by the Phillies of the 63 Minor League selections made.
Despite a solid debut season for the High-A Great Lakes Loons, Taylor has not been able to find his footing in the Minor Leagues.
The 24-year-old spent the 2022 and 2023 seasons with the Double-A Tulsa Drillers and holds a career .252 average with a .722 on-base plus slugging across 809 at-bats, hitting 23 homers and driving in 103 runs.
His 2023 season was his worst yet as he hit .221/.310/.369 in 249 at-bats.
Notable Dodgers prospects not selected in Rule 5 Draft
Dodgers prospects who may have been of interest to teams included Kendall Williams (who was part of the 2023 Arizona Fall League Fall Stars Game), José Ramos (No. 19 prospect), Alec Gamboa, Yeiner Fernandez (No. 26), John Rooney, Braydon Fisher, Ryan Ward, Jerming Rosario, Carlos Duran and Edgardo Henriquez.
After not being selected, all will remain in the organization, but they will be eligible one again next year unless the Dodgers add any of them to their 40-man roster.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
