For the better part of the last dozen years, I’ve probably discussed the RF draft more than any writer not employed by MLB or MLBPipeline. As this is the first time since 2006-excluding the Pandemic season, where I haven’t been to Arizona for the AFL.

Not only was there no AFL season in 2020, we didn’t have affiliated minor league ball to follow or enjoy. As such, everything in minor league ball hasn’t been the same since MLB eradicated over 40 minor league teams. Coverage of the minor leagues and players stats the past two years had changed dramatically.

Since I’ve been writing about minor league ball and the AFL, I’ve had several occasions to interview and write features about players that were going to be exposed to the Rule Five draft. Without sharing organizational plans, front offices have shared certain information with me as to who might be on the 40-man roster leading up to the winter meetings.

Before the lost 2020 season, I was somewhat familiar with most of the players selected in the ML phase of the draft-even if I didn’t understand the drafting team’s motivation.

The primary reporters covering the draft and the likely players teams would leave unprotected was the purview of three guys; Jonathan Mayo, Jim Callis, and Mike Rosenbaum of MLB Pipeline. Other publications devote some space for the draft, but usually doing so with less gusto.

It’s funny how every individual team’s MLB.com site spent some time and energy on the results of the draft this year. However, the teams’ writers have done little more than copy and paste bits from the above-mentioned writers. Each team’s pick(s) is likely to stick and shows great promise despite the odds being against them.

I’d argue that it’s lazy journalism and if anyone other than me was searching for real stories or exemptions to the R5 draft history.

Players left unprotected can look at this in one of two ways. They can see the move to another organization as a fresh start. I know some players that can’t imagine playing for another team-even if it eventually benefits them. Teams can only draft players if they have space on their 40-man rosters. They also have to keep those chosen in the ML phase on their 25-man roster for the entire season. The better teams hoping to reach the World Series, can’t afford to keep one of these guys on their roster.

Ordinarily, a team like the 65-win Kansas City Royals would be prime candidates to get involved in the draft. However, the Royals didn’t have room on their 40-man rosters to select a player. That speaks to the trust they have in their own young players.

I admit that I haven’t paid as much attention to the minors the past two years and recognized only 7 players selected in the ML phase and the various minor league phases.

As teams try to find hidden treasures, the Rule 5 draft remains a safe, low-risk option.